Adreinne- Thank you for saying what most of us are thinking! I honestly don't pay much attention to what the media says about the risks. I stick to what my surgeon's statistics are. I've known a lot of people who have had the surgery and only one passed away. She would have died anyway with or without the surgery, it just came a little too late for her and her surgery was extremely high risk. I also have little fear for myself. I've been blessed in many ways. I do have sleep apnea, but it improved greatly since I move to Utah into a higher elevation. I have arthritis, but haven't heard of a death associated with inflammation to the joints! I don't have heart problems or high blood pressure. So, when compared to many with my BMI, surprisingly, I am considered to be on the healthy side. I think that will help tremendously. The biggest problem I've had with the media is with family and friends. They have to pass along every new research statistic or reported death to me. I explain why those don't pertain to me, but I can feel their faith wavering. I think the best way out of it will be to have the surgery and live! Thank you Adrienne, and I think it's is great for you to open yourself up to others for support. It is appreciated! Denise

Hi ALL, This is my take on this whole darn 1/50 mortality rate from WLS thing. When you are Obese the statistics say blah blah blah % of Obese die. They say we are lazy that we have low self esteem and that we need to just pull back from the table. So, what do we do? we go on a diet and start to loose weight spend tons of money on the weight loss crap. Then what? We gain it back and then some, they say we did not try hard enough, we have no will power. Ok then we have a more permanent form of weight loss which is what? the surgery and now they say blah blah blah % died due to complications from the surgery. I said all of that to say this, we are in a no WIN situation with the Media and their @#$$%&$!!!! Statistics. I say to hell with them all, because we stand a greater RISK of MORTALITY by being Obese than we do haviing the surgery. Complications arise in every facet of everyday life. There are people who die from a routine exploratory surgery, do we hear about that? No. There are women who die giving birth, there are people who die after having a tooth pulled. But none of these things are broadcast. It is just another way to TRY and I stress TRY and keep the BIG KIDS DOWN!!! But here on OH we got news for them, we are NOT backing down, we say have fun with your statistics and CRAP because we are finally going to do something for US and we are going to stand up for what we believe in. That is why this site is so vital and it is so important to support one another because we have so many odds against us. This is not the worlds fight this is our FIGHT and together if we stand TALL we can win this thing. Good Luck to all of the PRE- OPS and just know that although this is not an easy task you have a lot of support here for you when you cross over. You can email me anytime and I will respond I will even call you if you need to talk. Just no that you are not alone we are here to help. Love ya!!! Adrienne

Jackie and Tasha~ Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! I feel better knowing that there are others who are in the same position, or, at least, have been. I talked to Empire BCBS today and they received the psych eval and so far my paperwork "seems" complete. She said she should have a decision on Tuesday. But I've learned not to get too excited at the sounds of "should"s. I've heard too many without fruition, and it gets discouraging. Sometimes it's hard being a pessimist and always being right! I'd love to be pleasantly surprised once in a while. When it happens, it's like winning the lottery. Denise

I hear you sister! I lost my best friend on Aug. 11, 2003 when I was "banded". My best friend was chocolate...sniff sniff! She was always there for me when I needed her... or nearby at the store. I have been reintroduced to my friend and see her in very small amounts... not daily anymore, but I'll get by. It was sad when I realized that my whole way of thinking revolved around food... having friends or family over, sitting in front of the TV, planning a party... it all involved food! Thanksgiving was a little different for me this year! I focused on my family and not on allllll the food! Good Luck with your journey! Tasha

My name is Denise and I joined this website, initially, June of 2002 when I made my first attempt at WLS back in Oregon. I became disabled after I injured my back, and could no longer work. My back surgeon suggested WLS as my only hope of normalcy. So, after researching and talking to friends (half dozen of which worked with me with the same insurance, had already had the surgery without any difficulty or appeals) I found a popular bariatric surgeon. I got all of my paperwork and pre-tests done and sent. I met the surgeon, he approved me for surgery. But, right before he sent out my Medical Necessity letter, he dropped out. He left me the option to start all over again with another doctor, pay him to get all of my records back, after paying a non-refundable $300 just to see him, and then hope for the best. But, by then, I could no longer care for myself and had to move to find free help, aka my really terrific mom-in-law in SLC. So, my hubby, 2 boys, and I moved to UT. Quickly, I tried again, but I lost my insurance. I kept all the info for RMAP (Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians) because I was thoroughly impressed with the surgeons and the after care program. Then I had to wait until my husband found a job with insurance before I could reapply. He finally found a job in July 2003, but his insurance wouldn't begin until October 1, 2003. Inpatiently, I turned in all of my records, reports and RMAP application in August, understanding they couldn't send the letter until October 1. The letter and paperwork was all sent into my insurance, EMPIRE BCBS, on October 3, 2003, but wasn't received until it was faxed again on Oct. 17. About three weeks later I was told by Empire that all I needed was a psych evaluation. Finally, I got the completed evaluation yesterday (Dec. 3, 2003) and handed it in myself to RMAP. So now, I am waiting for them to get it to Empire and then a decision. Phew! It's been a year and a half in coming, and I feel I'm in the home stretch, but it's still so hard to be patient. I feel bad complaining, knowing others have gone through years of appeals, or were forced to self-pay. But the pain medication (methadone) that I take for my back is now killing me by causing my liver to breakdown. It's slow going, but with an already weakened liver I don't want to get to a point where I am waiting for a new liver rather than approval for WLS! I guess I'm here looking for support. I know I'm not alone, but it's sure seems that way when my life is spent mostly in a pain induced seclusion. Thanks for reading all the way through my story and the shoulders to cry on! Denise (PS these are the cutest emoticons I've seen!)