jenbn
My introduction
Jan 11, 2009
My name is Jen and I am a 31 yr old from Portland Oregon. I have struggled with my health alot over the years. With diabetes in my family and the death of my father when he was only 45 years old, due to a complication of being a diabetic, improving my health has has been somewhat of an obsession for me over the years. I've worked really hard to improve my health and have made every possible attempt to lose weight, but unfortunately genetics just aren't something you can skate around. At 31 I suffer from high blood pressure and am a borderline diabetic, amongst other things. I want very much to improve my health and to become a mommy someday but have been feeling somewhat defeated up till now.
About 5 years ago I looked into Gastric Bypass Surgery. Back in early 2003 after being sick of being sick, I went to a surgery seminar in San Diego where Carnie Wilson was the guest speaker. At the time I had no means of even getting the surgery as I was working temp jobs and had no health insurance. Later that year in the fall of 2003 when I finally got a permanent job in Seattle, I attempted to get approved for this surgery but much to my surprise my employer excluded the benefit from our policy. This was yet another depressing setback.
Fast forward to 2008, not much improvement in my health, a cupboard full of medication, newly married and with a biological clock that ticks louder and louder at the thought of wanting a baby so bad, I decided it was time to really defeat the system and make a change for good. In January of this year I attended yet another surgery seminar and later filled out and turned all the necessary paperwork in. All my testing and appts were completed by June of 2008 and the next step was to send in chart notes and documentation to my insurance company. Sadly on attempt #1 I got a denial in early July 2008. Not feeling totally defeated due to the fact that the denial was only due to missing documentation, I completed a few more necessary appts and re-submitted the paperwork in early October 2008. Yet again I was denied due to missing documentation. After denial #2 I was advised to get my benefits dept involved since the company pays for the surgery benefit on the policy but yet the insurance carrier was not allowing the patients to use it. Well shortly after Thanksgiving 2008 I received an email that a Physician reviewed my chart and that a final decision had been made and I should be expecting a letter shortly to tell me what they decided. Well much to my surprise I received a call from my surgeon's office early December that I FINALLY got approved.
This has been a 5 year battle with insurance and an even longer battle with my health. Some have told me over the years "if you would just diet and exercise you'll lose weight", well duh if it were that easy id be skinny by now. Ive been doing everything and its not working for me. I wouldn't normally pick something so drastic but this surgery is my only hope at a long life.
I go under the knife on January 13th 2009 and am nervous yet excited to get a second chance. I look forward to sharing more details about my journey as well as photos to document my progress.
Stayed tuned for future blogs....
