newbie needing advice

Hello all! I've only posted on here once and that was in response to a thread about an info session at Rex.  I've scoured these boards but still have a ton of questions.  I'll briefly try to tell you my story without boring you to death. I'm 41, 5'7", about 250lbs and hypothyroid.  I suffer from arthritis (not diagnosed, but the aches and pains kill me), sleep apnea, edema in my legs and hidradenitis suppurativa.  I've been hospitalized several times with chest pain and was diagnosed as "having stress" causing the chest pain.  I can't walk 1/2 a football field without getting winded.  I have been researching the pros and cons of this surgery for a long time, but only within the last 6 months decided to pursue it seriously.  I want to be healthy again.  My family is against it, fearing terrible consequences to the procedure. I understand their concerns, but they don't live in this body, in pain and out of breath. This brings me to a few questions. I live in Selma. I am very interested in your opinions and referrals for a Dr.  I've read lots of good and bad, and obviously want the best one out there.  I'm mainly interested in Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Pitt, Johnston or any other closeby counties. Right now, I have United Healthcare, but that is changing to Cigna on the first of the year.  Has anyone had a terrible time getting Cigna to pay?  What obstacles am I up against? I'm really hoping for a lap surgery as I work and go to school.  How long were you out of commission?  was the surgery miserable? Would you do it again if given a chance? That's enough for now.. I really appreciate any info you can give. :) Patti

Hey Patti,

Welcome!

Before worrying too much about getting info. on who likes which doctor/center first, look into your new insurance.  First, to make sure they cover they surgery, and then, where they pay. I went to Southern Surgical in G'ville but I think I remember seeing signs in their office that they don't take United, so you'll most likely be limited by Cigna as well.  I have BCBSNC and they only pay at "Centers of Excellence."  You might can go ahead now and pull up the Cigna web site to research this to see if they cover.  Or maybe someone here who has that will come along and help. It is completely "normal" for your family to feel as they do.  But it's up to you to make your decision AND to educate them.  Surely they don't believe that your current conditions are not going to have "terrible consequences" do they??  They already ARE.   Good grief, I had my own serious doubts too, but I came to understand that if I didn't do SOMETHING, my MORBID OBESITY would do me in.  (Remind your family that there's a reason the word "morbid" is there.)  My only co-morbidity is sleep apnea.  But that is horrible and causes all sorts of health problems and heart issues. Years ago, the statistics of "bad" things happening during surgery were scary!  When I started looking at the old stats vrs. the new, I started feeling MUCH better.  Your family may have "old" horror stories in their heads like mind did.  Now mind you, the surgery is not without its risks, but show them the current statistics of what you're facing "as is" with your health issues vrs. surgery. We all have to address our family's concerns.  That's only fair.  But also, they have to accept OUR decision.  It's our personal choice to get healthy, and for those of us who are "MORBID"ly obese, the pathway to better health for us is surgery. I wish you all the best as you make this journey.  Stay active here.  You'll feel the hugs right through your computer screen when you need them.

Patti -

First let me welcome you to the forum. Second ... Wendy did a great job. I'm not sure what I can add. I really second everything she had to say ... find out what the parameters of your new coverage will be.

I have UnitedHealthCare and Medicare. They paid for my surgery. Because I have Medicare, it had to be done at a Medicare recognized Center of Excellence. I had my surgery at Duke. All in all, I'm really happy.

If you check my profile, you will see that I started out at about the same place you are now and I'm now wearing a size 10/12, but the best thing is that my diabetes is resolved ... I'm absolutely delighted!

My mom and sister were scared stiff. They really were against the surgery, but as Wendy said I didn't make this decision lightly and I really worked on trying to provide them with as much information and access to information and experts as possible.

Re: discomfort ... I won't lie and say it didn't hurt, it did. But it was also relative. Have you had any children? I'd compare it to that ... I don't necessarily mean the actual experience, but what I'm saying is that it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't consider it again ... and the benefits definitely outweighed the minuses.

Please feel free to check my profile and send me a message if you have any questions I might be able to answer for you.

I wish you all the best as you consider your options.

Barb

Welcome Patti!   Ditto to everything Wendy said.  Pitt has been perfecting this surgery for decades and is a Center for Excellence.  I  don't think they currently contract with United.  Cigna, yes.  I work at the medical school and can definately vouch for Dr. Chapman.  He is very straight forward and no nonsense but an excelllent surgeon.  He has operated on my husband for colon cancer and a hernia.  Now he has done my RNY and I'm doing great.  Best decision I've made for my health.   Check out Cigna's requirements and go from there.  Good luck!  Alice

HI Patti.  I, like Barb, agree with Wendy totally.  Your first order of business is to contact your insurance and find out whether they cover you and where you're allowed to go.  That being said, if you find out you can come to Greenville (PCMH) I would strongly recommend that you give them some serious consideration.  Dr Chapman at ECU/Brody School of Medicine is fantastic, as is Dr. MacDonald at Southern Surgical.  You cannot go wrong with either of them.  I am happy to answer any questions you have about Dr. Chapman (my surgeon) and PCMH, feel free to email me. Take care and good luck with your quest. Ellen

You can call Cigna now to find out if they cover the procedure - I know they also require a 6 month medically supervised diet so you can get working on that as well - they should be able to give you their WLS criteria over the phone. Good luck! :-)

Thanks, everyone for your info! I haven't called Cigna yet, but I did check their website. They do have approved WLS sites listed.  I'm going to call my MD tomorrow and ask him to put me on a supervised diet, so I'm ahead of the 8ball.  I figure even if Cigna won't approve the surgery, the supervised diet won't hurt. :) I didn't see Pitt on the website, but people have told me they contract with Cigna.  I guess I'll have to call to find out for sure.  I am definately wanting to do this!  Right now, I guess I'm in somewhat of a holding pattern until my insurance changes. One last question, are their any support groups in this area that I can start checking into? thanks again for your support! I appreciate it soo much. Patti

I highly recommend Dr. Kenneth MacDonald at Southern Surgical. He is absolutely fantastic. He does his surgery at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville and is a splendid technician/surgeon and a very fine man as well. I don't have enough good things to say about him. He not only saved my life, but did my revision laparoscopically. I will always be grateful to him and have the utmost respect for him. My father was a surgeon and felt the same way.

Good luck!