Light At The End Of The Tunnel

[MissersK]

Since I am so horrible about logging in and keeping everyone updated,I figure it best to give a brief run down of me and my experience this far

I am a 27, soon to be 28, year old wife, step mother, aunt, full time student, and law enforcement dispatcher. For the majority of my 27 years I have been over weight. My obvious love for food coupled with family genetics and trials I have experienced, allowed me to add on pound after pound. With every added pound I would become more and more agitated with myself and my inability to take control. With every year that passed, I would make an "effort" to lose weight. I could lose 5-10 lbs, but after a while I'd balloon back up and sometimes gaining more than I had lost.

After getting married in 2010, my husband and I decided to have a family. After months of faithful attempts, I questioned my doctor as to why we hadn't got pregnant. Of course I knew the reason. I had been diagnosed with PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome), a weight related infertility issue, at 19. The doctor went on to explain that if I could lose between 10-20% of my excess body weight, that it would help jump start my reproductive system. I made several FAILED attempts(the PCOS aided in these attempts by making it easier to put weight on than to take it off) and finally decided to give up. I had abused myself mentally over the years so it was time to stop. Time to accept that I would always be fat...

After wallowing in my own pity and sorrow, I began doing research on fad diets, excercises(I own several that have never been taken out of their boxes), and any other miracle weight loss aid produced. It was fate to come across a bariatric surgeon in my hometown. I made an appointment for the seminar and was immediately interested in the gastric sleeve surgical option. I quickly set up an appointment with the physician who had left me feeling hopeful that changes would finally be made The appointment just reiterated those feelings. I had found the perfect doctor, in my hometown,who truly felt that this surgery was my best option. Day after day, the excitement continued to build. Each month I looked forward to reporting to my primary physician knowing that every month that went by was putting me closer to having my surgery. Finally at the end of the 6 months physician monitoring, my primary physician sent in all paperwork to the bariatric facility to be sent to my insurance for approval. I just knew that within two weeks, I would be scheduling surgery. WRONG!!!

Shortly after my primary submitted all of the required documents, the bariatric facility called. I had butterflies in my stomach when I seen their number. The voice on the other stuttered and stammered a bit as she introduced herself as the nurse involved in my case. She tried making small talk to liven up the conversation, but I knew the tone in her voice was probably not a good sign. She finally asks, "... were you not aware that you had to lose 10% of your body weight before your insurance would approve this surgery?" I literally wanted to come through the phone and slap her! I replied, "what do you mean was I aware? I asked numerous times and all I was told was to not gain weight. To just stay the same or lose some if I wanted!!! The doctor never informed me to lose 10%!" She tried apologizing for this, but I could tell she knew it wasn't getting her anywhere and abruptly tried ending the conversation. I told her to not worry with the 10% because I would lose it. I had already lost 13lbs(SW was 241. Over the holiday season I gained 10lbs to put me at 251. At the end of my 6 months, I had gotten down to 228 - no easy feat. I struggled the whole time with starvation).

To say I was pissed is an understatement. I dug deep and put forth the most effort to lose the last bit of weight I had. It slowly but surely began to creep off. After two months I had got down to 217 and became very sick. My physician put my on strong antibiotics and a round of steroids. I did everything I could to monitor my weight while on the steroids, but it simply wasn't enough. I ended up gaining back 10lbs over 2 weeks. I was distraught, yet determined to remove those 10lbs and get to my goal of 216. It happened over the course of a month. My weight would fluctuate any where between 5-9lbs a week, but it happened. I had gotten to 217.

And wouldn't you know it, I ended up sick(I have the worse immune system known to man. ). Here goes another round of antibiotics and steroids... And another 10lbs!!!! Gosh, I wanted to scream, cry, punch someone, and throw in the towel, but I just couldn't give up on myself one more time. I kept pushing through and FINALLY, after 11 months(start to finish and 5 months since my physician monitoring fail), I had enough courage to report to my bariatric facility to weigh in. On August 13, 2014 I stepped on a doctor's office scale, fully clothed and weighed.... 212.9!!!! Hallelujah!!! An additional 3.1 lbs that what I had to lose to begin with. Ive lost a total of 38.1lbs(58.1 if you count gaining 20lbs while losing. lol) Now it's finally going to happen. The nurse said they would be sending my paperwork into the insurance company on Friday and that the wait will be between 7-14 days before I would know if the surgery has been approved or denied. I've made it this long, whats a few more days going to hurt?

[Elliebabe]

you can just pay for the surgery yourself, mine is costing 16,000. It's worth it to me and I don't have to deal with anyone!

[Toopie2Seater]

I adore your perseverance! Best wishes to you!

[cameo]

It will all be worth the hard work! I am just beginning my journey.

