itzmyturn
| Itzmyturn *2005* Dallas, TX, USA Post Op - BMI: 26.8 Surgery Type: RNY - distal Member ID: S1095693308 Contact: Click here to send a Personal Message Web Site: http://photobucket.com/albums/d5/itzmyturn/ Surgeon: Raeann Capehart, M.D. | Click here for Itzmyturn's surgery support page Click here for the 12/2005 Reunion Page Click here to print Itzmyturn's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!) Click here to view your friends. |
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  This profile page is dedicated to the struggle of obesity. There are so many out there who do not realize that they have options, or who feel as though all hope is lost. I am not in any way trying to be an advocate for any type of bariatric surgery. But for those who have consciously made the decision to have WLS.. I wanted to record my joruney, so that maybe I could help some one, the way that I have been helped. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. At the time I am writing this.. I am still pre-op and hoping for a revision. I have seen so many people who have had bariatric surgery done, and it seems as though they become unappreciative afterwards. All they do is complain about what they can not eat, or how bad protein tastes. How soon we forget the struggle. Also, I have found that once most patients cross over to the "LOSER" side, they seem to forget or neglect their profile pages. How do we help those that are following behind us. It is my promise, that if I am to have this surgery, I will make it a point to always update my profile and post my progress. If I can help someone else, then I will... I must...  2004  09-25-04 Okay this is my first entry, so bare with me.... a little background info to get things going. I first became over weight at the age of 9.. spent most of my adolescence at least 50-60 pounds over weight. Once I entered highschool, peer pressure, stress from being in a school where the curiculm was college-level.. along with wanting to date... all these things lead to me becoming anorexic. I went from wearing a size 20 at 13 to wearing a size 8 in less than 6 months.. I totally stopped eating and became dependant on slim fast as my only source of nutrition.  After highschool, went off to college and I allowed my weight to slowly creep back on.. I went from a size 10 upon entering college to a size 16 by the tiime I was in my Junior year. Left college once I was back home, I gradually gained about 50-60 more pounds and went to a size 22. Didn't know that my insurance covered Gastroplasty (stomach stapling) until a couple of co-workers went and had it done. SO, at the age of 23, and size 24/26 I had the procedure done. Now, I did not have the access to the world wide web, like I do today so I was totally ignorant to the "entire" realm of bariatric surgeries that were available and I just went with what was thrown at me.. if I had to do all over again, I would have definitely went with the by pass.. in hind-sight it would have been the better choice to make... Anyhoo...needless to say I lost about 100 pounds with the surgery got down to about a 14/16 and then.. guess what.. I think the pouch stretched and I gained all of that weight back and then some... The present: 2 kids later, and armed with so much more knowledge and insight about the whole subject I am ready to have a REVISION and have the RNY procedure done. I also failed to mention that I have been on every thing from: South Beach Diet Cabbage Soup Diet Atkins Diet Weight Watchers NutriSystem Xenical Phen-Phen Cambrigde Diet Meridia Fat Flush Starvation Diet (my own personal) Slim-Fast Metabolife Hydroxycut Oil of Oregano CLA-Tonaslim Xenedrine Formula One (remember that one) Body Solutions (joke) Okay do you all get the picture... Not to mention my excersise programs Pilates Yoga Tae Bo Walking Weight Training Aerobics The Big Rubber Ball thingy So, no I have not been lazy, I have not NOT tried.. I have given this thing my all I have tried everything under the sun.. alot of stuff I have not mention because there have been so many attempts I put them in the back of mind and have now for gotten about them. So to any one who thinks being Obese is not a disease, or that we "obese" people have no self control.. they are totally wrong.. I have tried, and tried, and tried, and tried and tried again... and nothing has worked for me.. this is someone like do or die.... my last stand at the ALAMO so to speak... I have fought the good fight.. but I am weary, and I pray to GOD that he answers my prayers and opens a door for me. We have Aetna insurance so I don't know what they are going to say about a revision.. but So far... reading their Obesity Surgery guidelines for revisions.. I think I qualify.. anyone reading this.. PLEASE pray for me... PLEASE.. I want and need his sooooo bad.... My first step, I was confused coming into this whole process, BUT reading this board has helped me tremendously. I first had to find a doctor that does revisions.. and also I wanted to find a doctor that was in my area. I have a friend who went through Dr. Capehart ( Doctor's Hospital Dallas) and I called he office Monday 9-20-04 and made and appointment. Her staff scheduled me for 10-7-04 and sent out a packet which I got the very next day! I filled it out and sent it back on