I am new!

I have been a member for a while but didn't realize that the Florida people had there own message board. I am currently going through my insurance companies year long program. My year will not be up until Jan 11th. It seems like this is going to go on forever. I am with CHP. Now they have come up with a new rule that I have to lose 8% of my weight. So I need to get down to 220, before Jan 11th or I want be qualified. Has anyone elses insurance company made them lose weight? I am so discouraged, if I could lose weight on my own I wouldnt be needing WLS. Anyone else in the same boat as me that or has been in this same situation could share some words of encouragement.

Hello Angie! I believe this is typical of most insurance programs now, Medicare even has requirements that need to be met, before having the wls. I am in the process of trying to get qualified right now, thru the hoops for Medicare. Read some of the profiles, and you'll see many have been thru the same thing . Hang in there and try not to get to discouraged. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, ~Roiann

Thanks! When do you think you will be qualified for surgery?

I hope to be qualified in August, if everything goes well. The last of my testing is then, I hope. How are you doing??? ~Roiann

I am doing OK. I gained 2 more lbs the past couple of weeks. But when I went to my support meeting Tues the leader gave me a great website that calculates calories for you. I calculated my calories for just one normal day and was floored to see how many calories I took in. It was a real eye opener. Hopefully with this website I will be able to stay more focused.

Hi Angie, Welcome! I feel for you. The hoops that we have to jump through to get the surgery approved are incredible. I had to have 12 months of conseq. doctor visits, but wasn't required to lose a percentage of wt. Doesn't make sense how it can be mandated for approval because, like you said it's the reason you need the surgery is because you can't lose wt.... Keep your hopes up..You'll make it.

Hi Angie! I'm in Tallahassee so we're "almost" neighbors! Several folks in the Tallahassee WLS Support group have had their surgery thru CHP so I know it can be done. Hang in there and do whatever you have to meet their requirements! It is worth it to not have to cover all the expenses out of your own pocket. I still haven't gotten reimbursed by BCBS for my surgeon's fee even though my surgery was pre-approved. But I'm not giving up! I'll just worry the heck out of them till they pay up!! Our support group meets 2 times a month. Our next meeting is Tues. 7/12 at Osaka Japanese Restaurant and everyone is welcome! Let me know if you'd like to come and I'll give you directions. Good luck on your journey - it is soooooo worth it in the end!! Vickie J.

Yes we are almost neighbor's. I have seen your profile on Dr. Sieloff's patient forum many times. I know it will be well worth it in the end, but it just gets kind of depressing sometimes. I am ready to get on with my life and be able to enjoy it. The support group you are talking about, its that for the Tallahassee area? I am currently going to the meetings at CHP but I guess that is different. Are there any people that attend who are waiting to have surgery? Isn't Osaka just off capital circle like you are going back to Thomasville rd. What time do you meet? I might try to come.

Hi Angie, Sorry it took me a while to respond, but I went to the OH Conference in Orlando and didn't get home till after midnight last night. Had a blast so it was well worth it!! Yes, the Tallahassee Weight Loss Surgery Support Group is open to anyone in the Tallahassee area - pre-op, post-op, family, or those just "thinking" about weight loss surgery. We are not affiliated with any particular doctor so everyone is welcome! We have a Yahoo Group ([email protected]) that I invite you to join. We don't have tons of e-mails, but you'll get the automatic updates on when & where our meetings are being held each month. Attendance at our meetings vary - sometimes all post-ops, others a mix of posties & pre-ops & family supporters. We meet once a month on a week night at a restaurant (usually the 2nd Tues, but it does change sometimes) and once a month at a member's home (usually the 4th Saturday). Please join the yahoo group and come to a few meetings. I found it to be very helpful and informative when I was researching my decision and while waiting for insurance approval. Of course, I still find it helpful talking with others who are going or have been through the same thing. Yep - Osaka is on Raymond Diehl Rd. between Thomasville Rd. and Capital Circle (Hwy. 319). Hope to see you at Osaka's in July! Vickie

Thanks for the invitation, I will try to make it. I am also going to check out the Yahoo group.