New Here

Hi im new, and just getting started in learning everything about WLS. I have no insurance and thats one reason I havent seen  a doctor yet. My husband has insurance through his employer but it would cost 200.00 extra a paycheck to add me. Im at home with my 11mnth old baby and feel this is something I need to do before my condition gets any worse. If any of you have any suggestions where to start I would greatly appreciate it. I live in Craven County. Look forward to hearing from you guys.

Monique

Hi Monique,

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey. I would check your husband's insurance policy and see if it covers WLS and what, if any restrictions it has, including types of surgery they cover and/or exclude, documented weight loss attempts, BMI/Comorbidity requirements, etc. Then I would consider the $200 an investment in your health and happiness.

Depending on the insurance carrier and Dr's office, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to get through the testing, evaluation and approval process. You should check to see if they require a 6 month documented weight loss attempt. If they do, don't worry, it's pretty common and you can get started now. Just be sure that you don't skip a month because if you do, the clock starts all over again. You can also check and see which providers in your area accept your husband's insurance and go to their informational seminars to gather information about them and the procedures that they perform. 

You might want to cross post your thread to the main, RNY and insurance forums and indicate the type of insurance he has. You may find others who have used them and learn from their experiences.

Wishing you all the best,

Ask many questions? If you decide it is for you...get on your DH Ins and go for it. The process  to get to surgery is long in most offices. Just do your research.....know everything good and listen to the bad too. I am happy with my wls and would do it again.
Good Luck
Myrtis

Hello Monique and Welcome!!
           I totally agree with the previous posts. Start NOW. With my ins I had to have 12 months of documented Dr supervised weight loss. It is a long process and sometimes can be very stressful, but hang in there and it will all be worth it! I would look at all the posts I can to get the general idea as to what WLS patients have to deal with. Talk to different surgeons till you find one that's a fit. I LOVE my Dr and his staff have been AMAZING. More like family. Hang in there doll and take in all you can to make an educated decision. I will say I wish I had done this YEARS ago! Has been sooo worth it and I am only 6 months post op.

Have your husband check that the insurance coverage he has includes weight loss surgery if it does get there conditions and make sure you would qualify then go to a Seminar for the surgery (my Seminar was free and gave me lots of information.  If everything sounds like it is something you want to do go for it.  I wish you the best on your new journey.

Sandy

Hi Monique,
Welcome to the NC forum.
I am on my husbands insurance and I am so glad we have it.
I could not of have wls without it.
I always tell people I never knew how sick I was until after my RNY.
I was taking 4 shots of insulin everyday and taking BP meds.
Since surgery all my labs have always come back great.
                                         Annie

Hello Monique!
Welcome to the NC Board.  Good luck on your journey!

thank you guys for all your responses. Its just so hard to have that amount taken out of my husbands paycheck every paycheck when he is the only one working at the time. But I'm am applying to several jobs part time and they say they offer insurance. Either way if I get a part time job and don't get insurance then I could possibly cover some of the fee that my husbands job would charge to add me. I will be look into what his plan covers and read up as much as I can about the procedure. I am just ready to make a change. My diabetes and HBP is really taking a toll on me and I really want to be here for my son. Again thank you all for your responses. I will be up here asking alot of questions once I get the ball rolling. Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same.
Monique

Welcome Monique!

Hope one of those part time jobs comes through. In the meantime, learn as much as you can from all the available sources. You can never know too much.

You have already begun your journey. Hopefully it will progress positively and we'll be seeing 'less' of you soon!

Monique,  I didn't read through everyone else's replies (doing my best to catch up here today with a headache!), but my personal heartfelt reply to you is that I would give anything to go back in time when my children were little to have had my weight-loss surgery then.  I have missed out on so much LIFE with them and I have spent so much money in the meantime TRYING to take the weight off myself...I now know the savings I would have had regarding food, clothing, etc. as a plus-size woman and wow.  It's so much easier to make financial sacrifices when they are younger, and especially before you have more children, so I say do what you can to get that insurance and have it done now!  :)  Don't be like me and look back years from now and wish you had.  You will be in my thoughts!