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Hello, Glad to see a group from Washington. I have lived here most of my life. I would love to know where you had your surgeries and who you would recommend. As I said in my intro message I may have to go to Mexico but would rather stay home. I checked out the Swedish in Seattle and it was $ 20,000.00 for the Sleeve. I have Regence and they won't pay for any WLS. In my opinion they are very difficult. They are not going to pay for any cosmetic procedures. My BMI is 40.9 don't think thats the issue! Thank you. Searching

Dear Sue Sorry if I had read a little closer I would have realized you have inflammation in your tummy and esophagus. Again, hope you find out soon whether it would interfere with WLS. Sincerely, Searching

03/02/2014l 03/02/2014 Hi, I was curious why the Doctor decided to do the study for you? Have you been having re-flux problem's? I had never heard of this procedure until a few weeks ago when the doctor asked me if I would want to have one as I keep getting sick and the asthma doc thinks its a combination of re-flux and asthma making me cough all the time. Hope you are doing well. Have you heard whether this condition would stop you from having the surgery? Sincerely, Searching

03/02/2014 Hi, Interesting ideas regarding insurance. One would think with all the research on excess weigh and inflammation insurance companies would want to pay for WLS but they don't. It is worst this year in-regards to what insurance companies will pay for. We have a small business and WLS is excluded. I couldn't even buy a rider. Searched and looked for insurance we could buy. Only Federal or Medicare were options that were available in our state. So I will be looking towards the idea regarding reflux and hiatal hernias. Searching

09/13/2013 Hi, Does anyone know if there are any provisions in Obama Care for WLS? I heard on the news a few weeks ago that being over weight is now considered a disease. Does that mean that our insurances have to cover WLS once Obama Care is implemented? Wouldn't that be wonderful! Really Hoping Searching

Good post. Yes, it is hard to realize that skinny people have their own set of issues. You have realized something that most of us either don't know how to do or forget to do. That is practice being happy until it becomes a way of life. But, you have to admit that getting lighter will help a lot of issues. Less pain, less embarrassment, less health issues, and less rejection, so on and so on!. Although, you may as well be happy getting to your goal. The ones who have made their goals should be proud of themselves anyway they want to express it. They made a big change in their lives and if they want to dream of being sexy, a babe, or what have you that's ok too. Like you say " Everyone has their own self expression and dreams. But, of course It does help being happy any place you are in your journey.

05/15/2013 Information about insurance coverage in Washington State that I have found to date: There is no insurance coverage unless you are on medicare, You or spouse are in a group with 50 employees and WLS is added as a rider, or your a Federal employee. If anyone knows any different please share. Thank you, Searching

This would be fun but to far away. Western Washington but not in Seattle.

05/08/2013 Hello Everyone, Finding out small bites of info every now and than. Iam still working on How to pay for surgery. I did find out when I am 65 medicare should cover it. I am 62 now. I am going to find out if Oregon Blue Cross is something I can purchase and use it in Washington State for WLS. I also have health problems so Mexico would not be a good option for me. I will just keep searching. Sincerily, Searching

04/13/2013..............After surgery, approximately how many calories do you eat per day? We should have around 70 grams of protein correct. Thanks.........Searching

04/12/2013 Sorry to hear your not feeling well. I haven't had surgery yet. But out on the other web sites there is lots of info that may help. But if ones not feeling well its hard to search for answers. I am also sorry to hear your hubby isn't more understanding. Didn't he want you to have the surgery? Mine is afraid. I think the people who are on this site have a lot going on and post when they can but it's usually not daily. I am like that as I have a lot going on so I come and go on the site. Take care. Hope you get feeling better. Sincerely, Searching

04/11/2013 INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD BE TO BE AGAINST THE LAW! SEARCHING

04/11/2013 Hello, What a fun idea! I have been gone for awhile. I have been sick. I bet I missed the party. Did all of you have fun? What kind of sinful food did you bring or did you bring a nice Protein Shake? I would like to learn how to post a private message. Can someone share with me? I can get by on the internet but I have lots to learn. We're all of you able to figure out how to chat live? I would need to learn that also. But isn't that what is fun is to learn new things! Have a good evening. Searching

04/11/2013 Hi Pinkpeonie, I have been gone for awhile as I was sick. I am sorry I didn't reply to your post to me. I really appreciate your response. Yes, I would love to talk to you. I looked on your info for your email address but it wasn't listed. It is kind of a coincendence but I talked to my new GP about WLS yesterday and asked if he knew the Doctor you recommended. Yes, I would really like to understand what took place with the broker and the surgery center. I have heard from others with Regence also that they did not have WLS in their policies. Everything in regards to insurance coverage may change this coming year due to Obama Care? But I haven't been able to even find a different policy to purchase that has WLS in it. I would love to talk with you. Searching

03/17/2013 Hello Sassy Senior, Thank you for your post. Yes, I will read your your story I'am going to do that now after I respond to you. You said, " To post in a headline"? Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean. Yes, now I have identified myself as a Baby Boomer ! I haven't retired yet. We have a small construction company. Although, it is very slow at present due to our poor economy. We have been trying to take advantage of our down time and get some much needed painting and some small remodling projects finished. But like you it is slow going due to the pain. We have Regence Insurance but they won't pay for WLS. I have tried to find an insurance that we could purchase that would cover WLS but no luck yet. I have my eyes and ears out looking for an affordable insurance for our company that would cover WLS. Sincerily, Searching