Wednesday. So I guess she will be requesting my medical files and so fourth. I can not wait until my visit, because I know once I see her I will have a better idea of what to expect from the insurance company and I will also know what to expect as far as requirements.. Now the waiting game!!! My husband is very supportive but I know he gets sick of hearing me talk about this surgery.... I have been working out on occasion.. if I am to have this surgery I want to go in with a strong heart and at least about 5 pounds off... For any one reading this who has Aetna here is a link to surgery requirements: http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0157.html But I was reading someone's profile and they stated that in 2005 Aetna is going to "stop" covering the procedure.. I don't know how true that is... ******************************************************** 9-27-04 I try to busy myself evey day so that I won't think about my consult, I tell myself that I won't come to this site but once and I end up sitting at the computer from sun up to sun down. I have 10 days before I see the doctor...My husband confessed to me today that he was thinking about having the surgery..he called the Dr. and made an appointment to see her too. His consultation is on Nov. 2, I hope he doesn't change his mind. I have gotten SO much info from the people on this board. I have actually been in contact with an Aetna Employee on this board who is having the surgery, as well as a nurse who has dealt with Aetna.. they both gave me some positive feedback. My husband just added me to his insurance on 9-18-04, and so far Aetna does not show the updated info, so I am hoping there is no problem when I go for my consult next Thursday. I can sit for hours and read profiles.. I don't get jealous, I am just left in awe and admiration.. to read how someone's dream came to fruition.. it makes this all the more desireable and real. I know my goal, my heart's desire is at reach.. I just pray that GOD gives me the patience to travel this path to my destination. I am preparing myself for the worst.. but I am hoping for the best.. I hope Aetna does not give me a hard time.. Breathe on my situation Lord... Thank you Jesus!!!
 10-1-04 I can not believe how cute my page looks now.. BIG UPS to Rene.. she rocks! Anyhoo.. I am starting a "picture trail" album today and will be taking more pictures of my self so that I can track this thing the right way. I am so nervous about what my surgeon is going to tell me about my insurance.. I have heard 50/50 when it comes to Aetna.. some say that they approve.. others have said it is a lost cause.. I don't know who, or what to believe.. maybe I am worrying for nothing! Well, what I do know is that I really need this surgery and in order for me to "feel freed" I have to get this weight off.. this is something I am determined to do... I feel trapped and handicapped by my obesity.... Well... I guess that is it for now.. I definitely don't want to be like some of the others on the board and post often until I get my surgery and then "stop" posting.. this is something that I really and truly would like to continue until I reach my goal.. God willing.. later! 6 more days until my consult!!!!!! ************************************************ 10-7-04 Okay, the ball is rolling, wether or not it rolls fast, slow, curves or comes to a hault.. only GOD knows.. BUT it's rolling. Dr. Capehart, was a sweetie.. very nice, soft spoken extremely knowledgeable and very concerned about my previous surgery. Our consultation lasted about an hour. I was happy to find out that she actually hand stitches your pouch after it is sectioned off and stapled to prevent leakage. She has been doing bariatirc surgeries for over 30 years... she use to do the VBG, but is very adamant about the failure rate and chooses not to only do the RNY, she does Distal.. and open only.... Dr. Capehart also reviews WLS cases for my insurance company for pre-certification.. it was nice to know that she deals with those sort of issues, which means she knows EXACTLY what my insurance company is looking for, to get an approval. In my case, she told me, once my upper G.I. is complete, if it determined that I have a "breech" in my staple line.. then pretty much it would be approved and all she had do was schedule surgery, there would be no physc evaluation, dietician, stress test.. etc. My revision would be classified as a "mechanical" breakdown..therefore the RNY would be covered... that is IF the Upper GI determines there is a break.... Overall she was great and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a surgeon in this area. Now I am just waiting for her office to call back with a date to go and have an Upper GI Done... I am not really as excited as I thought I would be.. just ready to get this over with if it is going to happen.... ****************************************************** 10-13-04 Still no appt. yet.. trying to be as patient as possible. I spoke with Linda on Monday and she said she was "working" on getting the Upper GI scheduled...I was like "working on it".. how hard can it be.. but I can not imagine what her job is like.. so I have to wait until I am called... I see so many people on this board, that have had the surgery and complain because they have only lost 40 pounds and