Shanon ..
Finally!!!!! Something to post about!!!
Nov 02, 2006
It's been an incredibly long time since I posted an update about myself. But that's because I really haven't had anything to say....LOL
Just keepin up with the monthly visits with my dietitian, trying to get in some exercise between a variety of health concerns, dealing with snotty teen aged sons...same shyte different day....
However, yesterday was my last required visit with my dietitan for my 6 month supervised diet/weight loss thingie. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Got the psych approval, got the nut approval....and today, my stuff is sposta be on the table for the bariatric team meeting. I've been told that they seen no reason why the bariatric team wouldn't approve me, so apparently once I get their approval, the team coordinator would more than likely send my stuff to the insurance company this afternoon or tomorrow. Haven't heard from her yet, so now I'm starting to worry. What if all the sudden they decided I was too crazy to have surgery....or my BMI or co-morbids weren't enough.....(that is crazy...cuz my BMI is 54 and I have nearly a dozen co-morbids....man...that's a lot...no wonder I feel like crap...sheesh).
I just want to hear that the team approved me and that my stuff is on its way to the insurance company.
Bliss.....
~Shan~
Just keepin up with the monthly visits with my dietitian, trying to get in some exercise between a variety of health concerns, dealing with snotty teen aged sons...same shyte different day....
However, yesterday was my last required visit with my dietitan for my 6 month supervised diet/weight loss thingie. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Got the psych approval, got the nut approval....and today, my stuff is sposta be on the table for the bariatric team meeting. I've been told that they seen no reason why the bariatric team wouldn't approve me, so apparently once I get their approval, the team coordinator would more than likely send my stuff to the insurance company this afternoon or tomorrow. Haven't heard from her yet, so now I'm starting to worry. What if all the sudden they decided I was too crazy to have surgery....or my BMI or co-morbids weren't enough.....(that is crazy...cuz my BMI is 54 and I have nearly a dozen co-morbids....man...that's a lot...no wonder I feel like crap...sheesh).
I just want to hear that the team approved me and that my stuff is on its way to the insurance company.
Bliss.....
~Shan~
Just Checkin' In
Jun 01, 2006
I haven't updated for awhile. Not like there's anything big happening anyway. I did go to the informational seminar for the new surgeon/s last month. Dr. Kuehner is listed as the surgeon, but apparently, he's turning over the reins to Dr. Timothy Wengert. I liked him. He gave a fairly lengthy presentation, and told us there would be a quiz before surgery. He wasn't kidding. lol A few others did presentations, we watched a video, filled out several forms, had our height and weight taken as well. Both Dr. Kuehner and Dr. Wengert were there throughout the duration, and we got a chance to have little mini private Q&A sessions with one or both of them. I hauled booty over to where they were sitting real quick when the last presentation was done because I wanted to head home. The clinic this was at is about 3 hours from my home....however, that morning, it took me nearly 4 hours to get there. Thank goodness I had the sense to leave early. I got lost 5 times on my way there...ended up on back country roads of little towns I've never in my life heard of!! LOL
Last week or round abouts there, I went to the Eau Claire center and took the MMPI (i'm disappointed...they took out the question about "are you afraid of doorknobs" :( ) and some other test. Was going to meet with the psych Dr. there in July to have the eval. But noooooooo.....it's fine I took the tests there, the psych Dr. from the Marshfield center accepted the tests (they sent them to him) but I still have to drive down to him for my eval. That happens to be Monday morning at 9:30. Still trying to figure out when I'll have to leave, and will be going over all kinds of directions. I REFUSE TO GET LOST this time!!!!!!! The last thing I need is to be seriously distraught when I'm about to have a psych eval. sheeeesh
On a FANTASTIC note, I'll be attending the Hudson OH Convention on Sunday the 4th! I'm pretty excited, especially about meeting some of the OH support group members. That is the closest group to me, so that's where I'll go.
