I found this on this website

I found this on this website and thought in was very good info. Hopefully its not too strong for some. I have more updates after this below...........


Not at all humorous, but perhaps helpful…
Just in case some have missed-----

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

For those of you
Who are looking into Weight Loss Surgery!
Or,
Are in the "Planning Stage," to get yours.
Just So,
It won’t come as a surprise later-

1. This is Major Surgery!

And as such, it comes with some givens-
There will be Pain!
How much?
It seems to be quite different for Everyone,
But I’ve yet to see a person out here that had None.
There are risks of Complications!
Blood-Clots, Pneumonia,
Adverse Reactions to Anesthesia,
(These You Get With ANY Surgery)
And Leaks!
How great are the risks?
That depends on your health,
Your Surgeon,
Your predilection to any number of ills.
If percentages give you comfort,
They are easy enough to find out here.
There is the Probability of Post-Surgical Depression!
Yes, Probability, not just Possibility.
With any major surgery, people tend
To experience Depression afterwards.
This surgery is NO Exception.

2. This is NOT a Magic cure for Obesity!
It IS, Statistically the best chance for overcoming Obesity.
It IS, The "Last Resort," as a method of overcoming Obesity.
If you are ready to make a life long commitment,
Then it may work for you.
Likewise- If Not,
It most likely Won’t.

3. THIS IS NOT AN "EASY WAY OUT!"
It is a Drastic and Complete change of lifestyle,
That comes with the probability of many challenges to overcome.
There WILL BE some Nausea.
How much?
It seems to be quite different for Everyone,
There WILL BE some Hair Loss.
99.9% of people have this to some degree.
How much?
It seems to be quite different for Everyone,

4. THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC PROCEDURE!
If you are interested in WLS, so you will "Look Good,"
Find something else!
Saggy, Superfluous and Redundant Skin is a given.
Look at the "Before" Photos on the Plastic surgery web-sites.
If, even in the furthest back regions of your mind
Your motivation for getting WLS is for looks,
The Overwhelming chances are that you
WILL BE disappointed.

5. THERE ARE NO Guarantees!
Statistically, most people succeed
At losing 60 to 80% of excess weight
As a result of WLS.
Some Much More,
And some much less.
EVEN IF, everything goes
"Text Book Perfect" with your procedure
And after care, There is a Chance
That you may be the "Statistic"
That balances the whole.
It MAY NOT WORK!

6. There are more options than just "Gastric Bypass"
RNY, DS and the Lap-Band
Are the Most popular types
Of Weight-Loss Surgery- Presently.
Before assuming that they are all alike,
Or even remotely similar,
Research the options.
In buying a Car,
You wouldn’t assume that All Cars were FORDS.
WLS is far more permanent
Than the purchase of a car. Yes?

7. There are specific Aftercare procedures and regimens!
These are specific to each Dr.
Ask and Know about them PRIOR To Surgery.
If you find out that your Dr. "Has No Plan,"
Then find one that does!
The ANSWER
To nearly 30% (not more, just 30%)of the questions asked on OH is-
"What does YOUR DOCTOR Recommend?"
Know this before your surgery.
How does one know these 7 simple things?
They Ask questions,
They Read all of the info they can get their hands on,
They Read it Again and Again on this very Board!
I Repeat-
They Read it Again and Again on this very Board!
The Exact Wordings of-

This is Major Surgery!
This is NOT a Magic cure for Obesity!
THIS IS NOT AN "EASY WAY OUT!"
THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC PROCEDURE!
THERE ARE NO Guarantees!
There are more options than just "Gastric Bypass"
There are specific Aftercare procedures and regimens!
"What does YOUR DOCTOR Recommend?"

********************************************************


05/23/06

Another update on VR..........

I received a letter from them today! really quick huh? They are re-opening my case & proceeding with establishing my eligibility and developing an IPE for me!!!! And they are assigning me a different counselor, Praise God!
I will now have to wait for my worker to contact me (I will be calling them if I don't hear soon) to start the process up again. I will be required to do a evaluation with a psychiatric, not a surprise. I'm not sure what else I'll have to do before they submit it to Tallahassee but I know they take a long time to do everything usually.

5/18/06

VR never even let my case get sent to Tallahassee. (See post from 2/11/06). This must happen in order for a final decision to be made as to whether or not they will pay for the surgery.
I went to my appeal hearing today at VR and it seemed to go well. It was an informal hearing and only for continuance of my case. My doctor's letter seemed to make a big difference. The women I met with was really very nice! What a pleasure it was to talk to someone there who actually acted like they understand. I should hear something by the end of next week. If all goes well, my case will then be submitted to the big boys in Tallahassee. They are the ones who really say yes or no on the surgery.

