oldoneyoungagain

[size=4][sub][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I was diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction with excerised induced pulmonary hypertension, so I was in a no win situation. Blood pressure would go up with any type of exercise and the shortness of breath became severe. I needed more room for the lungs and heart. So when I told my cardiologist I was thinking of joining a diet program he politely told me that even though they are good, very few people ever succeeded in keeping it off. I was an example of that, that was for sure, over 40 years of a yo-yo weight loss. Then what he said next was, "most insurance companies will not pay for Lap Band, but I would suggest that even if you have to pay for this yourself, I would definitely recommend Lap Band". He went on to further state that if my insurance paid for it, but denied he would help with the appeal. So the process started. First, I contacted my insurance company to see if this was covered, and I was informed that it possibly would be. Next, I attended a seminar. Then third, I made an appointment with the surgeon. Definitely, this scared me. I would have to sell myself as the age limit is suggested to be 65 and I had reached that and then some. The doctor agreed with some conditions, which weren't hard to get. Two letters of medical clearance, one from the pulmonologist, and the other from the cardiologist. I had to complete six months of weight management with my primary per the insurance company and now I am waiting on the written approval, verbal has been given, so a date can be set for surgery. The end result, will be the intent to make a healthy life and to prolong it. Unfortunately, the illness that I have will not be cured, but the causes, diabetes and hypertension which helped to lead to this condition, will be lessened.
]Update. The lap band that I had slipped and was removed. It did help the hypertension, not so much the diabetes even though there was a weight loss. Band was removed 5/23/13 and now I am working toward RNY bypass[/font][/sub][/size]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Did three months of weight loss management, three visits to the dietitian, had already gotten clearance for the RNY from the psychologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, PCP. Insurance submitted on 8/22/13 and approval was received back 8/27/12. Surgery is 9/11/13.[/font]