Trish P.
So when I converted over to the new profile, I lost my whole story....my whole struggle with insurance, everything. At first I was upset....that I had lost all of that information. But now that I think about it, who cares? The fact is....I'm here, I'm banded....and as of today (10/18/06) I am 60lbs lighter! And to me, that's cause enough to celebrate!
I still have a ways to go, but I'm enjoying the journey. Every day I'm learning about my band, looking at life a lot differently than before and enjoying the new me that is evolving before mine and everyone else's eyes.
So the journey, although torrid and long - filled with insurance red tape and finally deciding to be a self-pay bandster, I've learned a lot. And the great things is....the learning process is never over!
Here's to new life!
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Thanks to skinnynmind I found out how to retrieve my old profile. So all is not lost after all! :-)
Here it is....
Hi there! My name is Trisha. 30 years old...married almost 3 years to a wonderful, supportive and loving man. We desperately want to have children, but that cannot happen until I loose this baggage off of my body. Also, I want to be here past 40, so NOW is the time to get healthy!
I've been researching WLS for over 3 years, and decided that the LAP-band was the best choice for me.
I am now in the final stages of being approved for the Lap-band by my surgeon. Also sending through to insurance again, and possibly interested in taking legal action if the second appeal is denied. If that doesn't work, I will be paying cash. Either way, I WILL get this surgery!!
I'll update the rest later on, but wanted to get this started.
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12/20/05 - Waiting now for my third appeal to go through insurance. In January coming up, insurance is changing to Cigna. Will probably try to send it through them if denied by current insurance. Either way, I'm still waiting...and hoping to have this surgery by January!! We'll see what happens! Pray for me, that insurance will finally see how important this surgery is!
I'm anxious to get started on this road to becoming who I was meant to be!
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2/8/06 - I can't believe how incredibly LONG this whole process is. And almost every day, someone asks me about "how things are going" with surgery. What a disappointment to always say..."I'm still waiting for the insurance company..." which is exactly what I'm doing at this moment in time.
As I stated earlier, in January, my insurance changed to Cigna. Information and a request was sent by my surgeon's office on Jan. 11th, and Cigna received it on Jan. 17th. I was told by Cigna that I should be receiving documentation in the mail within 30 days, and should know by then. The person I talked to at Cigna seemed very positive, that, if medically necessary, I should have no problem getting approved. BUT...we shall see.
So, I sit and wait...still...in hopes that, by the end of this month, I will not only know something substantial, but that I will have a surgery date!!!
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3/7/06 - One month later and NOTHING!!! No surgery. Not even a date! Not even authorization from insurance!! This is such a mess...I just have to vent. It feels like I'm never going to get this surgery to go through!
So here's the "exciting" news since my last entry.
* Feb. 27th, 2006 I received a call from CIGNA stating that my company had an "exclusion" for weight loss surgery on the policy. I was obviously devastated, and was unsure of what the next step was. I knew that I could probably fight it, and was determined to do so. I just had to come up with a game plan.
* Feb. 28th, 2006 (first thing in the morning) I called both my benefits administrator, as well as my local HR rep and notified them of what CIGNA had told me. I also mentioned that I was not below taking legal action if necessary. I also began to research lawyers in Chicago, as well as weight loss surgery legal cases that have been successful. In doing so, I found a Chicago lawyer who won a case back in November against an insurance company that denied coverage for surgery. I called and made an appointment with him. In the meantime, I received a response from my benefits coordinator, just a few hours after I left the voice mail. According to her, the information that CIGNA gave me was FALSE! There was NO exclusion listed on my policy! Interesting. Then she gave me the name of someone at CIGNA that I should send predetermination letters directly to, and said that "she would make sure that my case was handled correctly." So I called my surgeon's office and had her gather the info and send it out...AGAIN. So they should receive it sometime this week. I also contacted my gynecologist to get a letter from him as well. That was another drama filled task. First they had the wrong type of surgery listed. Then I went to go pick it up on Friday afternoon, and the letter wasn't signed by the doc and ready like it should have been. So I have to go pick it up tomorrow. That is, if they are there. Maybe I should just have them mail it to me and be done with it.
* March 6th, 2006 - Had appointment to meet with lawyer. Was in and out of his office in less than 10 minutes, which was amazing! No huge amount of paperwork to fill out. He basically looked over my policy, and from there determined that from what he could see, I was covered. He told me that a letter should be written by my doctor, stating that this is a LIFE-THREATENING disease, and that surgery is the ONLY way to remedy this....and that it should be done immediately. So I placed a call in to my PCP's office.
