Question:
Anyone else ever felt like quitting before meeting with a surgeon?
Hi there. My PCP referred me to a surgeon at Stanford. I received the surgeon's paperwork to fill out (med. history, food diary, etc.) and the names of a nutritionist and a psychologist. I'm feeling that this "dream" to have the surgery will not happen, that I should just quit now and save the pain of being rejected. I've provided my weight loss attempts (Phen/Fen, meridia, diet shots, etc.) and a letter from my podiatrist regarding the heel spurs and other foot problems, but I just feel that somewhere down the road, I will be rejected either by the surgeon or insurance. I feel tired already. My weight is 235 with a BMI of 40.4. I guess I'm scared that if I really want something badly, that it won't come true. Anyone else out there ever feel like stopping halfway there? — blank first name B. (posted on August 6, 2001)
August 6, 2001
Hi Jean.
Don't give up! You won't know until you try, right? To give you a little
inspiration, I got approved with no serious co-morbalities on the first
try. I was totally shocked. I am still pre-op and waiting for my surgery in
October. If you want this bad enough, it's worth the fight! Hang in there!
— Kris T.
August 6, 2001
Yup! I felt like quitting a couple of times. First when I saw all the
documentation I had to get. Sent away for all my medical records for the
past 5 years. Sounds like you can prove your comorbidities just fine, and
your BMI is like mine. Depression is part of morbid obesity, and that may
be while you are anticipating rejection. Don't make it a self-fulfilling
prophecy! As one woman told the psychiatrist during her eval, "Hell
YES, I'm depressed...who wouldn't be, if they were 100 lbs
overweight?" She was approved; they just want to be sure you're
mentally/emotionally capable of following through with all the changes
you'll have to make. I went to my first preop. support group and EVERYONE
THERE got approved without a huge battle with their insurors. They all had
the surgery and only one person had complications. They look great, felt
great, and were happy, shrinking people! Remember, what you read on the
message board may be slanted, because you hear MORE from those who have
insurance denial problems, those who have complications, etc. All the
hundreds who had no problems are happily, busily living their new and
improved lives! Tell yourself, "This is just the depression giving me
this defeatist attitude and I won't accept it." Buck up, get out
there and go for it! What do you have to lose except a little time, a
little effort and a hundred pounds? I'm rooting for you out here in
Denver. Good luck!
— Lisa D.
August 6, 2001
call my Doctor in Fresno
he will not make you jump thru hoops to attain this surgery
If you have insurance and it is one they take then your a shoe in
with a BMI over 40
good luck
Doctor Paul Frye
Fresno, Ca
559-44--3040
or try
in the yellow pages
Allied Surgical group
Kathy
— Kathleen M.
August 6, 2001
Oh my gosh, I feel your pain. My BMI is just over 40 and I was SURE the
surgeon was going to reject me! (Just read the beginning of my profile!)
My sugery date is 8/20 and my pre op testing is this Friday and I still
feel like this won't happen! I guess I won't truly believe it until I'm
wheeled into the OR!!! Hang in there! If you quit now, you'll always
wonder what if! Good Luck!!!
— Amy E.
August 6, 2001
You need to have faith. I just found out that I was approved for surgery.
I took less than a week after the letter from my surgeon. I don't have a
surgery date yet, but I know it will happen for me as it will for you.
Think positive and good things will happen...
— Lori K.
August 6, 2001
Hello Jean,
I am currently waiting approval from a committee on whether
or not I have been approved for this surgery, however I am
hopeful, since I did provide documentation of all my failed weight
loss attempts. I belong to Kaiser Permanente, and they make
you jump through hoops, an yet you still may not get approved.
However I followed each and everyone of their requirements,
only because I would not give them a reason to say "no".
Whatever
your insurance or surgeon is asking for, GIVE IT TO THEM...
make it hard for them to say "no". I am sure in the end, you
will have the surgery. Hell I have already prepared myself
for an appeal, however I am almost certain that it will not
be necessary....I have already stepped out on faith, and I
already know that God will fight this battle. No matter what
it is, just do it!!!!
— [Anonymous]
August 6, 2001
Hey Jean, do NOT give up you Will make it Believe me I never thought I
would be approved and I will tell you it took me 5 months and trying to get
medicaid to pay for it, and finally made it they approved me on july 31st.
and it still has not sunk in but it better soon because I am having surgery
in sept. Just keep it up and you will get there sometimes it seems
hopeless but just when you think you have fought your last fight you find
it in yourself for one more and get approved. hang in there
— Chris H.
August 7, 2001
You know what Jean, I was ready to quit just because I was tired. I could
not imagine all of the tests, the Dr appts, the 40 min drive each way. Even
walking to the parking lot was such a burden. I think that this was one of
the reasons that I got to 375 lbs. I was just too tired, and depressed to
deal with my weight or anything else. I did not even realize how depressed
that I was. I was not being treated for it, and would have denied it, but
now I see the difference. But do not give up. Try to find some inner
strenghth. Mine came from God. I prayed so much. I also talked constantly
about it to my family. No one else except my immediate family and my best
friend knows that I had WLS. My life is so different 166 lbs lighter. Now I
look back and cannot even imagine that I thought it was "too"
much trouble. Life is ALWAYS worth the trouble. And YOU are worth the
trouble, as well as the fight with insurance. Hang in there. I am sure that
it will work out for you.
— Sue B.
August 7, 2001
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! Your responses have helped me a lot! Yes,
depression is part of the problem and I guess I should get back on my meds
(Zoloft), but I also needed your words of encouragement. THANK YOU!
— Jean B.
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