January 2009

1-5-2009

Ok, so Jan 7 is the WLS Seminar that I am so excited about. 

Step 1, as I am calling it!

I also spoke with my surgeon’s office today - I will be working with Dr. Rehnke!!! He did my mom’s gastric bypass a few years ago and now will be doing my lapband. This is wonderful, I’ve heard NOTHING but good things about this man. 

Also, while on the phone with his office personnell – I got an appointment for orientation and my psych eval! I have the dates written down in the car – have to put those in later. 

Spoke with my PCP’s office as well, they will be faxing over my medical history to the surgeon’s office. That’s 3 full years of history there – gotta go back on the rest of it now. I am sure I have at least 5 years of data available. Just gotta gather it all together in one place.  I feel like this is really going to be a great journey for me. 

Also, I got a Wii Fit for Christmas and have been working out with it – the hula hooping is crazy painful on my abs, but in a good way. I have lost 4.8 lbs so far working with that. I also have been doing nothing but cooking at home and being careful that my husband and I do not eat fried foods and I have been limiting my soda big time! I’ve substituted the soda for crystal light and water as well as fruit juices. The fries that I used to eat a lot of are gone and replaced with crackers and fruits.. it’s getting easier every day. I cannot wait to feel healthy again. It’s been so long. 

In fact, I was thinking back last night about the last time that I was a “healthy” weight – I was 12. I remember being at the doctor with my mom, a friend and her mom.. my friend and I getting our soccer physicals. and even then I weighed a lot more than my friend. I was at 147.. I remember that so vividly. I was the same height that I am now.. and considered healthy. Amazing what 12 more years can do for ya.. 

This will be the year I change.

1/7/09

Tonight is my seminar with Dr. Jessee

I also spoke with the surgeons office again, we’re getting my medical records all over to their facility. I am going around today to make sure that all of my files are being completed immediately. I have 5 years at least worth of documentation to provide. I am thrilled!

I cannot wait to go tonight! I have read so much already… this is just another step in the process for me! Many of the members here have been so helpful! I have been learning so much! My mother is very happy that I am getting this done as well. She says that this is a change in life for me and that I should embrace it and be grateful to have this opprotunity. It’s hard to believe that after all the weight and years of trying to lose weight just to pile it back on.. that this could be a big help for the long term. 

My husband and I have decided that to celebrate - we are going to Disney for his birthday/my congratulatory party. We believe that I will get approved and so we’re already planning our celebration for April. That will give PLENTY of time to get things straightened out. I may even already have the band by then!!

Also, I’m doing my homework and getting all my medical information gathered today to start the application for the surgeon’s office. I have contacted all my gym’s, doctors offices, hospitals and have sent over my request for my medical records. I kept all my fax confirmations and stapled them to the request to prove I’ve already sent it in. This should help me in the next step. I also completed my orientation that SunCoast Bariatrics has you do prior to attending your orientation with the doctors. It’s an online form that you complete just showing that you’ve understood the surgery and that this band is not a miracle cure. That it’s a tool. There is a questionaire that you fill out. It’s easy enough. 

I also saw my PCP today.. he is very supportive of my wls and immediately ordered me an ekg, lung capacity, and blood testing, and chest x-ray. All of which were done today. He has also advised that I receive genetic testing to see if I have markers for cancer, just to see… also, I see the cardiologist and ENT tomorrow to schedule a full pulmonary function test and a sleep study. My PCP is being very thorough as he says that I will need all the ammo I can get when it comes to getting this covered by insurance. I’m grateful that he is so willing to help me along the way

I enjoyed the wls seminar, and got to turn in a lot of my paperwork to Susan Kay (an RN for Palms of Pasadena).. it was very informative. Dr. Jessee REALLY impressed me and I have decided that I want her doing my surgery. I was very calm around her and comfortable with her discussion. She seems very thorough and at the end was so willing to answer any questions that were had by the group. It wasn’t a large group, the way I expected it to be.. but maybe 10 people total? Overall, I had a great experience and DH went with me! He was happy with her overall, but still believes the best way to lose weight is the old fashioned way. However, he is supporting me in this and for that I am appreciative. 

Alright – next week I will have my echo, stress test and my sleep study! All scheduled and ready to go!

I can’t even believe how quickly this is all coming along.

