I am a baby at this please feed me information..about RNY...good and bad....

I have a BMI of 48 and I am 39. I have 2 sons. One 19 in the ARMY and 1 11 in middle school. I have Core Source insurance but not sure what they will cover and if I will have to pay something down. I am trying for my disibility cause of arthritis, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia and possible lupus, and depression. I lost my Mom a few months ago and have tried to fill the emptiness with taters and all that that implies.....any info. good or bad would be muchly appreciated. I am in NW Arkansas and dont travel well. thank you and God Bless.....Kellsis

I too suffer with Fibromyalgia, lupus and osto- arthritus. and of course you can't have all of that and not have depression, so that is on my list too. I am a military wife and have the tri-care insurance which is really only one step above medicare... I weighed 265 and had a BMI of 46 mine was approved with no problems. I can't tell you how much better I feel with all the weight loss so far, the Fibromyalgia has taken a backseat and the arthritus is much better too, the depression is almost gone, and I haven't taken this few drugs in only God knows how long. when you get over the hard part of having your insurance approved you will feel soooo much better and begin a new life. I am sure that you too have been told with the fibro. abd the possible lupus to get off the aspertain, well it is true it will make such a diffrence, I could bearly walk before my surgery and now i am doing a mile a day! I cut out all the diet coke nad no crystal Light it has it too, and a combination of everything has made a diffrence. hang in there it is a long process and it is frustrating, but I promise that it is going to be worth it!! I will try to answer ay questions that you may have, good luck! and don't give up!

Angela- I too live in NW AR., Bethel Heights to be exact. There are no MD's in our area currently doing WLS. Thre is a Dr. In Ft Smith, Dr Janes, who does WLS. I am told he only does the open procedure. I had my surgery at UAMS in Little Rock with Dr. Galvin. Dr Galvin does the lap WLS and my experience has been very good. My recovery has been good and I feel wonderful. I have lost slower, down about 60 lbs in 4 1/2 months, but I have NEVER vomited and my labs are normal. He has great office staff who do the insurance verification. If you are interested in going to LR you can get Dr Galvins number from this web site. Do not give up. There is a support group that meets at St Marys Hospital at 2pm the 2nd Sunday of ea month. Attending a mtg might help.

Hi Angela, I live in Mountain Home. I also have coresource and as far as what they cover related to WLS depends on what kind of policy your employer has with them. My employer does not allow any coverage for any interventions related to wt loss even when medically necessary. And I work for Baxter Regional Med. Center in Mountain Home where they are starting up a Bariatrics program. They have made some concessions and will cover 50% of the cost but the other half they are requiring up front before surgery. My est. out of pocket cost is $8000. Quite a punch to the pocketbook. Fortunately my huband and I have made additional investments in life insurance and iras so we shoud be able to access the cash from there. But it definately has been a roller coaster. I figure giving up that mediterainian cruise I had hoped to take one day is worth the investment of that cash toward improving my health and well-being. I wish you the best of luck on your journey toward a healtier thinner life. Cindy N.