Question:
How can I get surgery?
Hello my name is Betty and I'm new here. I'm 5'3" and weigh 230 pounds. I have an appointment next week with my PCP to talk with him about having the surgery. I have read most of the post here and you are all wonderful people. I was in the ER Wednesday with chest pains. Dr. kept me over night. Ran soooooo many test, but nothing wrong with my heart. Thank goodness. They think it is more problems with my Hiatal Hernia. I think it is this along with stress caused from being so fat. Maybe the trip to the ER will help me when I talk with him next Friday. I have insurance with Aetna HMO. I have to get my PCP to refer me to the Doctor I want because he is out of network. Dr. Champion here in Atlanta Ga. is who I wish to see. He did answer my email and said I would be a good candidate for the RYN surgery. Anyway I hope everything goes well for me next Friday and I can get started on making plans for a new me. Happy New Year to everyone and may all of our wishes and dreams come true. — Betty H. (posted on January 1, 2000)
January 1, 2000
Hi Betty, Welcome to the web-site. I hope that we can answer any questions
that you might have while going through this whole process. I too was
admitted to the hospital with chest pain while going through the approval
process. thank g-d like yourself there was no heart problems but, I do
believe that it helped with the appproval. Also the more support you have
from your PCP will be very helpful. Good luck and if there is anything that
I can help you with feel free to e-mail me @ [email protected]
— Jodie R.
January 1, 2000
Hi Betty,
First,let me say welcome to the best support group you will find! Second, I
agree with Jodie, that you may want to just postpone your surgery, by
telling a little white lie, that you have a family emergency or something,
and see how your weight loss goes, or if you can maintain the weight you
have lost. As everyone else on this site, I have tried every diet, and was
most sucessful on Weight Watchers, I joined WW in Jan 95 weighing 273, by
july i had lost 73 lbs, I felt great, we went on vacation and i spurlged
for a couple of weeks, and thought i would get right back on track, well
when I went back, I couldnt seem to lose another lb. So i gave up started
back the following Jan and maybe lost another few lbs. but never could get
down any lower than 200. Now I have tried Dr. Atkins, lost 19 lbs in 2
weeks, gained it back plus friends, and now I am back up to 250, I am
awaiting insurance approval, and told myself I would try to lose at least
15 lbs by surgery date,(if i get approved) but it seems impossible. The
choice to have this surgery is a agonizing one, that I feel is my last
choice for a normal life. Even if you put off your surgery for just a
couple of months, it should give you some insight on if you are going to be
able to lose that last 70 or not, Also, how many diets have you been on in
the past and did you regain or maintain your weight loss? Well I am sorry
this is so long, but just wanted to give my .02 worth.
Good luck with your decision. Linda Collins
— Linda C.
January 2, 2000
Hi Betty,
Just wanted to wish you good luck. I have Aetna US Healthcare HMO. I used
a Philadelphia doctor who was in network. My surgery was approved in three
days. Keep us posted on your progress.
Marjie Wassermann
12/9/99
-23.5 as of 2 weeks post op
— Marjie W.
January 2, 2000
Hey Betty:
After reading your Bio, I see you are much like me in terms of # of pounds
to lose. Also, I have an HMO--CIGNA which I didn't think would approve me
either. I have arthritis as my biggest co-morbity. Late on-set diabetes
is in our family. No heart disease (everyone gets cancer first). Anyway,
I was referred by my PCP. In fact, she was the one who first suggested
surgery to me. I am the first patient she has ever referred. I had to go
to the surgeon she referred me to with no other choices. After I
researched as much as I could about him, I felt very good about the
surgery. I never had a fight with insurance and to date, have only paid
$100 out of pocket. (My surgery was 9/22/99). I am saying all this to
give you hope. My surgeon did say that my weight was borderline--but due
to the arthritis and the fact my PCP felt it would be helpful, he okayed.
I had LAP RNY and feel so fortunate to have not had any complications yet.
I would do it again in a minute. I have lost approx. 56 lbs. and it hasn't
been as hard as dieting was. It is not easy--don't get me wrong, but
certainly has been worth it to me. Be sure to be prepared with a diet
history for your PCP. Mine was not even very specific, but general dates,
the programs, and the amount you lost and re-gained. My best wishes to you
in your decision process. Please feel free to ask any questions you may
have. Good luck.
— Dot W.
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