Orientation with Dr. Jessee for me is Jan. 27 – I’m also on the list if there are any cancellations to get in sooner! Believe me, I’ll be calling

Spoke with Aetna today, they seem willing to accept the letter of necessity from my pcp as my diet – not sure if that is going to fly for sure, but they seem happy with it so far. That makes me happy! 

I am actually excited – the nurse, Karen, told me how easy I am making this for her. Eh. I just want to do this. I believe if I want it enough, I’ll get the appointments myself to be done and then I won’t have to wait for them. Better than that, my doctor has been so supportive that it’s unbelievable. 

Everything is just coming together so far. It’s looking almost too easy… makes me question it. Even my husband said it just seems like I am getting no resistance.

Just went through the policy from Aetna – the diet can be in the last 2 years!!! Thankfully, I saw a physician that is also my now neighbor! I called him and asked him about it. Told me he will happily send that over to Dr. Jessee’s office! w00t

Documentation of my physician supervised diet = COMPLETE! 

woohooooo

6 months done!

w00t – I passed my psych, I’ll get a call later today letting me know it is at the physicians office.

Calling now to get my nutritionist appointment Apparently you have to see one regardless with aetna.. according to Joyce.. go me! 1 more step done!!

Apparently according to aetna, I have no nutritionist requirement – as I completed the 6 month diet about a year ago or so.. and it showed that I met with a nutritionist then. 

Also, I got my appointment moved from the 27th to the 19th!!! :D Next monday!!! So it’s moving along quite well. Even Karen from the center said I was just chugging right along. 

I’m happy with that. 

One more thing, the insurance company told me that my out of pocket maximum is 2000.00 for the year! I couldn’t have been more happy. I’ve already paid out a good 1000.00 of that. So, the surgery will now cost me 1000.00 out of pocket, that’s all. Everything else for the rest of the year is covered 100%!!!!!

Last, but certainly not least.. I’ve heard NOTHING but wonderful things about Dr. Jessee…apparently she is one of the few surgeons who attend her own support groups and really take a part in her patients success. I admire that. Very happy with my decision to go with her. 

Also, my EMMI is completed (this is an online tutorial offered by my physician covering the procedure in full for me)… took about 30 minutes? And helped me ensure a full understanding of my pre-op, op and post-op care and concerns. Also helped me come up with some more questions to ask the doctor.

Yes.. I do have to take that stress test after all but that’s ok! Once the cardiologist clears me.. My PCP will clear me for surgery and I’m all done! Then we’ll submit for Aetna approval.

Today is my stress test – in about an hour.

This is the last test before my medical clearance is granted! w00t

Ok, so I have a date – Feb. 11, 2009. 

Pending insurance approval (which we went through today to verify I met all requirements, and I have!!!! So we anticipate hearing the final answer from Aetna in the next week or so…) God, this is going to be a LONG week!!!! But, at least I have a date. To me, that was important.

I also got my vitamins, the back up plan (cash pay option) and I completed my orientation. Oh yes, and my goal weight. I got that too!!! 165 lbs (from surgeon)

Everything is looking good so far. 

*crosses fingers* I hope it stays this way!

Well.. I was submitted to Aetna, still waiting to hear back (apparently Dr. Jessee’s office didn’t sent my information through unitl Thursday.. they did receive a confirmation letter yesterday showing it was all received and under review) so that part is here and it is just killing me!!!! lol

Feb 11.. I keep thinking about that day. What a wonderful Valentine’s present!!! That would be great. My husband is very excited for me too at this point. We’ve gone out to purchase smaller utensils  for me to eat with when the time comes as well as a scale to help me potion the weight of foods. The high protein diet begins on Jan 29 officially. I  really want to hear from the insurance company before then to be sure this is happening.. it would be so frustrating to get there and get a no for an answer….

Other than that, not much is going on.. just in the waiting phases..

WOW! 

So, Feb 11 is on! My date! Insurance will be footing my bill also!

w00t..

I dont’ even know what to say! I just can’t even believe it.. I know that I’ve done all my preparing and what not, but I still feel unprepared.

I started my high protein diet already, I feel like I’m gaining weight.. Just more frustrations on my part. I go for my weigh in and my blood tests today. I’m actually super nervous.

Husband is also very excited!