Hello from TN!

Not only can i find support with other overweight individuals, but Latter-day Saints, to boot! How lovely! My name is Bela, 31 year old female and mommy to two precious angels, 11 and 7. I belong to the Cleveland, TN ward and am a recent convert to the church (baptised July 14th this year). I've been struggling with my weight for many years. This is my third go-round with trying to get approved for WLS (Lap Band, specifically). The first time, the doc had many delays but it ended up benefiting me - he ended up having his license revoked, I believe. 2nd time around, I was approved for RNY, though I only applied for Lap Band. I would like to have more children one day, when I get remarried, so Lap Band is more appealing to me. I've been working for the same company for a little over 16 months now as a temp. But as of this past Monday, I am hired full-time, with great benefits! Right now, I'm just playing the waiting game, hoping our insurance packets will arrive very soon so I can see if there is a WLS exclusion or not. At this point, I know we use United PPO, but I don't have any plan details, nor have we made our benefit elections yet. I'm still kind of in shock that there is an LDS section on this website. How awesome! Well met, everyone, and I look forward to chatting with you and sharing in our journeys!

Hi Bela, welcome to this board. My name is Melody and I live in Idaho. I had my surgery RNY 3 or 4 years ago. I lost 140 lbs. This is the best thing I've ever done. If I had it to do over again, I'd do it in a heart beat. On the national news this past week, they had an article on WLS. The report was saying that people that have WLS live long, productive lives. They are freed from their co-morbidities. Insurance companies are now realizing the money that can be saved in the long run by covering the surgery and not having to constantly cover the co-morbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc... So maybe things will be better for you than you realize. From reading your post above, it proves that our loving Heavenly Father knows each of us and what we each need. We may be dissappointed when things don't go the way we wish they would but think what might have happened if you had gone with your first surgeon. They didn't take his license away for nothing. Bela, I'm looking forward to visitng with you and getting to know you. This board goes through spurts where we are active and then again when we are quiet for long stretches of time. Don't give up on us. Have a wonderful week. Melody

Hi Shannon & Melody. Thanks for the welcome! In regards to the long-term effects of WLS, I have no doubt that more insurance companies will more freely approve it. As of right now, I have fatty liver, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, insulin-resistance, pre-diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and beginnings of arthritis. I'm not on my meds, since I had some ohrrible insurance before that wouldn't cover much, but will be getting back on them shortly with this new insurance. I'll be taking hormones, 2 meds for my insulin-resistance and pre-diabetes, meds for my IBS to help with the spasms and diarrhea, blood pressure meds, and getting back on a CPAP for my sleep apnea. All of those meds right there quickly add up and I have no doubt that in a year's time, the cost for those meds and treatments will by far surpass the cost of the surgery. And I certainly plan on proving that with actual numbers, should I get denied. Heavenly Father was certainly watching out for me, when that physician's office stalled in getting simple items done. Looking back, I'm so very thankful that it happened that way! I hope we can see some more activity here on the board. It's a wonderful idea to have the OH board, but to have an LDS section appeals even more to me! Best wishes for a beautiful week! Bela

Hi from AZ! Im a convert as well. 2 year next month. LOVE THE CHRUCH!

Hi Bela, Out of curiosity, I'm wondering why you feel RNY would keep you from having more babies? I think you should go for whatever surgery you're most comfortable with, as long as you are well informed. I'm 3 1/2 years post RNY with a 21 month old daughter( and a wonderful 6 year old boy whom I had, obviously, pre-RNY) Best wishes. Daph

Hi Daph, Until my seminar on Wednesday, I was always told that it was very dangerous to get pregnant after RNY. He cleared that myth up, thankfully. Plus, in hearing the doc talk about success rates and such, I think RNY would be a better choice for me and a more effective tool for my personal weight loss. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I can get it done! Thanks for the info!

I have a friend who is pregnant with her 3rd post-op baby. You should visit us on the pregnancy board.