its been 6 weeks.. I am like WHAT THE.....?????? It would take me about 6 months to lose 40 pounds and that is with working out twice a day, every day... some people are never satisified... and oh yeah.. then you have those who are disillusioned by the surgery and think that the weight is suppose to magically "fall off" without any change in eating habits, or any type of activity such as working out... I have even read some people taking about much of a hamburger they can eat... or I ate a cookie and didn't dump.. I think that is soooo ridiculous.. to risk your life to have this surgery, be blessed enough to get approved and then eat cake, cookies, drink soda and never work out.. then complain because you have hit a so-called plateau..... go figure... *********************************** 10-14-04 First and foremost.. I want to say LORD GIVE ME PATIENCE, AND FORGIVE ME FOR MY ATTITUDE ... Just to update everyone on my situation. I went to go see Dr. Capehart in Dallas. I am hoping to have a revision done.. she basically told me that all I would have to do is have an upper GI done to see if the staple line from my VBG was breeched or undone.. well the office called me today and I am set to go in the morning at Doctor's Hospital to have the GI done... I was just added to my husband's insurance last month.. systems still not updated... so his HR department sent over an "emergency" add-on to Aetna this afternoon, I should be added within 48 hours.. I have to pay for the upper GI out of pocket, and they will reimburse me, after next Tuesday... hopefully... This is the only test that I have to have done... and once the results are in.. I should be ready for submission to the insurance company.. so I am hoping to know something within the next 3-4 weeks.. Please pray for me.. those of you that pray... I really want this surgery done.....and I am trying to get approval before Aetna drops this coverage in Texas... Will update more tomorrow ************************************************************** 10-15-04 Well, it has been confirmed.. my initially VBG is officially a failure.. the doctor who did my X-Rays stated that the pouch is opened, food does in fact spill over into the larger part of my stomach. I was thinking that it was intact.. but it is not.. so now this info has been documented, the report and X-rays are being sent over to Dr. Capehart.. who will review and put together my file to send over to Aetna... as of yesterday my husband's HR department sent over an urgent request to have our insurance info updated.. todate it has been 4 weeks since I was to be added, and they still do not show me or my daughter in the system. They said that we should be added on by Tuesday.. I don't think the doctor would turn around that fast and submit my info.. but I called and spoke with Linda today and told her that everything should be okay by Tuesday.. Will update Tuesday on insurance situation *********************************************************** 10-19-04 Okay... here is the update on the insurance.. either my husband's job is not got their act together, or Aetna doesn't have theirs together.. basically it is open enrollment season, and for some reason it has been almost 2 months and the update still has not taken place.. he has called on Thursday, and also Monday.. did a conference call and the whole bit and still I am not on the insurance. I called Dr. Capehart's office Monday and spoke with Linda and told her to hold off on sending her request until after Wednesday.. Now, I know it takes faith to please GOD... but I have been thinking, NOT that I feel defeated.. that maybe this is not the path that he wants me to take.. because essentially it is not my will, but his will that must be done.. so maybe this is a sign. Well, I told my husband that I am not going to worry about it... I am tired of the headache.. if it happens it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't....... ********************************************************** 10-19-04 Part Deuce Opps.... just called Aetna......and ....."oh ye of little faith"... the system was updated and I was added today... SOOOOO now I just have to call the Dr.'s office and let them know.. I am hoping that I will be able to have my stuff submitted no later than Monday.... hmmmmm.. my attitude changed fast huh? Just when I "stop" being so over concerned things start to happen.. I think GOD is trying to tell me something... a whole lot of something!!! Later ***************************************************************************** 10-23-04 Okay here is the deal.. on Thursday.. the doctor's office called. It was Linda.. she bascially told me that she DID NOT submit my information for approval because ALL she had on me were my X-Rays from the Upper GI that I had done. She said that she would need some sort of documentation from a doctor that shows I was given medication, or on some sort of weight loss plan to lose weight . Now in the back of my mind I am thinking.. why in the world would I need that, considering the fact that my surgery is a revison/repair procedure. She also said that at this point if she sent in my file, I would be denied and then have to appeal. I was completely blown away because that is not what Dr. Capehart told me during my consultation. She basically said that Aetna, would pay