[JAG322]

As you have heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....this is just the beginning, I've finally got my date and I can't wait! Others have told me that to get ready for the fun to begin, so ill pass that to you...and remember the tough stuff really doesn't start til we both get to the sleeved side

[kjsleeved]

Wow, you so deserve this. You worked sooo hard! I'll truly hope they approve u and u get your surgery done sooner than later.

[MissersK]

you can just pay for the surgery yourself, mine is costing 16,000. It's worth it to me and I don't have to deal with anyone!

Oh how I wish I could! LOL. If that was the case, I'd done it last year, but it isn't financially reasonable for my family to pay that much right now. I have built up enough time to take off and have exceeded the deductible for my insurance to cover. I'd rather not have to worry with the loop holes Also, your ticker says your surgery is in 4 days!! I know you must be excited!! Good luck

[MissersK]

I adore your perseverance! Best wishes to you!

Thank you Toopie I'm not sure of where you are on your journey, but best wishes right back at ya

[MissersK]

It will all be worth the hard work! I am just beginning my journey.

Thank you, Cameo! It definitely hasn't been the easiest journey to go through, or even gather the courage to start taking steps toward, but it will all be worth it. Don't get discouraged if you encounter bumps along the way. The surgery is worth it. YOU are worth it!! Keep me posted! If you have any questions, that I can answer, or just need a buddy or someone to vent to, give me a yell!

[MissersK]

As you have heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....this is just the beginning, I've finally got my date and I can't wait! Others have told me that to get ready for the fun to begin, so ill pass that to you...and remember the tough stuff really doesn't start til we both get to the sleeved side

Thank you, JAG!!! I'm so ready for the fun to begin!! I just keep imagining a happier, healthier, more confident self so I can't quit. I'm putting good things out and only concentrating on the insurance approval. I will be elated to start my 1wk fluid diet. LOL! Good luck on your surgery Keep me posted, please!

[MissersK]

Wow, you so deserve this. You worked sooo hard! I'll truly hope they approve u and u get your surgery done sooner than later.

Thank you, KJ!! I too hope its sooner, but I've waited this long. LOL Congratulations on your success so far as well!!

[cameo]

Thank you so much... I am quite sure I will need all the help and encouragement I can get!!!

[Ema]

Good luck! I am sure it will happen.

[rhill2901]

Since I am so horrible about logging in and keeping everyone updated,I figure it best to give a brief run down of me and my experience this far

I am a 27, soon to be 28, year old wife, step mother, aunt, full time student, and law enforcement dispatcher. For the majority of my 27 years I have been over weight. My obvious love for food coupled with family genetics and trials I have experienced, allowed me to add on pound after pound. With every added pound I would become more and more agitated with myself and my inability to take control. With every year that passed, I would make an "effort" to lose weight. I could lose 5-10 lbs, but after a while I'd balloon back up and sometimes gaining more than I had lost.

After getting married in 2010, my husband and I decided to have a family. After months of faithful attempts, I questioned my doctor as to why we hadn't got pregnant. Of course I knew the reason. I had been diagnosed with PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome), a weight related infertility issue, at 19. The doctor went on to explain that if I could lose between 10-20% of my excess body weight, that it would help jump start my reproductive system. I made several FAILED attempts(the PCOS aided in these attempts by making it easier to put weight on than to take it off) and finally decided to give up. I had abused myself mentally over the years so it was time to stop. Time to accept that I would always be fat...

After wallowing in my own pity and sorrow, I began doing research on fad diets, excercises(I own several that have never been taken out of their boxes), and any other miracle weight loss aid produced. It was fate to come across a bariatric surgeon in my hometown. I made an appointment for the seminar and was immediately interested in the gastric sleeve surgical option. I quickly set up an appointment with the physician who had left me feeling hopeful that changes would finally be made The appointment just reiterated those feelings. I had found the perfect doctor, in my hometown,who truly felt that this surgery was my best option. Day after day, the excitement continued to build. Each month I looked forward to reporting to my primary physician knowing that every month that went by was putting me closer to having my surgery. Finally at the end of the 6 months physician monitoring, my primary physician sent in all paperwork to the bariatric facility to be sent to my insurance for approval. I just knew that within two weeks, I would be scheduling surgery. WRONG!!!

Shortly after my primary submitted all of the required documents, the bariatric facility called. I had butterflies in my stomach when I seen their number. The voice on the other stuttered and stammered a bit as she introduced herself as the nurse involved in my case. She tried making small talk to liven up the conversation, but I knew the tone in her voice was probably not a good sign. She finally asks, "... were you not aware that you had to lose 10% of your body weight before your insurance would approve this surgery?" I literally wanted to come through the phone and slap her! I replied, "what do you mean was I aware? I asked numerous times and all I was told was to not gain weight. To just stay the same or lose some if I wanted!!! The doctor never informed me to lose 10%!" She tried apologizing for this, but I could tell she knew it wasn't getting her anywhere and abruptly tried ending the conversation. I told her to not worry with the 10% because I would lose it. I had already lost 13lbs(SW was 241. Over the holiday season I gained 10lbs to put me at 251. At the end of my 6 months, I had gotten down to 228 - no easy feat. I struggled the whole time with starvation).

