After going thru the appeals process with the assistance of ObesityLaw, appealing the denial from ODS for my Lap Band surgery and then to the City of Portland to override their denial I finally received their decision.

DENIED. OL (Obesity Law) had a teleconference with the City Attorney who was handling my case and basically OL said that it was his job on making the recommendation to the City on whether to approve/deny my surgery. OL told me that they were still quite surprised when talking with the City Attorney as although it was ultimately denied, he totally "got it" (the reasons why i needed the surgery, the fact that the surgery cures something like 80% of type 2 diabetes, also GERD, Sleep Apnea) and that it would be more cost effective for the City of Portland to pay for the surgery than all these co-morbidities that obese folk like myself ( :o( - hate that word) which only get worse and more expensive over time. Fyi - I have joint issues, had major hip surgery, have Apnea, pre-diabetes, Acid Reflux, hital hernia.

The City Attorney apparently said where he was stuck was that the language regarding exclusions in our contract was black and white: No bariatric surgery and regardless of the reasons for having it, ultimately it was still bariatric surgery and he didn't feel they could get around it.

HOWEVER, the contract is up for revision in June and he is going to be making a recommendation that they consider including covering the surgery in the new contract. So I will be hounding my Chapter Chair (who also fortunately happens to sit next to me at work) into going after this in the next labor agreement negotiations.

I know several people who are interested in this procedure who work in the City (in my bureau and outside of it) and who may not have the ability (or family member who can do it) to pay for it. I recognize how incredibly lucky and blessed I am that my father is doing this for me. I will never ever forget his kindness and generosity for doing this for me. He's basically saving my life. It's coming from his retirement but he doesn't care. He said he couldn't live with himself if something happened to me and the money was just sitting there. I plan to pay every cent back, although he told me he doesn't care if I do. But I will. And be so glad and proud to. :o)

I feel it's imperative that this surgery be available to others and will really hound the union to push for this to be put back into our contract as many members will benefit from the coverage. I won't be able to recoup my surgery expense but it will mean that if I need to have adjustments (fills in my band which are very basic, quick clinic appointments every few months for the first year or so at most usually) I won't have to drive all the way to Coos Bay (they are included for the first year in my surgery price if I go to my Dr. in Coos Bay so I'd rather do them there than pay the local Dr. $ to do it), plus - Heaven forbid I have any complications but if that were to happen at least I could have it done in Portland (at OHSU hopefully - my preferred hospital always) and it would be covered by insurance. I also am fortunate to have double coverage so I wouldn't have to pay a cent out of pocket which would be SWEET. So yes, I'm going to petition my big fat bootie off to get this approved.

But I urge any folks out there who also work for the CoP to talk to your union folks and let them know you want this surgery COVERED and put back in our agreement (they covered gastric bypass several years ago and some AFSCME officials weren't even aware this coverage was removed!)

Anyway, I hope, hope, hope that this surgery ends up being covered.
 

Glad to read that both your insurance have agreed to pay for your breast lift and reduction!  Hopefully I will get my breasts reduced as well as removal of my "apron" in about 2010.  I don't want breast implants either.
Best of luck on your surgery!

That is so cool Julia!  Hope it all goes well.................

Join us August 14^th – 15^th 2009 in Seattle, WA!

 

There will be top information on weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, nutrition, relationships and product sampling.  Come learn all you can to make an informed decision, get support to successfully stay on your journey, and make some new friends along the way!

 

Speakers Include: 

TLC's Big Medicine: Dr. Garth Davis

Dr. Davis will be outlining the subject matter of his new book, The Expert’s Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery.  Come meet Dr. Davis!

 

TLC's Big Medicine: Mary Jo Rapini. LPC

Her passion is teaching all patients the sacredness and strength they have inside. Mary Jo is the author of Is God Pink? Dying to Heal and co-author of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever.

   

Bariatric Chef, Dave Fouts

Saturday morning, Chef Dave will cook up some tasty weight loss friendly breakfast samples for us! Come see what’s in his recipe box!

 

WLS Post Op and Motivational Speaker, Bo McCoy

Have you joined in one of Bo’s Conga lines yet?  Bo is our host for events this year, and he makes it his mission to get you motivated and out of your seat!

 

Fitness Expert , Jeremy Gentles, CSCS

Get the best in fitness information from ObesityHelp’s staff fitness and training expert. Jeremy presents the most up to date fitness routines, with emphasis on bariatrics.

 

Additional speakers to be announced, check out the events page for updated information. 

 

Don't miss our great prizes:

-Visa Gift Cards, $100 each, five drawings throughout event!
-OH Goodie Baskets!

-Exhibitor-donated gift baskets!

 

The Westin Bellevue

600 Bellevue Way NE

Bellevue, WA, 98004
 

Regular Priced Admission is $50

Register Now with Promo Code: “Seattle09" for $10 off Regular Priced Admission! *
(*Promo Code only valid for early registration up until June 30^th!)

Or if you belong to one of the following support groups, stop by the group and see the leader for a special support group code:

 

Group Name: Thru Thick N’ Thin, Location: Tacoma, WA, Leader: susu329

Group Name:  Stevens Weight Loss Support Group, Location: Edmonds, WA,  Leader: kmobeck

Group Name: Modesto WLS Support Group, Location: Modesto, CA, Leader: Cathy A

 

 

Click here to register!

The weather is beautiful in August.  September is when we get that 90 degree heat wave.  The downtown core has within fairly good walking distance the above mentioned Japanese Gardens (I've actually yet to go, but everyone loves it), the Riverfront was my first and great impression of Portland.  It's called Naito Parkway, and has a really neat fountain that everyone feels free to play in at one end, and views of the bridges and lots of people enjoying the city.  I don't think the lunch options are so plentiful down there, but a neighborhood called Northwest on 23rd has lots of good eats and little shops.  It's not right downtown, but it's a car/cab ride of about ten min.  Don't bother (sorrry Portland) with our official China town, because the real one has sprouted up across the river on 82nd Ave, where the ethnic diversity is thriving and living.  That's where I go for my Chines fix, but it's not just right across the river, and it's not a very beautiful part of town.  As a North Dakota person, I have to think seeing the coast is a worthwhile day.  Be warned though, it ain't gonna be warm.  Well, I'm from Florida and my version of the beach is sugar sand and warm water, ninty degrees and my chair sitting in the water lapping at my feet for hours.  Oregon is rugged, cold, and only fools are actually in the water.  I still haven't forgiven my son for going past the wave line and sending my paranoia into overdrive.  There are sneaker waves and currents, and I worry about much smaller things than that!!  But people LOVE the Oregon coast, and it's certainly a day worthwhile. 

My number one favorite is to do the jet boat tours offered at OMSI on the east side of the river.  It does cost about $25 per, but it is the greatest tour of the Portland area from the water.  It has great tour guides, they go all the way to the Oregon City falls, I've seen salmon jumping upstream, learned so much about the city and communities along our river, they do some fun donuts for thrills, and to see all the recreational boats and be one feels really fun.  I'm a real chicken, but I wasn't scared and liked going FAST.  I think it's well worth the money.  You can make reservations, and appeals to all ages.  They leave about every hour and there is parking at OMSI. 

Have fun!

Patty