They called me back today. First the nurse said that the doctor wants me to come in. I said NO WAY! Nothing has changed since the last time I saw him, and besides, he's already written a letter for me. I just need him to tweak it a bit. So she put me on hold for the longest time, then came back on the phone, saying that she doesn't have a copy of that first letter in my file. Great. So I had to call the surgeon's office, have her find the letter and send it. Long story short, the bariatric center had it and last I heard, they were going to fax it to the surgeon's office, and then K at Dr. Woodard would fax it to my PCP's nurse Hazel.
So hopefully, I'll know something by the end of this week, next week. The lawyer told me that if they deny me again, to call him and we'll immediately start legal action. First with a letter to insurance, and my company. Then we'll go from there.
I really hope we don't need to go to court, and that it's not going to be this long and drawn out procedure. I've already waited long enough in my book. This could have been over and done with a long time ago. Why should I have to go through all this stupid bureaucracy and red tape to get healthy! It's frickin' ridiculous! BUT... I'll go through with it...if it means that at the end of the road, I'll have this stupid band inside me and five or six holes in my stomach to prove it! Lol.
Hopefully the next time I write, it will be to announce my surgery date,etc. But...I won't hold my breath. I can't....afterall, I have asthma and shortness of breath!
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June 19, 2006
Well, it's interesting to see what I last wrote...because as of today, my surgery is scheduled for July 19th!! My husband and I decided to just pay cash and screw the insurance company. It's a long story and I don't have time to write about it today. But one of these days I'll tell my story. Maybe even on Oprah! Lol.
Anyway, today is my post-op appointment, since my surgeon will be on vacation 2 weeks prior to surgery. So I'm excited.
My financing went through, thank god!! Just need the surgeon's fee. We're halfway there, and I'm hopeful we'll have it by July 5th, 2 weeks before surgery.
I'm excited to get on with my life!! WAHOOO!!!!
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July 19th, 3am -
Well, the big day is finally here. I go in later this morning for surgery. I have to be at the hospital at 5:15am, and then surgery is scheduled at 7:30am.
I know I should be sleeping, but when i laid down earlier, I just couldn't fall sleep. Now I could probably go to sleep, but I have to be up in an hour, so what's the use? I'm just scared I won't wake up in time, and I'll miss it!! That would be me, late for my own surgery! Ugh!
I'm nervous, excited, anxious, you name it. But mostly excited. Today is the beginning of my new life! I just can't wait to get started!!
I'll try to get on and post soon. If not me, I'll have my husband post for me.
Thanks for the support and prayers! I'll need them today!
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7/25/06
So, I was banded 7/19...not quite a week. And last night, I had my first official "I-feel-sorry-for-myself breakdown. I've even thought, "why the HECK did I fight so hard to get this thing?" And, "is it too late to get this thing out of me!"
I guess I am just so tired of the pain in my stomach, pain in my back. Tired of the itching. Tired of feeling a huge lump in my chest. Tired of pushing myself to get enough liquid. Tired of feeling my stomach growl, and yet and the same time, have no appetite. Tired of watching my family eat dinner, knowing I can't have anything. I guess I'm just tired of everything.
I know this was the best decision for me, but I felt really defeated and discouraged, and just down. I was warned that I might have these feelings so soon after surgery. I just didn't know how intense it would be.
I want a good night's sleep. I want to be able to drink my fluid and not feel like a softball is stuck in my chest. I want to be able to take care of myself. I want to not feel like my stomach is one huge bruise that hurts even when you don't touch it.
The morning after surgery I went for an upper GI, that would ultimately tell the doctor if I was ready to go home, and that I could consume liquids with no problems. As I was waiting outside in my Hummer of a wheelchair, this older man, maybe a doctor, maybe a nurse or radiology technician, asked how I was doing. My moan quickly told him how I felt. And he said to me, "it will get better, dear. What is it they say... this to shall pass."
I just nodded. This too shall pass. And it seems it's already passing. Slowly, but passing. I had a better nights sleep last night. And every day, I feel less and less pain when I get up. I can actually lay on my right side. And for the first time since surgery, was able to cuddle with my husband, something I really miss.
So I guess I don't want to give up just now. I'll endure. After all, I've come so far already, right?
This too shall pass...
Now, back to my protein shake...
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8/3/06
So, as of today, I've been banded for 2 weeks and 1 day. And I'm already seeing the fruits of my labor. Yes, in weight loss...although I don't know how much. But I do know that my wedding/engagement ring is getting so loose that, if not for the joint in my finger, it would fly off while slinging my hand. I give it a month before it completely falls off. My clothes are fitting differently. My body feels different in general. More energetic, even 2 weeks after having surgery.
