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Congrats on making a decision that will improve your health. I do believe what you have is Medicaid not Medicare. You are not old enough for Medicare unless you are on disability.
I do believe the referral is void due to the time and insurance change since then. You really need to educate yourself on what your coverage is with your current insurance because an informed patient is the best kind. Say for instance if down the line you received a denial for ANY type of medical treatment (not just your future of having WLS) then you would know how to fight for your rights. So, that being said there should be a phone number on your card somewhere - possibly on the back for customer service. Call that number and ask lots of questions. Document who you speak with, date and time plus the context of the phone call. Do not be afraid to call back if you think of more questions. One thing you need to do is have a little more realistic expectations for when might be able to have surgery. You might have to wait to get an appointment with a doctor that is within your plan and then there is pretesting (psychological and medical) before they can even place you on the surgery schedule.
Hope this helps.
Open RNY May 7
260/155/140
Hello everyone!
I'm so glad to be a part of this website. I actually joined a couple of weeks ago, but life kind of got in the way, so I haven't done anything with my profile until now.
Here's my question. I've been looking into getting WLS for over a year now. My journey started in March 2013, when I had my gall bladder removed. My surgeon spoke to me about WLS because I'd been morbidly obese for so long and my health was obviously starting to deteriorate. I was 20 at the time of the conversation so having it soon was a bit intimidating. I didn't want to give an outright yes, I wanted to know more about what it was like to have and live with WLS in the short term and long term.
But before I could every start the actual process two important things happened:
1) My surgeon died in an accident and I had spoken to no one else about the possibility.
2) My college health-insurance ended after I graduated
However, I didn't want this to stop me. I kept learning about WLS and talking to people who've uploaded their stories onto YouTube or who have friends in common that could introduce us. I'm convinced now that I do want WLS and that I've prepared myself as much as I can.
I didn't have a PCP or clinic by that point anymore, (the gallbladder was an emergency hospital visit) so I went to the clinic that has seen me since I was a baby. I spoke with the Dr there, they looked at my records, and because she'd actually suggested LapBand when I was a pre-teen, she was more than happy to write me a referral.
My problem is now I don't know what to do with it. It's been over a month (maybe 2???) that she gave it to me, but I had to put my search on hold because my mom had surgery about a week after I got the referral and I was the one to take care of her. She's better now, so I can continue my journey. I digress...
I applied for Cook County Care in the mean time, and I received the Medical Card. I don't know what it's called, but it's the one that comes as a piece of paper, it says "Illinois Department of Health". I think it's Medicare. Anyway, I was wondering:
- Could I still use the referral even though I got it BEFORE I got the Medicare card and I paid cash for the consult.
- Do I need to get a new referral and use the Medicare card?
- If I can still use the referral, where can I go that can start me on the process towards WLS?
I'm a grad student, but I would really like to have the surgery ASAP, if possible before April of 2015. Is that even possible?
Thank you for your time and I await any responses eagerly
Crystal, I found my local Sally's had a dumpster in the back with fully intact boxes. You might find the same at some of your local stores. While I did not ask if I could take them it might be feasible for you to stop into a store(s) and ask if they have intact boxes in their dumpsters in back and if you can take them.
Open RNY May 7
260/155/140
Hello everyone
I have exhausted all of the free boxes at both of our places of employment. I am not going to go hunting around at stores for free boxes. I just don't have the time or the patience for this right now. I don't need that many. I am just going to buy what I need now.
Other than packing and moving I have nothing else going on right now.
Have a great day all.
Fast fly by for me. I need to keep my nose to the grindstone and finish some stats that the village manager asked of my office.
What is happening in your world?
Open RNY May 7
260/155/140
Hi friends,
the Madison knitters came down for a Christmas potluck. We had such fun--they are such a great bunch of women! But we're as tired tonight as if we had done the driving! I have most of my shopping done--at least all the stuff for Kay and for Kelly and her family. My kids want money so that's easy! We aren't having a party this year so we aren't going to do much decorating at home.. We might get the tree up--maybe.
It sounds like everyone is doing OK right now--a blessing!
Take care,
Connie
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/gay_lesbian_bisexual_transgender/
Hello IL Peeps !
I had RNY in 2005 and will be having a revision sometime in the next few months
I am looking for support groups around Chicago west sub area and help would be appreciated
Love to all
I am beat. A good time was had by all in Nashville, IN. What a cute artsy/fartsy town. There are close to 100 shops with things like textiles, pottery, jewelry, house goods, food . . . to name a few.
The funny thing that we found is that IN has two Nashvilles! One NE of Indy and the other SW of Indy. One is in Han**** County and the other is in Brown County. How did the state let that happen?
Need to chill - am tired.
Open RNY May 7
260/155/140
Hello everyone
We had a busy busy weekend.
Saturday...I got up and started packing but not too much because I had people coming on Sunday for dinner. Oh my goodness most of my kitchen cabinets are empty. And my bathroom. But I had to not pack the things I needed for the dinner and keep things looking nice and festive.
Sunday I cooked and cleaned most of the day. I made meatballs. baked mostacolli, rolls and salad. Well I wanted to keep things simple.
Tomorrow I get the storage locker and we can actually start moving out of my apartment.
Oh and on top everything else Greg is sick...he is coughing and coughing. Poor him. I am hoping I don't catch anything. That would not be good. Not now...I have too much to do.
Otherwise my dinner was great. Well back to work. Have a good day.
You got that right. I hope it's above freezing.
Good luck at the doctor appointment. Today at 11:00 a.m. I'll have my outpatient physical therapy, my knee is doing good, knee is getting better.
Catch me if you can, have a great day today, catch you later too.
Highest Weight: 565 pounds (around 1999), Highest BMI: 94
Pre-op Weight: 476.40 pounds (2 weeks before {05/25/2010} VSG surgery), Pre-op BMI: 79.3
Lowest Weight: 153.5 pounds (as of 07/10/2013), Lowest BMI: 25.5
Current Weight: 350.75546 pounds (351 lb 0 oz./159.1 kilograms (as of 04/22/2019), Current BMI: 58.3
