Hi Everyone,

Went to the doc this morning about the hair loss issue, blood draw etc... I tried to fit everything into one visit. This was the physician assistant who wrote me my letter of medical necessity for lapband surgery last year. He had not seen me since then and I think he was completely shocked at the transformation. We covered the following topics:

Why am I losing hair?

I told him I thought it was hormonal, so he ordered lots of tests and they took vials and vials of blood.

I asked him to look at my thighs and my hanging panne and told him I want plastic surgery next year. I still get skin infections, rashes etc. OK, I stretched the truth a little, but took down my pants so he could document that he did indeed see some infections pockets at the top of my inner thighs. Nothing active, but I sure would like a thigh lift and TT. OK, a boob job as well, but I wasnt prepared to show him tube socks with sand in them! LOL He thought that I had about 10 pounds of excess panne, but I told him the plastic surgeon told me it was like 3 o4 4 pounds only.

I also asked him what he thought an ideal weight would be for me. He looked in my chart and saw that my BMI last year was 53.9 and present BMI is about 30. He felt that a weight of 170-175 would be ideal, which would put me at a BMI of 27-28. He said for a 39 year old woman who has been morbidly obese most of her life that it was not possible to get to 150 and I shouldnt strive for that. Not that he was discouraging me from trying, he was just trying to be realistic. Between the excess and the denser bones, I probably have about 10 pounds that I wont lose no matter what I do.

I was really pleased with the visit. I should be getting the test results back regarding the hair loss and a cholesterol check sometime early next week. My blood pressure was 100/70, which is really great and he is thrilled with my progress so far. So we shall see what happens. At least I am taking some action. Tomorrow, I go for a fill at the hospital to give me back what they took out in August. Hopefully, I will soon be at goal!!!

Babs in TX

334/188/170

-146

6/23/03

It sounds like you got some great advice from you P.A. Is he going to recommend plastic surgery for you? Will your insurance cover it? I hope so. It sounds like you would be at goal just with that.

I hope your test results help with the hair loss issue. I am wondering how to deal with the same issue myself.

Babs, I'm glad you were pleased with your visit and I hope things are looking brighter for you.

Hi becky,

I am trying to start a documentation trail now, so that way next year, I will have at least 5 or 6 visits logged in about skin infection, hanging panne and the droopy thighs! I know that my insurance will cover a panniculectomy, but they wont cover full abdominoplasty. I know they wont cover boobs, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. They MAY cover the thighs if I can prove it is medically necessary. My plastic surgeon recommended that I get an approval for the panniculectomy and she would do the full abdominoplasty and charge me the difference, which is still about an additional 3,000. But at least my insurance would cover the hospital stay and the aftercare which are pretty much the same for either procedure. Most insurance companies perceive an abdominoplasty to be cosmetic since they are not only removing excess skin, but also doing muscle work and move and create a new bellybutton. The scars are also different for both procedures. The abdominoplasty scar is bikini/crotchline so you dont see the scar and the panniculectomy is just removal of the skin, so the scar is above the belly button and quite unattractive. For the latter, I wouldnt bother. I would rather have what I really want than something halfway. I will let you know more about the hair loss issue as well! Thanks for inquiring.!

Babs in TX

Babs,

Great doctor's visit and what a great attitude you have. After meeting you it is very obvious that you have come very far in so many ways. Keep us posted.