Scared and frustrated kind of long--started venting sry

cmww33 · January 20, 2008

I am worried that I won't get approved again. I had UHC and my employer had bariatric excluded. So, I had my hubby add me to his insurance (it is Aetna) and a large company. I know they have alot of pre-requisites, but it is better than being excluded completely. I am morbidly obese and I may have comorbidities and also have done weight watchers for 8 months in the last 1 1/2 years. I also tried Quick Weight Loss 2 different times. I am currently seeing a counselor and I am hoping all of this will be taken into consideration. I cannot get a referral from my PCP because he is totally against surgery for weight loss and believes I should just do it myself. HELLO! I have been trying that since I was in 7th grade and have never succeeded. I was 195 in 7th grade and 11 years old. My hubby is against surgery too. His mom died from an infection she got in the hospital after a surgery. I do have support from my sister and my best friend but my mom is against it too. My mom has always been against me dieting in anyway though. I really need a PCP who will support me in this decision. I live in Houston.

allykat · January 20, 2008

I'd switch PCP and find someone you are comfortable with. As for your mom and husband, maybe they just don't understand the surgery. Find one of the videos online for them or maybe take your DH to your appt. with a bariatric physician. Good luck!

Chrisann · January 21, 2008

See if a bariatric surgeon in your area can recommend a PCP to use.

And Good Luck, I had some complications, but still thrilled I had the band put in.

vballmom · January 21, 2008

CMWW33 Hello, I also live in Houston and wonder if you have diabetes? If so I saw at doctor at the Diabetes Center in NW Houston and a nut also they were both very supportive of having the lapband surgery.

bbjerseygirl · January 21, 2008

Aetna approves WLS and it sounds like you meet all the criteria. So that is hopeful. As far as your PCP goes, tell him he works for you, not the other way around. He does not have to agree with your choices but he does have to provide you with a referral. My doc did the same thing and I thanked him for his opinion but told him I wanted a referral anyway. He gave me a real hard time and I flat out told him that it was not his choice or his body and if he refused I would report him to my insurance company for refusal of service and I would switch PCP's anyway. Which by the way, I did after I got the referral. If you were a 102 lbs, I could see him refusing, but you do however meet all the necessary requirements. Sometimes you have to take a stand for what you believe in and push forward. Sometimes you can't be nice to get what you need (not want). He will just have to give in and work with you. Good luck.