Hello Forum!

My name is Kathryn, you can call me Kat if you'd like. I am 25 years old, and 5'3" but I am going to get measured again and see if I am shorter than that, can't hurt right? I am currently living in Amarillo, Texas. My home town, my husband is prior Air Force, and we just moved back here from Okinawa, Japan, still getting acclimated to the american way of life.

I went to a small seminar about the procedures, and I was glad to know that I could get the VSG done in my home town instead of traveling. I just had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Brent Bell of Amarillo Baptist Saint Anthony) yesterday. I had a NINE vial blood draw today, that's a lot of vials. I am trying to get a sleep study set up because who knows if I have sleep apnea, and if I have a medical condition, that will make it that much easier to get the surgery date (weird thinking I know, but if I have it, weight loss will take care of it eventually).

I have UHC, mine will do 90/10. I am still learning a lot about insurance, because before this we had Tri-Care and they took care of everything no need for paperwork or referrals.

I will be copying and pasting this in my own topic so I can put the little hoops I have come across, no chance to jump through them but I am one determined girl.

I am currently 230 pounds, and have been fighting morbid obesity all of my life. I do not have proof of this, but I do have pictures and family that can vouch for me.

What made me get on the ball after all this time? First: Insurance will pay for it, and the Tri-Care would barely want to treat you for sprains unless you were military.

Second: My gynocologist said that without losing my weight, becoming pregnant will be hard for me. I want a family, my husband wants a little him running around, its a life that I want. I also want to be healthy enough to carry a baby and run around to keep up with him/her.

Its not about "looks" for me at all, and I hope my insurance can see that. I have always been comfortable with myself, but when your knees begin to hurt and you can no longer work for long periods of time on your feet? Its time that I change something about myself.

I have a 40 BMI, and no conditions (unless sleep study says otherwise).

Ok, this was way more that I intended to write, but I hope that I can continue to find great information here!

Might as well put this here, if its acceptable, I will bump this when I have an update. Unless there is a better place for a "chronicle" type posting about myself?

First Hoop:

The sleep study was going to be tomorrow for me, due to a cancellation. When I got a 3rd or 4th call from the place getting my instructions and directions, they said that they needed "pre-determination" from my insurance company (UHC). They said that this usually takes a month to complete, and without insurance paying for it it would cost me $1890.90. With insurance, I would pay an estimate of $625 no matter what, and I do not have a co-pay yet, this is some kind of fee. Most expensive "hotel" I would have ever stayed in, if I get to do it.

I keep getting the talks from everyone about how important it is, and how I could die on the operating table if I do not get this done. Wouldn't they take precautions to ensure that I get enough oxygen? Assuming that is the issue.

Second Hoop:

Not much of a hoop, but I payed over $200 for all my nutrition dates in advance (7 in total, 6 month required diet by insurance). Every time I go to the exercise person, I pay him a $20 bill that is another 7 appointments ($140 total over time in cash).

In total, my bill before my out of pocket because of the surgery date that does not exist yet, is $965. That is with the insurance paying for the sleep study.

I sure hope all this effort is worth it, and I don't have to do an appeal, although I see on here that having to make an appeal is rather common, and I will be coming here for help since I do NOT have "proof" of a 5 year thing from a doctor.