Recent Posts

justmerobin
on 6/14/07 12:58 am
Topic: Peer or group support in Lawrence area.
Hi, I joined here when I first started getting serious about surgery but haven't posted till now. I'm looking for a support group halfway local to Lawrence. There's one in Topeka but it conflicts with a long standing group meeting that I just can't get out of. My surgery is scheduled for July 31 and I'd love to have a few meetings under my belt before then, but what I'd really like is to have a peer support person..someone who's already been through the surgery and can speak to me honestly about what to expect. I've read just about everything I could find on the surgery but I just think it would help me so much to have more than that. The woman at Tall Grass Prairie in Topeka said that there is a meeting in Shawnee at the library but no one there seems to know anything and the email contact that they gave me didn't work. I've been thinking about starting a group locally but don't know how many would be interested Any ideas anyone?  I've added a few from Lawrence to my buddy list today...maybe I'll hear something back from someone there. Thanks! Robin
(deactivated member)
on 6/13/07 4:36 pm, edited 6/13/07 4:37 pm
Topic: Exclusions in Kansas! Contact your Representatives!
If your current state insurance company currently has an exclusion, I urge you to contact your insurance companies, human resources and your local Kansas legislatures to let them know that you want them to fight for your rights and get the exclusion dropped. That is the only way we will get the exclusion dropped. Weight Loss Surgery is the the only proven lasting treatment as a tool to help fight Obesity, which is a disease that thousands of Kansans are suffering from. Dropping this exclusion from our insurance companies, that our state insisted on will mean that thousands of Kansans who are suffering will have hope at a new life and a new beginning. It's important we start this process now, as they will be drafting the new insurance policies for 2008. Below are few sample letters you can send (cut and paste): ************************************************************** from our friends at www.obesitylawyers.com Sample Letter: Dear _____________: I am writing to you as your constituent and a member of an invisible majority. I wish to call your attention to a serious and growing problem in this country. The problem of Obesity and Morbid Obesity is a chronic physiological disorder suffered by countless Americans. In April 2003, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Center's for Disease Control stated in no uncertain terms that Obesity is the Number 1 health threat in the United States today topping deaths caused by smoking. In 1991 the National Institute of Health found that very low calorie diets simply do not work long term when dealing with Obese and Morbidly Obese people. The Consensus report went on to hold that the only option in these situations is gastric restrictive surgery. In fact, the Dartmouth-Hitch**** Medical Center has released research that shows that gastric bypass not only helps patients take excess weight off and keep it off, it may also increase life expectancy by three years or more. I must tell you, on a personal level I have experience humiliation, health defects and personal difficulties as a result of my obesity. My co-morbidities, to wit: health conditions that are caused or worsened by my obese condition will be lessened if not cured as shown by recent medical studies. The health savings are tremendous. The financially savings to this Country in terms of medical expenses are enormous. Yet, despite the forgoing, Insurance Companies have continued to deny coverage for this life saving surgery. Post Operative patients are discriminated against by being rejected for disability and life insurance. I urge you to contact Gary Viscio of Viscio & Associates at 145 Willis Avenue, Mineola, New York 11501, 516-742-5300 and further discuss this situation. Your help is desperately needed. It is truly a matter of life or death. Thank you. ************************************************************** and another sample from our friends at www.obesityaction.org Below, please find a sample letter that will help you get started: Your Full Name Your Full Address Your City, State and Zip Your Phone Number with Area Code Current Date The Honorable (Insert Legislator or Public Official Name Here) Legislator or Official’s Address Legislator or Official’s City, State, Zip Dear Title (Governor, Senator, Representative, Commissioner, etc.), In your first paragraph, mention the following points: 1. You are writing to request their assistance in improving access to bariatric (weight-loss) surgery and other obesity management services in the state of Kansas. If writing specifically about state-employee program, mention it here. 2. Discuss how this specific issue affects you and your family. In your second and third paragraphs, mention the following items: 1. Further elaborate how the issue affects or has affected you. 2. Share your personal connection with the issue in question. (Remember to remain brief. A short letter can accomplish just as much as a long one.) In your last paragraph, discuss the following closing items: 1. Urge them to help restore access to obesity management services. 2. Request that the individual write you back, informing you on their position regarding the issue. 3. Thank the individual. Sincerely, Your Full Name Very truly yours, ************************************************************** and to find your current state senator/congressmen go to www.congress.org you'll have to put in your zip code. Don't forget to also contact Governor Sebelius and the State Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger to voice your concerns too. (Don't forget to tell the Governor that you want WLS as part of her major Health Care Initiative that she will be proposing next legislative session!) Governor Kathleen Sebelius Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 212S Topeka, KS 66612-1590 Phone: (785) 296-3232 Fax: (785) 368-8788 www.ksgovernor.org (to send email go to her website and send email via her webform) and Sandy Praeger State Insurance Commissioner 1-800-432-2484 or e-mail [email protected] Good luck!! Post to let us know what you are doing to help fight!
blycrystal
on 6/13/07 5:59 am
Topic: RE: Hello i am new here :)

