hinderchic76
Hi everyone, my name is Brandy, and here's a little bit about me.
I'm 5'4 1/2" (yes, I insist on putting the 1/2 inch in there...lol), 33 yrs old and I currently weigh 252. I've yo-yo dieted for the better part of my life-since I was about 16. I've been on numerous diets, spent thousands of dollars on gym memberships, diets and memberships to Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers and Physician Weight Loss Centers. Since 1996 I've weighed over 200 pds and using the tools above, I'd loose anywhere from 10-30 pds, only to gain it all back (and then some). The most I have ever lost was 45 pds-I got down to 210 and things changed. My husband and I moved into our first home together; I changed jobs, which ended up being a horrible decision and within probably 8 months I gained it all back again. You all know the cycle...it's never ending.
I began thinking seriously about WLS a little over 6 months ago, back and forth on whether or not 1. I would qualify, 2. if Insurance would cover and 3. if I was brave enough to do it.
Well, two days before my 33rd birthday I suddenly became short of breath for no apparent reason. I had just gotten home from working out at Jazzercise (which is my passion) and my heart rate felt like it never came down. I ended up in the hospital the day before my b-day and after numerous breathing treatments, an echo cardiogram, and lung tests, the hospital said I had a condition called VCD "Vocal Cord Dysfunction". Long story short I needed to learn how to control my breathing, much like a panic or anxiety attack, brought on by various attributes-stress, exercise, weight,etc. I scheduled an appt with a gastroentonologist and after the upper GI they discovered that I have a hiatal hernia and that it could have been a result of the breathing problem-I have horrible acid indigestion and sinus problems and as a result they were effecting my vocal cords.
Anyhow, after that episode, I decided to look more into gastric. I had heard about it, but never knew exactly what it was and what it entailed. So, I began doing a lot of research via the internet, and then called The Bariatric Center @ Mt. Carmel West. I attended the seminar and the next day I sat with my husband and told him that I needed to do this for myself even though I'd be putting my life on the line. I saw my PCP the next day and he (surprisingly) was extremely supportive and agreed that it would be best for me and wrote a Pre-Determination letter on my behalf for the insurance company. Oh, and when I saw my gastro doc after the GI procedure I asked him about it and he thought it would be best for me as well. So glad to have two doctors on my side!
I waited two weeks before mailing the packet to Mid Ohio Surgical Center and now I'm anxious as hell to find out if I will be approved for the surgery. I have Anthem BC/BS PPO and have read the Medical Policy thoroughly to ensure that they'll cover and they will as long as it is deemed medically necessary.
I am scheduled to meet w/ Dr. Price on Friday, June 19th and I am so excited that it's all I can think about.
