LillyMarie
6-5-06 This is the beginning of my journey. I have been reading a lot of material on this website, as well as doing my own research about wls. I think I have tried just about every diet known to man and woman! No kidding!! I have dieted my way through the 80's, 90's and now 2000's. This is not how I want to continue. I want to be active and healthy. I want to be active with my husband and children. I want to take control of my life. In my mind I have come to terms with considering wls. I have met with my PCP and while he is not a huge fan of wls -- mostly because he admits to not knowing a lot about it and anyone to refer me to with my questions. I at least appreaciate his honesty. I am meeting with a surgeon I've researched on June 22nd. I am asking my husband to come with me -- I would be very suprised if he didn't. He has always been very supportive!! My best friend had wls about four years ago and had done extremely well. She has been very honest about her experience and offered her support (we were not friends at the time of her wls). I'm very blessed to have her as my friend!!
6-14-06 Well, it's getting closer -- my consult with the surgeon. I've been compiling my list of questions to ask. Honestly, I think I'm more concerned about whether or not the surgery (if I am a candidate) will be covered by insurance -- I don't take rejection well!! :)) I have started conversations with my husband around this topic. I think he is trying to be supportive -- but I don't think he quite understands this whole thing yet! He'll come around. I afraid to let myself start "hoping" and "dreaming" of a new life / body. I know that wls is not a cure-all, but it certainly is a tool to help turn this crazy weight cycle around.
6-20-06 Two days until I see the surgeon. I was starting to become a bit anxious about wanting this option, but worrying that I would not be candidate or that insurance will not cover it, or that I wouldn't be able to get the time off work, etc, etc. Then I just plain ole committed it to the ONE who can truly make decisions :)) I know that "everything" will work out -- they have too! I need and want to be healthy and enjoy life!!!!!!! (Still can't wait until the appt!)
6-22-06 I had my consult today. It went great! I was able to listen to some general information first. Then I was able to have some personal dialogue and consult with the surgeon. He thinks I'm a great candidate for wls! Hooray. Now I just have to start down the road of jumping through the insurance hoops. Patience is not my strong suit. In support of making huge changes in my life, I'm also going to try will hard to be patient and see the glass half full!!! This is Day 1 of my new life. The dr wants me to make an attempt at losing a little wait prior to surgery to help shrink my liver, etc, etc. No probem. I know I can diet and lose weight, I just need a tool to help me do this long term.
7-5-06 Spoke with the "insurance lady" from the dr's office last week-- I will need a letter from my PCP and a psych eval. I have those scheduled for 7-14 (PCP on vacation) and 7-6 (psych eval). So, I keep moving along -- although I wish a bit faster. I most concerned about my PCP following through and supporting this. My specific concern is that he will need to write a letter stating that I have had 12 consecutive months of diet attempt (supervised) in the last 4 years, of which I have, just not with him -- I've been a patient of his practice for the last year (due to employment / insurance change). I will commit this to prayer. My husband is starting to come around -- God can do ANYTHING!. A friend of his at church has had this surgery and I think they have been talking. We went "up north" this last holiday weekend. I was talking to my aunt about this -- and thinking about what was the defining moment that started me down this road. I have been thinking about wls for the last couple of years. At that time my insurance didn't cover it so it was not an option. Of course, my physical situation didn't change at all. I want to be more active. I want to enjoy activities with my kids. I want to ride the rides at amusement parks. I want to fit comfortably in the airline seats without stares. I want to feel healthy and "good" in my own skin. But, the defining moment was when my blood sugars started to change. I have a nasty family history of diabetes and heart disease. I don't want to help that "road" to happen. I need to take permanent measures to help my road and to stay on that road. I'll update more tomorrow after my psych eval.
7-6-06 I had my psych eval today. It went very well. The dr was very knowledgeable about wls and insurance requirements. No 600 -700 question personality tests, etc. Just a very appropriate conversation about the surgery itself -- had to explain it to her so that she knows I understand what I am doing (informed); about the lifestyle changes that will have to take place; support systems; family life; diet attempts; general health questions, etc, etc. She is going to write and fax the report to the surgeons office -- should be done in a week. Yeah! Now just need to meet with my PCP on July 14th and request that he write a letter to my surgeon making the recommendations and a summary statement of diet attempts. Pray, pray, pray!!!!