More insurance mix ups.... Found out that I'm not supposed to be on a DR. supervised weight loss program, but a DIETITIAN supervised weight loss program. So...the notes that my Dr. has taken since March, are all for naught. I have had 1 meeting with my nut...so now I have 5 more to go. THEN, HER notes go to my pcp, he signs off on them, they get submitted to my surgeon, along with the psych eval they should already have (providing they didn't lock me in the looney bin) and I'll then have to wait and see if I'll be pre-approved. If I am, then starts the consultation with my surgeon, and all the tests and stuff they require. So, seems like we're probably looking at early next year folks. *sighs* I was really hoping to get it done this year, but I just don't think everything will all fit in, in time. I don't have to have a sleep study done though...I'm on a cpap machine, but I guess they still request sleep studies, fortunately however, I had my sleep study done through the Eau Claire center, so they have access to all those records. It's all the same huge clinic system, they just have centers all over Wisconsin.
I realize it has taken many many people ever so much longer to get through things, even having to go as far as waiting until they could get different insurance coverage; but I'm still a tad impatient. Was kind of hoping I'd have some weight off before my 40th birthday in February. Now it's starting to look like that may be when the surgery will actually happen. Well, maybe I won't have to go through the summer of 2007 as heavy as I am now. That would be nice.
I'll write more later this week, after the convention and the psych eval.
Thaaaaat's all folks!....
~Shan~
Last week or round abouts there, I went to the Eau Claire center and took the MMPI (i'm disappointed...they took out the question about "are you afraid of doorknobs" :( ) and some other test. Was going to meet with the psych Dr. there in July to have the eval. But noooooooo.....it's fine I took the tests there, the psych Dr. from the Marshfield center accepted the tests (they sent them to him) but I still have to drive down to him for my eval. That happens to be Monday morning at 9:30. Still trying to figure out when I'll have to leave, and will be going over all kinds of directions. I REFUSE TO GET LOST this time!!!!!!! The last thing I need is to be seriously distraught when I'm about to have a psych eval. sheeeesh
On a FANTASTIC note, I'll be attending the Hudson OH Convention on Sunday the 4th! I'm pretty excited, especially about meeting some of the OH support group members. That is the closest group to me, so that's where I'll go.
More insurance mix ups.... Found out that I'm not supposed to be on a DR. supervised weight loss program, but a DIETITIAN supervised weight loss program. So...the notes that my Dr. has taken since March, are all for naught. I have had 1 meeting with my nut...so now I have 5 more to go. THEN, HER notes go to my pcp, he signs off on them, they get submitted to my surgeon, along with the psych eval they should already have (providing they didn't lock me in the looney bin) and I'll then have to wait and see if I'll be pre-approved. If I am, then starts the consultation with my surgeon, and all the tests and stuff they require. So, seems like we're probably looking at early next year folks. *sighs* I was really hoping to get it done this year, but I just don't think everything will all fit in, in time. I don't have to have a sleep study done though...I'm on a cpap machine, but I guess they still request sleep studies, fortunately however, I had my sleep study done through the Eau Claire center, so they have access to all those records. It's all the same huge clinic system, they just have centers all over Wisconsin.
I realize it has taken many many people ever so much longer to get through things, even having to go as far as waiting until they could get different insurance coverage; but I'm still a tad impatient. Was kind of hoping I'd have some weight off before my 40th birthday in February. Now it's starting to look like that may be when the surgery will actually happen. Well, maybe I won't have to go through the summer of 2007 as heavy as I am now. That would be nice.
I'll write more later this week, after the convention and the psych eval.
Thaaaaat's all folks!....
~Shan~
A Quickie
May 04, 2006
Just a quick note....
went to the Dr. this morning and found out I had lost 6 pounds!!! YAYYYYY This is all being recorded for my 6 month Dr. supervised weight loss thingie yanno =) I've gone from 305 (my highest weight ever) down to 299. I'd love to be well under the 200 mark, but at least I'm below the 300 now.
Later Taters.... ~Shan~
went to the Dr. this morning and found out I had lost 6 pounds!!! YAYYYYY This is all being recorded for my 6 month Dr. supervised weight loss thingie yanno =) I've gone from 305 (my highest weight ever) down to 299. I'd love to be well under the 200 mark, but at least I'm below the 300 now.
