Holding Pattern in Mississippi

[Kimberly Henson Edwards 0]

Hey Ya'll, My name is Kim. I'm 29 years old, and unlike some of you I have been overweight all of my life. I had thought about having the bypass but enjoy traveling and felt in the back woods if I got into trouble it would be easier to fix with the band.

I went to my first Doctor visit on Novemeber the 20th, 2007. Since then I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, hypertension, and gastric reflux. All I can say is more money in the cards for me to have the surgery. I'm a nurse and work at night, our health insurance requires a 6 month weight loss trial so i guess for me I feel like time is standing still.

I go back to the doctor tomorrow and we will discuss all of my test results. Cross your fingers for me guys, I've been going to LA weight loss since December of 2006 and hope that my insurance will take it as my weight loss trial, if not I will have to wait till May to be banded:( :tongue:

God Bless,

Kim :smile:

[Dedria 0]

So what was the verdict, Kim? I'm in Louisiana, but I went to Mexico to have the surgery done at about 1/2 the cost of here... just couldn't afford it. I know a couple of nurses who made the trip, too... great docs.

[Savedbygrace 11]

Hey Kim! I am in TN but from MS and plan to move back there in a few years so I'm trying to keep up with that state so I'll have a doctor to go to for fills.

Anyway........... lol

I don't know what insurance you have but I have BCBS of AL and they also require the 6 month period. In their medical policy.. it states that LA Weight loss is acceptable but you also have to send in physicians notes that heshe recorded you were going there or attempting to loose weight. Look into the policy guidelines. For most of them, you can find it online. If I can help in anyway, let me know.

I will finish my 6 months at the end of next month ...wwooooo hhoo!!

[Kimberly Henson Edwards 0]

well I finally got approved for surgery! WOOOOO HOOO less that two weeks

[Kimberly Henson Edwards 0]

Wendy,

Great news for me, my insurance approved me early!!!!!!!! I found my contract for LA weight loss and my physician in his documentation did say that I was going to LA weight loss periodically when I was. I lost some weight but quit in August of last year and gained most of it back. In November I went to the doctor and had him put me on a diet and get a referral for surgery.

After going for three months to the doctor and returning to my bariatric surgeon Wednesday he stated I was ready for surgery. This is a new program, the surgeon did gastric bypasses previously but the hospital quit paying on his malpractice and he stopped doing it till getting a deal with the hospital.

He got a deal last year and they created a whole Bariatic Clinic, and designed a special area of the hospital with even mile markers and education rooms. The Bariatric Clinic of course has nutrition, counseling, everying it is the one stop shop.

Since the program is new, Dr. Pinson has been pushing people through insurance, and well time is money so I'm getting to go on with the surgery now! WOO HOO 2/5/08

[Savedbygrace 11]

Congradulations!! That is great! Keep us updated!!

[faithmd 14]

CONGRATS on getting approved!!! But I have a question, how many bands has your surgeon done? That is a consideration. I am certain that as a nurse I do not have to tell you that you want someone experienced to place your band.

Have you discussed this with him?

[Kimberly Henson Edwards 0]

He has done around 300 now. My Surgeon spent almost a year doing them in Alabama at UNA, also he has done the gastric bypasses in the past as well he is very experience and a good surgeon. As a scrub tech I spent some time in his OR and I know I'm in good hands.

[faithmd 14]

That's wonderful! It is soooooo important to be confident in and comfortable with your surgeon. How fantastic that you have seen him in the OR already.