just getting started...

well I am off to my first siminar tomorrow... I talked to my Dr. a few days ago about the Lapband and she said there should be no problem...I have Caresource insurance and I know from looking on line I have to have all my I's dotted and T's crossed...but I am dead set to get this....I am 5'5"..385lb. w/Artharites in both knees,high blood presure,asthema and sleep apnia...was told I needed knee replacement surgary but the Dr.refused because of my weight,and now I can bearly walk...I am only 42...and at this rate I will never see 50...I have years of diets...but with my body is so shot I can not really exercise...my daughter told me not to do the surgary and i set her down and told her...look,with out it i may have 10 yrs,stuck in bed, people waiting on me and washing me,and with it i may have another 30 or more and i can enjoy it....i tried to ride the roller coaster with her a few years ago and could not do it,didn't fit,can only go to surtain places with table and chairs,no booths for me thank you very much....I will get there.... it will not be easy,but i will do it...wish me luck with the whole insurance thing.....mary

Good luck to you and welcome!

Best of luck to you on your journey! I was just telling my niece yesterday that unless someone has been overweight, that they do not understand the trauma involved in just trying to do everyday tasks. It used to take me all day to clean my house, because I had to sit and rest so often. And amusement parks? Forget it! It was something that I knew that my body could not do! Now after a 200 pound weight loss, I can do almost anything that I set my mind to. YOU hang in there and when the times get tough with insurance companies, don't give up. Its your life and you will need to fight and be strong to get through this. The reward is so great that it is impossible to explain. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi mary...I am just starting out too...and i also have caresource i live in the columbus area.....my DR. don't have a clue about how to get things going so I am thinking of finding a new PCP...next month i start my DR.S appointments at OSU WLS center man i am going to need a lot of luck with my current PCP.....My PCP said I am very healthy for my weight and age....but i do have artharites in both knees and have started having lower back and hip pain so slowly its catching up with me.....maybe we can help each other out through this....GOOD LUCK!                                     Cindy

Hey Cindy...Oh My Goodness...I have been told by my Dr.For ever to loose weight,and we tried...then I seen an Orthopedic surgeon and he said I needed surgery but refused because of my weight and asked if I had considered WLS,At the time I had been told if You have A Med.Card you are out of luck...then the last time I went to see my regular Dr. and I seen my weight,I started looking into it and found this place...I asked my Dr.about the Lapband and she said to go to a seminar first thing...and I did and here I am..still getting paper work together,but at least I am on my way...got my part filled out and picked up file from OBGYN today..$15.00...but that's cheap to feel good about myself...waiting on file from Orthapedic Sureon w/letter of why I need WLS,and from my primary Dr...I need to write MY letter as to WHY,but want it to be just right...Have Appointment with Lapband Surgeon Aug.???I forget,wrote it down...I will have it all by then...Called and made sure Dr.and Psychologist was covered with Caresource along w/ Hospital...all good there...I am in Wilmington Ohio by the way...and will go to Middletown Reganial Hospital if I get the OK>>> will be in touch...and good luck...Buy the way..seen in here somewhere,it helps if you need surery and was refused due to weight...may want to hit up and Orthopedic for a visit..I am 42 and have knees of a 70 year old woman...Mary

wow it sounds like your DR.'s are helping you get things going mine don't know what to do...can you tell me what you have gathered so far my first appointment is 8/6/07 psych evavuation then 8/17 dietition...i have to pay an $80.00 out of pocket expence for a MedGem reading do you know what that is.....and i had to call a nurse and student DR. in and make them look at my paper work again because my DR. didn't understand i walked out with nothing today so I'm going to call OSU and see if they have any suggestions....also do you need a referral for the orthopedic....because my DR. wont do it. Lapband is what I want too.                        Cindy

well hon...let's see,I went to a seminar like I said,and they gave me a huge batch of paper work to fill out and bring in to my first appointment w/the WLS Dr. and in it ,it states that I need to get copies of the last 5 years from my Dr.(any Dr. I think will help) so I hit My Primary and the Orthepedic,and even my OBGYN,she has talked to me forever about weight loss also,and mood swings...And said to get letters from any if not all Dr.'s.and to write A letter my self as to why I think I need this.. I have letters from my Parents even...I just called up an Orthapedic and made an appointment,now that was a few years ago,but I just called on my own...and if you get x-rayed..see if they will do it while you stand..my PCP will do them with me laying down..Ortha. will do them standing,said it REALLY shows what is going on when you walk and stand and all that...I also need any x-rays of my knees...I haven't had any test done yet..will see surgeon for first time in Her office next month...but some of them test sound bad..but what is a little discomfort now,for a life time of feeling GREAT???                                Mary

Yea i have the same paperwork...but like i said my dr. is ajoke if i can't get her back me up on this then i wont get aproved so I think I going to contact every Dr i have see in the past 5 yrs. and get copies of every test they did because of my weight and also hospital records...if she dont know what she's doing then how can she write a letter to the insurance to help me get aproved. oh boy i should have changed my DR.'s long time ago... but i will call a orthropedic dr. monday so i can have that as proof of needing wls...cindy