To say I was pissed is an understatement. I dug deep and put forth the most effort to lose the last bit of weight I had. It slowly but surely began to creep off. After two months I had got down to 217 and became very sick. My physician put my on strong antibiotics and a round of steroids. I did everything I could to monitor my weight while on the steroids, but it simply wasn't enough. I ended up gaining back 10lbs over 2 weeks. I was distraught, yet determined to remove those 10lbs and get to my goal of 216. It happened over the course of a month. My weight would fluctuate any where between 5-9lbs a week, but it happened. I had gotten to 217.

And wouldn't you know it, I ended up sick(I have the worse immune system known to man. ). Here goes another round of antibiotics and steroids... And another 10lbs!!!! Gosh, I wanted to scream, cry, punch someone, and throw in the towel, but I just couldn't give up on myself one more time. I kept pushing through and FINALLY, after 11 months(start to finish and 5 months since my physician monitoring fail), I had enough courage to report to my bariatric facility to weigh in. On August 13, 2014 I stepped on a doctor's office scale, fully clothed and weighed.... 212.9!!!! Hallelujah!!! An additional 3.1 lbs that what I had to lose to begin with. Ive lost a total of 38.1lbs(58.1 if you count gaining 20lbs while losing. lol) Now it's finally going to happen. The nurse said they would be sending my paperwork into the insurance company on Friday and that the wait will be between 7-14 days before I would know if the surgery has been approved or denied. I've made it this long, whats a few more days going to hurt?

Yea!!! Another Tennessean

Thanks for the gut wrenching story. Its amazing when others reach out to us for their story. Its put personality to a face and causes us all to feel your pain and identify with you. You will fit in really well Be ready for denials from the insurance companies. It may not happen, but its highly doubtful that your insurance company will cough up 15k without denying it a couple of times. Just be persistent and ask them how long should it be before you expect an answer and call them when that time has lapsed. If they deny, go back to your doctor and have them resubmit.

In my case, with Mexican doctors doing the same exact procedure for $4,500, its very tempting to just cough up the money and just do it there. Its completely safe, the dr's have alot of experience, and 1000s have gone there before you. My DR was a professional, very good at it, probably done more gastric sleeve's than any other doctor in the world.

Good luck with the insurance, your going to need it :/

[attaylor]

I can understand the hassle! In having my 6 month diet, I was on the fence of my 40 BMI, and I wasn't allowed to lose anything. And wouldn't you know, since I wasn't trying, I would lose a few pounds here and there. Luckily, it was never too much for that BMI to fall under 40 (insurance requirements, yayyy). The day the insurance coordinator called to say I was apporved, which was a shock honestly (it was way too easy!), I asked things about what meds I couldn't take, etc. So we set the date Aug 19th, my mom had taken off a week to take care of me and help with my two toddlers. My husband was off and so were my in-laws, vacation scheduled - everything was in place.

I get a call about 2.5 weeks before the surgery date, saying there is a diet class I am required to attend and there is only one available. Frustrated, I told them to put me down and I would just have to leave work (3 days notice mindyou) because this wasn't going to be the snag that set me back. So I called my dr office back just to quadruplecheck everything was scheduled and in line; I didn't want anything standing in the way of this date! She goes on to say that I've got to get my nicotine test done with results back or they wont be able to do anything. She could tell my frustration as I thought this was done with my pe-op so she says we can do that with pre-op, and assume it will come back ok (which it would have). She schedules my pre-op labwork, and again I ask, "Is there anything else I need to do or NOT do???" At this point, if I didn't ask, they didn't tell; which is extremely frustrating. She goes on to ask if I took any daily meds, just my birth control... She immediately says, "Oh no, we will have postpone your surgery, you can't take any meds at all."

why didn't you say that the other 100 times I asked????? I was pissed, crying, frustrated.

So I accepted the fact, stopped taking it that day, and am rescheduled for 9/2. Then the games begin again. I call to make sure there is NOTHING that I need to do other than my consult and my pre-op. Well turns out, this time I have to do the nicotine seperate, and can't do anything else until that's back. So I have gone and done that. With the date creeping up on me, I am so nervous they are going to throw something else in my path. Everyone has rescheduled vacations and time off, and I feel like I might blow my top if this 'lady' doesn't straighten up.

Whoever said this was the easy way out; has never been through it obviously. And this is only the beginning. I wish you the best of luck!!!