Captainpalace
Started a new job that offers Humana health insurance.Policy states it must be medically necessary.Already counting the days till my insurance kicks in! Well, here I am after three years of trying and going to schools, I finally have a job that provides medical insurance and I just got my insurance card in hand!When I first tried to get surgery three years ago, I was denied because the insurer had a clause that declined any weight loss/control services whatsoever.When will they learn it's better to make us healthy than to treat the problems that arise from letting us just keep the weight on? It's a better business decision to help us get the weight off than to pay for diabetic supplies, heart surgery and all the other conditions that come with morbid obesity."Hey, let's save $40,000 on this persons weight loss surgery....sure, we'll have to pay $250,000 when we have to pay for his triple bypass, but that won't happen for a few years...and maybe he'll be dead before it gets to that point!" Well, enough of my ranting...my PCP wants me to have the surgery and my insurer only requests that the surgery be medically needed, which my PCP says it is.Wish me luck as I begin to get my referrals to see a surgeon and begin the process over again.
9/21/2003 Well, I’ve seen my PCP and have a referral to see a surgeon on Oct 2nd, so I feel pretty upbeat about that.On an unhappy note, my girlfriend has decided that she can't live with me anymore and so I now have to move in a few weeks. Seems I wasn't clean enough for her to stay around.I try to help with household chores, but she's never pleased with what I try or it doesn't seem to be enough for her.I admit I'm not Felix Unger, but I feel as if she expects more from me than she expects from herself. A good friend told me that after I have the surgery, life as I know it will change for the better and I will have a whole new world at my feet. I hope she's right....don't think I like the old world I've been dealing with for the past 39 years.
10/02/2003 Well, I met with Kermie Robinson on Oct 2nd.Waited an hour and a half to have him walk in the room, tell me he wouldn't do my surgery and that there would be no charge for this visit. 2 minutes was all he spoke with me and he knew BEFORE meeting me that he wouldn't do my surgery.Seems like Kermie likes to "Cherry Pick" his patients. Had a large person die on the table and now he's afraid?WELL TOUGH!He's afraid?I'm dying now! Seems to me like he's worried about his malpractice insurance and not his patients or people in general. By the way, the lady at his office that everyone talks about who had the surgery....she didn't have Kermie do it.Oh well....time to find another surgeon.
10/15/2003 I went to a seminar last night and met Dr. Titus Duncan, of Peachtree Bariatrics. He was funny, informative and answered any and all questions, no matter how long it takes. I had read about him here on this site. Quite a number of references in his favor....I hope to be one soon.I would definitely suggest that if you're looking for a surgeon, see the other first, but see Dr. Duncan last!
11/14/2003 I finally got in to see Dr. Duncan and his staff at Peachtree Bariatrics. Quite a setup they got there. I got there almost an hour early, as they suggest, and was able to fill out all required paperwork before being taken back to meet with one of the Drs. we have the letter from my PCP that the surgery is medically needed, list of diets I've tried in the past and all my medical co-morbidities. All I need now is my Psych Eval and we'll apply to the insurance co. I feel really good about things with these people...they really know the ins and outs and know how to navigate the way through. They take you and another group back to a classroom and one of the surgeons comes in and explains what will happen the day of surgery and what you need to do to prepare. Afterwards, you are taken, one by one to exam rooms where the Dr comes and checks you out and explains what other testing you may need as an individual. They want me to have a sleep study done. Overall, I was impressed with how quickly everything moves along and how they are always happy to sit and talk...not just about surgery, but to get to know you and for you to get to know them. Well, more later after my Psych Eval.
01/19/2004 Had my psych eval in Dec....it's finally out...they've confirmed my assumption...I'm a lesbian trapped in the body of a man!Other than that, the DOC thinks I'll do fine with surgery and the aftercare and ramifications down the road.I met with the nutritionist last week, and we are filing paperwork with the insurance co tomorrow.... keep your fingers crossed...I know I am.
02/14/2004 OK, slight delay in filing paperwork. was filed on 02/12/2004 and now it's hurry up and wait.Everything is going well at work and the Boss is almost as hyped as I am. I just want to get this done and move on with my life....wish me luck! 02/19/2004 APPROVED!!!!Finally I'm approved and so ready to make this life change!Can't wait to go see the surgeon to set a date for surgery!Will keep you updated when I have more info!
03/05/2004 I finally got a date!!!May 14th. I go in for pre-op testing April 15th. I'm so thrilled that it's finally happening. The best is yet to come.
04/07/2004 Well,Here I am, a mere 38 days away from surgery and even though I'm a financial wreck, I've never been happier knowing that my surgery is scheduled and my job seems pretty secure. Now if I could just learn to save some money...LOLI keep hearing from people who have had the surgery and I am happy to say I've not heard any horror stories about my surgeon.My sleep study was a different story. Who would have thought that a person who works nights would have such a hard time finding a sleep center that will do daytime studies?I told everyone that I was a day sleeper and they said, "It'll be alright...the Dr. will prescribe a sleep aid"...yeah right!After tossing for three hours, the nurse told me that I wouldn't be able to get in a full six hours and that the sleep study wouldn't count...then tried to keep me from leaving!Hey, it's 2:00 am, I'm wide awake and they say I have to stay for the final 4 hours, but those hours won't count? Who is gonna stop me at the door? Answer me that!Anyway, I found a sleep center that does daytime studies and everything is good.And now the countdown begins.......
