Mrs Sabre

Thank you everyone! Kim, if I can wait this long to get through the insurance process, what's a little longer for a surgery date? Angie, I agree with Kim, please let us know if you get a date too ... or would you like for us to fix you up with one?

Thank you all for the well wishes! I'm am ecstatic! God is so good! I've been praying on this from the beginning. His will be done, in His time, in my life

My older brother came down from Roanoke, VA this weekend and hung out with us. It was low key and enjoyable. Getting caught up, I didn't get nearly enough sleep this weekend, and am dragging big time today. The pinched nerve is improving, albeit very slowly. I'd say it's 40% better? Any/all improvement is appreciated. I'll leave a message with my PCP later this morning and see if he wants to go for a second round of steroids or give it more time first? I'll call the appeals line again on Thursday. I've already decided on Plan B. If not approved this time, I'm going back to my PCP for appetite suppressant meds, and I'm going to pretend I have a band ... including the two weeks of liquids and mushies, etc.

Happy Friday everyone! Special thanks to Kim, who let me cry on her shoulder yesterday! Between awaiting a verdict on my appeal, work being crazy, and fighting chronic pain with this pinched nerve, I haven't been coping very well lately. I've been doing a ton of emotional eating, and being on steroids, I'm grateful I haven't gained any weight! I hope everyone is doing well!

I'll try is the best I can offer right now. Things are unpredictable at work, and overtime is on the horizon.

I finally got an answer from UHC. According to UHC my average BMI falls within 35-40, but my co-morbidities are insufficient. Approval has been denied. I imagine Dr. V will appeal? I'll ask Kim and let you know.

I called the appeals service center this morning. It's still under medical review; a determination has not yet been made. I'm praying!

Congratulations Vickie! Who is doing your surgery? Our thoughts and prayers go with you. Like Melissa, I hope you can join us for lunch on May 20th.

I'd rather give you a big slow HUG than swift kick in the tushy Maybe we can prop each other up? Between physical pain from the pinched nerve and insurance denial, I haven't been coping too well myself. Today is a new day, and I started journaling what I'm eating. I'm using www.fitday.com so I know the quality of my food too. I'm taking it one meal and one day at a time, and reminding myself that eating myself stupid isn't the answer. I'm trying to make a point of thinking about what I'm eating and why I'm eating it. If I'm not hungry, I'm going to try to refrain from eating at all. If I cannot refrian, I'm going to try to grab something very light and healthy, like fruit. I hope this helps? Hang in there lady, and God bless you!

TGIF Ladies! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wow! Now that's a trip! I have some killer acid reflux, but my endoscopy was completely normal.

Many or few, it doesn't matter. We're happy to hear from you!

Interestingly, Kim at Dr. V's office and I have gotten the opposite result ... they've told me more than they've told her. I know of two others here at NC LBT that have/had the same insurance through the same employer, but were within the guidelines and quickly approved. I believe I've stated my case very well with the letter I sent. (attached) Up to this point, everything has gone very well. All the doctors, shrinks, etc. thought I'm a really good candidate for Lap Band. I won't give up without a try. It's just been a very long journey already, and I'm getting tired. I too believe His will for my life will be done, and in His time. This may simply be a lesson in patience. 1stAppealLBT.doc

God bless and thank you all for the words of encouragement! I called the appeals line again today. The gal that answered regurgitated verbatim the content of my call on Friday, and then stated it had not been 20 days yet. When asked if it ever varies, she said it's always 20 days for prior approval and 30 days if the service has already been provided. I've marked my calendar for May 19th and will not call them again until that afternoon. Who knows, maybe I'll have good news when we meet for lunch again on May 20th?

I had a good extended weekend with my Mom, but the trips to and from WV made it seem shorter and wore me out! I expect work to be really busy this week; so I may be somewhat incommunicado. I'll call the appeals board every Friday until I hear something. I can't wait until May 20th; I miss you all! I know we can write, but it's not quite the same as seeing everyone's smiling faces!

Hey Kim, after talking to everyone and their brothers at UHC and the Appeals Service Center last week, the "no coverage" just means they won't cover me because I don't meet their definition of morbidly obese based upon average BMI and co-morbidities. The gal I talked to at the Appeals Service center read the underlying detail to me. I haven't received a letter yet.

OK, I just hung up with the appeals service center. They have my letter; it's logged and a case number has been assigned. I was told it could take up to another month to review and a decision made. More waiting! :Banane56:

Dianne, you really need me to be your concierge on this trip! :Banane56:

Canceling has actually worked out better for me afterall. I'm heading to WV this evening to bring my Mom down for the weekend. She wasn't able to get anyone to switch shifts with her at Lowe's, so she's working until 9 p.m. Instead of making a round trip this evening, which would have left us free for coffee in the morning, I'm staying over and we'll head back in the morning. We won't be back in time for coffee and have plans beginning around lunch time. I'd love to see you Melissa, but this weekend's plans have changed drastically for me.

Melissa, busy is good. I can use some 20/22 pants. I wear the ones from the last clothes exchange a lot! Kim, how's work? How's Curtis doing? Angie, we're praying for you! Put it in His hands and things will be as they should! Dianne, can I be your concierge? I'll take good care of you while on the cruise and sleep on the floor! :Banane56: Jennifer, you're doing great! Keep venting as needed; it helps. Wavy, how are you doing? Denika? Where are Starr, Sherrie, Magic, Geomyth, Vericks, Stacy, Oreilly76, Oh2bethin, Court, NClonghorn, skyeblu79, who else?

I voted for the 20th, but th 13th is good for me too. I need you all right now! My DH is great, but he freaks a little when I fall apart and bawl.

Thank you Kathy! You've lifted us up; now tell us, how are you doing these days?

I don't know if I should call the appeals service center and harrass them now or wait and see? I yo-yo between being optimistic and deeply depressed. John and I talked about "what if I'm not approved" months ago, and he flat out said Mexico is not an option. Even if going there for surgery were an option, I don't think I could deal with the hassle of finding a doctor to do fills. I think financially, financing is an option, but it would set our goals back about 5 years. I know that's not long in the grand scheme of things, but when you've been working on those goals for a number of years already, the thought of postponing them further makes you cringe. Emotionally, I think I'm more afraid of staying obese than going further into debt. I may not have high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., but I am falling apart with other weight related problems.

Dianne & Kim, yes, we need to do lunch! I park 1/2 mile from the office and would spend half my lunch traveling to and from my car; so if you can come downtown, that would be great. My boss is very flexible though, so I can take an extended lunch if need be to meet you somewhere. OK Melissa, I see you out there; how are you doing? Let's say a special prayer for Angie too. I hope we hear from her again soon. Jennifer, I'm glad you're opening up. Doesn't it feel great to let it all out? OBTW Dianne, can you bring back souvenirs from Cancun? Where is everyone else? I hope everyone is happy and busy, and just doesn't have time to talk?

Since I won't be drinking pina coladas with Dianne in Cancun , then I'm free for May 20th.