Down in the Dumps

Just to let you all know how my new surgeon's appointment went last Thursday. I actually didn't meet him. I met with his assistant Cindy. I had to watch a video for an hour and finish my paper work. I then had my physical exam and then we went to her office to go over what I was lacking in my paper work and to go over any questions I might have. I was missing two things, the nutritionist evaluation from my last surgeon and the letter from my pcp wasn't signed. I knew I had the letter at home so it wasn't a big deal. The nutritionist eval was something different. The nutritionist I used is in Little Rock and she is semi retired. She only works two days a week, Monday and Tuesday. So I had to wait till Monday to get ahold of her. The surgeons office had to call to get my insurance approval switched over and they did that Thursday as soon as I left. I got a call on my cell about thirty minutes outside of town from Blue Cross telling me it was all done and I was still approved. The thing that is bothering me the most though, they make you pay (the surgeon's office) a program fee of $500. It covers support group meetings and such. I live a little over an hour away. I can't make support group meetings! They told me I still had to pay it, everyone is required to pay. I also can't have the surgery till I pay it and they don't take payments. For me, $500 is like a million. I don't have it, don't forsee having it till tax time and thats February!. I so feel like this is just one big push away from surgery. Like someone is trying to stop me from having it. I don't want things for myself. My family comes first always and this is the one thing I need for me. It just makes me ill.. Anyway, Thanks for reading, Amy

Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to your leading. Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life. Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them ! the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen

Thank you Shelley that means alot to me. Amy

Hey Amy, I am so sorry you are going thru this right now. I know 500 bucks aint small to any of us. I just have some words to say and I know it doesnt lesson the pain you are going thru. I have read MANY profiles on this web and tell ya hundreds would like to just be where you are. Ive seen some even have to put there houses up for collateral, borrow thousands, Dont have insurance at all, have to totally postpone it, and some have to go and make arrangements to go all the way to Mexico because cant afford it done in here. Like I said, read them all. I personally am bummed out over having to lose 60 pounds before surgery. I have friends that cant have surgery till in the spring because of insurance crap, making them go on six month diet plans and all.So just try to do the best you can and I know it knocks ya down when things like this happens but I tell ya if it wasnt for my SMO family on here and there unconditional support, we would all feel like you do today. We are here for ya in any way. And I can be the BIGGEST whinner there is sometimes, ask Tanja, Soos, Candy, Sipele,Carmella, and Deb.. Family, thats what we are... Come chat with us, we are bound to make ya laugh. hugs margaret

Thank you for the kind words. I have read several profiles and in several yahoo groups concerning weight loss. I know some people have it so much worse than I do. I know that my small little $500 is nothing compared to some. It's just that we can't re finance our home because we rent to own from my father. I don't have anything of value to sell cause its all used/hand me downs from someone else. I don't have jewelry to pawn cause its not worth anything to anyone but me. Our finances are so bad that we are about to file bankruptcy. That still isn't going to get us the $500 though. My husband is working himself silly lately juts to make it week to week. I haven't been able to work because of my health but am really considering trying to find a job even if its just long enough to get the money. I know what I will be doing to myself though. I will be risking a huge flare up and not being able to work. I just feel like I have no options in this. Thats all. I guess if I have to wait till February, then I have to wait. It just really stinks though cause I will have to start my deductable all over and be out more than the $500 because our deductable is $1000, not to mention all the out of pocket stuff. I've met my deductable already this year and all my out of pocket expenses. Anyway, Thank you for posting! I appreciate it alot. Amy

Amy, I know $500.00 is a lot of money... I'm not quite sure what to tell you Is there a family member or friend of you or your husband that might be willing to loan you the money and accept payments from you? Hope you come up with a solution. But, either way, we are here for you like Margaret said. Take Care, Tanja

{{{{{{{{{{{AMY}}}}}}}}}}}} Is there any possibility of you finding a surgeon who doesn't have this huge co-pay/fee??? There is a dr here in town who charges $4200.00 for a "lifetime" of aftercare and support groups etc. Needless to say I kept on looking... Just a thought and I do hope things work out in your favor soon.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((Amy))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Hugs to you girl. I had to pay a $250.00 program fee plus a $3000.00 dect. Thank you Lord for my loving mother. She went and got me a credit card in her name that has no intrest or pymts for 1 year. Otherwise, this would of NEVER have happend for me if it wasn't for my mom. Now I do have to pay it back, every month I get the bill, but still I'm very thankful. The only advice I can give you is you are going to have to buckle down and get some money saved. Even the little things, no eating out, no smoking, no junk food at the store, ect...just cut things back to the bear minimum and save every penny you can. The other thing you can do is get a part time job. I know you said your health is bad, is it because of walking/standing......Try to look for something that you can sit at....call centers, office, scheduler, ect. and SAVE YOUR WHOLE PAYCHECK FOR THIS SURGERY!!!!!! Call a home care agency in your area and ask them if they are hiring an on-call person. You do this after office hours and you can work from home. If you do find a part time job, you could have this money in about 2 months!!!! You could even look into doing some babysitting for someone!!!! I wish you the best of luck in what you decide. You could always find another surgeon that doesn't have a "program fee". BTW I live 1hr 20 min from my surgeon and I don't attend anything with them either. So they got 250 bucks from me...........OH WELL Best Wishes~~ Carmella

I had to pay $1800 just for the support group fee. No money no operation they said. It was worth it. I had to borrow the money from my sister. Paying the money made me want to go to some of the support group meetings just to get my money's worth. They say people who go to support group meetings lose more and have a higher precentage of chance of keeping it off. John

Amy Hello neighbor, I live in Henderson (right outside Mountain Home). Where are you planning to have your surgery? I was just curious. I had mine at St. Vincents in Little Rock and Dr. Ozment did mine. He was amazing, as was his staff!!! I did not have to pay any kind of program fee...which is a good thing, since I live so far away. Maybe there are other options for you??? Or maybe you have already checked it all out and know there aren't...in either case, please keep your chin up. I know these seem like dark days but they are really character builders for you. These are the things that make us strong for the journey ahead...it is rugged. Please remember you are WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF THIS STRIFE. Best wishes melinda