04/08/2004 HORROR! My cardiologist called to say that there was an "abnormality" in my thallium scan and I need to have a catheterization to check the valves in my heart, but he doesn't have a table at the cath lab that will support over 400lbs.Just my luck!Called Dr Duncan’s office...they're calling the cardiologist and will try and work something out...keep your fingers crossed...I'd really hate to lose my surgery date this close.
04/15/2004 Well, I lost my surgery date. Dr wants me to lose about 70 lbs so I can have the cathaterization for the cardiac clearance. I was kinda freaked out at first, thinking that this was yet another way I was gonna lose out on surgery yet again, but I have a better state of mind now. So, I'm on yet ANOTHER diet and swimming everyday that I can. As if this wasn't enough, my ex-roommate narrowly avoided a fate worse than death (I moved out to keep from killing him) So now I have that stressor to add to the pile but I'll survive this too.Wish me luck on a speedy weight loss.
07/30/2004 Ok, I know it's been a long time since I updated, but here's where I'm at. gained back everything that I lost after getting respiratory infection and going back on the steroids, changed surgeons, have been approved to have new surgeon do my surgery (Dr Appell), going in to finish pre-ops on 08/05/2004 and setting surgery date on 08/06/2004.Will let you know more when I know more. Keep your fingers crossed.
08/30/2004 Well, I got my surgery date set for Sep 10th. yeah, I'm 10 days away!!! Doing great at work, got my cardiac clearance, going in on sep 2nd for my pre-op labs.I'm Psyched!!Wish me luck! I'll try to write again before I'm on "the other side"
09/15/2004 Ok, I'm finally on the "other side" and home at last.FEEL LIKE CRAP!Tired, weak and smelling everything that I can't have but want.Will try and write more later. I'm going back to bed.
09/30/2004 Well, I'm feeling much better than I was at the time of my last posting. I'm right at three weeks out and I've lost 35 lbs. I'm just starting pureed foods and am happy for it.(god, I don't think I could do the clear liquid thing another day!)I'm feeling more energetic and am actually planning on going back to work early, as it's not very physically demanding. Besides, I'm BORED! Well, I'll write more when I have more to report.
01/08/2005 Ok ok...I know it's been ages since I posted.I'm 4 months out and have lost 125LBS so far!!!I'm falling out of all of my older "fat" clothes and trying to keep up with my need for smaller clothes.I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME!I'm working nights now and have the chance to walk around more at the office since call volume is so low at night. I'm so full of energy now...not to mention the fact that I'm so damn sexier than before! (I know...hard to beleive I could get any sexier than I already was)On a not so happy note, my insurance company was changed and now I don't get to see my surgeon for my follow-ups unless I pay out of pocket, however, there's a good chance I may be changing jobs soon, and the new insurance will let me continue with Dr Appel, so I may just have to pay for a visit or two.Planning on going back to school in March to get my MCSA and further my career in geekdom (aka computers).So much for now...hope to hear from y'all sometime.Talk Later! :)
06/24/2005AND THE GRAND TOTAL IS......170 LBS GONE SO FAR!Well, the past few months have been very busy for me...I have married off my sister, in which I got to actually perform the ceremony, gave my mother away when she remarried a few weeks back. (how many people wish they could give their mother away?) I have been doing well at work and the promotions and raises just keep finding me. I have so much more self-esteem now and I like to go out and do things rather than hide in my room on my computer like I did for so long. (hence the time between posts) ACTUALLY WENT TO WAL-MART AND BOUGHT JEANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS!!!I forgot how cheaply I could get clothes there...been going to the Big & Tall for so long! imagine, a pair of jeans for $12....rather than paying $60 for the fat sizes!Spending way too much time and money now buying clothes. May have to start a 12 step program for post-ops who buy clothes impulsively at places like Wal-Mart now that we can!Drop me a line if you like, would love to hear from anyone and everyone and feel free to ask questions. I tell anyone who wants to know!Bye for now!
Paul McConnell
12/06/2005 OK, OK, OK...I know...it's been ages since I last updated. Currently I have hit a wall at 195 lbs down, but, hey, that's a helluva wall to have hit! I'm working for IBM in Server Support, buying a home and engaged to be married in June, 2006, so life is pretty sweet right now. Slowly starting the groundwork for my plastic surgery to get all this skin removed...guess being a homeowner will help there....god, I hope mortgage rates stay low! Life is moving right along for me and I'm truly happier than I have ever been in my life. Well, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas...and I have to go shopping! Ya'll have a great Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza or whatever politically correct season you celebrate. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
