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Even though ObesityHelp members are around the world, at times like these with Superstorm Sandy, we are united and here for each other.
For our ObesityHelp members, families and friends that are in the disaster areas, our thoughts are with you. We’ve listed some helpful links below to provide information so we can support you.
If you live in an area not impacted by Sandy but still want to help, there’s information for you too. Make sure you are prepared for a natural disaster by checking out the information in the links below.
If you’d like the latest info from the Federal Emergency Management Association on Superstorm Sandy, clickHERE.
FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE:
If you need to find an emergency shelter near you, text:
SHELTER and YOUR ZIP CODE to 43362
If you want to apply for assistance from your computer, click HERE.
If you want to apply for assistance from your mobile device, click HERE.
If you want to apply for assistance, call (800) 621-3362
DISASTER SURVIVOR RESOURCES:
General information from FEMA, click HERE.
Here’s how you and your loved ones can prepare for natural disasters, click HERE.
During times of disasters, the American Red Cross is always among the first at the scene. The American Red Cross exists to provide compassionate care to those in need.
TO HELP THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:
Click HERE to donate funds for survivors of Superstorm Sandy.
Donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters throughout the country including Superstorm Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
You can contact the “Join The Movement” of the American Red Cross to donate funds, donate blood, and read about other ways to help by clicking HERE.
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ObesityHelp Management and Staff
Hi Everyone:
I had surgery a few weeks ago Nov 12 and I'm in stage 4 now (but I found a great Grocery store that has really fine graded Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad. It stays down just fine. I also found I can get a SOFT taco WITHOUT RED SAUCE from Taco Bell and Refried Pinto Beans WITHOUT RED SAUCE and both go down well although you can't eat all of the two together it is too much food. Haven't tried Chili yet...that is Monday coming up. I found I cannot eat a normal restaurants yet and BEEF ROAST doesn't do well with me yet. So good luck -
Just curious because I had my surgery Nov 16, 2012 at Beaumont Royal Oak with Dr. Krause....I'm so thankful. They have taken good care of me from day one and I found many bariatric patients are just operated on and sent back into the world without any classes, Nutritionists, Exercise trainers etc; Beaumont may be more expensive (don't know for sure) but they are well worth it.
Now as for BCN... my family doctor advised me to CHANGE insurance if I could. New Year is coming up. BCN is not known for their good payments plans. In fact 3 of my Doctors stopped taking patients with BCN. Blue Cross traditional pays 100% and Priority Health pays 100% except deductibles. It is just a thought but do you have the option to change insurance companies?
When your life is on the line....I'd want the best hospital and a surgeon who has done thousands of these surgeries (not hundreds).
Best of luck to you. Also I think Beaumont could help you find which insurance is best. Or in other words which one picks up most of the tab.
Patty Jo Nichols
a/k/a PJ
I did know Priority Health changed the rules...but I was aware they did not include the sleeve in their plan. It is being reviewed for possible inclusion. This happened in June.
I had a BMI of 53 and the standard acceptable co-morbidity issues: High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Diabetes II, Major Arthritis
and some minor things. I did NOT have to go through 6 months of pre-op BUT the hospital (Beaumont in Royal Oak) had me coming in about every other month and I did have about 4 or 5 visits for which I am grateful...I learned so much and really bonded with the Bariatric Fitness Center and the staff. Because of my co-morbidities they wanted me to have the RNY surgery and my pouch and I are just fine thanks. I've lost 30 pounds since my surgery November 16, 2012.
Good luck to your friend.
Patty Jo Nichols
a/k/a PJ
You look fantastic! Congrats! I'm having a lapband to rny revision next month and quite nervous about it. But I so badly want to
regain my health an feel good again. Seeing others success makes me feel much better about it all :0)
Saralynne
Couple that with quality of life issues, how good and healthy is your life now? How much better could it be /would it be with a signifigant weight loss?
Then last but not least think of the shopping possibilities, bigger clothes cost more money and have fewer options as to style etc... How much more shopping could you do buying "normal" sized clothing from swanky boutiques instead of Dress Barn or "plus size" shops?
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Just for the record, insurance does cover some plastics, in certain cases (as I'm sure you know). My insurance (BCBS) covered my extended tummy tuck because I had lost over 100 pounds. They cover the panniculectomy entirely given different cir****tances (weight loss of over 100 pounds, or a pannus that hangs over the pubis, for example). I didn't even need them to pre-approve the surgery. I paid something like 1800 out of pocket to have the extended tummy tuck instead of just a panniculectomy, but that was my choice.
I have seen a couple in the area. Dr. Kadakol is who I have seen most recently. I was seeing her out of the macomb physician's group (16 and van dyke). I think she also has an office in Rochester. I also saw Dr. Nayak, whose office is on 14 1/2 and Van Dyke. Dr. Nayak gave me iron infusions in the office, Dr. Kadakol had to send me to Beaumont. I like both of them. For some reason the infusions that Dr. Kadakol prescribed for me were significantly more expensive, but I'm sure that varies from insurance to insurance.
Thanks for the tip!
BAND REMOVED 9-4-12-fought insurance to get sleeve and won! Sleeved 1/22/13! Five years out and trying to get that last 15 pounds back off.
