Serious problem with my legs, worse problem with my stupid insurance company

This just isn't even fair!!! I went to the plastic surgeon/ wound care specialist yesterday. He said I had to stay off my feet. He said I have a very serious problem. If I don't get the swelling down and get these sores healed that I could loose my legs. "Have I considered getting bariatric surgery?" he asked. So I explained to him what I am trying to do at Ark rehab. He said he would write me a letter. He said that even if I had the surgery for my legs that they would just be a problem healing . Worse than the sores are now and seriously, YOU COULD LOOSE YOUR LEGS. I thought since this was a circulation problem that if I started to walk and get around more it would be better. It isn't. He said NO, no, no. Go home and stay off your feet. You have to get the swelling down. You have a real problem. To think, I nearly canceled this appointment again. You know, I think an insurance company that won't provide medical assistance to someone with my medical problems is seriously negligant (sp?) and their policy is obviously discrimminating against obese people. Written exclusion policy my aunt fanny! Speaking of which; I got an explination of benefits form the other day from them saying they would not pay for something my primary doctor ordered. Said there was a written exclusion policy about it. I asked what the test was and they said they couldn't discuss that with me. UH? My policy, my test, but they can't discuss it with me. Said to call my doctor. Well, I called my doctor. It was a test for thyroid with apparently a diagnosis of obesity. I asked "WHAT?" You mean to tell me that there is a blood test to diagnose obesity? Could you not tell by looking at me that I am obese?!!?? Did the scales not give you a clue? $69 for this blood test! I ain't gonna pay for that. She laughed and said she would take care of it. You see insurance will pay for it if the diagnosis is hypertension. They will pay for the high blood pressure, the sleep apnea, CPAP, plastic surgeon, all the steroids and assorted drugs, ect, ect, and they will pay for the surgery to CUT MY LEGS OFF! But they won't pay for the WLS. And all of this and more could be aleviated completely if I had this surgery. I am sorry, but I feel just a little discriminated against! Well, I have ranted enough for the moment. Sorry for all the ugly comments folks. Guess I better go put my feet up. As up as I can get them anyway.

I'm so sorry about your leg. Hang in there and get your leg well. I will pray for you. Debbie Moya Dr. Baker 9/22/03 354/190/147

Hi Bonnie, Get your feet elevated above heart level, and keep them there!!! I have the same problem, and I am five weeks post op and they are still swollen, but not as bad as they were pre op. It will take a lot more than my 33 pound loss to get my legs back to normal. This swelling is dangerous, and it definitely can lead to amputation. This is what I was heading toward before I got my surgery. Mine were at the point where they were weeping. Are yours doing that? I still have unhealed sores on both legs, but they are improving, it is a slow process. By the way, I went through AR Rehab, and it took me sixteen months (that's right -- SIXTEEN MONTHS!!!) of fighting and appealing their decisions before I was finally approved for surgery. After the fourth denial, I wrote them a letter pleading with them not to allow my health to continue to deteriorate to the point of amputation. I had numerous letters from my doctor, and finally I was approved. I will pray that everything improves for you, as well, and that you are able to have this surgery. God Bless!

Julia, Yes mine are weeping. Have been for months. This round has been going on since January. The scare tissue from the last is horrible, too. My legs are reddish purple in large patches and itch so bad. Do your's itch? Hey what about you?!! 33 pounds! That is so great! Way to go. I am sorry yours aren't healed yet. But they are a little better?? I hope so. I am afraid that Ark. Rehab is going to deny me also. I couldn't get the surgeons thing. They wanted $350 just for a consult. Most of the doctors want to see me before they will write a letter too. That is so awful I think. Like they need to see me for that. The pulmonologist wants chest x-rays and pulmonary functions test before he will see me. I just got these done in October of last year. Just got it payed off too. The allergist won't write letters. Won't even sign it if I write it for him. Says he doesn't do letters. He is also the only allergist in network for our insurance. If I choose to use another then they all want to retest. I am talking several hundred dollars. I just wish these doctors would work with me instead of just working for the insurance company. You know what I mean? Well, thanks for the advice and the prayers. By the way. You haven't updated your profile. You stopped in the middle of telling about yourself. Hint, hint! LOL....

I know, I know! I just haven't had time. My 5 year old just had tonsil and adenoid removal surgery, so I've had my plate full taking care of her and keeping up with her four year old sister who is a ball of energy. I will update soon, I promise! But for now, I'm off to bed......

keep those legs up,,,Mine weeped til surgery,,,now they are back to normal,,,The drs wanted to cut mine off,,,because of an infection that took 29 days in the hosp to cure,,

how much weight did you lose before they went back to normal?

I had to lose around 100 lbs before they healed up,,one thing that helped was I went to a wound nurse,,,she helped me get them healed up,,gave me some cream that looked like dog poop,,had iodine in it,,,dont have a tube handy,,,but it sure dryed them up,,,I had to keep them up as much as possible,,,hope this helps ,,Steve