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Andy,
I don't know the particulars of your sisters insurance situation, so I'm not much help there... but I do believe your Sister is in need of weight loss surgery. At 500 lbs, the stress put on her body due to excess weight puts her life at risk. This is why it's called morbidly obese. At our highest weights we often feel helpless, depressed and like we have no options. It's pretty common. Deciding to have surgery is difficult and there are a lot of questions that come with it...
We have a local support group I'd like to invite you and your sister to. We meet every Saturday at 8:30 am alternating between Panera bread at the Burnsville mall, and Eagan Byerly's Caribou. This weeks meeting (oct 5th) will be at the Burnsville Panera bread location. We are a very informal group of Minnesotans who have all had weight loss surgery. People considering surgery often come to ask questions, find out more about the different types of surgery available and to find out what life is like post op. We have a few members who started at a similar weight as your sister and have now lost around 250lbs!
We also have a private facebook page I can connect you and your sister to. Not everyone is able to attend the Saturday meetings (especially if you live outside the metro) so the facebook group keeps us connected and able to communicate! If you're interested in joining the Facebook page, friend request me... Jen Davidson Halverson, and I'll connect you! The facebook page is private so nothing posted on there will ever show up on your personal page.
On a personal note... If insurance won't pay for her surgery... she does have self pay options. I had sleeve surgery with Alberto Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico for about 8750. There are actually 5 members of our local group that have used Aceves for gastric sleeve or DS surgeries and are all very happy with the outcome.
Good luck to you and your sister.
Highest weight 279.8
Surgery weight 268
Hello, My name is Andrew and I am finding myself here in search of help for my sister. She is fighting with a bad case of edema and has ran out of health insurance. Right now she is well over 500lbs and is feeling utterly helpless. She is being told she needs this surgery or it will end her life. I don't know where to go or who to talk to. I hate sitting here and watching her feel so full of pain. Both physically and mentally. Is she really out of options because of her insurance situation or are they programs that would be willing to help her? Is this even the place I'd go to find it? I don't know. Maybe someone out there can help me help her.
Thank you for reading.
Have a good day.
Andy
I had RnY by Dr. Chute, and I have been very happy with my decision. It was important to me to have more reinforcement of good habits, and the RnY gives me that with dumping syndrome and malabsorption. The sleeve is restriction-only. If you are a self-disciplined person, you can definitely make that work, I have quite a few friends who are rocking their sleeve. You know yourself best, and what will work for you.
I eat pretty normally now, including some sugar things. I am probably not a person who would live without sugar or sweets for the rest of my life. But if I eat too much sugar or fat, I definitely feel icky, so I know to stop myself before going too far--mostly. :-)
If you are nearby, you should definitely come and talk to others at our South of the River coffee group. We meet every Saturday morning at 8:30 am, either in Eagan or Burnsville. This coming Saturday, October 5th, we will be in Burnsville, at the Panera in Burnsville Center. You will know our group because we usually sit just to the right inside the door, and many of us will be sitting with water bottles in front of us. :-)
Did you go through with the VSG in MN? Looking for a surgeon as welll...
Thank you, Jen. Yes we are going to be there on Saturday. Alison was scrape booking last Saturday, and I got caught up in the building here.
I will "friend" you! I am sorry I missed that'
Mary Hughes
Hi Mary! I finally got your facebook message! Sorry... it got lost in my "other" folder. I need you to friend me so I can add you to the group.... won't let me do it without being friended! Sent a message to you and your daughter on facebook. Check your "other" folders! Thanks! Jen
Highest weight 279.8
Surgery weight 268
