VeeLove
Where do I begin? Prior to having my first child, 21 years ago, I would say that I was pretty happy with my weight; however, 4 children later, I am not very pleased with myself. I don't get depressed or really sad about my weight gain because I feel like I carry it well; however, its a lot to continue to carry around, it is slowing me down and my health is not the best. I am concerned that if I do not have this surgery that I may not be around long enough to see my children and grandson as adults.
Back in 2001, I researched WLS and attended an information session, visited the specialists, as required, taken several tests, had my husband, whom by the way do not want me to have the surgery, go with me to see the surgeon only to find out that my insurance at the time doesn't cover the Lap Band. I use to visit this site back then or one similar don't remember, but I really think it was this one because I even found my old profile :) Anyway, after learning that my insurance would not cover the Lap Band, I was so upset and felt that maybe God was sending me a sign and that I shouldn't have this surgery. I dieted some more, but to no avail. My weight fluctuated up and down and I actually got down to about 260 lbs but that seemed to be it for me :( Well, feeling like a failure and concerned about my weight affecting my health, here I am 5 years later....
I researched WLS and found a lot of info on this site. I took my first step in May 2006 by attending my surgeon's WLS informational session. Because I researched this for so long, I was well prepared and felt that attending the session was just a formality; however, I can tell you that I have some great questions for my surgeon... thanks to this site. I learned at this Informational Session that HIP is one of the insurance companies that approves WLS and the Lap Band... I was so excited but remembering my initial experience, I called my insurance directly and they said so long as my PCP says that it is a medical necessity that they will, more then likely, approve it.... In fact, my surgeon's physician assistant said that they have a great approval rate with HIP and they also cover the fills. Now I'm thinking this is wonderful and if all goes well then this is definitely meant to be and now I start visiting all the specialists, as required by surgeon.
May 2006
I don't remember the date, but this is the "official" month that I began my journey to have WLS. I attended my surgeon's required information seminar and began to visit the specialists (Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Gastro, Sleep Study, etc.) that are required by my surgeon.
June 2006
I continue to schedule my appointments. I am getting very anxious and can't wait until I have the WLS. I also have my sleep study done and it was the most uncomfortable experience I've ever had. I am clausphobic and had a really tough time sleeping withthat mask over my nose and all the wires.... I was concerned about that test because I could not go to sleep... The tech told me that if they couldn't get a good reading that I'd have to go back so you know I tried my best to sleep but I tossed and turned all night.... Thank goodness I do not have to take the test again :0
July through September 2006
Nothing much to report on.... I continue to visit the specialists and have begun to receive approvals/clearances. Yea!
October 2006
I am getting closer.... I FINALLY have my appointment to see my Surgeon's Physician Assistant, as well as the Psychiatrist and Nutrionist on October 27th... they schedule it all in their office... they have a working relationship and actually see patients at the Surgeon's office.... I am so relieved because last time, I had to go to multiple offices and waited for hours to see a psychiatrist and then had to go back for several visits and waited some more.... so I am happy with this Surgeon so far ;) he has also received great patient reviews... including his staff.... This is the home stretch. I have to bring all of my paperwork BUT I, personally, only received 1 clearance letter in the mail. I was told that they will mail them directly to the surgeon; however, I went to see my PCP on October 13th and to my surprise, she has not received any of the clearance letters :( Before I can have WLS, she needs to clear me so now I have call all the specialists and ask that they forward a copy to my PCP... I will ask if I can pick them up because my appointment has been scheduled for several weeks and I do not want to reschedule..... I hope that all goes well.... Until next time..... See ya!
October 27, 2006
Finally, finally, finally, I had my surgical evaluation today with the Surgeon's Physician Assistant. I also had my Psych and Nutrition Evals done today and I am so happy because just about everything is in order. My PCP only had my partial blood work report and of course, the one thing that my insurance requires -- thyroid -- was missing so we have to wait for my PCP to return from vacation :( for them to submit to my insurance for approval. That's the only hold up! I am not too upset because I don't want to have the surgery until January 2007 because I am going to a family reunion January 1-7, 2007 in Texas and I just don't want to be sore or uncomfortable during my stay... besides there will lots of food and drinks.... and I will do my best not to overeat plus I might have to start my liquid diet around that time so I will have to TRY and behave myself :) I am so ready to have this surgery that I will not let one thing stand in my way. So back to my appointment today. Although I need to have the results of my thyroid test, there is also one other test that my surgeon requires -- the venous duplex; however, that doesn't need to be submitted to my insurance for approval so I am so close..... yea!!!! I can't wait to be on the losing side with you BANDSTER! My surgeon's Physician Assistant didn't see any problems with my paperwork so HIP Healthcare Partners should, hopefully, approve me. I will call my PCP's assistant to see if they received the full report so that they can fax the results to my Surgeon's Physician Assistant so that we can get the ball rolling. I'd like to get the approval so I don't have to worry about it anymore... I am so excited that I just can't sit still. I won't get too overjoyed until I've gotten my official approval from my insurance but wanted to update my profile and let you guys know what happened. Oh, BTW, I have to keep a food diet for the next 7 days so here we go.............. I will update again. Until next time...
January 11, 2007
It has been awhile since I've updated, but you all would never believe that after a week that I received APPROVAL from my insurance HIP-Healthcare Partners... Ohmy God!!!! I can't believe that it was so quick. I can barely eat tonight because I am so excited and anxious to become a Bandster. I will be contacting Dr. Macura, my surgeon's office to hopefully schedule a date. I called my surgeon's office earlier today and was told to pick a date in anticipation of receiving my approval, so I picked February 26th as my date, but this was without my approval letter. NOW I have my approval letter/referral and will call the surgeon's office to see what I need to do because the referral states that I must the procedure must be performed by March 6th. My surgeon's office handled everything very swiftly and professionally and I am at awe right now. I will write again soon. I AM SO EXCITED and I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT!!!!! Oh, BTW, I was also offered a promotional position within my organization and of course I accepted. Now they say good things come in 3s, but I'll take the 2s... this has been a wonderful start to my new year and I can't wait to begin eating right, working out and losing weight...... Yeah, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chat with you all soon...
January 28, 2007
Just checking in to let you all know how its going... I have a February 7th appointment with my nutrionist to discuss the liquid diet that I must start on February 12th and what's expected of me before and after the surgery. I am so nervous and hope that I can make it through the two-week liquid diet. I have to do this so I am ready but I hear it is so difficult. I finally get to meet my surgeon on February 20th to address any questions I may have and to discuss the surgery. I also have my pre-admission testing scheduled for the same day so I am getting so excited that things are finally moving ahead. I started this back in June of 2006, well, I started long ago, but I mean that I started visiting the required specialists, etc. and have finally reached the end, I hope... I say I hope because last week my pressure was sky high and I had no idea until I went in for ambulatory surgery to have a D&C and Endometrial Ablation (sp?) and they had to cancel because my pressure was too high and they couldn't even bring it down and they tried... I was so disappointed because my iron is very low due to heavy periods and this was going to alleviate that... well, I continue to take my iron pills and believe that I am okay; however, I just pray that my pressure gets under control before I have surgery because I will be devastated if we have to postpone it. Anyway, I will keep you all posted to let you know how my liquid dieting is going and just to give an update on my progress. Until next time.............
