Trying this again

Hello Everyone, I was here a few years ago trying to get the surgery. I did not have "real" insurance at the time. Basically, I was not working and qualified for a program through one of my local hospitals. I was rated and kind of had insurance through them. Anyway, at that time I had all of the problems I do now. My PCP wanted me to have the surgery. I went through the process, took all the tests, but basically they gave me a big run around. I heard from other people that they didn't want to give me the surgery because of the program I was on, and basically they would be giving me a $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 surgery for free. I got very frustrated and finally out right asked the nutritionist they had me seeing. I gave up. I feel as if they had no intention of letting me get the surgery, I just wish they would have told me. Now, a few years later after more and more failed attempts at weight loss and inevitable weight gain here I am again. I am 29 years old, 6 feet tall 450+ pounds. My health problems are getting worse. I can barely get around. I have this weird pain in my arm sometimes and think I am at risk of a heart attack. My knees are getting worse. My sleep apnea has gotten worse. My asthma has gotten worse. My fiancé has been bugging me about us getting married. I think we are going to be in the next few months. When we do get married, I will be able to get real insurance. I had a few questions. First of all, how does it work with real insurance. Do I have to go back to my PCP and go from there? Do they determine what hospital I go to? Do you think I will have to do all of the tests (pulmonary, sleep apnea, gallbladder ultrasound) again? How long do you have to wait after the surgery to have children? Isn't a year or two? I really need some support and advice. I am getting more and more depressed. I work from home. I go to school from home. I have totally isolated from all of my friends. I don't leave my house because it is too hard. I need some support. I look forward to getting to know you all better. TIA!

all the testing that needs to be done depends on the insurance. Most insurances require a 6month supervised diet from your pcp. Talk to your pcp about it and then call your insurance company. If you need a good surgeon I suggest Dr. Stellato at university hospital. He's really good and accepts just about all insurances. They want you to wait at least 2 years to have children. If you have any more questions or if you just want to talk, email me. [email protected]. Good luck with everything.

i am trying this again to. only i was told i hadnt tried hard enough in the past to lose weight. i am on low income, get medicaid, tried everything there is to try. i am trying to stay possitive. so very hard to. i am starting the part now where i dont want to leave my house and my boyfriend and i havent been ''romantic'' in 3 months. i am 5 feet tall and weigh 283 pds. its discusting i am discusting. boy, do i need help. good luck to you! maybe we can keep in touch. lol debbie

PLEASE DO NOT STOP TRYING TO GET THIS SURGERY!!! IT IS WELL WORTH ALL THE FRUSTRATION YOU COULD EVER GO THROUGH!!! I'M JUST PAST TWO WEEKS OUT AND BELIEVE ME, I'M SO HAPPY I'VE HAD IT DONE. IT TOOK ME ALMOST 6 YEARS TO MAKE UP MY MIND AND JUMP THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS IT TAKES. I STARTED MY JOURNEY JUNE 4TH OF LAST YEAR THIS TIME AND KEPT WITH IT AND I'M NOW AN OFFICIAL "LUZER". JUMP THROUGH THEIR HOOPS, DO THE SIX MONTH DIET, DO THE NUTRITION CLASSES IF YOU NEED TO, STAND ON YOUR HEAD AND BARK AT THE MOON IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES!!! DON'T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF!!! YOUR FUTURE!!! YOUR NEW LIFE!!! DON'T GET IN ANY BIG HURRY, IT WON'T HELP. JUST DO ALL YOU HAVE TO AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE DOING IT FOR A BETTER FUTURE. A FUTURE WITHOUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, BAD KNEES AND BACK AND FOR YOUR FUTURE KIDS. YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY ONCE THIS IS OVER AND YOU CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY TO YOURSELF, WOW, I ALMOST DIDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT, WHAT A SHAME THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. IF YOU NEED TO START OVER, THEN START OVER. YOU'D BE LIVING EVERYDAY ANYWAY, WHY NOT MAKE IT COUNT TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE? GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS AND PLEASE, DON'T GIVE UP!!! HUGS, SUSIE

HI Eileen, I will echo what was said about University Hospital! I have Dr. Jasper and am having surgery next week! I was very impressed with the entire staff. The program is excellent! There is a lot of hoop jumping no matter where you go. It is all to make sure that you are healthy and can make it through the surgery. When you get insurance the first thing I would do is call them and ask if they cover weight loss surgery. Some employers are putting exculsions on policies and not covering them. If they cover the surgery then ask what they require. Mine required a 5 year weight history for a doctor, a 6 month supervised weight loss attempt with my PCP, and the obvious attempts through other sources and a psych evaluation. UH has pretty much the same requirements as my insurance but they did require a sleep study and found that I do have sleep apnea. Good luck with your journey! It will all work out for the best for you! Sue

Thank you all for your support! I really need it!