Hello!!!

Hello,
I've been thinking about RNY surgery for several years.  I'm 51 and have been over weight all my life. I've known 6 people who've had the surgery all were successes except for one, and that was mainly the reason for me putting this off. 

Tomorrow I have my meeting with the physical therpist,  psychologist (yeah I find out if I'm sane *grins* ) and dietician.   I had to do a sleep study and finding out I do have sleep apnea, I now need to schedule that appointment to get the machine and the two hour class.

I think my biggest fear is I will be turned down and will have to wait until next year.

I just wanted to stop by and say hello and look forward to sharing my journey with you!

Amethyst (cause I love the stone) aka Kim

Welcome Kim! Good to have you here! If you are up for it... we meet for coffee every other weekend in the Maple Grove Byerly's (Caribou) at 8:30am on Saturdays. Would be nice to meet you... you can meet people from all stages of the surgery as well as pre-ops. It's a good time. This weekend we'll be meeting! If you want more info, you can PM me.

Congrats on looking into it and moving along in the process. Success is very possible if you are ready and do your research.

Welcome to the MN board, Kim.

Turned down? Who's your insurance? You've got a high BMI and you've got a co-morbidity (sleep apnea) - I highly doubt you'd be denied. But, that's just my guess.

And the Duodenal Switch - you're a perfect candidate for that surgery, too. Have you heard of it? You said you've looked into RNY for several years, so just want to make sure you know about another surgery choice as well.  www.dsfacts.com for more, or PM me.

Best wishes to you!

Hi Amethyst (Kim),

Welcome to the boards.  I am kinda new here too.  Just wanted to let you know I understand your concerns.

I have just started my journey for WLS again.  Three years ago I tried for the Lap Band and was denied by my insurance company.  It was very frustrating and disappointing.  But I lived through it.  (HaHa)

Now, here I am again.  And of coarse I am about 25 pounds heavier.  This time I think I am going for the RNY. 

I have started with the dietitian and in 2 weeks go for my consultation class (all day). My insurance calls for 6 months of dietitian, so we tried to get one in as soon as possible.

I can truly understand your fears about being denied.  Even though my BMI is 41 and I have co-morbidities such as GERD, high cholesterol and depression, bone spurs in my feet and back problems, I still am very afraid of going through this all over again and then being denied. (and even with insurance, the pre-op appointment costs add up - I am cheap!!)

So think of it this way, we are kinda starting our journeys together.  I will think positive thoughts for you!!

(Whew, was I venting or what!!)

GOOD LUCK,
Brenda

Thank you for the warm welcome and your kind words!

The reason I am concerned is there is a clause in my insurance that states I must prove two unsuccessful weight loss attempts in the past two years with a structured program of three to six months in duration.  I don’t have that kind of documentation. I did go to LA Weight Loss and thought bonus I will have what I need. Well guess what!?!? That company folded and I can’t reach anyone here or their corporate offices. I am moving forward and my doctor said she would do everything she can to get this pushed through.  Time will tell!! One of my friends has the RNY surgery on April 10^th and is doing fantastic, so I am getting lots of good information jus****ching and talk with her! Elena – I will keep that in mind, I doubt I will be able to make this weekend though! Diamond Girl – I had not heard of the Duodenal Switch before. Last year my doctor approached me about the Rny and in talking with just recently she felt this is the right choice for me. I have appointments tomorrow and will ask about it, I’m not sure if Park Nicollet does that kind of surgery or not. Brenda – Oh it’s nice to meet someone going through this stage, perhaps we can keep in touch and share notes.  I will keep my fingers crossed for you as well!

In Minnesota, the only place to get the Duodenal Switch is the University of Minnesota-Fairview . . . . but it's soooooo worth it!  Most doctors either don't know about it, know fiction rather than fact about it, or have monetary reasons for not recommending the DS.

Welcome Kim!  No time like the present to get your health in order. You'll be so glad you had WLS so you can live the rest of your life feeling good and being healthy.

Just a thought.... I am new to the board. I am ususall over on the DS board but.... gonna do more here now too.

Anyway, while you were doing LA weight loss program were you regularly going to the dr so your weights would have been recorded. Or, was thre anyone in your life, maybe even someone professional (lawyer, parstor, doctor) who can vouch for your attempt in lieu of the documentation from the program? Since theere is no physical way for you to get the other documents maybe the ins company would consider a professional / maybe even notarized document from a third party attesting to the effort. It is a long shot but just an idea.

I am not sure about this board but I know there are several people on the DS board who have gone through appeals and are willing to share their experiences, lessons learned and documentation samples if you need them. If you get turned down it is not the end of the line.

Keep the faith!