Another update...
Last weekend we traveled the 6 1/2 hour trip from home to meet with another surgeon. Dr. Freeman did an EGD and CT scan at the hospital. He also repaired my groshon (the IV in my chest) as a stitch had come lose and since I had to be put to sleep anyway he repaired it for me. Anyway after the EGD he told me that the camera would not pass from my pouch to the intestines and that it should look like a long tunnel (he even showed me and my DH pictures) but mine looks NOTHING like this. He said that I would need a complete revision and that he also found on the CT scan something that concerned him what could have been a leak early on had formed a pill like object on top of the instines. He said he also saw on the CT scan in a 5cm space where my female organs use to be (I had a hysterectomy in 1997) 17 clips! yes 17 in a 5cm space on the left side!! 
He asked if I had to have a blood transfusion because he couldn't see why I would have so many unless I was bleeding out. I said NO! He said he was going to check this out as he would have to do an open procedure. He said he wasn't sure if I had twisted bowels again, (I have severe daily pain which I am on demerol for), or if I have a hernia or what is going on he just knows he can't get in the space after the pouch and he should be able to. He also told me that I would have to have drains and was not sure how long the surgery would take but that when it was over he would know everything about my insides! 
He was going to make sure it was all done right. I would also be just like it was in the beginning starting at square one - but like DH said not like I've moved much from it anyway. My lab work was done and my iron, and protein levels are low (protein at 13 out of 20) and my red blood count is low - which worries the doctor. So we came back home on Tuesday to pray about it - Dr. Freeman prayed with us before we left. Now that is an awesome doctor! One that prays with you. Anyway we needed time to take everything in and decide what the next step was when we got home... Dr. Freeman wanted to operate in the next week or so. Wednesday they called to say that they contacted my insurance to get prior authorization and it was denied. Yes, denied.
They normally don't cover revisions I was told because it's like getting another gastric bypass. Dr. Freeman's nurse told me that he would do it for 5,000 dollars! And that I would have to pay that up front. It is half of his regular rate. And then there is the hospital bill - which I could make payment arrangements on. I started to cry. I cried all day long. I went to church that night with red puffy eyes. And cried some more. I felt like this was my answer from GOD because there was no way we could afford that. My current health situasion had set us back so much already. DH has missed work, we are making payments on the home healthcare... it goes on and on. And I felt like I had finally seen the light after such a long, long time of illness there was the light and it was ripped away from me. It hurt. I finally had the answer the solution and it was gone. Thursday I put it back to GOD and told him I KNEW he had a MIRACLE in store for me. I don't know the HOW yet but He's working it out! And I'm going to watch GOD'S almighty WONDERS at work!! I am standing in faith that it's not over yet and that if this is the answer then it will be GOD'S answer. He can move MOUNTAINS and my Mountain is about to be moved. I just thought I would share.. especially for everyone to see the wonder blessing and miracle about to happen in my life 
Watch GOD work!!
Julie
Who will be well soon enough.. this is one of my last late night pain post! My healing is at hand!!
He asked if I had to have a blood transfusion because he couldn't see why I would have so many unless I was bleeding out. I said NO! He said he was going to check this out as he would have to do an open procedure. He said he wasn't sure if I had twisted bowels again, (I have severe daily pain which I am on demerol for), or if I have a hernia or what is going on he just knows he can't get in the space after the pouch and he should be able to. He also told me that I would have to have drains and was not sure how long the surgery would take but that when it was over he would know everything about my insides! He was going to make sure it was all done right. I would also be just like it was in the beginning starting at square one - but like DH said not like I've moved much from it anyway. My lab work was done and my iron, and protein levels are low (protein at 13 out of 20) and my red blood count is low - which worries the doctor. So we came back home on Tuesday to pray about it - Dr. Freeman prayed with us before we left. Now that is an awesome doctor! One that prays with you. Anyway we needed time to take everything in and decide what the next step was when we got home... Dr. Freeman wanted to operate in the next week or so. Wednesday they called to say that they contacted my insurance to get prior authorization and it was denied. Yes, denied.
They normally don't cover revisions I was told because it's like getting another gastric bypass. Dr. Freeman's nurse told me that he would do it for 5,000 dollars! And that I would have to pay that up front. It is half of his regular rate. And then there is the hospital bill - which I could make payment arrangements on. I started to cry. I cried all day long. I went to church that night with red puffy eyes. And cried some more. I felt like this was my answer from GOD because there was no way we could afford that. My current health situasion had set us back so much already. DH has missed work, we are making payments on the home healthcare... it goes on and on. And I felt like I had finally seen the light after such a long, long time of illness there was the light and it was ripped away from me. It hurt. I finally had the answer the solution and it was gone. Thursday I put it back to GOD and told him I KNEW he had a MIRACLE in store for me. I don't know the HOW yet but He's working it out! And I'm going to watch GOD'S almighty WONDERS at work!! I am standing in faith that it's not over yet and that if this is the answer then it will be GOD'S answer. He can move MOUNTAINS and my Mountain is about to be moved. I just thought I would share.. especially for everyone to see the wonder blessing and miracle about to happen in my life
Watch GOD work!!
Julie
Who will be well soon enough.. this is one of my last late night pain post! My healing is at hand!! 
Julie, I'm so sorry you have had such a terrible time with this. I'm glad you've finally found a Dr. who can do what needs to be done and is willing to do it for a lower price. I pray that you will find a way to pay for it all! If there is anything we can do please let us know!
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Anna
Just wanting to gibe you a little light at the end of the tunnel here. Please remember that medical costs that are not reimbursed are tax deductible.
With all you've been through, how can you not go forward and get some well deserved relief for yourself and your family.
I know $5,000 is a lot of money but not when you compare it to good health.
Julie, if it were me, there would be nothing to think about. The only questiion that I would have is, "Where do I sign."
Be well,
Ronna
Julie,
What about medicare or medicaid? Could the doctor submit a request for exploratory surgery to look at the bowels, hernia, etc and then do the other repairs while he was in there. By no means am I suggesting he lie. I am suggesting that he bill for one of the other procedures and do the other for free since he is willing to discount his rate anyway.
Prayers to you my sister.
God Bless!
Jen
Jen,
You know you think he would.. I have Medicare Complete so that is not helping and we don't qualify for medicaid as my DH works. Which is crazy considering my medical bills each month outweigh what he brings in. Medicare only covers my home healthcare at 50%!
My friends on the OH local state board are trying to put together a fundraiser to help raise money for my medical bills. They are going to do a bake sale/ benefit concert from what I have heard so far.
GOD is moving Mountains Jen. And I know soon this will work itself out.
Julie
My friends on the OH local state board are trying to put together a fundraiser to help raise money for my medical bills. They are going to do a bake sale/ benefit concert from what I have heard so far.
GOD is moving Mountains Jen. And I know soon this will work itself out.
Julie 
Carmen Griffin
Here is the orginal post so that you may contact her.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/AL/postdetail/221082.html?vc=0
Thank you, Jen! I certainly appreciate all of the support everyone has given me. It has been a long, long journey!!
How's miracle #2?? I'm still praying for you both 
Julie
Julie 
Julie, Julie, Julie...I'm so sorry you have had to go through all of this. Somehow, you still see the light in all of this and really keep your head up high. It just makes me think of my "woe is me" problems, and they are nothing compared to what you've been going through. I really am praying for you and your family. Hopefully your solution will come very quickly!
April
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