6 weeks after

Jan 09, 2010

A lot has happened since my last blog post. My first appeal to Blue Cross was denied so I immediately filed an appeal called an Independent Medical Review with the state of California Department of Insurance. The department has a web site that tells you what to do and has forms. Even BC sent the info on it with their denial letter. So I filed the appeal. I concentrated my effort on the fact that the only reason for denial was that they consider it investigational. I cited all kinds of studies and surveys, much of which I found through OH, to argue that the procedure no longer comes withing my policy definition of investigational. I also gave my medical history with obecity and argued reasons why the RNY or band would not be suitable for me. The matter was reviewed by 3 surgeons, one of whom was a barriatric surgeon and one was a surgeon of the ailementary tract and the other was just some surgeon. Anyway, I won by a vote of 2 to 1. Blue Cross immediately retracted their denial and paid for my surgery which was on November 17. I was lucky my surgeons had a cancelation because I was going to have to wait until december 15. I had to go to Good Samaritan in San Jose because that is a Blue Cross approved center. Would have preferred California Pacific but I have to say GS was very good and I have no complaints about them. I think I got the approval a few days into november so it was a 10 day whirlwind to get ready, have my husband get time off, find a place to board the dogs, make hotel reservations, get records and tests, and get everything whipped into shape. But I did it and am proud.

I was a little worried about the surgery in a strange hospital (to me) and the fact I am 58 I was afraid it would be hard on me and a rough time. Boy was I wrong.  The surgery was a breeze. Minimal pain, up and around in a few hours, able to use potty, only a 5 minute nausea bout quickly fixed with a shot, zilch pain after the toredal shots, good nursing care. The hardest part was my husband (night blind) trying to find pharmacy after dark to get drugs i needed to go home. We live 300 miles away so after I was dismissed , we stayed the night in a hotel and left for home next morning. I was groggy due to anti nausea drugs and pain killer but totally comfortable. Once I got home and got a really good nights sleep I was up and wandering around the house looking for something to do. While there was an occasional rough moment (read:constipation) that was about the worst of it plus i don't really like my protein drinks.

I really credit my easy surgery and recovery to the skill and experience of my surgeon Dr. Paul Cirangle. He and Dr.J ossart really know what they are doing. I had read quite a few of their scientific publications describing how they refined the technique and things they do for patient comfort. I also credit it to the fact that I did prepare by beginning an exercise program a few months earlier and losing 18 lbs so i was a little stronger. DR. said I had a pretty bad fatty liver even with the weight loss so its really good i have done this. Fortunately, liver biopsy indicated nothing more than fat and no liver damage.

So I have lost about 30 lbs in 6 weeks which i am happy with though other people seem to lose weight faster. I have always been a slow loser and probably willl be here to. I have started back to Curves and probably need to step up exercise overall. Have found it pretty easy to stay within the diet rules as far as calories and carbs go. Some days I can't get quite all the protein but keep trying. I can eat eggs and dairy and have so far found no food intolerances. Feel lucky there.

So now what is left to do is just lose the &@^#%#(@&#&&#  weight. I am confidant I can keep to the program and just hope my body responds. Just dropped below the 200 mark for the first time in I don't know how many years and it feels great. clothes are getting baggy but I won't get many new ones until another 10-20 lbs. I am not much of a clothes nut since i work as a ceramic artist and get really messy all the time.

Well thats about it. I wish everyone else an experience as easy and positive as mine.

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