Julia W.

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Today I have lost a total of 100 pounds from my highest.  I am so happy and thankful that this was made possible for me.  Life is so much easier now.  What a red letter day!   

10-01-06 Well am I negligent in updating or what. I just have not done it so here goes the quick version. I had surgery on 4-10-06 and went home on 4-12-06 late in the day. My discharge was delayed because they thought I had a leak when the leak test was done on the second day but it was not a leak. That put me behind in the drinking catagory but I made up for that the next day, cath came out, I piddeled and pooped and went home. Actually to the Motel, as we live 3 hours away and it was bad weather at 6 p.m. so stayed one more night.
I hated that darn drain and it was infected when I went back to see the Surgeon in one week. Put on antibiotics and it went away for about a week after finishing the antibiotics, then pain in left side was back. I had another cat scan and still no leak but maybe infection so more antibiotics. Took about 6 to 8 weeks total to completely get rid of that infection. Since then no problems. I have steadily lost weight and as of today have lost 89 pounds from my highest of 321 about 2 weeks before my surgery. I can fit into the restraunt booths now, wipe my own behind with ease, better balance and many other things that make me feel so much better. I will try to update at least monthly from now on.

4-3-06 I HAVE A DATE!!! I have been penciled in for next Monday, April 10th. I see the surgeon on Wednesday the 5th and if everything is o.k. I will have surgery at 1 p.m. on the 10th. I can't believe it!! I am so excited and will become anxious soon I am sure.

4-5-06 I saw Dr. Mirande and staff this a.m. Lots of information on pre and post surgical needs and diet. Dr. Mirande actually went over the surgery consent paragraph by paragraph. WOW I am a nurse and never ever had a physician do this for me or any one else. The dietician spent approx. 2 hours going over each stage of the eating plan. I saw Dr. Mirande one on one and he isn't sure if my surgery will be lap or open due to my apple shaped body, but he will try to do it lap. I hadn't had an EKG in awhile so I had to have one done at the hospital which was done very quickly. Will find out tomorrow if it is o.k. and then I guess it will be official that my surgery date is April 10th!!!

4-6-06 My EKG was fine so the 10th is the day. They also moved to time up to 8:30 a.m. which is better than 1 P.M. I think. Now must clean house, go shopping this weekend for clear liquids and laxatives !!!!!!!!!!!!

4-8-06 We wil be leaving at around 8 a.m. tomorrow to go to Klamath Falls so we can try to get into the motel before I start the phospha soda fun. I will be very glad when Monday evening gets here and the surgery stuff is over.

3-16-06 All of my evaluations and letter of medical need have been faxed to my insurance today.

3-17-06 I had planned to call my insurance today to make sure they received my packet of information but they called me first!! The nurse case manager said she received everything they needed and has forwarded it to a medical reviewer and I should have an answer in 7 to 8 days. Don't know if that is working days or what but you can bet I will be calling them next Friday on day 7!!

3-24-06 Well today was the 7th day so I called the insurance. The nurse said she didn't think she had an answer as it is usually 7 working days but she checked the computer anyway AND I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!! Exciting!! Now I can move forward and hopefully fast.

3-27-06 I have an appointment next week with my surgeon and team. Hope I get a surgery date then!

2-10-06 I continued to talk with the insurance staff at the hospital where the physican I hope to go with, is associated. They deal with the insurance issues for him. I sent them copies from my insurance coverage booklet that lists Bariatric surgery as covered. Interesting that I have to be the one to point out to my 3rd party insurance payor that it is indeed covered. Anyway, they now have told me that I need an edocrinology work-up, which I had earlier this week and a psyc. eval. which I have scheduled. I hope this will satisfy them but we shall see what other hoops they send my way for me to jump through. Interesting that my secondary insurance who has an out and out exclusion for bariatric surgery, at least sent me a nice letter saying it was not covered and they were really sorry. I don't really believe they were that sorry but at least they acknowledged that they had been contacted about coverage. My primary insurance has just been difficult and has not sent any information to me, only to the insurance staff at the hospital and I don't think that was in writing. I will continue to pursue this avenue and hope to get approved soon. Julia — Julia Weber

2-24-06 I had my psych. evaluation today. Went pretty well and she feels I am a good candidate for WLS surgery and should have her letter soon. The endocrinologists has already sent her letter of medical necessity and evaluation and my primary M.D. has dictated hers too, so should have it in a few days. That will conclude the insurance requirements they gave me. I have a support group meeting to attend in Roseburg on Monday the 27th. Hope this is the start of things moving quickly for me. I am getting so anxious to have surgery and get my life back in line!! Julia

1-27-06 Today, on my 33rd aniversary, I was notified that my insurance had denied my request for approval. They had the information for ONE DAY! Can't believe they looked at it in depth. I do not know why yet, as I have to call Dr. Mirande's insurance staff on Monday to get this information. I wish I knew why, so I could spend the weekend trying to work on information I think they might need to approve. I guess I can only stew about it. Julia