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Being from Wichita, and just completing the "processes" and hitting a few stumbling blocks, I think I can answer a few of your questions.
First, the place on N. Ridge is just a weight loss center. They actually do the surgeries in Oklahoma (I don't remember where).
Most likely, you will have to complete a WL program and classes no matter where you go. SFL requires a 4 week nutritional class, a 4 week "Know your XXXX (whatever surgery you are having) and another class that met once a month for 3 months. I have just completed these classes, and spent about $550. Also, if you utilize one of their surgeons (Dort or Lancaster) you are required to pay $250 before your surgery for the post op support classes.
Depending on your insurance, you can actually have the surgery at St. Francis or Wesley. SFL utilizes St. Francis, but Wesley is just re-starting their bariatric program, and has obtained a new doctor (Dr. Villanueva) who should be licensed for KS within the next 2 weeks. I have met him, and while he is young, he has VERY good credentials. Wesley's program will also run about $750 out of pocket. However, Wesley only requires a 4 week pre-op program. So again, depending on your insurance, you have at least a 3 month program at SFL, or a 1 month program at Wesley. My insurance required a minimun of a 3 month multidisciplinary program, which SFL met. The only snag I have hit so far is that my insurance does not want me to have surgery at St. Francis as it is out of network. When I started this process in Feb. SFL and St. Francis were the only place in Wichita to go, and I could have gotten a waiver for out of network. However, now that Wesley is starting up, the insurance company wants me to use them. If I have to go to Wesley, I will have to pay the $750 again, and complete their 4 week program
I would also call your insurance company back. Most insurances same some requirements before they will approve you for surgery. What insurance company do you have?
Good luck with everything and send me a message if you have any more questions!
PS: I am a lower BMI person myself and just so you know, we are considered "lightweights"
There is even a lightweight forum on this board.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
It was brought to my attention that since I have been posting daily, it "overruns the board," moving other posts to page 2, which does not give those posts the attention they deserve. A valid point. I do not want to do anything like that.
I hope this explains my reason, and I hope you'll visit the Main forum or my profile blog, to read future posts. Thanks for inquiring.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
on 8/12/08 2:09 pm
Sorry I just haven't had time to read much here lately>
This is my last post on the Kansas forum. Thank you to those of you who have read my devotions (my journal). You may read future devotions on my profile blog.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
When you say that I'm "overrunning the board," may I ask what you mean by that? Do you object to my posting a once-daily post? I know that not many post on the Kansas forum, so it may appear that I'm posting a lot, but it's merely once a day. I'm from Kansas, so I just want to share. Also, if you could explain what you mean by "You're pushing posts by others who need help...," that would be helpful to me.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Hi, Everyone.
Thank you for the personal messages after yesterday's devotion. I appreciate your thoughts, and I am encouraged by them.
Today's devotion comes from my personal journal dated April 14, 2007.
Today I thought about all the diets I've tried. I thought about all the "no no" foods and how I've tried to avoid them in the past. The more I tried to avoid them, the more I wanted them! Self-denial has not been my strongest area! It's as if I feel entitled. Perhaps because of all I've been through in my life, somewhere along the line I decided to comfort myself with food.
The Lord led me to Colossians 2:20-23, "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 'Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch'? (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence."
That's what I have done in the past! I tried to rely on the "teachings of men," experts in the area of nutrition and weight loss, and tried to deny myself, all without the power to affect real change. There was little value in any of that!
Now I know that the real problem is not food (or certain foods). The real problem is indulgence of my flesh. My flesh cries out to be gratified, and I, lacking self-control, indulge it. I have so spoiled my flesh that it demands more and more. I realize that now. It's like I have a spoiled brat inside my body.
What do I do with that new knowledge? That's what I asked God in prayer. This is what He "told" me. "Receive food with thanksgiving and with discipline." The first part I get. The second part, I was not so sure. That required more prayer.
I realize that eating in a disciplined manner involves choices. It's not really what to eat (which is what I focused on in the past), but when to eat and how much to eat. Making those choices proves that I have taken the time to receive the food with thanksgiving and discipline.
I went back to Colossians 2:20-23, and I read some of the preceding verses. That's when I noticed that in verse 16 it says, "Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink..." Wow! Is that freeing or what! This is such a "new" way of looking at food and consuming food; I know that it will take time to truly understand what it all means.
I know God's plan (whatever that ends up being) will work for me in ways I've never dreamed. He is unfolding that plan daily to me. It's exciting!
I was reminded of another verse, and I found it in Ist Timothy 4:5, "Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." You mean, God, I can eat anything I want, as long as I receive it in gratitude and prayer? No list of "good" and "bad" foods? Yikes!
So...I eat in a disciplined manner. I eat in moderation, which is self-control. I eat with thanksgiving and prayer. Why is it that seems so simple and so hard, all at the same time? Help me, Lord, to understand AND to do it.
Today, each time you eat, pay attention to how you're eating. Are you eating with thanksgiving and with discipline? Work on anything that is lacking.
NOTE: As WLS pre- or post-ops, there are some foods we must avoid. That is part of our eating with discipline. In a later devotion, God addressed that issue with me, even though I was not considering WLS at the time.
Blessings,
Mary
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach