lotsofkids

hey there.....I just now....after what 3 months....saw and read your posting on my journal.......what's that...a day late and a dollar short.....so I guess in my case .....months late and hundreds short!!!! I loved reading your journal....you have a lot of spirit...and hey we all need humor in our lives. Well, I am going to be banded on Tuesday May 23 with Dr Schauer at the Cleve Clinic. (can you believe I only heard of my approval and my scheduling for surgery today..a week ahead!....They had a cancelation....and...well...it doesn't give me much time to think about it....which could be a good thing....but I just worry that I am not self-educated on what my next month or food obligations will be like post surgery...guess someone will let me know....LOL...and fast! Where are you at in the process now?......do keep in touch and you can private message me.....at least they give you an email saying "you have a message"....I might respond faster than the 3 month span. warm wishes to ya.....Diane aka lotsakids : )

May 17th.....Cleveland Clinic told me that my Insurance has been approved!!!!! Can you believe it! Yipee. With my low BMI I was expecting to be denied or in for a lot of appeals.....anyhow...they not only told me I was approved...but I can have my surgery done on Tuesday May 23....less than a week. Next available would be in July......so looks like I am heading to surgery on the 23rd...before I get cold feet. Husband is NON supportive....anti surgery.....wants me to sign a paper before the surgery that I am doing this against his wishes and he is not responsible in any way....AND that I accept all health problems or financial burdens that are associated with the surgery or might be future complications arising from having the surgery. Gimmee a break....23yrs and 5 kids....thanks a lot for your support and understanding.

May 17th.....Cleveland Clinic told me that my Insurance has been approved!!!!! Can you believe it! Yipee. With my low BMI I was expecting to be denied or in for a lot of appeals.....anyhow...they not only told me I was approved...but I can have my surgery done on Tuesday May 23....less than a week. Next available would be in July......so looks like I am heading to surgery on the 23rd...before I get cold feet. Husband is NON supportive....anti surgery.....wants me to sign a paper before the surgery that I am doing this against his wishes and he is not responsible in any way....AND that I accept all health problems or financial burdens that are associated with the surgery or might be future complications arising from having the surgery. Gimmee a break....23yrs and 5 kids....thanks a lot for your support and understanding.

Hey there LBsters.....I was here early spring and asking all my questions and mentioning my dear Hubby....was extremely non-supportive...yet very much into daily "fat" jokes about my wieght. Anyhow.....I just learned TODAY that I was approved by my insurance...AND I can get banded on this coming Tuesday! (they had a cancelation....and called me STAT as my health insurance will change end of June and the new one might not be as friendly) Ok....no time to think too much more about it....if I miss Tuesday's surgery...then the next available is mid-July....so I will be jumping in head first...or "tummy" first...so to speak. My hubby is still NON supportive....he wants me to sign a paper stating I am doing this against HIS wishes and I am fully on my own with any future health problems or financial burdens arising from this procedure! LOL ..Can you believe that.....he is a doctor (pediatrics)....and it sounds like he is worried I might hold him responsible or sue....LOL Then he said his true feelings are that he has no respect for someone who needs surgery because they couldn't control their eating. Ok..fine...but after 5 kids...you tell me if you take two brand new balloons out of a package.....inflate and deflate balloon "A" 5 times...then hold it up to the unused balloon "B"..and see if they both still look the same!!!! I was really shocked that my insurance actually approved me.....I only had a BMI of only 35....(I just barely made it) but I have a horrible sleep apnea and with the workup...they found out I also have a fatty liver...which is another co-morbidity I guess. So.....my thoughts were..if I do get approved....go for it....if not...then keep trying the old-fashioned way....which I have lost and gained over and over and will probably be doomed to fail again. Well, even with no support...and I know very well.....he is going to give me all sorts of guilt during my recoup time....as he "might" have to forgo some comforts and take on some house duties or parenting ...etc....I am still estatic and I hope I will find the emotional support from my cyber friends here on the board. I do have one great friend in my area and she is going to be a big support for me....but I am too embarrased to let my extended family or anyone else know that I was even considering this.....guess that's a side-effect of my hubby's take on the surgery. Oh well....do keep me in your thoughts.....tomorrow morning I will meet for the presurgery consult at the Cleveland Clinic. Warm wishes.....and only cyber chocolates from here on in! Diane : )

Vinesqueen....excellent point. There will always be risks that even though we may seem to be a good candidate....there are unknown variables that will be individual to each patient. The body is very mysterious. Hopefully, we shall have success in the long run. (ps... I love turtles).....remember it is the turtle that wins the race! But we want to at least "fall" into the better satitistics before and after surgery!!!!

