Hi my name is Rachel and I am 27 years old and have just received a referral for WLS from my PCP last week. I found this site from obesityhelp and had posted there but nobody responded. I have been lurking for a few days and this place seems much more personal. I am hoping I can make a connection with a few people here. Maybe some who have already been through this who have advise to offer or some who are like me and just starting. You seem like a fun bunch from what I have read.


Rachel

Edited to add a pic of me and my family. We renewed or vows in Sept.



my oldest Austin who was 8 yesterday, my little princess Alicia who is 13 months, Me , our little monster Treyvon who is almost 5, and my husband Washington

welcome racheler

this is going to be the most scariest time in your life but also the most exciting. i am starting my fourth week post op from lapro bypass. i started my journey in march at the orientation meeting.
it seems like it took for ever but believe me every step they go is important to the process. if you have any ? i will try to answer from my experience good luck

by the way congrats on renewing your vows and what a lovely family

Hi Rachel, what a handsome family you have!

Welcome to 3fc's! This is a great place to land, lots of friendly people, in all stages of the wls journey.

Have you made an appt with a surgeon yet? Did your PCP have a surgeon he/she would recommend to you? How is your insurance for wls approval?

a little piece of advice, it seems that MANY of the insurance companies are now requiring that you have a doctor supervised diet, at least 6 months long within the last year. If you do not have that, it is very important that you have your PCP follow you on a diet plan.

Once again welcome and post often so we can get to know you. Ask questions and we will "try" to answer them.

i don't know about the six month supervise diet b/c if i had been treated for obesity in the last five years my ins would have considered it preexisting (how stupid i know like you can get 200lbs over weight over night) anyway just my experience. if your insurance doesn't consider preexisting then never mind lol

I haven't made an appointment with the surgeon yet but my PCP did call Dr. Ronnie Keith here in OKC and have them send me the packet which I filled out and got back in the mail today and they should be calling me to attend a seminar which is scheduled for Nov 12th. I have Unicare/PPO Oklahoma and from everything I have ready they are good about approving medically necessary. I am a little nervous about the 6 months documented diet and am wondering if they will take the 9 months of my pregnancy that I spent on Dr. Brewers diet to maintain my blood pressure (which I did and was able to have an AWESOME completely unmedicated homebirth!) it was supervised by the FNP I am going to ask my PCP about that when I go back next week. Right now I am gathering info and trying to find out anything I might need to have in case I am denied so that I can appeal.

Thanks for the welcome

Rachel

hey there rachel... it's nice to have you here... with your GORGEOUS family!!!!

And you certainly have the right attitude about getting your ducks lined up and having back up plans. NOTHING about this surgery is easy..

hang out!!!! it'll be entertaining.

Hi Racheler
ditto on the beautiful family! I started with my family doctor, who suggested I find which surgeon I wanted. He then sent a letter of recommendations of surgery for weight loss. He told me that this letter would be of duo purpose, both referral and for insurance company. I then gathered another letter of recommendations from my back surgeon. (knock on wood, I've been able to deter the back surgery. It scares me more than the by pass surgery) I have completed all my pre surgery appointments, PT, Psyc, and dietitian. I have also met with the surgeon, who suggested we do a stress test. Completed that as well, with flying colors, (the color of blue, as I was winded as ****! lol) and now waiting for per cert to call with insurance verification. I expect some gliches, would love to have this done in November, but January is more realistic.
I started this journey in June, and have been surprised that it has all fallen together so good, so far. Dr Eagon from Barnes Hospital in St louis is my doctor.

Glad your here!!! Nice family