HELPP!!

I am looking to get weight loss surgery which my neurologist said is the best option for me. I have PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which makes it extremely hard for me to loss weight. I have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, my neurologist is worried about me losing my vision and said and had a significant amount of fluid on my brain causing a lot of strain on my optic nerves causing my vision changes and loss of vision. I have pain, pressure and headaches all day long. I can't really enjoy anything because of the pain and now I am worried about losing my vision. I have insurance through Wells Fargo which is BCBS Anthem of GA. They require you to do a six month diet. My neurologist said that I should not wait that long to have weight loss surgery as this will help the IIH and PCOS. I called my insurance today and they agreed that it was a serious issues and could talk with my neurologist about waiving the 6 month diet plan. I already have my appointment scheduled for pre-op so hopefully they can get it waived and my psych eval is on Sept 6th so after that hopefully I can schedule surgery. I really hope they see the urgency with this issue as I don't want to do any further damage to my eyes and my neurologist agrees. Has anyone else been through the same issue and getting approved for WLS through insurance? Or experience the same issues?

My 17 year old daughter also has IIH. She notices her symotoms subside when she loses a few pounds, and come back when she gains. She is 5'5 and around 195lbs. She hasn't had surgery.

I'd recommend talking with your surgeon about going on a ketogenic diet while waiting for the surgery. As long as you are losing weight you are headed in the right direction to save your vision.

A keto diet will have you eating about 60g of protein and 20g of net carbs a day. Plenty of fat. Lots of meat and green veggies. You can start this TODAY as long as you aren't diabetic or have other health issues (like problems with low blood sugar or the like).

With your vision on the line, I'm sure you are willing to do whatever it takes. Liquid diets also knock the pounds off quickly too. And don't worry about messing up your metabolism before surgery. Surgery will reset everything.

Good luck!

I need to look that up now. I am willing to do anything at this point to save my vision. I need to see my babies grow up. I haven't been able to eat very much over the past 5 days and lost a little over 8 pounds. I was at the Emergency department all afternoon yesterday my vision went out in my left eye and I couldn't feel my neck. I hope you daughter is okay I wish nothing but the best for. I am so sorry that she is going through. I this pain on no one.

My heart goes out to you. I have a similar condition I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebra it's were my brain constantly makes to much fluid . I was having headaches so bad . I was about to lose my vision . I had my first brain surgery in 2010 I had to have brain shunt place . I also have lupus and fibromyalgia . I didn't have to wait the six months . My surgery is set for Aug 25. Best wishes to you

Hey same thing, thing they called it both. OMG that is horrible my heart goes out to you as well. The pain is unimaginable and only people with it can understand the struggle of daily life. I am so happy for you. Did they say surgery would most likely cure this for you? I am so scared of having a shunt put in. I would think my insurance would rather do weight loss surgery than brain surgeries. My co worker has this condition and they didn't know that weight caused it when she was diagnosed. She has had 6 surgeries since she found out.

So they waived the six months for you, what insurance company do you have?

Hey same thing, thing they called it both. OMG that is horrible my heart goes out to you as well. The pain is unimaginable and only people with it can understand the struggle of daily life. I am so happy for you. Did they say surgery would most likely cure this for you? I am so scared of having a shunt put in. I would think my insurance would rather do weight loss surgery than brain surgeries. My co worker has this condition and they didn't know that weight caused it when she was diagnosed. She has had 6 surgeries since she found out.

No they didn't tell me if it would cure me or not. In 2013 I had a freak incident happened with my first shunt and it preferred my colon. During that time they were doing different on me to see if I could go without my shunt and my brain seem like it drowning from all the fluid.

So they waived the six months for you, what insurance company do you have?

I have Capital health plan Advantage of Florida

Oh okay, so they did waive it for the medical reason? Did it state in the medical policy as a requirement. Did you get first letter approval or did you have to appeal it? and if you appealed it did you submit a letter of appeal or your doctor?

Just trying to get as much information as I can to get it done as quickly as possible. My deductible has been meet for this year as well so I wouldn't have to pay anything else out of pocket.

I wish all of you the best outcomes and the best medical teams to help you.

On 8/3/2017 at 9:45 AM, smb123 said:

I was at the Emergency department all afternoon yesterday my vision went out in my left eye and I couldn't feel my neck.

Oh man, you may need a shunt , at least temporarily since it takes months to lose weight, no matter what diet you're on. (Even surgery doesn't act as quickly as you seem to be needing).

Keeping my fingers crossed for you both.

My daughter's symptoms thus far have been very mild, so other than keeping her to a diet, we don't have to do anything as of now.

I am so scared right now, I don't know I am switching my Neurologist now. Keep me updated on your daughters progress.

That is very true about the weight loss, makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about any type of surgery....

Do you have sleep apnea? I have sever sleep apnea, diagnosed with PCOS, & I was seeing a neurologist but I'm deathly afraid of a MRI machine so I didn't get a written diagnosis for pseudotumor cerebra. Because he didn't have a clear scan I never got a written diagnosis just a verbal. My nurse practitioner who I see for cholesterol is actually the one to recommend VSG. I have insurance through BCBS of IL and I didn't have any requirements except that I had to have surgery at a blue distinction center. And of course there isn't one located in my state. My consult was on May4th. Had to do 3 months no smoking per the surgeon. And got my surgery set for Sept 11th. And my insurance is fully covering it. Maybe try going through your OBGYN and see if she/he will recommend it. Just by being obese, having sleep apnea, and PCOSi didn't even need the neuron diagnosis. Good luck to you!