I asked this question directly.....(my husband is also a doc....so I better ask lotsa questions!) The Surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic (bariatric program) said if it is removed, it goes back to it's original state completely. A lot of slippage can be avoided by the skill of the doctor placing the band..as they put in some stabilizing stiches. An experienced surgeon with a natural finesse...can have much less slippage problems. So do ask your doc what % of slippage occurs with his program and more importantly....how many procedures HE has personally done and his post surgery results. A good candidate...with a good surgeon.....should = good results. I would not ever consider doing a lasix surgery on my eyes with a discount coupon stating $500 an eye....as I will get a "MacDonalds" level of care and results. Such bargain docs usually are doing volume procedures JUST for the $$$$ and even the patients that should be turned away are not....so they have many unhappy customers. Find a doc that is professional, attached to a reputable program in your area and loves his work and better yet...does research...as those are the pioneers that are science driven. Do your leg-work and choose the very best doctor you can find. I wish you well.... on your journey to better health! smiles...diane : )

I spoke with a friend's husband who happens to be a Gastroenterologist. I wanted him to give me some insights as to the risks etc...as I am considering doing the banding. He said...in general ....surgerys of the stomach are less dangerous in comparsion to other organs. In fact...he said in the worst case scenerio....if a patient had stomach cancer and had his entire stomach removed...and the esophagas (sp?) attached directly to the gut....he would still be able to survive. So most problems...including the worst case situations ... are not life threatening. Most problems or complications, he said come when people have other metabolic problems going on....and therefore were not ideal candidates...but insisted on the surgery.....and then subsequently...had poor results...due to a metabolic dominoe effect of problems. So...if you don't have kidney, liver, pancreas or other metabolic conditions....then you really should not worry....other than the obvious risks attributed to any surgery...ie: anethesia, site infections....etc. That is why most good doctors....will make you do a ton of other medical tests to be sure that you will tolerate the surgery well. Do listen to the experts....if they feel you are too complicated.....maybe it is best to get into a better health situation before pursuing this or other surgeries. hugs...diane : )

BTW ...EMTBABY.....I spoke with a friend's husband who happens to be a Gastroenterologist. I wanted him to give me some insights as to the risks etc... He said...in general ....surgerys of the stomach are less dangerous in comparsion to other organs. In fact...he said in the worst case scenerio....if a patient had stomach cancer and had his entire stomach removed...and the esophagas (sp?) attached directly to the gut....he would still be able to survive. So most problems...including the worst case situations ... are not life threatening. Most problems he said come when people have other metabolic problems going on....and therefore were not ideal candidates...but insisted on the surgery.....and then subsequently...had poor results...due to a metabolic dominoe effect of problems. So...if you don't have kidney, liver, pancreas or other metabolic conditions....then you really should not worry....other than the obvious risks attributed to any surgery...ie: anethesia, site infections....etc. That is why most good doctors....will make you do a ton of other medical tests to be sure that you will tolerate the surgery well. Do listen to the experts....if they feel you are too complicated.....maybe it is best to get into a better health situation before pursuing this or other surgeries. hugs...diane : )

I LOVE MALLEYS CHOCOLATE!.....but I think chocolate is a dirty word on this site! LOL (I am really a Bostonian....but loving Ohio) Thanks Robin, I have had 3 machines delivered to me over the past 4 yrs....and the first two I gave back for non-compliance. I am really trying this time around and the nasal pillow IS much better than before...but it is that darn pressure that really causes pain for me. I'll give it a shot tonight....I usually try for a day or so....and then I stop for a couple weeks...then try again...etc... that's my poor record of cpap. LOL and thanks again Robin for the lovely candles! warmest wishes....diane : )

hmmm.....Cleveland Clinic it is mandatory that all patients have one....before even being considered for band surgery! they run a tight ship! diane : )