7-16-06 I met with my PCP on 7-14 -- it went very well. I was very nervous! I took him a letter recommending me for wls with the appropriate statements about 12 consecutive months of wls, etc, etc for insurance requirements. He said he would do it!! Yeah. I guess I was nervous because he and his partner run a very conservative practice -- part of why I chose them in the first place. I will check with his office in a couple of days to check and see if they copied the letter on to their letterhead and mailed it to the surgeon. The psych eval was already mailed and received, so this is the last piece before submitting to insurance to request approval!! Good thing this is a busy week so I won't have a lot of time to obsess about it. It would be nice if I could have the surgery in September. I really want to begin living a healthy, active life!!!!!! This board is great. I have learned so much from the message boards and profiles. Truly invaluable information.
7-17-06 Okay -- I was going to try to wait a few days before making any phone calls -- couldn't help my self. Called my PCP to see if all had been mailed (EKG and letter). The secretary said it was sitting on the doctors desk and that I could call tomorrow and check. I'm hoping it's sitting there because he is busy -- totally understandable and not having second thoughts. I'm going to keep thinking positive thoughts. I'm going to trust God that it will all be taken care of. (I just want approval and a date! )
7-22-06 Well I got answer #1 -- APPROVAL. I can't believe it!! I have had a completely exhausting week. Just very busy and emotionally taxing at work this week. So I'm in Walmart late Friday afternoon and I get a call on my cell from the surgeons office -- I'm APPROVED!!! Okay, well now we can go on to a GREAT weekend! I am so excited I just can't wait for a date. The surgeon has to receive the copy of my EKG from my PCP. The PCP mailed it to me instead of to the surgeons, so I put it in the mail (after making a copy) to the surgeon. I also took another big step and shared this with my mom. She obviously is very aware of how long I have had this battle. I really wasn't certain if she would be supportive or not. Well, she was and was genuinely excited for me! Okay, now to get my husband to transition from supportive to understanding. I'm going to start working on my list of this to look forward to! I keep thinking of them, but I want to start putting them down on paper.
7-28-06 Okay a little frustrated today. Called the surgeons office to see if that had gottem my EKG. Mind you I sent the insurance form and the EKG together and they were received in the insurance office on Monday (7/24). The insurance dept said they intraofficed them to the surgeons area and should have been received on Wednesday. OMG. So, the kicker is, the surgeons office said well you can fax a copy straight to us if you have one. Of course I have one, I have heeded everyones advice. So I fax it. Why oh why didn't she just say that when we spoke on Wednesday and I told her at that time I had a copy. Ugh. I'm really trying to be patient. I just want to get things movin!!! I did talk more with my husband this week. The conversation is getting better. So, now it is just the waiting game.........I don't do well at this game. I'll be calling on Monday to see if they do indeed have the fax (I saved my "successful transmission" receipt from Friday).
7-31-06 Okay -- Called the surgeons office. He looked at the EKG and gave it his blessing! Now my "file" is off to the "scheduler." So "I wait!" I hate waiting. Busy life. Stuff to do. Would just like my date! Not because I'm pretty excited about surgery -- but I am way excited about a second chance on life!! A couple a years ago, I would have never thought this was possible. I have "peace" that this is the right thing to do. I'll give the scheduler a few days, before I take an opportunity to introduce myself to her!!
8-7-06 Well alot has happened in the last week. Good things. I was able to get my date scheduled. Yeah. September 27th. I would have liked to have had it sooner, but my daughter has a very important event on September 17 with almost a month of preparations. This is very important to her. She is involved with "Missionettes" -- kind of like girl scouts but through our church. Anyway, for the last three years she has been working on patches and such and when you have achieved all the "honor steps" during the 3 year program you get to participate in an "Honor Star" ceremony, they have to wear long, white gowns, and they get to wear a tiara. Very girly! All that to say its totally a mom and daughter thing and I don't want to miss one bit. So, it'll be the end of September until wls. Also, my copay is a little bit bigger that I expected so it'll give me time to get that together!! I'm also going to be speaking with my employer about the copay! My husband is more accepting and we can talk about it openly now. My mom is thinking about wls for herself. She has a consult this week with Barix to see if she is a candidate. I do know that she turns 61 in November so she will have to get her stuff together pretty quick. I have met so many wonderful people through this website. It truly is an amazing, supportive network. I am so at peace with this whole process / journey, truly God amazing. Even the copay thing -- I totally stress about money -- I'm totally cool with this. It'll all work out! Blessings!!!
