Most insurance companies have their medical policies posted right on the website. I know for example BCBS of Iowa has their morbid obesity surgery policy available for anyone to view. Sometimes it helps to know what kind of documentation they are looking for, especially if you are new to this process. If you have another provider, just check their website and most of the time you can find what you need. Here is the link for BCBS of IA if anyone is interested.  http://www.wellmark.com/e_business/provider/medical_policies /policies/obesity_surgery.htm

Thanks so much Janie!  You look incredible yourself!  You and Dixie have certainly inspired me.. I love you girls so much!  I will PM you now.. thanks you!!!

Hi, Jack I had mine done at the University of Iowa.  My first consult was August 10, 2007 and my surgery was October 16th, 2007, so two months.  My surgery would have been in September, but my surgeon was out of the country for that month. Shannon

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Hi Gang! 

 

Well 11 Months and 3 days later….. I find myself at GOAL!!!

 (see end of post for before and after pics)

 

I wanted to tell you guys just how much your support, encouragement, sincerity, humor, love and friendship has meant to me.  Without all of you on my December Surgery Board, the RNY Board and on the Main Board or just OH overall this day just wouldn’t have been possible for me.  I would have been completely in the dark.  Sure, my surgeon and his staff have some general guidelines to follow but I found I needed more than that.  I came here to be educated, loved and supported and that is just what I have been given and continue to get each and every day I log on.  I also want to thank the staff of OH, Eric the founder first and foremost, and the rest of the staff at OH (Amy, Tooter, Michelle etc..) who have kept this board alive and running.  I know it isn’t easy but at the same time I know you wouldn’t do it if you were not passionate about it and that is obvious…. Thank you.. thank you.. thank you!!!  If OH were to leave I would be beside myself.  I rely on it heavily and daily as I know many other do as well.

I’d like to reflect a moment on my journey for a few mintues (got popcorn?)… here it goes…

 

January 2004 I started researching surgery.  This was the year I also became a member of OH.com.  I met my husband in 2003, he was 7 months out from surgery at the time (he had RNY in 2002) and I myself had lost a 100 lbs (like many other times in my life) and was still obese but feeling pretty darn good.  Well that 100 lbs came back on and then some and eventually found myself back to near 300 on my wedding day (292) and then continued to gain up to 328.  I interviewed 10 different surgeons or at least attended their seminars in the years 2004/2005 between Kansas City and Iowa .  Dr. Glas**** was the last one I spoke with and that was at his seminar in July 2005.  I knew it was the right fit for me.  (I am a nurse and rather picky who will be changing my insides around!) and so once I got home I got serious.. I filled out his 25 page medical/diet history and turned it in.  It wasn’t until December of that year (2005) that I got my initial consultation and that really “sealed the deal” for me if you will.  I researched what my insurance required and I met all of their qualifications other than the 6 month (what I felt at the time was dreadful) physician supervised diet.  I got together with my PCP and he referred me to a nutritionist in January 2006.  I lost maybe 15 lbs (was afraid to lose more didn’t want to get denied for losing too much because I can drop weight when I want to its keeping it off that is the problem for me).  June 2006 comes around and the diet is over and I find myself not feeling well.  Took my own blood sugars at work (again I am a nurse) and they were pretty high.. went back to the doctor and got the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and already had my fair share of other comorbidities.  This was the absolute kicker for me.. I had to get in control of the diabetes as I see patients in the hospital daily with this and no way was I going to let this disease win over me.  I submitted with my PCP all my information to the insurance company. By this point I had already studied what the diet for diabetes should be and also the RNY diet, I found that other than the protein requirements (higher for RNY) the rest of the foods really fell into place.  I cut out pop (wasn’t much of a pop drinker preop anyway) sugar, trans fats, deep fried foods and basically ate like I now as a postop just in larger quantities.  The insurance company gave me a run for my money ordering lots of additional information and tests and required me to see specialists etc.. it felt like a nightmare at the time.   My surgeon is also very picky and does his own fair share of lots and lots of tests.. it felt never ending.  Many times I wanted to give up and I might have if it wasn’t for husband telling me.. “hun that is exactly what they want to do, have you give up so they don’t have to pay for it, keep persevering”.  So I did. It wasn’t until October that I finally got my approval and that day I will never forget.  I was anxious, excited, nervous, scared, relieved.. it was odd to feel so many emotions all at once.  I had to go on a clear liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I spent Thanksgiving sipping on chicken broth and I was happy as I could be.. I didn’t care one bit! All I cared about was that I was approved and on my way to a healhtier life!   Between my own dietary modifications and that clear liquid diet I lost 48 lbs preop and it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself.   So those of you reading that are preop, I highly recommend this, forget the “last meal” syndrome.  You will eat again, life does not end after RNY.  I don’t each junk but I choose not to since I can’t eat much I want food to be quality.  I eat very well and I am very satisfied on my diet now.. I my diet actually!!!  
So December 4^th 2006 I have my life changing surgery!!!  I weighed 280 down from 328 at my initial consult in December 2005.  Today, November 7, 2007, I weigh 140lbs and have met my personal goal! YEAH!!!  I have worked hard for it but I could not have done it without my awesome tool! 

