How can I be positive?

I hate this! I finally make a decision and start moving forward in the process and before things ever get going I hit a road block!

My first doctor's appointment for the physical is set for this coming Thursday on the 5th. Today however DH went to work to be told he has been laid off. Now I am at a cross road. Do I continue on with my appointment and just HOPE and pray DH gets his job back in less than 6 weeks ( In this economy?! I think I am dreaming.) or possibly hope and pray the doctor and everyone possibly try and push the surgery through to hopefully get it done before the insurance runs out. (I've seen it happen but certainly NOT holding my breath on it.)

I already feel defeated and I've barely begun the journey!

Other than to gather information, I'm not sure what the point of going to the Dr. appointment would be at this point. I don't want to give up but I don't want to set myself up for utter disappointment either, to where I'll have to completely start over from square one after this.

Any help or encouragement would be great. I'm not sure what I should do. I know what I want, I just don't know how to make it happen anymore. If I am forced to wait then I have absolutely no choice in the matter. But physically and health wise I don't think I can nor should wait any longer than I "need" to. :(

Sephia,
I am sorry to hear about your DH's job.  I lost mine on Monday.  Here is a thread to a post of a member in a similar situation.  It was recommended that she use COBRA benefits. 

Good Luck.

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/MI/3828771/Who-do-you-work-for-cr oss-post/

I think you should definately keep  the appt! Don't you have to do the 1 year documented diet or am I confusing you w/someone else? Get started on that documented diet NOW so it's out of your way! Did you find out what type of diet it has to be? It's the perfect time! KEEP YOUR APPT:) Go as far as you can while you still have insurance. Many ins co's require the diet anyway, in case hubby gets another job or goes back to his current job.

I agree with Lisa.  The time is going to pass whether you do anything positive with it or not. So, for now, use the time to take steps forward.  More than likely you are going to have to have some type of medically supervised diet documentation for 6 months or 1 year.  This is not a hurry-up, rush through process for most people.  If you don't have the diet documentation and your insurance requires it, then now would be the perfect time to work on that.  Plus there may be some things you can do towards surgery, like other testing, psych eval, or anything else the insurance/surgeon may require.I would keep my appt. 

It's sad that so many people are losing their jobs.  Sorry you've been affected by this.  My husband works for one of "the Big Three".  We've been on pins and needles for 3 years now, but fortunately he has survived all cuts, and was not offered a buy-out as he was "deemed necessary to day to day operations." So...we keep plugging along knowing things could change any moment.  Try to stay positive!  Tina

First I'm so sorry you having to deal with this.  Hopefully your hubby can find another job soon.

Second, do you qualify for COBRA benefits with your hubby's employer?  COBRA bene's are avail for 18 months, it's pricey but better than no bene's.  If your insurance covered wls before he was laid off, you will still have the same benefits.

You may want to check into that.

Good luck,

Edie

For normal people COBRA would be an option. However it would cost us over $400 a month to do COBRA and with 7 children to think of, $400 is TOO much to even consider it as an option. Being healthy through WLS is one thing if I was single and didn't have to worry about caring for a large family of 7 children, you know?

So no, COBRA isn't an option for us at this time. Once things run out we'll be putting the kids on State insurance.

:(

There are a couple of things you could do:
First, go to your appointment.  I can't remember your specifics, but do you meet all surgery requirements for the current insurance?  Explain to your doctor and the staff what's going on with insurance, and maybe, just maybe, they will pu**** through.  I had mine done at U of M and the one surgery billing covered all after-visits, including the nutritionist.  If they won't do that, at least you will have established yourself as a potential patient and it's on record.  You never know what could happen with DH's job.

Find out from the doc a realistic timeline for surgery.  What if they can do it in March?  Then you would only have to pay for COBRA for a month.  Check with hubby's employer and see if you pay just the month before coverage.  If so, you'd only have to pay for what you need.  Four hundred seems manageable if it's just the one time. 

If all else fails, and you need to have documented weight-loss tries, then use this time to go to Weigh****chers or another program.  I know you are discouraged and everything sucks right now, but it's important to keep moving forward.   Just don't use this roadblock as a reason to give up.  No matter what happens, keep your goal in mind and do everything you can to reach it.  While you are waiting for insurance you can do a lot of research, develop an exercise plan, practice eating protein first, try out new WLS friendly recipes on your kids, etc.  When the time comes (and it WILL!) you will be more than ready for surgery.

Best of luck to you!!

Aside from needing some lab work done and a physical I believe I am a candidate for the surgery. I'm near the 50BMI index and as sad as it is I'd happily gain the extra 10lbs needed to reach that 50BMI if it meant I could be pushed through.

While I have never tried Weight W^tchers before I have tried Atkins a few times. I tracked most of my meals online through The Daily Plate before, but I guess they merged with another company and a lot of my diet history went poof into the cyber world. I was able to lose nearly 60lbs while doing Atkins for about 4 months, but life continued to happen and I had 2 more babies which led me to gain the weight back and then some. I'm constantly losing my requirements sheet since I only took notes over the phone a week ago. I should have just put it somewhere in my computer and save it. I guess I'll do that when I can find the paper again. (UGH)

Yes, paying for Cobra for a month could very well be doable too and I'd have to see if through the COBRA plan I'd still be eligible for the surgery.

I haven't so much as given up and I'd definitely keep trudging through with whatever requirements I needed to do for the surgery so I could be ready for that time when we get insurance back, if that ends up being the case.

It's one of those things where you have finally made the decision and you hope it will be an easy road and instead you are met with challenges and obstacles. I think how I handle these challenges will determine how serious and committed I am to changing my life with WLS.

Still, one can't help but feel a little perturbed at the cir****tances before even fully leaving the gate! LOL

Get  your insurance requirements in writing....while you're at it, ask for info. on the COBRA policy as well.

I'm not totally sure about this, but the Atkins stuff won't necessarily count as documented weight loss attempts.  I think they have to be through a doctor or other "program".  Might want to check on that.  PS-Atkins SUCKS!  Every time I did it, I gained back twice as much when I stopped.  Plus, it's just not a healthy, balanced diet.  Just MHO.

Keep the faith, you'll get there.  I know how discouraging it can be.  I was all ready to have my surgery and the "committee" at U of M decided I needed some food-issue counciling.  It wasn't even an insurance requirement!  But you have to keep kicking down those roadblocks, right?

also you can elect to take the COBRA just for yourself and not your entire family, which would save money. If your husband is laid off, you may qualify for other insurance as well with seven dependents or your children may qualify for other insurance. Send me a message is you want to talk more about some other options.