to have my "revision" done based on the results of my Upper GI.. if it showed a breech in the staple line.. then it was a go. Needless to say that I was a bit disturbed.. I tried to call the office back Friday morning and they were closed for the day. I called my old PCP to see about getting the records for my weight, and the Xenical and Meridia that he put me on in 2003. The office manager just came flat out and told me that Aetna was the most difficult insurance company to work with when it comes to getting bariatric surgery approved. Once again, I don't think she understood that this was a repair surgery....and what alot of people don't understand is that I have had 2 children in the last 7 years so roughly 2 years or more of the last 7 years were spent giving birth and recooperating from 2 C-sections.. So there is not going to be whole lot of documentation regarding weight loss attempts. Most diet and excersise plans that I have been on over the years have been self administered. So now what? I am going to call Linda first thing Monday morning.. and see what the deal is. I am really hoping that she just did not look at my file, and did not realize that I have a staple line disruption from my previous gastroplasty. I pray that Aetna fools me and everyone else and makes this a smooth and easy transaction. I was also told that once they had the proper documentation, it would take 3-5 days to get authorization/approval.. so that was good to know. Now I just have to wait and see what is going to happen with this phone call on Monday. Worse case scenario.. I will just have to do the 3-month supervised diet, BUT I don't see why in the world I would have to comply with that considering the fact that I am NOT a first time bariatric patient... will update after the phone call on Monday ***************************************************************************** 10-25-04 Today is my mom's birthday... Happy Birthday Mom.... anyhoo... just wanted to post today.. it is raining.. REALLY, REALLY hard. Here is what's going on: Got this morning and called the doctor's office like 30 times.. no answer, then finally after about noon... Linda picks up, and tells me that she was really busy, she was checking the voicemail and she would call me back as soon as she got the chance. Right now it is about 4 o'clock and she has not called back.. and even if she never does.. I have found peace today in the fact that I realize this might not happen for me. I tried, I gave it my best shot....and now I am contemplating what my next move will be. I prayed to GOD and asked him to show me the way. If not this, then what.. I refuse to remain over weight.. it is not fair.. and I try soooooo hard.. I really do. I don't know why my body goes into this "defense" mode every time I make an attempt to lose weight.. it goes into this mode and shuts down, and it seems no matter what I do, or eat, or how much I work out.. I just can't seem to lose weight. It is very discouraging... so in the back of my mind I am prepared to do what it takes to be healthier, and lose weight.. but if I don't see any results, I will become discouraged and more than likely, I will give up for the millionth time! I want to do what is right for myself and my body.. but how can I when I feel as though my efforts are hopeless. Once again, I am at peace, and I have come to the realization, that maybe this is my destiny... maybe I am this way for a reason... I guess if I still eat right and work out on occasion... it will be better than just being over weight and not eating better or working out. Maybe I can still be healthy and plus-size. well, that is it for me.. I am not going to call the doctor's office back. What ever will be, will be. The hard part is my mom is going through with her surgery... she has UHC and the approval rate through them is off the chart.. so I will have to deal with my mom having her surgery, and crossing over. While I will be left on the outside looking in. Don't get me wrong I am happy for her, and I am going to be right there when she wakes up, I will help her with her meal planning and excersise. It will just be hard to see my hopes and dreams being played out in my mom's life rather than mine. Oh well... back to the drawing board.. I pray that GOD leads me.... later ****************************************************************************** 10-25-04 Part Two: Okay about an hour after I typed this, Linda called. She basically sounded EXTREMELY pessimistic and told me that she would go ahead and submit my info to Aetna... BUT she "knew" how Aetna was.. I assured her, that I did too.. and asked if there was anything else that I could do before submission, she was like no...don't worry about it... I will just send in the request with your X-Rays.. so her tone and manner, let me know further that this more than likely is a hopeless cause.. Aetna will deny me for one of the following reasons... I bet money on it.. 1. "We do not cover repair for VBG procedures, because we do not cover the procedure period!" 2. You were just added to this coverage, it is too soon for this procedure to be covered for you. 3. We need proof/documentation that you were compliant with an excersise and diet program for at least 6 months following your surgery. 