JoyceB

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Well, I finally am done fighting the insurance company and my doctor's office and my bill is paid in full.  It was a nightmare and I had to hire an attorney to get through it all.  Suffice it to say that there was (and probably still is) a lot of  b.s. going on.  If you want to know more, message me.  I definitely won't be seeing that doctor again and if I have complications I have already lined up another doctor to see me. 

Since the last post and before settling the billing drama, I totalled my car (head-on, but I'm okay now), had to cash in my IRA to cover that and my surgery bill balance and generally have been very stressed out.  I have doubled up on my acid inhibitor medicine because the stress caused that to go out of control.  It seems to be better.  All I can do is take it all one day at a time.  Weight loss is VERY slow.  It has taken over a month to lose 2 lbs.  I try to work out on Saturdays and Sundays for at least an hour.  It's impossible during the week!

I was pre-approved with United Health Care.  I got a call from my surgeons office this week that they haven't been paid yet (4+ mos) and that I need to do something about it or I will get the bill (over $40,000)!  I call ed UHC and was told that it had been forwarded to "rapid resolution" and they would have to process it.  It would take 10-14 days.  What????  They've had 4 months to process it!!! WTF???

Now I get daily calls from my surgeons office to see what I have done about this.  Thursday the office manager called and said "please hold for the doctor".  Next thing I knew I was getting a "friendly" lecture on needing to take care of this, the accountant is hounding him to get payment, that I will get the bill, etc. etc.  Double WTF!?!?!  I am not stupid, I don't need the doctor telling me what to do and trying to guilt me into something.  I was pleasant enoough on the phone, but I wanted to SCREAM...F*CK U...I am not some stupid child who needs a "talking to" by a doctor.  Don't talk to me like I'm a moron! 

So after that I was PISSED!!!  I called UHC AGAIN and threatened filing a complaint with the Dept of Labor.  Suddenly my claim is being sent to a different department - complex claims - and that I will get a call back on Tuesday.  I asked to speak to supervisors every time and I was told no, there is no one else to talk to.

I called the Dept of Labor on Thrusday and filed a phone complaint.  They told me they can't really do anything until UHC denies the claim. 

The kicker...every other bill associated with the surgery was paid months ago....the hospital (in network), the radiologist, (in)  the anesthesiologist (out of network), labs (in), etc.  The only unpaid bill is the surgeon (who's out of network).

Well, I can't believe it, but I am now lower than the lowest weight I achieved with the lapband.  As of yesterday morning I am 233 lbs.  I will 4 mos. post op in 5 days...and I am almost to my first goal weight of 195.  I can't believe my success so far.  RNY was been sooo much more "user-friendly" than the lapband! 

I continue to take all my vitamins and supplements, adding extra D and iron due to low levels on my 1 and 3 month blood tests.  Otherwise I feel fantastic.  I have noticed the wrinkles popping up on my face though.  Ugh.

I had my 3 month follow-up today and I am officially down 53 pounds since surgery.  The rate of loss has slowed significantly, but my doctor was happy.  He said I should be at my "proper" weight at 18 months due to my height and build.  I sure hope so!  I have been cleared to eat all foods as long as I can tolerate them.  Blood tests tomorrow.  Hopefully iron and vitamin D have gone up (they were low at 3 month mark).

I had my one month post-op appointment today.  I am down 34.4 pounds.  I can add in chicken, fish, well-cooked pasta and protein bars to my meals.  Feel good.  Healing well.  No issues except for acid, so doc put me on Prevacid. 

As of yesterday I have lost 25 lbs!
I feel good.
I have felt real hunger maybe twice and that was in the past few days...nothing a few ounces of yogurt or an egg hasn't cured.
I need to increase my water intake.
One wound is not healing very well.  It's just under my belly button in between my "rolls."  It doesn't get enough air to dry and scab.  I think I will need to bandage it to keep it dry.
All pain is gone.  When I bend over to touch the floor I do have some stiffness/aches on my left side, but nothing worth worrying about.

Tomorrow is the day.  I am currently taking my bowel prep liquid and spending lots of time in the bathroom.  I am having lots of hesitation about going through with RNY tomorrow.  I am petrified of another "failure" and of complications both during surgery and post op.  I keep trying to remind myself of what I will gladly be giving up...apnea, hypertension, back and knee pain, being treated poorly, etc. and that all of this will be worth it in the end.