Cassie C.

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Well I had my first visit with my new surgeon on Friday, 8/29/14.  It was a good visit although several people asked me the same several questions over and over again.  I was getting frustrated and thought where are they saving this in the computer that the next person can't see.  I however, maintained my composure and made it through the interrogation. LOL  Good news was that the Lap Band was still in the correct position, not slipped and not eroded. Nothing physically wrong with it.  Bad news is because it isn't I have to go through all of the insurance requirements that are required by Cigna before I can submit for approval.  There aren't alot I was just hoping to get this thing out sooner rather than later.  I have to have 4 monthly visits with the dietician, psych eval, letter of medical necessity and consultation with the surgeon.  I have already gotten the LOMN from Dr Arn and completed the first dietician visit as well as the consultation.  SO, if everything goes well I should be having this band out and a RNY done first part of December. 

I emailed the insurance rep to just confirm that I have to do all the insurance requirements and she said yes.  Even though it is a revision insurance companies look at that the same way as if I never had any WLS before.  She also said better to complete them and have a really good chance at approval than, to submit now and get denied because then I would have to wait 6 months before I could resubmit for approval.  That would be pure torture to me so for now I am following through all the requirements. 

I finally heard back from the insurance person Nicole at the surgeon's office.  I say finally like it was several months when in reality it only took a little over a week.  I learned that my insurance plan with Cigna does have bariatric benfits.  Yay for that!! However, and here is where I am going to have to learn to be patient, they require a 3 month dietary and guidance program and a letter of medical necessity.  At least I can do the 3 month program at the surgeons office with the dietician there and I am seeing my PCP on Wednesday so the letter shouldn't be a problem.  I also have to have a consultation H&P with the surgeon.  She told me to let her know when I wanted to begin.  I told her immediately...let's get this show on the road.  She came back to me and the soonest appointment is going to be August 29th!!! Oh my goodness that feels like an eternity away.  I was hoping to have this surgery sooner rather than later.  Lord knows I am thankful that I have bariatric benefits when most don't but, I am just not a patient person.  Looks like I will have to learn how to be because dealing with insurance you have to jump through their hoops or you'll wind up footing the bill.  Which isn't something I can not afford to do. 

For now...Lord give me the patience to get through this process.  I did it once before and I can do it again. 

I went to the seminar last Thursday, July 17th.  I know it has only been a week but, I haven't heard anything from the insurance person at Dr. Marema's office yet.  Part of me wants to call her and other other part says she's busy and she'll call.  I am so anxious to get this journey started but, I have to know what the insurance will and won't cover.  I've been hurting more than usual today.  These fat girl aches and pains need to go.  I am going to call tomorrow afternoon if I don't hear something back in the morning.  Patience was never my strong suit. 

I just realized today how long it has been since I've written anything.  I went back and read my last post and it was so full of hope and excitement for the future.  Fast forward 7 years and the future is now.  What did the future with my band bring me?  Frustration, failure and weight gain.  I'm not as heavy as I was when I started the WLS journey is 2007 but I am close.  As of Thursday July 17, 2014 I weight 331.4 pounds.  I have struggled immensely and have felt like such a failure because that is what my lap band surgeon always told me. I've come to realize that it wasn't me that was the failure it was the surgery option that I chose.  I should've never had the band.  But, the doctor I chose was such a one trick pony that I didn't know I shouldn't be having it because he never suggested any other options.  I've also learned to steer clear of doctors that aren't truly Bariatric surgeons.  By the way he closed his practice and left town in a two week time frame with only a letter to his patients. I've heard rumors but, seems to me those are fishy circumstances.   Since he has left and I've been forced to find a new doctor which I am finding isn't such a big deal, I have decided to look into a revision.  I've been to several WLS seminars with different physicians trying to find one that I am comfortable with and also one who is compassionate and interested in helping patients like me.  So Thursday July 17th I went to a WLS seminar with a different practice and bariatric surgeon.  I sat and listened to what he had to say, watched his very informative power point on 4 different options although he only performs 3 of them.  That impressed me.  After the seminar I was weighed by one of his staff.  This is where I found that I am actually 5' 5.5" tall and 331.4 pounds.  I had another woman at the seminar come and ask me if I was the one who was looking for a revision and what procedure I had before.  We talked for a bit and I was honest with her about my experience with the band.  After a few minutes she asked me if I knew what surgery I wanted.  I told her that I was going to let someone smarter than me and with more experience make that decision this time.  The nurse overheard what I told her and said "Wow, that's very open minded of you.  I don't know how open minded I am but, all I do know is I am only interested in revising once.  I was finally able to talk to the surgeon and ask my questions.  We had a very honest discussion about the current situation, what procedure I had, what my co-morbidities are etc.  He then said he would recommend an RNY for me.  When I asked why?  He said that the sleeve was a restrictive only procedure like the band and why would I want another restrictive only procedure when the first one failed. At the end of the conversation he said to me "I look forward to taking care of you." I've never had any doctor say that to me.  He was so honest and compassionate I knew immediately that I had finally found the surgeon for my revision.  So, I left all my insurance information and now I am waiting for a call back.  Lord I hope I can get this approved. 

I have been so bad about updating this blog.  Its been almost a year since I've written anything.  In that time so much has changed.  I had my lap band surgery on Sept 27th, 2007 on the day of surgery I weighed 310 pounds.  That was 36.5 pounds less than when I started this journey on March 21, 2007.  I've had 3 fills since surgery with the most recent one on December 14th during that office visit I was down to 286 pounds and a total weight loss of 60.5 pounds.  That in itself is amazing.  I haven't been below 300 pounds in more than 15 years.  I can't believe how much better I feel and how much more energy I have.  This journey has been completely amazing so far and I can't wait to see what is in store for me down the road.