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It has been a very emotional couple of days.  I finished weight management on 12/19/07....yea.
However at the same time I found out that my choice of surgeons would not be taking my insurance after the new year.  I began to call around to find another surgeon only to learn that there are no surgeons with in a 100 mile radius that will take my insurance after the first of the year.  So I found a surgeon that comes very well recommended in San Antonio, have spoken with the bariatric coordinator their and she was very helpful.  I was in the process of getting my records to her when my surgeon posted on his board that he had great news.  He will be taking my policy after all...........for the love of roller coaster rides.  

In addition to all of that there is the usual extended family holiday rollercoaster.

So to share joy............the weight management classes have been very helpful and educational.  I have gained the help of a dietician that I believe will always be there to answer questions and who has prepared me for surgery better than I ever anticipated.

My weights were:
 9/24/07        275.6     BMI     39.5
10/24/07       270.3     BMI     38.7
11/21/07        268.8     BMI     38.5
12/19/07       267.4     BMI     38.3

I see the surgeon on January 3rd, should be ready to submitt to insurance that week.

 Here is the letter I was gonna post on the site, the night I was angry that I could not find a surgeon.  This is how I rant.....it is not intended to offend anyone......I was venting, this letter was never posted.
Please help…I see that this board is to post and discuss frustrations about the process of approval for bariatric surgery and I have many.  Please inform of my options. 
I went to an information session at Methodist Hospital TMC in early September that was very informative.  I received a call from the hospital that my insurance had been verified and I needed to do 3 months of medical weight management with Methodist hospital which was an insurance requirement.  I completed my 3 months on December 19^th, at which point I found out that my choice of surgeons will not be accepting my insurance in January.  Imagine my dismay…..so at which time I searched for another surgeon only to find out that the others on my policy are either retired or doing a fellowship in plastic surgery for the next year….leaving me with no option of a surgeon.  
I only wish that I would have been advised of all of this before I wasted my time and money over the last 3 months of weight management. 
I do realize that my insurance (Aetna) does not reimburse well….but is this all that medicine is about? MONEY.    I understand excellence, time investment and liability.  I as well am in healthcare and do not judge and/or refuse care to a person based on their insurance policy.  We have many choices in life but our insurance provider is not one of them.  If I could choose another policy, believe me I would. 
Surely by this point someone is thinking “you could pay out of pocket for the procedure, it’s only the cost of a small car”.  I could, but why would I when I pay thousands a year for an insurance policy?  Not to mention the possibility of complications from surgery that could financially destroy a family. 
I’m just getting started…. 
I also believe that bariatric coordinators should have more of a positive attitude than a “Oh, it’s not possible” attitude.  Those in particular who have had WLS themselves…surely they must remember what it’s like to have the power disconnected to their beautiful light at the end of the tunnel. 
I have no doubt that my original choice of surgeons is the best for the job….probably the best in the city if not state or nation.  See, I have been to the surgeons office.  I was called by the office to schedule an appointment.  I returned the call and an appointment was scheduled.  When I arrived at the office I was told that I did not have an appointment and the physician was too busy to see me and I could not be worked in for that day.  I at first I thought I was crazy, but my husband was in the waiting room with me and he had heard all of the phone conversations with the office and he knew I was not crazy.  While he was in the waiting room and I was being told that it was not possible that I be seen, he witnessed a man and his wife walk in.  The man walked up to the window and said ‘I need to see the surgeon’.  The nice young lady at the window asked if he had an appointment.  The man replied, ‘no, but I just paid for my wife’s surgery and I would like to discuss’ my surgical options with him…guess who was able to see the surgeon that day.  I should have known at that point that my insurance was a problem, but I didn’t.  I scheduled another appointment for the end of December.  I received yet another call from the physician’s office and the message said that he would not be in the office that day but I could see the other physician.  When I returned the call that was not even an option, the option I was given was an appointment in January, which I find out now my insurance will not be accepted. 
I have suffered a life of obesity only to be betrayed by a system that I thought was there to help. 
Does anyone know what my options are?

 

 

 

 

 

I went for my sleep study last night.  I find it hard to beleive that I was able to tolerate the machine.  The tech mentioned that I have an additional sleep disorder.  I guess my PCP will call soon.

My biggest concern is that this will hold up my surgery.

This is hysterical, must see.  I got it from a OH friend, thanks EGG.  http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1348305572

I was worried for nothing the taping of the show was great.  The chairs had no arms, there was no need to worry after all.....LOL.  I always said that worry was a waste, I proved myself right.

My best friend in the world was with me today, she understands me better than anyone, she knows and understands my weight battles and helps me face my fears.  Every one needs a freindship like this one.  

My surgeons office has rescheduled for the 3rd of Jan, it nfeels like I will never get there.

I have a sleep study scheduled for Dec 14.

I must admit that I am becoming increasingly concerned that the insurance will not cover the procedure and time seems to stand still........another 2+ weeks of weight management (beats 3 months).

Anyway my hubby and I have discussed my options if the insurance does not cover the WLS.  Pay cash, finace and/or go out of country.  Im glad that he realizes the importance of this procedure for me.  

A friend and I are going to see a live taping of a local TV show, I have been concerned ever since i received the tickets that I would be uncomfortable in the seat for 2 hours because it is too small.  Hopefully these fears will be over very soon and forever.

I saw my PCP today....he is the most understanding doctor I think I have ever been around.  I'm a nurse so that says alot.  He is doing my letter of medical necessity. 

Well my fears were well founded.  I had trouble limiting my caloric intake on vacation.  This just proves what I already knew was true.  Dieting is not a long term solution.  WLS, I believe for me will be a long term solution.  God I hope I am right.  

Anyway, I went to great lengths to take pictures of myself with my family on this trip.  This is something I have avoided for many years.  I hope to look back at these pics as what was.  It is odd however that I look at the pics and think that is not me.  I have always known that I was overweight, but I've never been able to see myself as others did, even in pics I never saw myself as fat.  That is until now.  there is no hiding.  My minds eye still has not caught up with my current weight of 270+lbs, but I know see morbid obesity when I look at pictures of myself.  Still all of that said my minds eye sees myself as alittle overweight.  I look at these pics and think "that fat person ain't me".  

I finally heard from my old PCP's office today, she said they had my records for me, finally.  They have been giving me the run around for one reason or another.  I paid $18 for a copy of records that I couldn't seem to get.  So I drove to the MD office to pick them up, I got them and sat in my car to read them.  Some women with the same name as me, who weighed 208lbs (I wish, definetley not me) had some foot and stomach problems.  It seems they can't find my records, now they will try by my maiden name.

I completed my second month of weight mangement today.  I lost another 2lbs, yea!!! Nnow we are off to Arkansas for a mini vacation.  I hope I can maintain my loss.  Vacation has always been a time of limitless indulgence.  I am starting to get worried that I may not be approved for the surgery.  That will be devastating. 

Sleep study was completed last night, Emily and I actully had a nice evnening with her violin lesson, dinner and sleep study.  

Today we went to the Ren festival.  We had a good time except I find that I hurt all over know when I walk alot.  So we made some attempts at stopping to rest.  

Also my weight has really never prevented me from doing the thing that I wanted to do until the last year.  I stopped smoking last November and gained an additional 30 or so lbs.  I am acustomed to weight gain but these are diffrent.  I know feel as though people watch me shop for groceries and eat all the while judging me.  I have heard of people feeling this way but I never did until now.

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