Where to begin?-give me your feedback please
(deactivated member)
on 6/12/12 8:31 am
on 6/12/12 8:31 am
Hello I am very new to this site and the forum. I live in the Twin Cities and I would love to hear any comments or suggestions from anyone with personal experience, especially from the Twin Cities or anyone on Minnesota Care.
My story- I have a BMI of 56. I was without insurance a few months ago and went to a clinic that helps people with no insurance the doctor had a file of me because I went to the same clinic 6 years before. He noticed that I had gained over 100 pounds since my last visit and he suggested baratric surgery. I saw the doctor once again he told me to call either the U or United Hospital. I will be attending an informational class for United soon. Does that sound like a good place to start?
I am mostly worried (paranoid) that insurance is going to give me a hard time and I will be turned down. even though I know i am obese enough I am worried or maybe the better word is scared I will be turned down. I'm afraid of doing all this work for nothing. What do you think is the easiest way to get through all the barriers?
I have some breathing difficulty-diagnosed with upper airway obstruction disorder (but I was 180lbs at the time of diagnosis so not sure if that will matter) I have a CPAP but don't use it. and also I might have asthma, I am going for a lung test this week. Also I possibly have PSOS but hasn't been formally diagnosed- I was told to see a gyno for that. I can't get pregnant but I haven't been diagnosed with infertility yet. Also I have back problems.
7 years ago I lost over 100 pounds on my own using my own system, but now I weigh even more than I did before I lost the weight. I wonder, do you think insurance or a doctor would look at my weight loss from before and determine that I could lose weight without surgery again?
I am also worried because I have medical history in a lot of different places. I went to clinics healtheast and also mnhealth and healthpartners. How far back in medical history do they go? I have had weight problems since I was 10. I am concerned that since I don't have a long relationship with my new doc that insurance will give me a hard time.
Also I am using Blue Plus MNCare but I think I might change to Healthpartners. The basic reason is because Blue Cross wants you to go on a 6 month nutrition program and I don't want to wait that long because I am in school and trying to have a career in my field right now. I feel like my weight is making my job really hard (I work in childcare) and I want to get the surgery over with so I can get back to working full time and get a promotion, when my schooling is finished, which is soon. Also because Healthpartners it seems gives rebates for going to a gym, but blue cross doesn't seem to do that anymore, and I can't afford a gym membership without deep discounts.
I would love if someone would respond with their experiences because I don't have anyone really to talk to, my family sympathizes with me but they don't have weight problems so they don't really understand. Thanks
My story- I have a BMI of 56. I was without insurance a few months ago and went to a clinic that helps people with no insurance the doctor had a file of me because I went to the same clinic 6 years before. He noticed that I had gained over 100 pounds since my last visit and he suggested baratric surgery. I saw the doctor once again he told me to call either the U or United Hospital. I will be attending an informational class for United soon. Does that sound like a good place to start?
I am mostly worried (paranoid) that insurance is going to give me a hard time and I will be turned down. even though I know i am obese enough I am worried or maybe the better word is scared I will be turned down. I'm afraid of doing all this work for nothing. What do you think is the easiest way to get through all the barriers?
I have some breathing difficulty-diagnosed with upper airway obstruction disorder (but I was 180lbs at the time of diagnosis so not sure if that will matter) I have a CPAP but don't use it. and also I might have asthma, I am going for a lung test this week. Also I possibly have PSOS but hasn't been formally diagnosed- I was told to see a gyno for that. I can't get pregnant but I haven't been diagnosed with infertility yet. Also I have back problems.
7 years ago I lost over 100 pounds on my own using my own system, but now I weigh even more than I did before I lost the weight. I wonder, do you think insurance or a doctor would look at my weight loss from before and determine that I could lose weight without surgery again?
I am also worried because I have medical history in a lot of different places. I went to clinics healtheast and also mnhealth and healthpartners. How far back in medical history do they go? I have had weight problems since I was 10. I am concerned that since I don't have a long relationship with my new doc that insurance will give me a hard time.
Also I am using Blue Plus MNCare but I think I might change to Healthpartners. The basic reason is because Blue Cross wants you to go on a 6 month nutrition program and I don't want to wait that long because I am in school and trying to have a career in my field right now. I feel like my weight is making my job really hard (I work in childcare) and I want to get the surgery over with so I can get back to working full time and get a promotion, when my schooling is finished, which is soon. Also because Healthpartners it seems gives rebates for going to a gym, but blue cross doesn't seem to do that anymore, and I can't afford a gym membership without deep discounts.
I would love if someone would respond with their experiences because I don't have anyone really to talk to, my family sympathizes with me but they don't have weight problems so they don't really understand. Thanks
You gave a lot of info, but I will try and address some of your questions. I was with HP first and ended up switching to BCBS. HP has a very thourough program and I had to complete more than six weeks of phone counselling and 6+ sessions with a psychologist. Either program will try and get you to change your thinking so you will become successful "LONG TERM." If you have talked with any of your friends and peers, you will have heard stories of many that have lost a lot of weight and regained it all and then some. They are probably true stories as the truth and what a reputable program will inform you is that this surgery is a "tool" not a miracle.
