newbie....anyone have Three Rivers Preferred insurance

Hi all, I have periodically lurked here for about 3 years. I am now to the point of wanting to have my life back. I had given up about 5-6 years ago, figured there was no hope for me, I was destined to be obese. I want to live to see all 4 of my kids grown, I want to live for me.

I have a fear of DRs, which is so ironic as I worked in healthcare for 8 years! Anyway, I went to the information meeting at the local surgeons office, we only have one in town. I know I need to go and talk to my DR but my own fears are stopping me. I have never talked to her about my weight, so I am worried that it will make it hard for her to be supportive and back me on this. I do not have any supervised diet, since like I said I had just given up. So everything is over 5 yearsold. My former Dr had a lengthy list of all the diets I had tried in my life going back to being in high school and taking dexatrim daily. Of course when I tried to get all my records going back to high school transferred, they somehow lost them. So I have nothing.
 I guess I am kind of overwhelmed,scared,apprehensive,among other feelings. I have the list of things the surgeons office needs to turn into insurance,etc.
Anyone ever had similiar feeling about the DR, that stopped them from doing what needs to be done? How did you work thru it? It goes back to all the rude things that have been said to me by DRs, which I know we all have had. Even when I was pregnant with my daughter and gained 18lbs with a 10lb baby, I was treated like I was worthless, stupid, and lazy.

I guess what I am looking for is some friendly advice as you all have been there. Maybe someone to hold my hand so to speak. Also anyone have the same type of insurance I do that could give me some insight would really be great-----Three Rivers Preferred thru Ft Wayne Foundry.

Thank you letting me go on like I have!! I have not told anyone other than my 13 yr old son I even went to the information meeting. My husband and I are seperated so I have not told him. Besides he doesn't understand my whole body image issues!

Hon, you also got some good advice over on the WLS Indy board.  I would suggest calling your insurance company to find out what their requirements are, and follow them to the letter.

Also, find out what surgeons would be covered under your insurance.  Surely there is more than one in the state that would be covered.  It's all about choice!  Don't accept a surgeon (especially one you are afraid to talk to!) just because he's the only one in town that takes your insurance!  It's your life you're dealing with here, and you need to take charge.

None of us took charge really, or we wouldn't be in the situation we're in.  So, we can at least begin by taking charge of this.

Good luck to you!

I never said I was afraid to talk to the surgeon.
I am trying to explain my fear of talking to MY DR, in another words my pcp. NO its not about her, its about me. Doesn't seem like I am getting that across.
As far as surgeon, I thought I said he is only one is my city. And yes only one in the Lutheran network which basically my insurance is.

I have 3 Rivers now but I don't think it is so much the insurance company as to the policy selected by your employer.  I'm under my husbands insurance and we were Luth Preffered before they changed to 3 Riv.  I was approved (after an appeal) in Dec of 05.  In January of 06 they would o longer any weight loss surgeries. 

As for your Dr.  You should go for a consult.  If your PCP is not supportive I'd check with others to find a PCP that is supportive.  You may need to go through a supervised diet for a while.  Lutheran does have a weight managment program with Optifast.  Good luck.   St Vincent has a support group that meets the 2nd Tues of each month.  You could check it out and talk to others there for support and advise.  Dr Evanson  (from Carmel) will be speaking at the Nov support group meeting If you have questions.

What if I cannot realistically afford anything like Lutherans program, or anything of the sort. I am on disabilty which means limited funds. I have 3 kids at home and 1 in college. My youngest is somewhat of a special needs child, so there are financial demands for him as well.

I am not about to drive the 2 hours to Indy, for several reasons. Who can afford the gas!