Trying to stay positive to complete the requirements

[Newbeva 73]

I am currently working on completing my requirements to be approved for gastric sleeve surgery. I started my journey in November when I met with Dr. Turton for my consult. Since then, it has seemed like every time I get excited about this journey I am on, something happens to derail me.

For my insurance I have to do 3 months of Physician Monitored weight loss. Started with my original PCP in November and was doing rather well. 1 week before my next visit, I received a letter from him stating that he was closing his practice to become a concierge doctor and that I could continue care with him for a yearly fee of $2500.... no thanks. After that I found a new PCP and restarted my journey in December with her. So far everything for that is going great. And she has had bariatric surgery so she knows some of the struggles.

The main part that has been keeping me down is cardiology. I had an abnormal ekg and have to get cleared by cardiology to have surgery. I've known I had a heart murmur for a few years but was always told it was nothing to be concerned about. The cardiologist decided I needed an Echocardiogram to make sure that all looked good. Had it done along with my treadmill stress test (longest 6 mins every! but passed with flying colors. lol) and was feeling great and getting excited. Then the next day he calls and tells me I have to do a Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to evaluate the size of a hole they found in my heart. So of course that killed my excitement and I began worrying about the financial side of it.

The following week I went and had the TEE done and at first he said he needed to consult with the specialist that actually repairs those types of things because to him it looked rather large. 10 minutes later he comes back in and tell me and my mother and grandmother that the specialist said it is a rather small hole and isn't affecting the way my hear muscle is working at all and that I am good to go. He diagnosed it as an Atrial Septal Defect. He said he would do my clearance letter the next day. I was stoked and finally looking at the home stretch of the requirements.

Then of course the next day I get another call from him stating that they "forgot" to get some images during the TEE and that I need to come in and have another echocardiogram done (free of charge at least). So I was like "okay... no big deal. A few needed images then I'll be cleared".

Nope! he called me an hour after I left and tells me that based on the new images, there is a size discrepancy between what the Echo shows and what the TEE shows. Therefore, I now have to do an MRI of my heart. When I hung up with him I was so mad that I cried and was just ready to quit and give up. I feel like I am being yanked around because he knows I can't decline the further testing and still get cleared for surgery. I get he has to make sure I am good to go for surgery but after an extensive amount of research I am not concerned about the hole. It is very common and the fact that the specialist that does these repairs isn't concerned... makes me wonder why I am having to do this. And also why when the hole was first discovered, didn't he just order the MRI to determine the size once and for all instead of wasting my time and money.

The schedulers called me and told me that I had my MRI appt on Feb 8th. I decided not to let this hold me back and was beginning to get excited again because the way everything was scheduled I would have my requirements met by Feb 16th. Of course, I get a call this morning that someone made a scheduling error and they cannot do the MRI until March 8th. They have me on a cancellation list in case someone cancels before then... but after that call I started feeling discouraged again. I feel like every time I get my hopes up, something happens to yank away that happiness and it makes me wonder if this is worth it. My friends and husband both reassured me that it is going to be worth it in the end and to not think about the long road I am on to get there... but where that road will take me. I get that... and I want to be excited about all this like before... but at this point I am struggling to keep my chin up. Especially since I am an emotional eater and I want nothing more than to drown my emotions in something completely yummy and horrible for me. Which I can't do because I can't gain a single pound before surgery and I need to stay on track... which is hard, but I will stick to it.

Some may think that I am stupid but I have determined that if the cardiologist calls me after the MRI and says it is big enough to need repaired sooner rather than later, I will refuse. I do not feel that this hole will have much effect on being under anesthesia for less than an hour or 2. I had my tonsils out last year with zero problems with anesthesia. But I do feel like having heart surgery with my BMI this high could be risky. I will gladly have it repaired once I lose about 40 or 50 lbs so my BMI is lower and I am in better health. I also will have met my out of pocket and it wouldn't cost me much if any at all.

I am sorry this is such a long post. I just mainly needed to vent and there are very few people that know I am having surgery or that I feel comfortable enough telling them all this (my mom has already gone against my wishes and told my grandmother about me having surgery. She says she doesn't understand the secrecy. I told her it is my health and my decision as to whom I tell what to.)

On the plus side, I will probably meet my out of pocket maximum either before the surgery or will meet it with the surgery. Surgery copay is $2500 and I've met $800 of my $3500 out of pocket before the TEE has been processed and this MRI. Guess that is one good thing to look forward too.

[HB76356 122]

Don't let it get you down. You know what you're looking to accomplish and don't be diverted from your goal.