 

-          I have a normal BMI.

-          My diabetes is in remission, no meds since the day of surgery.

-          No longer have high cholesterol.

-          No longer have hypertension

-          No longer have stress incontinence

-          No longer have low back pain or plantar fascitis

-          The only prescription med I am on is my thyroid medication

-          I am no longer “dead” living life on the sidelines.. I am very active in my life now.

-          I can run.. I run 3-5 times a week, usually 2-3 miles, it is a dream. I love to dance.

-          I am no longer invisible to the world, people notice me now and look me in the eyes.

-          I have control over food, it does not control me. I know that I am what I eat and take that to heart.

-          I wear a size 3/4/5 in pants and a medium top. I used to wear 28/30 pants and 30/32 tops.

-          My measurements I never took before surgery, be sure you do this!  So I cannot tell you what I lost inch wise.  But as of today they are as follows: Neck – 12.5, Bust – 35, Below Bust – 33, Waist – 30, Hips – 36, Wrist – 6.0, Thigh – 20.5, Calves – 14.5, Ankle – 8.5.

-          No more heavy breathing when I walk. 

-          I don’t live at my town’s pharmacy any more.

-          I don’t worry that I won’t wake up the next day.

-          I can shop in any store!

-          I don’t worry that people are staring at me or thinking I am huge or lazy. Always my biggest fear.. I was a floor nurse even at 328 lbs I refused to be lazy and kept persevering and never wanted to be thought of as lazy.  It almost killed me but I did it. If I hadn’t had surgery, I would have had to make a career change soon though.

 

Some other things I’d like to mention is that this surgery does not.. I repeat.. does NOT fix our minds.  We have all heard that.  I truly believe that this journey is 98% mental and mind over matter.  This tool is wonderful if you use it and don’t let it do the work for you.  I was told that as a newbie and even preop and I took that to heart.  I never ever take my tool for granted.  I treat it like its gold and try do to the right thing every day.. and each day is just that.. a new day.  I try to live for the day I am in not tomorrow and not yesterday.  If you fall off the wagon get back on!  You have no failed.  You only fail if you fail to realize that you are beautiful and worth every success your heart desires.  Anything is obtainable with your tool and the man upstairs.   Surrounding yourself with those who love and support you are so important and also get therapy if you need it.  I am not ashamed to tell you that I am seeking it now.  After losing 188 lbs in 1.5 years (140 with RNY in 11 months) I need it, who wouldn’t?  It is life altering not only for myself but for those around me.

 

This journey has been incredible..  I could go on forever and I already have.  Each of you mean so much to me and for those of you who have offered your hand in helping me get to where I am today, thank you.. absolutely thank you.. from the bottom of my heart. You know who you are.

 

And to my husband.. my “rock”.  You know how much you mean to me and how much I love you.. I never would be where I am today without you.  I am so lucky to have a man like you in my life supporting me along the way and truly understanding what I go through with this amazing tool I was given. 

 

Thanks to everyone for listening to me go gaga.. I my RNY! I thank Dr. Glas**** and his staff for giving me my life back!!!

 

 To Being Alive and To Living Life!!!! YES!