My insurance also turned me down. I fiqured I could push the issue, but knew that would take a long time. I went ahead and did self-pay. My surgery date was just last Tuesday on the 5th of June. I finally weighed myself today and much to my surprise I had lost 19 pounds in one week. So if I had not done self-pay I would still be waiting to lose weight. I do not regret it at all.

singlemama66451
on 6/13/07 4:50 am - lyndon, KS
Topic: RE: 2 good things for me!

when i first started phentermine last aug i lost 25lbs in 1 month by sticking to the cal and fat grams that my dr told me to stick to--good job on your 3 lbs and hope you become a bigger loser--haha

skwish71
on 6/13/07 3:37 am - Oxford, KS
Topic: 2 good things for me!
I started phentermine 8 days ago. I weighed 266.4....I weighed in today and I have lost 3 lbs! The doctor also scheduled my appt with Dr Bloxham for the sleep  study on July 12th! Unfortunately, because I had rheumatic fever as a child, I have to go in and have an echocardiogram done on Monday. Woo hoo. 3 is better than nothing right?????
singlemama66451
on 6/13/07 3:11 am - lyndon, KS
Topic: Hello i am new here :)
Hi everyone. My name is annie and i am a single mother of two wonderful kids whom are 8 and 3. I am very interested in the lap band surgery and i know that my insurance does not cover it (especially know that because i work for the insurance company) so my dielma is do i pay out of pocket  for this surgery or wait until they may cover the procedures. for those of you who had the insurance cover it, where do you have your health insurance threw, what company? I work in topeka and i have even been searching for jobs that have insurance that cover the surgery just to be able to get it...any one with advice please respond ... thanks for your time
poodlluv
on 6/11/07 5:15 am
Topic: RE: Turned down
I have gone to the informational meeting required at Tallgrass in Topeka.  What Doc's do you know here that will do my phsyc evaluation?  How much does it cost?   Thank,  Cindy
Sherri B.
on 6/10/07 12:44 pm - Great Bend, KS
Topic: RE: What is u*****T in Kansas?
Don't send any rain this way!  We have had too much, too quick, and too often.  Our roads are washed out and it is a mess.  I will keep you updated.  Thanks.


 

KSKat
on 6/10/07 12:18 pm - Frontenac, KS
Topic: RE: What is u*****T in Kansas?
Hi Sherry, Glad to hear from another Kansan!  You are doing great to have lost 39 lbs already, you must be loving that band!  Great Bend  you are way on the other side of Kansas.  We are having some crazy rain in our little section of the state.  Nearly three inches in a few hours.  Wish we could share some of this with areas that need it. Thanks again for your reply, congratulations and let us know how you are doing.  Keep us posted! Kat
Sherri B.
on 6/10/07 12:13 pm - Great Bend, KS
Topic: RE: What is u*****T in Kansas?

Glad to see some people from Kansas on here.  I had my lapband surgery in Overland Park on March 13th.  All seems to be going well for me.  On the 24th of May I had my second fill.  I love this band!  Good luck to everyone else.


 

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