Later Taters.... ~Shan~
Costs, Caffeine, and Car Rides
May 03, 2006
Howdy Hey.... I found out that the informational seminar cost is $76.70, and not covered by my insurance. I go to the seminar on Wednesday the 17th. Still have my 1st appt. with the nutritionist on May 9th, and finally got approved for my psych testing and eval on June 5th. I know that sooooo many of you have to drive for hours or even take a train or fly to get to where you need to be to have surgery, but I'm still gonna feel sorry for myself for having to drive about 3 hours to get where I need to go...lol. As I mentioned above, it's still in the same "clinic family", so I'm hoping that some of my tests and things can be done at the facillity closest to me, rather than 3 hours away. I think I've gotten over the initial "rush" of having surgery. I don't know if anyone else can understand this, but when I decided to finally have this done, and got all kinds of information and talked with my PCP, ins. co., made appts. etc... I became basically obessive. It was all I could think about, talk about, read about in books and online. I've relaxed a great deal now. I still want the surgery just as much, and I still want to have it as soon as is humanly possible....I just think the fact that "this is going to take tiiiiiiiime" has finally settled into my brain. I have finally completely given up my regular pepsi habit!!! yayyyyy When I want something to drink now, it is caffeine free diet pepsi (which I still think tastes like crap and takes me a long time to drink one can), a few cups of coffee in the morning to help with the caffeine headache withdrawls, or juice. Haven't gotten too much into the water drinking yet. I'm waiting for a sample of that "True Lemon", to see what that tastes like. My knees have been killing me lately, so for exercise I've been using this thing called a "Health Walker". It's basically like a Tony Little Gazelle, only older. Very low impact, works different parts of the body depending on how you move....kind of a fun way to get the cardio. Right now, I can only do 10 minutes 3 times a day. I'm working on trying to get the time longer, but I've been sedentary for ages, don't want to over do it. Well....I'll write more another time when I have anything new to say about my journey. Live Long and Prosper, ~Shan~
The PUTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr 14, 2006
Well....I had to seek out a different surgeon. I had things all figured out to go to Dr. Timothy Pitchford at Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire. People said he was nice and his staff was great, the surgery went well and the stay at the hospital ok.
His office sent me a ton of information to read before the informational seminar, I read it all. I did a massive amount of research on the net about the various surgeries, complications, pros/cons, what have you. In fact, I was excessive about it. But wanted to know as much as I possibly could. Anyway....I drove nearly an hour and went to his 2 hour informational seminar. Everything was fine, really didn't tell me anything I didn't know (thanx to my research and so many of the people I've talked to on OH), up until the very end. At that time, he mentioned the people who, under no circumstances, would he operate. Chrohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, some other medical issues, and then stated two mental illnesses. Schizophrenia and Bipolar. NO EXCEPTIONS!.
Well....I had a problem with that. I happen to be Bipolar. I see my therapist regularly, my psychiatrist regularly so that my meds are correct.... When asked why he didn't accept Bipolar patients, he said that he had two Bipolar patients who just could not handle the changes after surgery. He didn't say if these people were currently medicated, if they were regurlarly seeing therapists and psychdocs, if their psychdocs were all for the surgery and were willing to work with any medications needed. Nothing.
I personally feel this was a HUGE and insensitive oversight on his part. This information could have easily been included amongst all the paperwork and information he sends to prosepective patients BEFORE the informational seminar. Would have saved me some time, a lot of gas, and a TON of stress, discouragement, disappointment, and frustration.
I called my ins. co. Now I had to look for someone else. I live in a VERY small area. Everything is limited. Apparently, with approval, I can see an in network but out of area surgeon at the Marshfield Clinic Main Campus in Marshfield, WI. This happens to be nearly 150 miles from me. OK...other people have gone much much farther. It appears as though I'm going to have to get separate approvals for the psychdoc he uses for his evals. He uses one man and one man only. I have yet to get that approved. I can see the nutritionist at the Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire, which is about an hour from me. That was who I was going to see in the first place. Not sure how other testing and appointments would go. Hoping that any other tests could be done at the Eau Claire Center...the results are available to every other Marshfield center. There's another hitch in this.... apparently, there is a fee to attend this surgeon's Informational Seminar, which, like most, is mandatory to attend. The gal I spoke with wasn't too sure...but she thought it was anywhere from $70 - $100. *gasp* I tell ya, I'm tryin like crazy to think of everything I can ask this surgeons "contact person" by phone before hand to make sure I wouldn't be turned away after an even lengthier seminar. I am on a seriously limited income, like many of us who need this surgery. The thought of spending all that time driving and the huge gas cost, not to mention a fee for a seminar when you haven't even been accepted as a patient yet is not sitting well with me and has me very nervous. If this guy doesn't work out, I'm afraid I may be out of options. As the saying goes......Hurry Up and Wait.
