Trystinsmom

I have an appointment on Wednesday to discuss in further and have repeat blood work. Of course the first thing he stated was that I needed to lose weight. We talked about the sleeve, he is an older doctor but supportive. He said I would definitely need to be monitored closely to adjust medications as needed as well.

Wow!!! That’s EXACTLY what I am dealing with now...I started having issues with taking the Aleve and ibuprofen to the point I would get horrible abdominal cramps after taking them. So now I have stopped taking them daily and alternating. When the pain gets too much to handle of course, I have the narcotic pain medication which I will break in half but I have 4 children (2 are mine 2 steps) so no time to be down...I just suffer through the pain and use a lot of OTC homeopathic creams. I’ve always wondered if I had some issue in my stomach but my PCP seems to think my stomach issues were related to the NSAIDS so he never saw a reason really to send me to gastro. Perhaps I should give him a call in the morning for a referral?

I do get indigestion every once and awhile..lol. I can honestly say I absolutely LOVE my PCP. We tried everything and tested everything. After I did the 6 month required nutritional counseling and “diet plan” and got my first denial..my pcp did an array of blood tests for cholesterol, sugar, a1c, triglycerides, liver kidneys heart and thyroid...everything! Nothing! All was normal! He was trying his hardest to document 1 more thing that would qualify me. The problem is...I have been overweight my whole life since childhood, but other than the RA..I don’t have major health problems! I have a hard time with my portions because I might eat once or twice a day...but I don’t make bad food choices..I just eat too much at one time. We don’t eat sweets, we eat organic, I’m the only overweight one in the house! My biggest downfall is coffee and soda. I drink but I don’t even Give that to my kids! That’s as bad as it gets here! I go all day without eating that I eat too much when I can finally sit down and eat. And one because of this RA, it’s not under control yet and I can’t do anything but hurt all day so i stopped being able to be so mobile and have gained an excessive amount of weight in the last 3 months. Of course the rA doctor says I need to lose weight...it’s a never ending battle.

My BMI is actually over 41 but my insurance requires a min BMI of 40 plus 2 comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea etc. I Appealed when diagnosed with the RA and submitted documents and even a letter from the RA doctor and my pcp and they still denied me. They accepted the RA as one but I need another. I don’t have any of the things on their list other than the RA. I don’t really know what else to do to fight the insurance company. Seems like these days they just are looking to deny any way the can.

Hello all! I’m Heather and new to this forum but not new to the process. I have spent the last two years going literally through hell trying to have my sleeve surgery. I went through two separate programs only to be denied x2 with letters written by PCP and surgeons for final appeal, by my insurance company because I am obese with no Comorbidities. It has been a roller coaster of emotions and let downs. Last year I married my boyfriend of 7 years and had decided I was going to just be a cash patient and have my surgery in Mexico. My husband was very unsupportive and freaked me out so bad that 4 weeks prior to my surgery I decided to cancel. My husband isn’t overweight and one of those who believe that if I worked countless hours in the gym that I would “be skinny” and thinks that I’m cheating or trying to be lazy by having the surgery. He just doesn’t understand. I recently was diagnosed with RA and after speaking with my RA Dr. I decided that I was finally going to stop letting people discourage me from having this surgery, including my husband, and finally try to take control of my health and do this for myself and my babies. I once again will be a cash patient. I found a surgeon in my area that will accept all of my paperwork from the previous programs that I tried. I have my appointment with him on May 15. I have saved up most of the money for the required payment. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this will finally Work out in my favor! I will need all the support I can get!