I Had My 11th Month Check Up Too!

I've missed my 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th month checkups with my surgeon because she no longer takes my insurance. I finally remembered to ask my pcp if he would order all the blood tests and pinch hit for the surgeon. My blood work was excellent. The man was amazed at how healthy I am. He was most amazed that my LDL cholesterol is now 79. Protein, B-12 and everything else is all good. I was worried because I'm not the best about remembering my vitamins, but I've finally got a system. I realized that I just don't like to swallow pills so I finally went and got everything in chewable form. I even keep a bottle of Flintstones in the car just for fun. One of the main reasons I was there was to get him to write a letter of medical necessity for a tummy tuck. I felt a little silly as I stood there while he hauled my belly from side to side, held it up and dropped it and smooshed it around. He was fascinated by my hanging flab. It was pretty funny. Then he got all fired up and started writing. I started to say something and he shushed me while he wrote furiously. lol Tomorrow I go to the orthopaedic surgeon and the day after that, my physical therapist will have a letter of medical necessity for me. At the end of the week, I'll hit the chiropractor. I have my MRI results that show a bulging disk and a couple of degenerated disks. I also have lovely pictures of rashes. I see the plastic surgeon on the 31st of March. If you guys have any suggestions for anything else I should include for insurance purposes, let me know. Connie

Connie, Good luck on March 31st!!! One thing you might do that does help with some insurance...is to write a personal statement of your own. Tell how the skin impedes your everyday life and effects you emotionally. Things like clothing sizes, running up a flight of stairs, intimate relationships, just to give you some suggestions. Of course you may want to save this in case you have to appeal but other than what you've already got, I don't have any suggestions. Like you I had back problems - which the rapid WL had caused scoliosis and the hanging skin had caused horrible sciatica from a bulging disc. Now I'm anxiously waiting to see if my back is happier after the TT. Va

You go, girlfriend! Seems we're walking the same path. I'm working with a PT as well for all sorts of pains -- hip, arm, shoulders, back...but she is not agreeable to associating these problems with WLS; she's pretty ignorant about anyone who is 10 lbs. overweight, one of those sensibilities that believes in "Willpower" and anyone who gets severely overweight only has themselves to blame. My PCP is working with me on documenting everything so hopefully it will fly. Keep us posted, Connie. I'm with you all the way!! Reenie

I have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words, also, so you might want to consider having the plastic surgeon take some unflattering shots... Good luck, baby! And congrats on your blood work! Jen

Connie All sounds too familiar as have some of the same problems, but glad to hear your on your way to maybe solving the problem. At least you have a Doc that wants to help you in that compacity. A lot of them wouldn't go to that much trouble. Hope it all works out and that everything looks so good as your blood work. Be computer- less for about 5 days, going to San Diego to see MOM who hasn't seen me since surgery. It will be fun!! Talk at you all when I return. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Congrats on the check up and the fantastic blood work! Also good luck on the approval for the TT. I am still in denile that I will need one. One can hope can't we? Keep us posted. Leslie