04/05/06

Apr 04, 2006

I'm so feeling a big pity party tonight. I look & look at everyone's stories and see so many people with BCBS insurance in other states besides Florida getting the surgery. Why can't I?? Why did Florida become one of few states that won't cover? BooHoo :o(
I am still hoping for VR but it will be a long time before I'll know & I don't hold much hope. Sorry I'm such a downer tonight.
God Bless and God Speed to all.......


2-11-06

I decided to give Voc.Rehab a try. Well, I went to my appointment to Voc. Rehab (VR-My worker is Queen Richardson). I took my 3 yrs of medical records (what was given to me anyway, I think some were missing), etc. She was friendly at first but then seemed irritated that I was even there. It seems, according to her that they have much stricter guidelines now for them being able to cover the surgery. They must be able to relate your problems to work which I knew.She totally challenged everything I said over & over again regarding why I think I need the surgery. Now I know some of this is her job to do but.........

I felt pretty bad after leaving there, I'm really glad Mike went with me. She repeatedly asked me why couldn't I just exercise and eat better??? She just didn't seem to get it at all. If that worked for me I wouldn't have been sitting there, Lord knows I've tried for years & years!!! She made me feel like such a failure in regards to weight loss.

I tried to answer all of her questions the best I could without an attitude (like I express here). She asked about why I can't just lose on some of the popular diets like Adkins; Weight Watchers; Metabolic; etc. I tried telling her, I've done most of them (Weight W's 3 X-not recent though; Adkins-I lost 30 lbs & did really well for a while; etc). I explained to her that I can lose weight, the thing is being able to keep it off.

She then turned that around to say, most people do gain a year or so after the surgery (I've been studying on the surgery for about 3 yrs now & have a husband who had it, I'm fully aware of how it works lady) and if I can't stick to a diet then I'll end up just doing the same thing after surgery that I've done with the diets. She said how a lot of people see it as a quick fix (I agree). She also said that she doesn't expect an approval in my case at all but she will take all the time which is a lot of time to file it anyway & by the way, it costs a lot for VR too.

I tried explaining to her (she wouldn't let me get much of a word in at this point) that if I do have the surgery, I see it as a very serious step and therefore I have a very serious commitment within myself about doing it and seeing it through for the rest of my life!

Well, anyway, you get the idea of what went on. My problems with weight don't actually seem to help me a whole lot (yet) towards the surgery. I don't have high blood pressure; diabetes; high cholesterol;etc. I do have pre-diabetes (according to my doc); ankle swelling which seems to make me feel very tired (I'm on a diuretic but still have problems with it); leg & knee problems; back aches more & more often and lots of fatigue. I basically make it thru day to day the best I can. I told Queen to please just tell me what I steps I needed to take in order for her to file my case.

She asked why my doctor hasn't sent me to a nutritionist or a orthopedic (for the knees), I have no idea. Actually, & I didn't tell her this but I haven't complained to my doc about my knees in years since I just figured its mostly weight related anyway.

So I left with being told I have to go to the orthopedic (which I have to get a referral for); a letter from the insurance company stating they won't pay for the surgery (I wish they would!). I'm hoping to get the letter without having to actually try filing a claim, that would get much more involved. Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS), Health Options has refused to pay for the surgery at all period since Jan 1 of 2005 no matter what. The only exception I've heard to this is if your company has had it removed from their policy. which is rare.

I left very discouraged but of course I'm not giving up so easy. I know its a very long process but I just didn't expect quite so much 3rd degree, its only the beginning I guess.
I'm really sorry this is so very long. I don't write often but really needed to get this off my chest. I'm always open to suggestions, etc.
Thanks so much for listening!

11/19/05

Howdy Ya'll, I have a few things to talk about...........

First of all, My husband Mike Z had a problem lately with a sharp pain that got worse for a few weeks (he had the surgery, Open RNY over a year ago) & went to our primary doc. Doc said it could be from lettuce; seeds or nuts of which he's eats fine but according to the doc they can sometimes get stuck down low. The pain just went away. He's great now!

Second, my cousin died a few weeks ago from complications from the surgery that she had almost a year ago. I believe she had lap rny. I need to get more details on what happened. All I know is that she never did good after the surgery and suffered a lot afterwards for almost a whole year. I don't know her docs name or any other details but hope to find out.

Third, I can't have the surgery now & not because of what happened to my cousin or husband. I was on my husband's insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida & they stopped covering the surgery at all period last year. So, I was going to go on my insurance at open enrollment, which was United Healthcare which a lot of people said was great on covering the surgery. Well, my company changed to BLUE CROSS :o(
So, now I'm screwed......I was having a hard time facing the fact that I really wanted this surgery for myself, knowing that I do. I'm just a big chicken but after all there are lots of risks possible. A lot of people think the bad stuff won't happen to them or they're willing to take the chance.
So, I wanted to hurry & get it OVER with. Oh well, so much for my chances. There goes my history at my docs for the weight control, etc.......

