Update on my journey...(Long)
First of all, I want to thank Jiffy for the fabulous link to Obesityhelp, that was a HUGE eye opener.
I had started researching this surgery back in November, and was working for a local Govenment office as a temp and had no insurance, so at that time the surgery was something to think about in the future. Well, they liked me there and offered me full time in March. So as soon as I heard that I would have insurance, I started getting serious about the research.
My insurance kicked in on June 3rd. I have Health Alliance 90/10....and I discovered that someone in my office had the surgery and the insurance covered it, so that was a relief.
I called the insurance myself and their guidelines were such that I had to have a BMI of 40 or above, or below that with severe co-morbidities. I had to also have a psych eval, and consult with the surgeon and documented 6 months of supervised weight loss attempts with a doctor on our plan. And the bottom line was, that my PCP had to approve, or it wouldn't go any further.
So, as I dug into Obesityhelp, I found so much information. I printed off everything I could find. I made a binder with many different categories and let me tell you...that binder was FULL.
I had ordered 3 books from Amazon regarding the WLS, and had read them cover to cover.
I walked into my appointment with my PCP last week armed to the teeth. I weighed in at 283, and I am 5'8". I had prepared a list of co-morbidities and previous weight loss attempts because I knew I wouln't be able to remember them off the top of my head.
I had already had my previous medical records sent over, and he sat with me for about 45 minutes discussing everything. He was SUPER impressed with my research and my grasp on what to expect.
I knew who would be doing the surgery, and had printed off the surgeon reviews from Obesityhelp! My PCP thought that was AWESOME, that people in the area had rated the surgeon. He knew several of the people on the list, as they had been his patients too.
Bottom line, he said he thought I was an EXCELLENT candidate, and that I am at a great age to do it....(although ANY age is a great age to do it!!!) and I met all the qualifications, EXCEPT the 6 months supervised diet attempts.
So, he counted that visit as the first one. Had lab work that day, and I have an appointment in 2 weeks with a nutritionalist and after that with physical therapy to get a home exercise plan. Then I have an appointment for a sleep study, and that appointment is in August. That was the soonest I could get in...so by the time that appointment is over, I will be scheduled for my psych eval, and my surgeon consult....and then hopefully all systems will be go.
So, even though I still have to wait roughly six months, I am not at all bummed. Things are moving forward and I think that this time next year, I will have already had the surgery and will be moving right along.
Thanks to everyone who answered questions for me and linked me to a site that really answered every question I had and then some!!
Looking forward to checking in more regularly now!
Tiffany
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