nitaylor

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Got a call from the surgeon's office yesterday just letting me know that everything has been submitted to Anthem Blue Cross for approval...this makes me very happy...

In other news, had a checkup with my regular PCP today and during vitals stepped on the scale... 314??? I have lost 20lbs just with the change in my diet... woo hoo!!!  I mean, I know I made a conscious effort to eliminate the fast food and try to follow the plan laid out by my nutritionist, but I wasn't expecting this at all...

I have now completed ALL the prelim test required by my surgeon .  Man, what a process...  but I'm sure it will all be worth it.  Now waiting for the last of the results to be forwarded to Dr. Crookes and final submission to insurance company for approval...  woo hoo!!!

Well, I've now had my official consultation with Dr. Crookes.  He is a little Irishman, funny but very informative.  He seemed genuinely interested in my thoughts/feelings and didn't try to convince me toward any specific procedure (which was much appreciated.)  This was a very positive experience and (so far) much easier than I expected.

So I've been advised I need to complete 3 tests (stress test, breathing/lung test, and the psych evaluation) then my case will be submitted to Anthem...

 

Finally had a follow up appointment w/ my PCP to go over test results.  He says "you have sleep apnea" (LOL, I kinda figured that out when Apria Health called me to pick up a CPAP machine last month.)  Anyway, ultrasound was normal (no fatty liver condition, )  Blood pressure still too high, so he's increased my BP meds and added a diuretic(?)

As he's prattling of a new list of tests that he'd like me to have, I mention:  At this point I'm seriously considering WLS and here's the research (yes, I brought notes)...

He's says:    wait... wait for it....


OK, got a surgeon in mind?

Huh?    I had mentally prepped myself for a fight...(my doc is very traditional.)  So, long story short:  I'm seeing Dr Crookes in mid-March  

My company just held open enrollment for our health insurance.  In crunching the numbers, it's actually more cost efficient for me to change from Anthem's HMO to the PPO (imagine that?) 

Having the PPO opens up a "brand new world" as I now am not stuck with whatever surgeon my PCP refers.  I'm still going to get his suggestion, but I've been furiously reseaching alternatives.  It's tiring, but I'm sure it'll be worth all the work...

It's been a while since all my tests were taken, however I have yet to "sit down and discuss" the results with my PCP.  I don't want to fall between the cracks or have to re-test due to my results being "too old."  So I've contacted my Dr's office myself for an appointment for Feb 16 to (at the very least) go over my test results and (at best) press for the referal to the  bariatric surgeon (I've already filled out LA Bariatrics required paperwork, lol.)

My medical group IPA is Axminster Medical group.  In my research, I discovered that they tend to refer their bariatric patients to Dr. Korman at LA Bariatric Centers in Marina del Rey.  So I decided to attend the centers weight loss education seminar held on Saturday.

Seemed to be the typical obesity "charts and numbers presentation", then they covered the procedures typically performed at the center:  RNY and Lapband

I did inquire as to whether he'd done/offered the sleeve gastrectomy as that is my preferred treatment.  I was glad to hear that he has done the procedure as well as the DS, however he mentioned that he tends not to do them, because of malnutrition issues with the DS and because the sleeve just won't be approved by insurance .  I'm still going to take my chances on getting a sleeve.

I still cannot figure out for the life of me, why the sleeve has such difficulty being approved and the DS doesn't.  When in fact, the sleeve is the first step (in the 2 step) DS procedure... It makes no sense...

I got that call advising that I'm approved for a CPAP machine...  Got to go pick it up and have a 1hr training session on 1/15

Well, if I can say anything, I can say my PCP is thorough...  I've had Dr's appointments 4 times this month to date (with another on Wed.) 

In my latest adventure, I was required to have not 1 but 2 ultrasounds.  The first, following 8hrs of no food, just to examine my abdominal cavity  (only God knows what he's looking for.)  Then I had to drink bottles of water to fill my bladder for the 2nd (pelvic) ultrasound.   

Anyway, yesterday I went back for the "sleep study."  It was not nearly as bad as I'd imagined.  I'd been occasionally reviewing posts on the sleep apnea message board (my suspicion of having apnea is what prompted the test) for more information.  It may be that some of those posts lowered my expectations to nil, because I was genuinely surprised at the pleasantness of the entire process.  My imagination can be vivid, so I'd envisioned being in bed in a stark white lab with "scientists" in lab coats staring at me behind a "one-way" mirror.  Not the case... a very personable nurse took me to the "examination room" which was designed just like any other bedroom (bed, nightstand, even a TV)...tasteful decor... The paperwork was relatively simple. 

To backtrack a little, my PCP believes I have GERD/acid reflux, not Apnea to which I disagree .  But he scheduled the test anyway (told you, thorough.)  So about 30mins before lying down for the test, I took my prescribed reflux meds.   An hour or so into the test (lying flat on my back, which I haven't done in years) I was not choking, coughing, sputtering the way I usually do in that position...I was fine???  and began to think - well crap... maybe I did have GERD all along and drifted off to sleep.  Well that thought was soon eliminated after the nurse had to awaken me to put on the breathing (CPAP?) mask - which I understand that they do only when it is determined that you need assistance to breathe.  So I may have both conditions.

Doc's vacationing this week, so all results will be compiled and passed to him.  I'll share results later...

Dr's office called today with some results from my initial visit.  I have been officially been diagnosed with high blood pressure and anemia (that one's suprising) and prescribed meds.  He also believes that I have GERD (instead of Apnea) and has ordered additional testing.  We'll discuss my options after all my test results.

more later...