So ya'll, I don't think I'll be updating on here much at all unless something new comes up. If you do have any information; comment or questions for me please feel free email me anytime.

God Speed..... Jeanette :o)


10/24/05

Found out about a horrible tragedy at work today, my co-worker who sat right next to me and shared personal things with me was just murdered by her ex-boyfriend. She told me she feared for her life. She did the things she was suppose to do, had gotten a restraining order a mth or two ago, etc. She has three small children, was a very bright young lady who was attending college and working. I am in shock and wish I could have somehow helped her more. I know, I know I'm not to blame.
I am very very sad today.... Please pray for her family......


10/20/05

Went to doctor today for weight control, I haven't been losing. Excerise and diet was discussed as usual.

Here's my scoop on the diet and excerise thing:
NO MORE DIETS, not me, no more! I could always lose weight on this or that diet in the past and I've tried really hard on so many (some more than others) but would always put the weight back on and then some.
What I have been doing for quite a while now is focus on changing some of my habits, plain and simple. Sometimes I do good, sometimes not. When I have a big eating day I always remind myself that tomorrow is a new day and I try to do better. I tend to not stop overeating or stop eating the wrong foods that day if I allow myself to start. My main objective has been to definetly not gain anymore.
At my weight now I am usually very tired and worn down. Some days I just do make it to work, I push & push all week like crazy and then on the weekends I sometimes don't feel like doing much of anything. A quite stressful job doesn't help at all. My ankles swell a lot and when they do, that's when I usually feel the worse. The heat here in good ol' Jacksonville, Florida makes it a lot worse. We are still in the mid 80's here but that's a lot better than the mid 90's with high humidity we were having.The doctor put me on a diretic. Bad allergies really make things worse for me too. I am very lucky for now as I have no problems with diabeties; high blood pressure; etc. My doc says its just a matter of time as I have had some of pre-diabeties signs, some knee; feet and back problems.
Excerise, um ok, its sort of hard to force myself to be more active with the way I feel a lot of the time. Mike & I did just buy bikes & we will be riding this weekend and others, Mike is seeing to that. Pray for us as neither one of us have been on one in years & years.........LOL :o)
The doc didn't have any samples of the Merida, I saw a different doc this time so maybe that's why. :o(
I was given a prescription but insurance won't cover it & its too expensive otherwise. I was told something interesting though. Doc said that you can walk into Costco (Sam's too I think) even if your not a member and tell them your going to the pharmacy and they let you. Its suppose to be quite a bit cheaper there.


10/17/05

I have not shared much about myself or my details, acually I've been a little slow in doing so because of privacy issues regarding work & insurance. But I've decided to not worry about it.

I am seriously considering the surgery & have been going to the doc for weight control for quite some time now in case I'll need it for the insurance approval. I asked her & she said I have almost a year of history of weight control with her! I have been trying the doc diet thing with the help of Merida which helps me after taking it for approx 1-2 weeks. I have kept 10 lbs off for mos now. My doctor is great because she gives me free samples. But lately it hasn't seem to help as much. My husband's insurance no longer covers the surgery until further notice so I'm hoping my insurance will if I switch later. I'll be finding out more about it at a later time.

A very big part of me really really wants this surgery BUT I am so afraid TO DO IT!!
I'm so chicken.....I have never been in the hospital for anything but having children. I am prone to anxiety attacks and can't stand anything over my face, it makes me feel like I can't breathe. Can anyone out there relate to me in this respect??? I know they give you something to relax you but I can already see myself not sleeping for days beforehand. Of course the waiting is always the worse part.
Until Later, God Speed.......

10/9/05

Have continued to research. Sometimes the research can become overwelming and blend all together. I know for sure that you can't believe everything you read, always consider the source. But be it fact or fiction, I did read somewhere that this web site may possibly omit certain negative comments about certain surgeron's if they pay an high enough fee. Please don't take this for fact. I think that this is unlikely but we must always keep our eyes & ears open. We'll see if this post disappears.
Mike & I went to another support group meeting & again found it to be very helpful.

About Me
Jacksonville, FL
Location
Sep 05, 2005
Member Since

Friends 27

Latest Blog 42
03/23/08 (-110 Lbs lost - One Year & 3 mos since Surgery)
09/08/07 (8 mos post op - 100 LBS LOST)
08/11/07 (7 Mos Post Op, -90 lbs)
05/27/07 (-80 Lbs. Almost 5 mos post Op)
04/28/07 (-66 Lbs. - Almost 4 mos Post-Op)
04/11/07 ( -60.00 Lbs !!! 3 Mos plus Post-Op)
02/20/07 (- 35 Lbs - 7 wks post -op tomorrow)
02/04/07 (Over 4 wks Post-Op)
01/25/07 (-25 Lbs since pre-op, I'm now 3 wks Post Op)

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