Hi Carolinne (mona) and all..... I just did my surgical consult yesterday....not I need all the appointments to get done....then I jump through the hardest hurdle the insurance! Wish me luck ... and let us know how it goes with your insurance .....sending good vibes your way! hugs...diane

I know I need to work harder and use the cpap....I have tried many different masks and pillows.....I am currently with a new version of the pillows which really is comfortable......but, my problem is more with the sinus pressure. I seem to get sinusitis cronically from the cpap....then it hurts breathing in with the pressure. any thoughts? thanks....diane : 0

He is a specialized Pediatric doc....so unfortunately he doesn't really have any patients that had WLS....(even those chubby newborns) LOL And the Fat jokes....hmmmm....they certainly haven't and I highly doubt will be stopping anytime soon.....but at least I will stand up each time and tell them this is disrespectful and in bad taste. (so they will have to feel guilty if they want some quick humor)....it should start to curb the frequency of the jokes! Thanks for the Water therapy suggestion....it sounds so wonderful..and would probably be great...but alas, with 5 kids....who has the time? I did buy an elliptical which is less stress on my knees and a smoother machanics overall than the other machines out there. I just need to be more serious and set a firm time and stick with it. I am soooo apreciative of all the support that is pouring in....you guys are really great.....I have been so support deprived for so long....I didn't know how nice it felt to be overwhelmed with support! I think I will be addicted to this place quickly. LOL hugs....and warm wishes to all ... diane : )

I appreciate your support.....and I will stay stubborn in my Quest......the biggest bump in the road will be in trying to get my insurance to step up to the plate....but I hope they see how much they already paid for me with....my previous health issues and might realize it is in THEIR interest to support me with the surgery!!!!! thanks for being there! and a slow loser is better than a NO loser any day! ..... hugs...diane

I only have a BMI of 35....but I have a strong apnea that is considered a co-morbidity. If you have hypertension or diabetes...they too are comorbidities...and that can increase your chances of getting approved medically. I will probably be in for a fight with my insurance...and I don't know if they will come through....but I will take the challenge and aggressively go after them with re-submitals and appeals....if that is what is needed. hope things work for you.... hugs...diane

Hi Amy.... It's great to have people who care....and it is always important to hear differing opinions.......they can have valid points that you need to know before going into something seriuos. Your friend might be more anxious because you are doing this in Mexico vs doing it in the USA. I too, worry about lower standards in health care outside of the USA. But the band is a mimimally invasive surgery....so you should be OK....but for the gastric bypass......I would be very sceptical of a foreign surgeon and hospital. best wishes.....diane : )

thanks for dropping in! And believe me....I hear all that you say.....I am slowly working on them LOL. (and.....JQPublic.....great name!..LOL!) I told my 19yr old son after a few recent jokes....that "hey....it really is disrespectful to say such things to your mother"......he immediately responded in a softer tone...."yes, mom....you are absolutely right.....but you have to admit they were funny jokes" Well....it's a good start....at least he knew it was disrespectful!!!!! hey....I went to my surgical consult appointment today!....the doc was encouraging. I just barely make the criteria as a BMI 35...but I did make it!....he thinks with my strong documented apnea...that I could get the Insurance to approve...(we hope) and he feels the band would be a good tool for me to get to a better place with my weight and my apnea. Now, if I can only get hubby on board with this....hmmmm.....that's going to take some creativity! He was grumpy to hear I went to this appointment. He thinks I am going to harm myself with my stubborness to pursue this course and place a foreign object into my body. Well, I have tried and failed in many other venues....this apnea is turning my life upside down....and needs real serious attention. And I hate the cpap....I am not very compliant. My headaches are constant 24/7 from the apnea. I had a nasty spiral fracture on my right leg three years ago....and 3 months later they rebroke it and did surgery and put in plate and pins.....so I was nine months NON weight bearing.....hence....more wieght and floppy muscle tone. I am just now feeling that my walking is getting back to normal....although I still feel the plate with every step. now I need to go down the list of appointments to fullfil the requirements....ie: jump through all the hoops....and then we still don't know if I will get approved ....but hopeful. Wish me luck...and thanks for your suppport! :0 Warm wishes to all......diane : )

I have previously completed the seminars and workshops ....Today I met with the Surgeon @ Cleveland Clinic. I just barely make the BMI requirement of 35...but hopefully with my strong apnea, I will get insurance approval. Now I need to go down the list of all the other checkups and bloodwork that is needed to be cleared for the next step.

