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Hi all! I must say that this site has been a godsend to me. I want to thank you all for the time it takes to update your pages with the information. I have learned so much. I have been thinking about this for quite some time...but my insurance would not cover it at all. I then lost my job at the beginning of the year. But all was not lost. I am currently on Iowa Medicaid. I know there are a lot of hoops to jump thru..but that is ok....I know it will be worth it. I am just starting my journey. I think I may have found a surgeon. I am waiting for the mail to come for the information they are sending me. I will have to travel 2 hours or so...but that is ok. I know it will be worth it. Billie Jo

Welcome!!! I have found this website to be so easy to find answers to my questions! It really is a great tool. Keep us posted all the time and update your profile so we can follow your progress. The drive will be icky but you're right - it's gotta be worth it!!! Welcome again Billie Jo! Nice to meet you! Hugs, Jen

WELCOME Bille Jo This is an AWSOME site,Poeple here are awsome to...I have made alot of new friends,They make you feel welcomed,good about your self & never afraid to ask anything... Laterz Janelle

Welcome Billie Jo. This is an wonderful site and everyone is always willing to give support and answer questions. Be patient with this process (yeh, I know it's not easy) as sometimes it takes more time than we'd like it too, but it is so worth it in the end. What doc are you going to? Dr. Glas**** in Cedar Falls did mine and they have a wonderful group in that office. The before and after care is outstanding. I read your profile and know where you are coming from on wanting to be there for your boys. I have a 10 y/o and he has been supportive of me in my WLS journey. He has measured my loss as to how far around me he can reach when giving me hugs! Best of luck to you!!! Janie Lap RNY 4/14/04 272/160/145?

I am thinking of going with a dr in Cherokee Iowa--Dr. Shinnerl. I have read so many things from some of the other members on here about him (especially Carolyn Clark)..he sounds like a fantastic person. When I called his office both him and his nurse were out that day and I talked to the office manager. She was so nice! She told me outright that she didnt know much about the process but would send me some information and told me what I needed to do for the Iowa Medicaid. I just want it to get going! I am going to call my drs office on Monday. I tried today but they arent open. We are in the middle of a HUGE snowstorm. My poor little Pomeranian came in a little bit ago and she was up to her neck in snow. I would imagine we have probably at least 6 inches of snow. We could get up to 20....yech! The boys did go to school today...for 30 mins. My youngest son is bussed to the next town for the elem school....and they no more than got there...and had to go back home. What a waste of time. But anyway...I digress... I am just so thrilled that there are so many people out there just like me. I read the posts on here and I swear that I wrote them. Finally...somewhere I belong and fit in! WOOOO HOOOO! *insert happy dance here* (hehe...i like this guy....a little too skinny though..hahahaha)

Hi Billie Jo, welcome to the site there are so many great people here. I have gotten so much info and help here. Ia Medicaid covered my RNY lap and all I had to do was write one letter stating diet history, I have a heart history so I don't know if everyone has to do this I had to see a cardio doc, ekg, blood work (of course the vampires lol) and I have asthma and COPD so I had to see a pulmonary person for some breathing tests. I was amazed how easy it all was. I hope it all goes well for you. Nut

Greetings and welcome!! This is the place for questions, concerns, scares, and happy thoughts. There is at least one person on this board that has 'been there' or 'done that' and are willing to share the experience. My dr is Dr Glas**** but I think Dr Shinnerl would have been my 2nd choice, just from the praises Carolyn sings about him. Patience is a BIG factor in this journey. take care and keep us posted Sheila

Morning Billie Jo, First of all WELCOME Wasn't that snow nasty? We just got a skiff here more ice than snow. We didn't have school yesterday due to teacher's workshop so that worked out good for us. My ex lives in Granville & he couldn't even make it out of town the hiway had drifted shut! Personally I love Dr. Shinnerl & his staff. They will file all the paper work for you. I also had Iowa Medicaid. Unless things have changed you will have an answer within 10 days from them. Get a letter from your PC explaining why you need WLS. Write your own personal letter, talk from your heart explain why you want surgery. I also included the list of my meds with the price of them, which amounted to over $1000 per month! This was more than my disability check. Have Sherri submit all of this to Marilyn at Ia Foundation. She'll know what I'm talking about. Best of luck to you & please keep us updated If you have any questions please feel free to ask away! Hugs Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn! The other night I sat and read your personal page on here. It took me a couple of hours....but wow! what an inspiration you are. billie jo

Hello Billie Jo welcome to the boards I was on title 19 when I had my bypass done you will feel so much better I would do the surgey in a heart beat again if i had to it saved my life keep us updated and let us know what you fine out Laurie