My recommendation is that you go to several different hospital info sessions to lay the mental groundwork so you will be able to embrace the changes required.
I consider myself to be a good example of an average sample of "successful" patients. There are some tha lose all they should (lets say 77% of pre surgery excess weight.) and there are others that stall out early and/or regain most of the weight. I lost 160 pounds, but regained about 40 pounds which is a high amount for the time I have been post surgery. I have stopped the regain and have lost 7 of the regained pounds. We call that "Back to Basics." So our struggle is not new or different, we are just fighting the battle at a lower weight.
My opinion is that there is no reason to go through the program and not aim and work towards lifetime success. If that is your goal, keep on the trail. If you expect this to be a really quick miracle fix, stop now and get your mind wrapped around a long term approach.
I would recoommend that you go to as many suport groups as possible. I like healteast and park Nicollet the best, but also attend St Paul Surgeons meeting in Lake Elmo.
I also attend a Saturday coffe in Eagan Burnsville. We have a wonderful group that is supporting each other along the trail. We call it the South of the River Coffee group. We have people with RNY,VSG and DS surgeries that come as often as thier busier lives allow. Some that have lost most of the weight are off biking, hiking and running so they can't always be there.
If you would like to join us this Saturday, we will be at the Burnsville Mall Panera 6/16 from 8:30 to 10 AM. We are usually just inside and to the right behind the half wall. Look for water bottles and happy faces. Just introduce yourself or ask if we are the South of the River group. Love to see you. Alternating weeks we are in Eagan 6/23 at Yankee Doodle and 35E NE corner at Byerlys. There is a Caribou inside to the right. Look in the second or third row. I may be busy the 23rd, but others will be there.
Paul
My recommendation is that you go to several different hospital info sessions to lay the mental groundwork so you will be able to embrace the changes required.
I consider myself to be a good example of an average sample of "successful" patients. There are some tha lose all they should (lets say 77% of pre surgery excess weight.) and there are others that stall out early and/or regain most of the weight. I lost 160 pounds, but regained about 40 pounds which is a high amount for the time I have been post surgery. I have stopped the regain and have lost 7 of the regained pounds. We call that "Back to Basics." So our struggle is not new or different, we are just fighting the battle at a lower weight.
My opinion is that there is no reason to go through the program and not aim and work towards lifetime success. If that is your goal, keep on the trail. If you expect this to be a really quick miracle fix, stop now and get your mind wrapped around a long term approach.
I would recoommend that you go to as many suport groups as possible. I like healteast and park Nicollet the best, but also attend St Paul Surgeons meeting in Lake Elmo.
I also attend a Saturday coffe in Eagan Burnsville. We have a wonderful group that is supporting each other along the trail. We call it the South of the River Coffee group. We have people with RNY,VSG and DS surgeries that come as often as thier busier lives allow. Some that have lost most of the weight are off biking, hiking and running so they can't always be there.
If you would like to join us this Saturday, we will be at the Burnsville Mall Panera 6/16 from 8:30 to 10 AM. We are usually just inside and to the right behind the half wall. Look for water bottles and happy faces. Just introduce yourself or ask if we are the South of the River group. Love to see you. Alternating weeks we are in Eagan 6/23 at Yankee Doodle and 35E NE corner at Byerlys. There is a Caribou inside to the right. Look in the second or third row. I may be busy the 23rd, but others will be there.
Paul
55# Lost pre Surgery on 2/15/10, 100+ # lost post surgery
Another spot to start, I have found this to be SO revealing and SO helpful. It is called "Cut the Fat" podcast. You can access it for free on I-tunes or see it on Facebook. We need to change how we view food and this is an Excellent place to start.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CutTheFatPodcast/194189867740 ?v=wall&ref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CutTheFatPodcast/194189867740 ?v=wall&ref=ts
55# Lost pre Surgery on 2/15/10, 100+ # lost post surgery
I had my RNY at united just over a month ago through st paul surgeons and i have nothing but wonderful comments about them. My BMI was about the same as yours. The medical makes you jump through loops and do many things by the books but once you do what they ask they will probably approve pretty fast. 7 years is a long time to pass for them to use that against you and for me they only took the past 3 years into consideration. I also had weight problems since I was a child and have had many clinics involved. Luckily they only needed 2-3 year weight history, medication list (current), current health problems. You will also probably have to do 6 months of seeing a dietitian and then will have to see a psychologist. The 6 month nutrition program I went through with st paul surgeons was basically pre op training and will help you in the long run. 6 months is also not that long to wait. You can message me whenever with questions or anything you need. Best of luck to you!
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