DOC AT LSU IN NEW ORLEANS TAKES MEDICAID

 i'm actually kind of pissed that i have to wait until january to get in the nutrition class when people who are not approved are in the class.  that's really shetty.

From what I was told by Devon. My BMI alone will get approved. Also, I do have high cholesterol which I don't have to take meds for now but, if it gets worse then I will. So just because im not loaded down with diabetes doesn't mean I should be left until I do get them. I also have borderline high blood pressure which im not on meds yet either. I understand you have more weight related issues then I and im sorry about that. However it doesn't mean I dont deserve the surgery. Also, I can understand your frustration about having to wait with the dietitian. I also, think they should have a better system. Im waiting to talk to Devon and see what she says. I understand your frustration but, please understand mine aswell. I would like to get my issues taken care of before they get out of hand. I've also prepared myself if I do continue to get denied. 

 i wasn't trying to say my issues are more important.  i really wasn't directing anything at you personally.  i guess in my own screwed up way i was trying to help you understand what the 611 meant and it came out all wrong.  forgive me for that.  i'm exhausted.  it's been a trying weekend for me personally and when i get frazzled i don't think straight.  i'm sorry if i offended you.  

i still think the nutrition classes should be set for approved people.  that just doesn't make sense.  especially for folks like me who may or may not have a medicaid card in april or may.  and my surgery window was from tuesday to 2-1-10.    i'm just scared this nutrition bs is going to make it all fall apart.  they're not going to tell me anything i don't already know.  i was a biology teacher for crying out loud...ya know?

and for once in my life, my health problems are actually an advantage.  that makes no sense either.  nobody would want to be where i am.   i don't have diabetes...it just doesn't run in my family...and i'm not a big sweet eater anyway.  i take a bp pill and 3 different fluid pills for my blood pressure and early stages of congestive heart failure.    the fluid pills cause me to get painfully dehydrated from time to time.    i have venous stasis in my legs...ANY knick or cut or even a mosquito bite can lead to an infection that requires weeks in the hospital.   (i got a half inch splinter in my foot yesterday - so i am worried sick)  and i just found out i have sleep apnea.  
not to mention just the plain humiliation of being really really fat.   i got reacquainted with an old friend thursday night and was having a great time with him and feeling really confident about myself and then i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  it's been 6 years since this happened (gained 90 lbs in 90 days due to the depo provera shot)  and every once in a while it still shocks the hell out of me.  it's like "who's that girl...i don't know her."  

i'm 5'10 and my bmi is like 58.  that means i am 60% body fat.  i do not like it.  and i want my life back....and my healthy heart back...and my shorn legs back.  (not being able to shave is humiliating too...ANY nick or cut.)  and i will stop at nothing.  i've lost 70 lbs on my own since january.  but that's just drops in the bucket.  i need this kickstart.  to lose even only 100 more pounds would get me back to a workable condition.    

so believe me, i understand about not wanting to get there...to stop the train and get off of it before it pulls into that station.    but i'm afraid that medicaid doesn't do preventative surgeries.  unlike so many other insurance  companies, preexisting conditions are a must.  

sorry again.

ok ladies, we are here to support and encourage one another, not to break the other one down and say that we deserve to have the surgery more.

crystal, i'm praying for you to get approved! and i think that dr steeb and deven know better than the rest of us if you are a good candidate or not. they know your medical history and if they are confident that you will get approved, then i'm sure you will, don't give up, it could just be a glitch in the paperwork or something.

daboink, no need to take your frustrations out on others. i'm in your boat as well with the nutrition class. i have to wait as well. there's a reason for the class, the class is not open only to dr steeb's patients. the class is also for diebetes prevention. dr steeb isn't the only doctor in the LSU system that uses nutrition classes as part of protocol for treating you.  

the bottom line is . . . this is a journey that we are all going through. some of us were looking for friends to share our experiences with. someone that would understand what we are going through. stay strong ladies, our time is coming soon enough. 

No worries everyone!

Daboink: Im a little confused because their letting me do all my lessons online. Why arent they doin the same for you? I know your in Pineville so I would call Lisa and explain your not able to come to New Orleans every week. Also, tell her you have your approval letter and she might fast track you. Hoping all works out for you!

 

 

Im making an appt tomorrow with my primary care physian to see about my blood pressure and cholestrol issues. Devon knows my health and if thats the case with medicaid needing you to have other health issues im not sure why they would even waste their and my time. Im trying not to get down about it but, know im more confused then ever. She said my BMI was large enough to get approved but, now im questioning that.  Anywho nothing I can do about it now. Will hopefully hear from Devon tomorrow and see my doc by Weds.

Froggieangel: If I were you I would see if they would allow you to do the same even though your near New Orleans. Tell her you got an approval letter and see if they might be able to fast track you aswell. They are very nice people and seem like they want the best for you and would help out in any way they can.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

 

Thanks for all the support girls!!

I've been trying not to butt in, but y'all are kinda looking for information, but only talking to preop patients.

Most rules will cover weight loss surgery if you have a BMI of 40 *or* if you have a lower BMI and at least two comorbidities. It is possible to reach 400 plus pounds withough a co-morbidity.

The BMI and co-morbidities are separate factors in some cases. The co-morbidities are very specific. Not just a condition caused by or worsened by weight. So that's another reason why BMI of over 40 is usually enough to qualify. Some of those people don't have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint degeneration, or heart conditions. On the other hand, people with BMIs in the 30s can get approved if they have *those* specific illnesses.

Thought that might help

Best,
Frances

 i have no idea who are how to get in touch with this lisa person.  i have not benn contacted by the nutritionist people at all.  i have a psych eval on jan 6.    but the nutrition is the hold up.  and again...they aren't going to tell me anything i don't already know.  71g of protein daily...protein first.   vitamins and all that nonsense.   i know this.  i spend hours in front of this blasted computer researching...and relying on friends who have had gb....


however....on a positive note....my friend anya...who was as big as i am....but shorter...had gb...and her mom just had vsg in august....her mom has lost 50 pounds since surgery....so that's good stuff!!!   we're all going to have to work hard to make it happen but it will.

crystal...again...i am so sorry.  i was not in the right frame of mind to type a message and i did it anyway.  i was hoping no one saw it and i could delete it...but no dice.    

i think the nutrition classes are more about our poor habits when it comes to eating and the types of food we eat and the emotions that go along with it. this is going to be a life changing adventure for us all. just by cutting off our stomachs does not make us healthier. our mind has to change along with the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!

Again, I know the three of you are not asking for anyone else to join in here, but y'all are struggling for information, so I'll try to help.

Learning to eat the *right* things and right combinations are just as important as avoiding poor habits. Not all obese people have eating issues or emotional problems, but we all have relied on combinations that do not work *for us*. Sometimes it's not enough as well as possibly too much.

In our support group, people run into problems because they don't want to eat or they fear getting sick ... or they become a little anxious to lose too soon.

Success post-weight loss surgery is a very specific of combinations that are tailored to you. Not everyone needs 71 grams of protein. I only need 40-60 grams of protein. We all need a different amount of water and not getting it will make you very sick.

You are in charge of dealing with your bad habits. That's why the psych exams are important to see if you are ready to make this change. The nutrition classes are like boot camp and the prepared warrior. I hope if emotional support is needed, you all are hoping to get it in nutrition class. The good news is that those issues can be addressed and your team will be equipped to give you exactly what you need.

This is a very individual process. From what I  can see from you all is that you all have a great support system, but none of you is just alike. You have different backgrounds and might have different journeys.

Don't worry if you don't figure it all out right now... it will eventually fall into place.

Best,
Frances