I have previously completed the seminars and workshops ....Today I met with the Surgeon @ Cleveland Clinic. I just barely make the BMI requirement of 35...but hopefully with my strong apnea, I will get insurance approval. Now I need to go down the list of all the other checkups and bloodwork that is needed to be cleared for the next step.

hey there EMTbaby....hope all goes well on March 1st! and Robin.....big hugs to ya! I went to my Surgical Consult today....the doc was encouraging. I just barely make the criteria as a BMI 35...but I make it!....he thinks with my strong documented apnea...that I could get the Insurance to approve...(we hope) and he feels the band would be a good tool for me to get to a better place with my weight and my apnea. Now to get hubby on board with this....hmmmm.....that's going to take some creativity! He was grumpy to hear I went to this appointment. Thinks I am going to harm myself with my stubborness to pursue this course. Well, I have tried and failed in many other venues....this apnea is turning my life upside down....and needs serious attention. And I hate the cpap....I am not very compliant. My headaches are constant and 24/7 from the apnea. now I need to go down the list of appointments to fullfil the requirements....ie: jump through all the hoops....and then we still don't know if I will get approved ....but hopeful. Warm wishes to all......diane : )

at how bills in the health industry can be discounted....but most people feel somewhat shy to ask.....or feel as if they are asking for a charity. Don't feel this way.....the prices are way over the top....and if you or your insurance has already paid a major portion....then go and see what more they can do for you.....I'm sure you can all find better places to spend that money! LOL Hospitals especially have funds to help out patients with income issues...and you don't have to be at poverty level....it is a much higher scale...for everyday working people. If you don't ask.....you may never know what you might have saved. good luck...Diane.....(with one ~n~ and an ~e~ ....LOL)

I PM'd Robin / Ralheit... to see if she is interested.....still waiting to hear from her. smiles....diane

To request.....a receipient? I just met Robin (also from the Cleveland Area, as me) and she will be banded on March 7th. Her posting name is RALHEIT ....as we are both new.....I wouldn't mind having her as my exchange partner...as I hope to follow her progress and her post surgery recovery. Anyhow....I realize it could be a little on the late side....but just let me know. Thanks, diane : )

I am a real newbie 24hrs young on the site....but I love surprises and sending out surprises. let me know if there is still time to join in the fun and what might be needed....otherwise...I'll just send you all warm wishes for a great holiday! Smiles....diane

you are hitting it on the head.....I deal with Insurance Companys all the time and many times.....I find and correct mistakes...whether human or computer generated. If you know your rights...it is easy to get things fixed. Do know your policy and your annual deductibles/copays and any other amounts that may be related to your procedure. They cannot charge YOU "over" what is in your contract. The negotiated amount between the Insurance and the provider can be significantly less than the billed amount and the provider must "write off" that difference. The provider is not allowed to bill the patient for this amount...if a provider did bill you for this...then bring it to their attention...that this is incorrectly billed and you have your EOB from the insurance and they must re-adjust your billing accordlingly. hold on to your wallet LOL diane BTW:....if the provider is not an in-network provider...then you may have to pay the difference of what is considered reasonable and customary charges for the particular billing. However, do not stop there....many times you can negotiate with the provider to accept the Insurance amount as is....or work on a discount of that amount...let's say meet in the middle and split the difference. Nothing is written in stone....and do speak directly with the physician....as they can be very understanding in these situations and if you speak directly with them...they might work something out in your favor. I tell my friends that do not have insurance....always make that known to the doctor and ask if he has a cash discount....they will usually take off 20% (and doc is still making more money on your visit than from his patients with insurance that might take 40-50% off his billed amount!)