Happie

LAP-BAND Patients

Joined
July 8, 201115 yr
Last visited
May 10, 201313 yr

If you look back two years ago, I would have never thought this surgery was possible. I was stuck in a job I hated and trying so hard to get out. They didn't cover bariatric surgery and self pay just wasn't going to happen. I can remember going on interview after interview....it was horrible. Being 351 pounds didn't help. I don't want to say that people were prejudice against my weight, but sometimes I did feel that way. I wasn't healthy and my breathing was really heavy even at rest. One interview I can remember walking up the stairs and being completely unable to breath. All of it really is very very sad. I can't believe that was even me. I was giving up on getting out of a job I considered pure hell. I was over worked and under appreciated. I even had to deal with verbal abuse. I kept trying to find another job and after each interview I didn't have an offer, I was so down. Still I decided to forgive them and let the anger I had towards them go. That thanksgiving I sent everyone at my office an email letting them know why I was thankful for them in my life. Then one day I got an interview with one of the largest health care providers in my state. When I came in for the interview I could just feel the good vibes in the air. It just felt like a place I wanted to be. I got the job!!! I was so grateful they looked past my outside and looked at my qualifications. The insurance they provided would cover bariatric surgery. Everyone at my new job was so friendly. I was immediately treated as part of the group. Not only that but I was thanked and appreciated for the job I did. They really listened to what I had to say even though I wasn't upper management. I was cared for! It was amazing and life changing. I started with my first nutritional visits and slowly changed my habits. At that point I was thinking about a band...until I came here to OH...man thank god for OH. I think the band would have been a nightmare for me. Still I didn't want intestinal rerouting...so RNY wasn't for me. VSG just wasn't something my insurance was covering...than early this year they changed the policy...I could have my VSG or so I thought! lol...nope it was available for only commercial members and my plan was an ASO. So I went to HR and plead my case! They agreed to pay for the sleeve! It only took them one night! I mean we are talking a company with a ton of employees and I was important enough for the HR benefits director to take time out of her night to look over my case? Yes! I was approved!

Now here I am four days away from surgery! All my co-workers said they will pray for me and I keep getting hugs. I am so loved! You know it's crazy because I feel that this all started with me letting go of anger and resentment. I never through I could have this surgery. I just decided I would try. I just put forth the intention and a year and a half latter it is happening. All things are possible! Just believe. More than that I get to come to work every day happy and I have people that really care for me. You can change your life! Just believe!

Newbie

Current rank (1/14)

Gender
Female
Occupation
Accountant
City
Albuquerque
State
NM
Zip Code
87110

stephi_wephi

July 25, 20179 yr

1,297 profile views

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My Surgery Activity

April Sleevers
April Sleevers

Happie replied to JaniRN's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Here is an update Highest was 351 Surgery weight 272 Current 164 Total loss is 187 with 107 lost since surgery.
- April 22, 201313 yr
- 86 replies
April Sleevers
April Sleevers

Happie replied to JaniRN's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

What type of problems? I'm not really having any issues. I was tired for awhile but that changed with adding in some veggies I had completely excluded.
- April 22, 201313 yr
- 86 replies
April Sleevers
April Sleevers

Happie replied to JaniRN's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi All, I'm new here...I'm an April Sleever Surgery Date: 04/24/2012 HW: 351 SW: 272 CW: 251 I've lost only 21 pounds since surgery! Wish is was more lol but I'm a slow loser. In total I've lost 100 pounds as of today! Lost 66 pounds on supervised diet an lost 13 on pre op.
- June 8, 201214 yr
- 86 replies
So...sad :(
So...sad :(

Happie posted a topic in Insurance & Financing

My insurance considers VSG experimental/investigational...it specifically excluded it. My case manager says very very few people have got this surgery. I love my job but I'm considering a new job for new insurance. I asked if I paid my self if complications would be covered....they aren't...what a mess. I am giving up on surgery all together. I guess it's just not for me. My insurance company is small and only in the state of NM. I know I can appeal it and so forth but I don't even know if the surgeon would even submit it to my insurance being that they don't cover it.
- July 8, 201115 yr
- 1 reply

Happie

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April Sleevers

April Sleevers

April Sleevers

So...sad :(

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