janee715
7/15/04 And away we go...today is my 34th birthday and I have just begun "the process." I hesitate to call it "the journey" as I don't know anything yet. I mailed a letter to my PCP to request a referral to a bariatric surgeon (which I know she will do, we've already chatted about it and she is VERY supportive; always has been.) I have placed a preliminary call to my insurance (Anthem BC/BS Blue Choice POS) who advised to have the PCP do the referral first. Was able to find "in network providers" who are mentioned on this site and also a friend had hernia surgery with one of them. A plus.
About me - I am 5'5" and at about 355lbs right now - though I have no idea how that happened. Last time I looked I was hovering around 300 (of course, last I knew I was 27 years old too!) I have Type II Diabetes (due to the weight of course) and over the past few months have had wicked fluid build-up in my lower legs/feet. Surely, that accounts for a few pounds as well.
I pull up this website each day at work and periodically page thru the before and after pics. When I see one that piques my interest, I read the page. Its AMAZING. I wish I had found this site sooner. I thank Glenn at www.weightlosssurgerycoach.com for steering me here.
I am very fortunate in that my doctor is incredibly sensitive, non-judgemental and supportive. Always highlighting the positive as opposed to focusing on what I am doing "wrong." I have a tremendous support system. My father, though he lives 6000 miles away, worries constantly about my health and cheers on my efforts. There is no word to describe my relationship with my mother. She genuinely feels my struggles. I couldn't ask for more. I have a very close extended family who clearly love me. I work with great people. I have good friends. Two of which are a large part of me. (One has already volunteered to sit at the hospital and wait during the surgery!)
I've seen others go thru this surgery - and I already feel in many ways I am more prepared than they were. I have already done much of the "head work" thru therapy with a woman who specializes in 'food issues.' I know this surgery won't fix my problems. In fact, I expect it to create new ones. I know I will mourn the loss of my constant never-fail companion (FOOD!) I know I will have to revamp my self-image. I will lose the ability to blame things on my weight. I'm ready.
The thing I fear most right now, is the "approval" process. It struck me the other day that if I was addicted to heroin, they'd pay for treatment. Isn't this kind of the same thing? I mean, sure, it's partly my own fault. I ate the food til I got this big. Same deal as being a junkie. No?
~jane
10/15/04
I have officially begun the process. I met with the bariatric corrdinator yesterday and am off and running. She seems to think insurance will be no problem. Excellent. One less thign to worry about. Now I just haev to begin the series of appoinments - the nutritionist, the psychologist, the physical therapist. Oh, that and lose 23 pounds. Let the games begin!
12/20/04
Trudging along thru the process...lots of meetings and appointments. REALLY struggling with these 23 stupid pounds.
11/17/05
Yep, almost a year later and still plugging away. I am making little to no progress on my pre-op weight loss. I take Avandia and it is FAMOUS for causing weight gain. The bariatric team is aware of this and have been setting up a number of hoops for me to jump thru to demonstrate my dedication to the process. My insurance will no longer cover the procedure after Jan 1, 2006. I am in panic mode....
01/12/06
Well, much has transpired - I have walked away from the program at Portsmouth Hospital quite disenchanted. They seemed to now have a "by any means necessary" attitude about the pre-op weight loss requirement. No matter how many times they told me I was "doing everything right" the weight would NOT budge. When I learned my insurance was not going to cover the procedure any longer, they mentioned that "exceptions have been made" in the past. I clung to that. Finally, at the 11th hour I was notified by EMAIL(at work even!) that they would not make an exception for me. Of course by this time it was too late to do anything about it.
I am now a patient of Dr. Sheldon Randall at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford MA. He has been doing this for 20 years. I will pay what I must out of pocket and fight it out with the insurance for reimbursement. Dr. Randall is also willing to take documentation from the Portsmouth program so I don't have to do EVERYTHING all over again! Amen. My next appointment with Dr. Randall is 2/7/06. More to follow...