03/09/2013 HELLO SASSYCAT, Did I understand you to say you are pre-op? It just made me curious how long this site has been up. What is keeping you from having your WLS? I am 62 years with a few health problems myself. But Somedays I want the surgery somedays I don't. So as you see I'am still kind of scared of it. I will have to self pay and that presently holds me back. I just want to really be sure and completely ready when the green light starts glowing. I would also like to hear from any of you that are older and have gone to Mexico. Thank you. Sincerily, Searching

03/08/2013 Hi, I haven't don't have any formal training on the subject or had surgery but just thinking about it food it is most likely alot of over weight peoples drug of choice. Then when taken away, even voluntarily, if we are unaware we may turn to other drugs to take the place of food. Be it alcohol, cigarettes, or what have you. Alot of us who are over weight are addicted to food. It would be like we had a bad day so we had a bowl of ice cream and it made us feel better. So we do that every time we are stressed. Then anytime there is even a little stress we look for the food to make us feel better. So eventually that one little bowl of ice cream now is 10 big bowls of ice cream. Even though we get fatter and fatter, doesn't make us feel better, or even taste good most of the time we still do it because we have become addicted. We have lost control. Its probably not that simple but, after surgery and if we are unaware and become stressed we may try to replace that food addiction with another addiction because we can't have the food, (our drug of choice), any longer. I am certain that is why we are told that WLS is one of many tools to help us finally lose the weight and keep it off. Sincerily, Searching

03/07/2013 Hi All, I am fairly new to the site. My profile says I have been around for awhile but I hadn't used the site. Unfortunately, It takes a long time to manuever around the site looking for answers even though this site is really appreciated. The insurance question is a hard one for many people. Like myself I am trying to learn not only which ones cover WLS but about insurances in general. When I started out I didn't realize such things like policies were differant state to state. The size of your group determined what was sold/given to you without your knowledge. There was all these games you had to play! So if there is people on the site who are experianced and can help I know that would be deeply appreciated by people like me who have had a insurance nightmare. Other questions are very much appreciated too as we are all in the same boat. We all have weight issues and have struggled with them. Thinking about a serious life change like WLS is very scarey. It is so niced to be able to talk with others about life changing events. I bet most of us "newbies",(people who are new to or have not gone through WLS), give those of you who help us a great big THANKYOU for your help! Most of us do realize it takes up your time to help us and most of us really do appreciate it. "A GREAT BIG THANKYOU TO THE HELPERS - YOU ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED" Sincerily, STILL Searching

Thank you for your post. Yes, I am frustrated and disappointed. I am mostly disappointed. Yes, I am going to start saving a little something q month. I also have been trying to be mindful of what I eat. Maybe when the Obama Care kicks in next year there will be provisions for WLS. Maybe I will be able to buy an insurance that does cover it. I would like to stay in the states. We have great Docs here too. I will be positive. If WLS is meant for me to do it will happen. My purpose of joining this site is to learn. Thanks again Searching

Susan, Can you put your message over in Washington Sleevers? That is a State that to my knowlwedge doesn't require insurances to cover WLS. Thank you

03/06/2013 written post Also, don't you love it when people won't look at you. Very well written post kcorsino 14.

03/06/2013 Hi, I signed the pettion and sent the information off to a few people to vote. Obama Care takes affect 2014 I believe. It would be wonderful if WLS was covered. Searching

I will do this. I will also have my hubby vote. Sincerily, Searching

03/05/2013 Hi, I went to two differant seminars and submitted my insurance information. I contacted one of the surgery centers an additional time to see if there was anything I could do and if they would help me with my insurance problem. I even contacted my insurance broker and she submitted additional information to the surgery center for me. It almost started a war! The surgery center insulted my broker. My broker said it was her responsibility to submit information on my behalf as it would have been an errors of ommission if she hadn't. The surgery center representive was mad the broker that she did that. I understand it does cost the Doctors office money and time to mess around with insurances when they are certain in the long run they won't pay. But I wouldn't go to that clinic now due to the viciousness that occurred. It was crazy! I called the insurance commissioners office twice to find out how to get covered. The first time I was told that I would need the doctor to submitt a request for me and if I was denied then I would need to protest it. Their isn't a doctor that is going to do that. The second time I was told that the insurance company I have wouldn't cover it and very few insurance companies in our state would. The company would have to be self insured. Also, Federal employees were covered in this state. I think it depends on the state you are in and what the state requires the insurance companies to cover. I don't know I am lost when it comes to the insurance coverage. Also I am frustrated with all the run around. If anyone could tell me what to do about it I would appreciate it. Being over weight is unhealthy and one would think the insurance company would save money if they helped their clients with their weight problems. I have been lead to believe that the insurance company wasn't going to pay as they think that the consumer isn't going to stay with them that long so they can't recoup there money back. I have tryed to find another insurance company that we could go to and purchase insurance that would cover WLS but I haven't been able to find that out. We pay out over $ 800.00 per month in premiums and their is three of us in our group. I could go on and on as I am really disappointed in our coverage. I just have to keep learning so I may understand how to over come the insurance obstacle. I don't have the money at this time to pay for it myself. If something went wrong I would really be in trouble as my insurance company won't cover that either. So my hope at this time is a better economy! Sincerily, Searching

Hi, I am still messing around with this subject. I have almost given up. I still haven't been able to have surgery. The bad economy hit us hard and our insurance will not pay, ( Its the ROTTEN "R" Insurance) so I haven't been able to have surgery. I just recently seen an ad for Franciscan Hospital in Federal Way. I thought I seen their price listed for the sleeve and it was great. But when I went back to find it It was gone. Has anyone went there for surgery and how it went would be nice to hear about. Thank you Searching...........Still Searching