HAPPY (place your personal holiday here)!!!!!!!!!!
His office sent me a ton of information to read before the informational seminar, I read it all. I did a massive amount of research on the net about the various surgeries, complications, pros/cons, what have you. In fact, I was excessive about it. But wanted to know as much as I possibly could. Anyway....I drove nearly an hour and went to his 2 hour informational seminar. Everything was fine, really didn't tell me anything I didn't know (thanx to my research and so many of the people I've talked to on OH), up until the very end. At that time, he mentioned the people who, under no circumstances, would he operate. Chrohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, some other medical issues, and then stated two mental illnesses. Schizophrenia and Bipolar. NO EXCEPTIONS!.
Well....I had a problem with that. I happen to be Bipolar. I see my therapist regularly, my psychiatrist regularly so that my meds are correct.... When asked why he didn't accept Bipolar patients, he said that he had two Bipolar patients who just could not handle the changes after surgery. He didn't say if these people were currently medicated, if they were regurlarly seeing therapists and psychdocs, if their psychdocs were all for the surgery and were willing to work with any medications needed. Nothing.
I personally feel this was a HUGE and insensitive oversight on his part. This information could have easily been included amongst all the paperwork and information he sends to prosepective patients BEFORE the informational seminar. Would have saved me some time, a lot of gas, and a TON of stress, discouragement, disappointment, and frustration.
I called my ins. co. Now I had to look for someone else. I live in a VERY small area. Everything is limited. Apparently, with approval, I can see an in network but out of area surgeon at the Marshfield Clinic Main Campus in Marshfield, WI. This happens to be nearly 150 miles from me. OK...other people have gone much much farther. It appears as though I'm going to have to get separate approvals for the psychdoc he uses for his evals. He uses one man and one man only. I have yet to get that approved. I can see the nutritionist at the Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire, which is about an hour from me. That was who I was going to see in the first place. Not sure how other testing and appointments would go. Hoping that any other tests could be done at the Eau Claire Center...the results are available to every other Marshfield center. There's another hitch in this.... apparently, there is a fee to attend this surgeon's Informational Seminar, which, like most, is mandatory to attend. The gal I spoke with wasn't too sure...but she thought it was anywhere from $70 - $100. *gasp* I tell ya, I'm tryin like crazy to think of everything I can ask this surgeons "contact person" by phone before hand to make sure I wouldn't be turned away after an even lengthier seminar. I am on a seriously limited income, like many of us who need this surgery. The thought of spending all that time driving and the huge gas cost, not to mention a fee for a seminar when you haven't even been accepted as a patient yet is not sitting well with me and has me very nervous. If this guy doesn't work out, I'm afraid I may be out of options. As the saying goes......Hurry Up and Wait.
HAPPY (place your personal holiday here)!!!!!!!!!!
Pepsi.....Pepsi..... Where Art Thou Pepsi????
Apr 05, 2006
I've been working hard on my pop consumption. Was a 12 pack a day regular pepsi drinker for 20 years. Now, I only have it in the morning, I've cut it down a lot. After 6:00 pm I only drink Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi. BLECH! Takes me a couple of hours to suck one down. =) I don't know if I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but I have my informational seminar on the 12th of April. I also have an appointment to see the nutritionist in May, will be taking the MMPI next week, Psych eval appointment is July 3rd, but I am on the cancellation list, and I see my PCP tomorrow to start the "6 month physician supervised weight loss program". There's absolutely nothing I can do now, but wait........*sighs*
Newbie
Mar 31, 2006
My pcp suggested WLS nearly 2 years ago. I've done a little research since then....but have really stepped things up in the last month or so. It's something that has always been on my mind, but after speaking with my dietitian a little over a week or so, and discussing it with her, I finally checked with the insurance co. to see if they would even cover it (they will, with many layered hoops of course). They told me what clinic/hospital/Dr. I could use. I called up the Dr.'s clinic, signed up for an informational session which will be on the 12th, and they've already sent me out a rather extensive informational packet. There's much to do, think about, and consider. Lots of serious thought goin on here now.
About Me
St. Croix County, WI
Location
38.3
BMI
Surgery
02/19/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 30, 2006
Member Since