4. Your X-Rays were NOT enough proof.. how do WE know your staples are really ruptured??? These are my top 4... but anything is possible, any excuse is possible. I have already decided that I will try and appeal only ONCE as long as my surgeon's office is willing to go to bat for me. If not, then like I said earlier today... I will be MOVING on! Linda also said that she should have an answer for me by the end of the week.... Only GOD knows what is going to happen at this point. I hope for the best, BUT expecting the worse. Later ****************************************************************************** 10-27-04 Called Aetna just to see if they had recieved my info yet.. the rep said no.. but that did not mean it had not been sent, it can take up to 3 days before it goes into their database.. and once it is recieved they will send the surgeon and myself a letter stating that it was in "review"...now I am have done customer service for over 10 years, and trust me I know just because some one says something.. you can not bet the farm on it.. so I did not get excited after he answered this question. I asked the rep about my revision, and told him that the only thing we sent in were X-Rays and a letter of medical necessity.. I asked him if I would need to do the 3-month diet.. he told me know.. he stated that the X-Rays were clinical documentation of the repair that was needed, and as long as that was sent in.. that would be all the medical review team would need to make a decision.. so I said I would wait until Monday to call and see if my info was in the system... This is truly in the hands of GOD.... I am just sitting back letting him do his thing!  11-01-04 This will be my last update until I get an answer from Aetna.. Well, first of all I weighed in this morning at 267.5.. all of this emotional eating since pursuing the surgery has caused me to lose all inhibitions and now I just eat, eat, eat and it is NOT good. I plan doing South Beach 2 weeks prior to my surgery date.. when that time comes.. that should help me get about 10 pounds off, and reduce the size of my liver. I also plan on walking every day prior to surgery up to 2 weeks... I know I will have the surgery it is just a matter of when.. I would really like to have it prior to January 1st.. which is my Birthday.. but oh well.. as long as I get my approval.. that is all that matters... so the next time I post.. I plan on typing... I AM APPROVED... **************************************************************************** 11-08-04 Well, I called Aetna on Friday and I was denied.. I said I would fight.. but I won't it is over for me.. I refuse to put myself through any more emotional stress or strain. I have high blood pressure as it is, and the last thing I need is to be in a struggle over this approval issue. ********************** TEST POST TO PROFILE KIRK THOMPSON MEMBER SERVICE MANAGER 12/01/04 6:21 PM EST 2005 1-28-05 So much has happened since I last posted. First of all, I have been wiped out totally by the whole situation. Since the last denial (denied twice so far) I have become extremely depressed over my weight, to the point that my doctor placed me on Wellbutrin. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea on 11-26-04. During the course of my denials, my mom got her approval and just came home from the hospital today. Dr. Capehart did her surgery also. She has had little or no pain and is doing well. Already her blood pressure is back to normal. NO MORE MEDICATION.. I'm jealous to say the least. It's amazing to watch my mom eat using my baby's spoons. She ate about 4 bites of pintos and cheese and got full and went to sleep. LOL! I thought I would never see the day that my mom would eat such a small amount of food. The whole time she was in the hospital, especially the day of her surgery I kept thinking, it should be me in her place. Call me selfish, or crazy or whatever... but this is something that I have wanted for years. I came so close, yet I was so far away. I see all of the success stories, and regret stories on the site and wonder which category would I fall in. Would I be a success, have complications or be some where in between. I try not to envy those of you who have had surgery, but it is so hard. I need to lose weight bad, I now currently take FIVE pills a day for blood pressure. I feel like a 61 year old instead of a 31 year old. Summer is coming up and I want so bad to wear shorts with sandals or cute cotton summer dresses with sandals. It is going to be so depressing to see my 59 year old mom become smaller than me. Although I am happy for her, I'm sad for myself and at times I pity myself...... My doctor had me on a supervised diet, which I started in November. He placed me on Xenical and referred me to a nutrionist. After two months of the Xenical and the diet, I said "forget it" it was just too depressing to follow through, especially after seeing my mom get approved with just a letter from Dr. Capehart (she has UHC). The nutrionist told me I would have to pay 185.00 just to see her, because Aetna would not pay for my visit. Needless to say I cancelled that appointment. I sent off my last and final appeal on 1-18-05! As if I didn't have enough of being turned downed and slapped in the face, I thought I would give it one more try. The review nurse sent a letter and I called yesterday, I broke it