I've made so many changes towards healthier living...including drinking more water, NOT drinking soda or other high calorie beverages, eating slowly and not gorging my food down...and completely removing sweets from my diet. Well, except for that one day I had about 4 oz of chocolate milkshake after watching my husband eat Captain Nemo's....while I was still on liquids...and starving because my appetite was coming back. Anyway, I'm unable to eat starchy foods at this point such as pasta, bread, corn, rice, etc. Now, once I go to solids, I'm sure I will be able to eat some of these things. However now, as with everything I eat, the quantity will be considerably less than the average girl.
Take my dinner last night for example. I made a crab "salad" for dinner. I ate half a cup, if that, and I was done. Completely satisfied. FULL.
Now here comes the perspective.
I remember going to a Chinese buffet for lunch. I would get, not only crab salad, but crab rangoon (about 6... can you say addiction?), baked crab in butter, fried rice, sushi, etc, etc. It's embarassing to say, but I'm sure that, by the time I left there, I probably consumed 1 1/2-2 plates of food. I don't even want to KNOW how many cups that is, let alone how many calories!
That isn't said to judge anyone but myself. I was out of control with eating, and in denial the entire time. Thank God I have help now. Granted, I will be able to eat at bit more once I go on solid food. But I am on my way to healthy portions, healthier food, and a healthier lifestyle none the less!
I still can't believe that I had 4 oz of cottage cheese this morning, that it took me over a half hour to eat, and that I am SATISFIED!!
I LOOOOOVE my band!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you GOD for making this happen for me!!
P.S. I just weighed in a little bit ago, and drum roll please.....I have lost 20 lbs since surgery alone. 2 weeks ago! And 32 lbs total in 5 weeks! Just thought I'd mention that. ;-)
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8/23/06
So, I figured it was about time for an update.
I had my first post-op appointment last Monday. Everything checked out ok. They were pleased and pleasantly surprised at how much weight Id lost so far. The nutritionist was also pleased that I was following the eating plan, and that the band was working for me.
Im finishing up my last week of mushies which is basically anything with a pureed consistency (think applesauce). Technically, this past week Ive tried things that havent been mushy, but, they have gone down just fine and Ive chewed them till there was nothing left to chew. Ive actually had pizza since surgery. And its beautiful. I can only eat 1-2 small pieces of thin crust (square, not pie cut). Whereas before, I couldnt even tell you how many of those pieces I could eat, because I never counted. But mostly, I stick to my mushy stuff. Next week, I go on solids...which means, I can have salad. I can have chicken. I can have pulled pork. I can have potatoes and corn, and peas. And I cant wait!! Im already planning meals! Lol. Actually, tried cashew chicken last night, and it went down really well. I was surprised!
My weight loss slowed down after I went on mushies, which is natural. And at first, I was disappointed. Especially since I was exercising at the gym every day, and even bike riding to the lake on the weekend. But I guess Im building muscle, which weighs more than fat. So the pounds arent coming off as fast as I would want. However, I did loose 4 lbs since my post-op appointment on 8/14/06, so I guess thats good. Lol. Plus, Im loosing some major inches. My pants are falling off, and Im sure Ill have to get some new (smaller!) ones soon. Its so weird to think that the clothes I wore this summer wont fit me next summer. Wow. Im gonna be spending a lot of money on clothes in the next year. Thats ok though. New clothes are fun. Especially when theyre in a smaller size! :-)
I think Ill go buy measuring tape at lunch, and start taking measurements. I wanted to keep track of my measurements, but I forgot to do it so far. Thats ok though. Ill do it starting today.
On a non-surgery/weight loss note, Sunday hubby, his brother Ken and I went to the Air and Water Show. We rode our bikes down, which isn't a biggie, as we do it often (we live about 7 miles from the lake). But this time was a nightmare. There were TONS of people, and everyone blocked the walkway so you could barely ride your bike down the lakefront. But, it was fun...and we did get to see the Blue Angels' portion of the show, which was pretty cool. They actually fly over our house to make their rounds and build up their speed or whatever. So on Friday Garrett was in the yard and a Blue Angel plane flew so low over the house that he could actually see the pilot. Pretty cool.
Anyway, I hope everythings fine in everyones world. Ive been kinda pre-occupied with this . . surgery recovery/new life/loosing weight thing, and havent been the best reader/friend. Ill try harder, I promise. :-)