My insurance wanted 6 months of preop dieting (2lbs a month). I went to all the required preop stuff (pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, etc). Everything is set, until they realized they put the wrong dates on the Cardiologist clearances and it will expire before my surgery, start that over. Pushes surgery into new year AND new deductible. You still won't make me quit.

Got the surgery done, last Monday, the 23rd!

You've come farther than you think, just deciding to make the change, you can cover the rest of the ground.

[DaleCruse 756]

I'm sorry all this is happening to you. You don't deserve it.

[Newbeva 73]

Don't let it get you down. You know what you're looking to accomplish and don't be diverted from your goal.

My insurance wanted 6 months of preop dieting (2lbs a month). I went to all the required preop stuff (pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, etc). Everything is set, until they realized they put the wrong dates on the Cardiologist clearances and it will expire before my surgery, start that over. Pushes surgery into new year AND new deductible. You still won't make me quit.

Got the surgery done, last Monday, the 23rd!

You've come farther than you think, just deciding to make the change, you can cover the rest of the ground.

Thank you so much. I keep reminding myself that even with all this I'm still over halfway done with requirements. It just makes me feel like the universe is against me doing this. But I will get this done and I will lose and become healthy!

Hope you're doing good since you're surgery!

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry all this is happening to you. You don't deserve it.

Thank you. Me too.

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[HB76356 122]

No problem! It does seem that way when you are trapped in the middle, but the day will come before you know it.

I'm doing ok so far, still some pain, but that appears to be the norm. Looking forward to getting back to working out (with more results!).

Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

[Newbeva 73]

No problem! It does seem that way when you are trapped in the middle, but the day will come before you know it.

I'm doing ok so far, still some pain, but that appears to be the norm. Looking forward to getting back to working out (with more results!).

Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I wish you lots of success and can't wait to see your results. You will rock this!

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[HB76356 122]

Thanks! I still have a ways to go, but I've already learned a bunch of stuff from the people here.

Keep us up to date on your stuff too.

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[mustangchick2008 23]

Everything happens for a reason! It may just seem like the doctor is wasting your time and money, but there is a reason your wait has been extended! Just relax and confide in HIM. Pray and do not cease! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

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[charlies.angel 17]

I started In November as well. I have to do 6 months of. Physician supervised diet and exercise, im halfway there

[sassy_tiffanyga 6]

Hey I am going through Dr turton in Lagrange to it took me 8 months to finally get approved due to my psych eval.. that group of people is great tonya is the best she makes sure u have completed everything and she will fight ur insurance for you until it's approved good luck

Sent from my Z820 using the BariatricPal App

[Newbeva 73]

Everything happens for a reason! It may just seem like the doctor is wasting your time and money, but there is a reason your wait has been extended! Just relax and confide in HIM. Pray and do not cease! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you.

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[Newbeva 73]

Hey I am going through Dr turton in Lagrange to it took me 8 months to finally get approved due to my psych eval.. that group of people is great tonya is the best she makes sure u have completed everything and she will fight ur insurance for you until it's approved good luck

Sent from my Z820 using the BariatricPal App

So far they all seem really nice. My next appointment with them is towards the end of February so hopefully by then the only thing I'll be missing is my cardiac clearance.

When did you have your surgery? How was it and how was your follow up with dr. Turton after?

I chose him because a good friend went to him and I saw her amazing results. I do like them there and have yet to have any kind of bad experience with them whether in person or on the phone.

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[sassy_tiffanyga 6]

Hey I am going through Dr turton in Lagrange to it took me 8 months to finally get approved due to my psych eval.. that group of people is great tonya is the best she makes sure u have completed everything and she will fight ur insurance for you until it's approved good luck

Sent from my Z820 using the BariatricPal App

So far they all seem really nice. My next appointment with them is towards the end of February so hopefully by then the only thing I'll be missing is my cardiac clearance.

When did you have your surgery? How was it and how was your follow up with dr. Turton after?

I chose him because a good friend went to him and I saw her amazing results. I do like them there and have yet to have any kind of bad experience with them whether in person or on the phone.

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I am sheduled for February 13th.. I hope they clear you for cardiac.

I will keep u posted

[Newbeva 73]

So exciting! It'll be here before you know it! I look forward to seeing your updates and maybe we will see each other at one of those support meetings they have if you go.

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[sassy_tiffanyga 6]

So exciting! It'll be here before you know it! I look forward to seeing your updates and maybe we will see each other at one of those support meetings they have if you go.

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Most definitely, I hope to see you