down to her and told her everything that was on my mind. She asked for my current pcp to send any records that he had regarding my health, etc. Her name is Betty and supposedly she is going to look over my file again and will let me know by this coming Tuesday if there is anything else that I may need to submit. She told me that with the information that I submitted and what Dr. Davis will send it might be enough to over turn the orignial denial. (yeah right) If she decided NOT to over turn the denial then I would go before a panel review board (in person) to plead my case! That should be fun. So right now, it is all in Ms. Betty's hands I am not sure that she will see things my way. But I did my best to explain to her yesterday that I should not be forced to meet the requirements of first time patients because this is not my FIRST time having surgery. I need a repair/revision and my case should be treated as such. The letter I sent them was pretty rough, if I do say so myself.. hey, I kept it real. I said what was on my mind and I did not hold back. I saw a post on the insurance message board that says emotions should be left out of appeal letters because it only provokes denial. I don't care what it provokes, this company is playing with my life, future and health and they need to know that I am sincere about this situation. While this insurance thing is being sorted out, I will be starting the South Beach Diet again for the umpteenth time 1-30-05..if the surgery still is denied, I will at least have begun another personal effort to lose weight. I will report back with my progress either way.  10/6/2005 Well...Well..Well... Its been about a year since I first started my journey... funny how history seems to repeat itself. I am once again back where a started, but with more hope and focus. I have been away for sooooooo long, and so much has happened since I have been away. Lots of things have changed.. but one of the most important changes that took place over the last 8 months was my husband's NEW job. On last month he was offered a new position, and from I have been told by another board member who currently works for the SAME company. This company offers United Healthcare to it's employees. So needless to say I have pretty excited over the last few days just thinking about the possibility of finally having this done. Since requesting to have my second appeal with Aetna back in February. I have tried numerous times to lose weight. I didn't just lay down and give up. My husband and I have been fighting this weight thing HARD. I have done everything from weight lifting to low carbing. My body seems to be adapting well to the weight training, but not a whole lot of results. Meanwhile, my mom (who had surgery) back in January has went from a size 30/32 to a 14 she looks good and so much younger. I had a hard time dealing with her surgery initially. I went through so many phases of jealousy to depression and back again. I soon got over it and just started to focus on myself. Today, as I sit and wait for my husband's first day of work which is next week. We both are really eager to see how long it takes for our coverage to start, etc. I am taking everything in stride, and I truly hope that God has given me the GREEN light finally. Everything is in his hands at this point. It's his will and if it is his will.. then it will be done! Until next time...... ************************************************* 10-10-05 Hallelujah.... My husband just called and said that it's official.. we have UNITED HEALTH CARE, PPO. I must have jumped 10 feet off the ground. Now it is just time to sit back, be patient and let everything fall into place. We have to wait and make sure the surgery is still covered with this company, wether or not spouses are eligible and we also have to see when our coverage starts. Things are slowly starting to look up.. I can not believe it. This could finally be it for me. I pray that it is truly my turn! Until next time...... ************************************************** 10-11-05 Not too much info was discussed regarding benefits on yesterday. My husband said that they kind of briefly went over the provider.. well we had a choice between Cigna and UHC and of course we are going with UHC. From what he was told on yesterday our coverage was effective 10-10-05! Hopefully we will be able to get more specifics on exclusions and coverages, etc. as the week progresses. I am going to call Dr. Capehart's office today and let Linda know that our insurance has changed. I am wondering if I have to do another consult or not? I will probably go ahead and set up a consult for some time at the end of this month or the very beginning of November if Linda tells me that I have to have consult. Until next time 10-11-05 Called Dr. Capehart's office today, so that I could inform Linda of our new insurance coverage....LOL she was ready to submit my paperwork today.. but I told her that I would wait until UHC had all of our info in the system. She assured me that it wouldn't be a problem.. but I would much rather wait. Hey I have waited for roughly a year and a half a few more weeks isn't going to hurt. The only thing that I need to make sure of is wether or not our policy covers pre-exsisting health conditions. In total shock and awe at my mom, she was in my