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The Begining

Changes

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Like many other people, I have never blogged before so please excuse any mistakes I may make. I'll start with my story. I have been over weight since I can remember. I know that in first grade we made posters with our height and weight on it and I weighed more than anyone else. I went on my first official diet at age 14. My mom and the program (I think it was called Formu3) lied about my age so I could 'officially' take part. That phase passed and although I was bigger, I tried to stay active.

 

The beginning of putting on serious weight began in high school. In college I began kick boxing which I loved, but I still gained weight. When I was 21 I started Weight Watchers and lost 10 lbs and gained that and more back. The next year I did the same thing. I've since had two kids and am now at the heaviest I have ever been at 311 lbs. I just turned 30 and realized that something has to give. I have tried fad diets which only seem to work for a time. With both of my children I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Thankfully the diabetes went away once my children were born, but my blood pressure is not as good as it was. I have done a lot of thinking and research and decided that I want to do the lap band. I not only want to watch my kids grow up, I want to participate in their lives. I don't want to be tired all the time and out of breath. So the decision has been made on my part, now comes the doctors and insurance.

 

I have an appointment with my PCP early next week. I spoke to my insurance company and they said that I have to have a BMI of 35 or over (mine is 47) and 2 significant medical problems attributed to obesity. I will need to have a test to see if I have sleep apnea, but I don't know if I will qualify since I don't have diabetes at the moment. I have a family history on both sides, including my mother, of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, and heart disease. I don't know if this will be considered when my insurance, GroupHealth Cooperative in WA, takes a look at my case. I'm not even sure if my PCP will refer me, but I'm hoping that he will. I'm anxious to get things started because once I come to a decision to do something I want to get it done NOW. I've read about the time it may take and am willing to do what I have to. I want to change my life and will do what is necessary to do it.. If my insurance will not cover it, I will have to try to find a way to pay for it myself.

 

So maybe this is too long, or drawn out. I have only told two co-workers and my husband of my plans as I am not sure how my family will take it. If I am approved I will talk to them about it, but for now it is between us, so don't tell them, ok?? I trust you, no worries :)

Anyway, if you read this thanks. I needed a place to put my thoughts through this journey to my new life.



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Get copies of all your record showing these issues, also copies of records showing your weight for the last five years(one for each year)) Also write down all the diets you have tried. These are all things they will ask for and if you go to the doctors with them already you will be a step ahead. Where do you live in Washington, I am over in East Wenatchee and I had my surgery at northwest weight loss center in Everett. Also things to add to your list is acid reflex and cholesterol if you have those issues.

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I decided to have the surgery for my son, so I totally get your motivation! I had no issues with insurance because my bmi was so high (i guess it is good for something :rolleyes: ) I had no other medical issues. I am six months out from surgery and loving life! I have found the blogging a good way for me to organize my thoughts and get my feelings out. It helps me tremendously. Good Luck to you! :D

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Thank you both for the advice. I'm trying to gather everything so when I go to my PCP I have all my ducks in a row so to speak. Brenda, I live in Bellingham and if my insurance pays for it (GroupHealth) I will have to go through their approved surgeon. When I moved here 5 years ago my doctor at the time said my cholesterol was high and said I could try to control it with diet, but if I couldn't then he would put me on meds. I changed doctors (dumb move) and my cholesterol was never mentioned again. When I went in for my physical in January I asked my current doctor about checking my cholesterol and he told me not to worry about it!!! So needless to say I will bring this up and demand to have it tested again. If he refuses (no idea why he would) then I will go back to the doctor I saw when I moved, which coincidentally is the only doctor who has ever mentioned my weight problem and I have been over 200lbs since I was a pre-teen. I am just nervous I guess of them saying no. I think that I will at least have some questions answered after I see my dr next week. Thanks again for reading!

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Changes,

I am one week out from surgery. I got approval first time out. I had to go through certain requirements which I think are typical. My BMI was 44, I have insulin resitance, but not yet diabetes and not other comorbidities. I had to see my PCP for 6 consectutive months, not missing one for weight control. My PCP needed to document that she discussed diet and exercise with me. I had to see a dietician within the past year and gather my weights for the last 3 years, which I had from my Gyn and my PCP. So, maybe you will be fine. My surgeon's office called and got a list of the requirements for me, so I could just check it off as I went. I started with them first, then went to my PCP, but I know many insurances need a referrel. I would just go through the process. A week before I got my approval, my surgeon's office called to reconfirm and was told it was not a covered benefit, even though last December they had said it was. The new person said the person from Dec was wrong. It was sent in anyway and approved. Good luck to you!

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