closet tonight trying on some of my clothes I have size 14-22 and believe it or not the 14's are almost too big. This surgery is truly amazing and I can not wait to see what it can do for me... Until next time..... ************************************************** 10-13-05 Well...it is finally official, we have UHC, PPO. My husband came home today and entered all of our information on-line to cover the entire family with UHC. Monthly we are going to be looking at about 38.00 for the coverage for the entire family. We originally thought it would be 500.00 a month, but to our surprise that is what we pay annually for family coverage. We have a REALLY great medical and dental plan throught his company. And best of all, my husband loves working there. Now, I am going to call my surgeon's office in the morning to let them know that everything is all set. Not sure that UHC will show us in the system until next week or the week after. I will see if Linda still wants to try and run it anyway. A customer service rep at UHC said there were no pre-exsisting exclusions, and no exclusions for spouses and other family members. What coverages my husband has, every one under the same policy has. SOOOO.. we were thinking that the WLS might not cover spouses, but from what she is saying it does. So, I will call Linda tomorrow and see what she thinks we should do... Oh yeah.. I am going to have to pay a 400.00 deductible for the surgery...but that is something that is a bridge that I will cross when I get there. ************************************************** 10-21-05 Still waiting for UHC to get the info from my husband's job so that I can get my member ID and group ID number. I called and spoke with Linda on Monday and she said that once I had those two things she would be able to submit my info for approval. So, I am trying to be patient and wait. I've waited this long a 2 or 3 more weeks will definitely not kill me. Coming to the board is very inspirational. Of course, I have had a few "scares" and feelings of uncertainty, but I think about how many lives have been changed for the better by this surgery. GOD has NO respect of persons, what he has done for every one else on this board he will and CAN also do the same for me. I have prayed and it is in his hands. I will call back to UHC around Tuesday or Wednesday. The lady from UHC said that my husband's employer normally sends over the info to them on Friday's. So I am assuming they will have the info by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I am so ready for this.. I told my mom yesterday I will gladly lay down and allow GOD to do what he needs to do. I am nervous and anxious but that is to be expected and I know that it is natural. I just can not wait to be on the losing side, to finally have the liberties that this surgery has given to so many others. Me and my mom talk about it all of the time. She has been telling me, just wait until after your surgery.. you will feel like this, or look like that or can't eat that. I think it is cool that she is being so positive with me.. BUT I do feel as if this is finally happening. And I can not wait to come and post the day I get my approval.... ************************************************** 10-24-05 Well.. I called UHC this morning, got our member and group ID#'s. I couldn't believe that we were finally all set up in the system. I asked the rep again, if WLS was covered. She said "my husband's employer was real good about covering/paying for the surgery." After double checking our policy.. she said the only thing that was not covered was "foot care". WLS was covered and there were NO pre-exsisting clauses or exclusions. I was told that as long as we were "morbidly obese", then there should be no problem for approval. I called my surgeon's office about 5 minutes ago and gave her the info that she requested. She said if this PPO plan is like the other PPO plans through UHC that she has dealt with, all they would need is our height and weight, and she should be able to get approval fairly quickly. So now, the infamous waiting game. :) I am just a big ole ball of nerves right now. Hopefully, my husband and I will hear something soon because he also is having his info submitted for approval today. ************************************************* 10-25-05 I know, I know patience is a virtue.. but I just had to make sure that the doctor's office called in my stuff yesterday. Why would I ever doubt Linda? She is VERY efficient.. but just for my peace of mind I had to make sure.. and SURE enough they have my info with a tentative date of 11-21-05 for surgery. I was like WOW.. Linda does not fool around.. SOOOOOO.. of course I would ask for a December date.. because December is so much more convient for me.. but the rep said that the info was there and it takes about 2 weeks for it to be reviewed. So, I will wait and call back on November 8th.. The waiting game begins ( this brings back memories) ************************************************** 10-27-05 I have ALWAYS dreamnt of typing this.. I AM A-P-P-R-O-V-ED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Finally! Glory to GOD... after almost 2 yrs of waiting, and wondering. GOD finally gave me the green light.. and my surgery was A-P-P-R-O-V-E-D today. I am in shock and have been screaming NON STO |
