hellow fellow SClinians

this is my second time posting. I'm contemplating having WLS because my heath is getting worse. I work out at the gym, which I know is good, but still I'm on 9 meds, and have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and will go back this Sat night for a CPAP study. I live in Effingham, and work in Florence, SC as a Fed employee with BCBC standard insurance. Has anyone out there had to deal with approval from this insurance. There were drs in Flo who performed the surger, but have moved to Conway, SC, which is not far from me, down by Myrtle Beach. I saw Dr. Balder, I think, he was the one I saw a few years ago, but my insurance at the time denied me, and I have not gotten that far again. Let me hear from you all as far as what you have experienced. I'm scared and my kids are afraid for me to have the surgery, but I think I have to do something.

Hi Brenda Sorry to hear that your health is getting worse...obesity has a way of pushing us down that unhealthy road, and boy does that road suck!! I so understand what you're going through, and I'm sure my family can relate to the anxiety that yours must be feeling as you go through the decision making process. All this is normal. I"m not sure how old your children are, but I told mine(18 and 22) unless I did something and did it soon I might not be around to see my future grandchildren. I had to fight to get my life back, and boy am I glad I did I had BCBS too, but my husbands company had an exclusion concerning weight loss surgery. Thank God that he's also retired military, so I was able to use Tricare(military coverage) for my surgery. I would check to see if your coverage has an exclusion...I hope it doesn't. Please keep us posted as to what you find out...we care!! Let me encourage you to do whatever you need to to get your health back!!! I don't know you personally, but I'm sure the world's a better place with YOU IN IT!!! (((HUGS))) and Tonya

thanks for the encouragement Tonya, My kids are all grown, and have kids. I know my insurance covers the surgery, I spoke with a nurse at Dr's office in Conway, SC, she said I would have to start over with the evals and all. I will have to travel to Conway, for the orientation and one other process, but for the psych eval and the nutrition consultation, I can do that in Florence. Did you have any complications after your surgery? How much have you lost so far? See I'm full of questions. Thanks for talking to me.

Yaaaaaaaaay your insurance covers the surgery!!!!!! I know the pre op stuff can have you running in circles, but the end result is soooooooooo worth it!! I had my stomach stapled about 15 yrs ago, so because of scar tissue I had to have an open surgery instead of laprascopic. My only complication...if you can call it that was some fluid build up behind a small portion of my incision. It wasn't pleasent, but it wasn't life threatening either. I started at 278, I'm now down to 196!! 82 lbs WoooHooo!!! My goal is 160. Darlin' you ask all the questions you want, we're in this together!

Hey Brenda, I'm fairly new to this also, and it has taken me a few months of researching and talking to others about WLS, to finally get the courage up to do it. I'm like you, as in my health is getting worse and I'm finding it harder to do things I have taken for granted in the past. I have severe sleep apnea and have been on a c-pap for over 7 years now. I call it my boyfriend, because without it I wasn't sleeping and neither was my husband ( I snored like a freight train). It's perfecty normal to be scared, I know I am, but I'm also scared as to what will happen if I continue to gain weight like I have been. Every surgery has risks involved, but being morbidly obese carries a BIGGER risk. I want to LIVE, not just exist, and I want to enjoy life again. Check around in your area to see if they have a support group like we have here in the upstate. You will gain a lot of insight from meeting and talking with others who have had the surgery, and also realize that your not alone in this journey. I have BCBS/NC so I don't know what to tell you about your BCBS and what their restrictions might be. If you have a book from the insurance company you should be able to find some info in that, and where ever you decide to have your surgery done should be able to tell you how your insurance is as far as coverage goes. I wish you the very best and anytime you need to talk to someone, please feel free to email me. It helps me to talk to others also, so keep in touch. Take care! Mary

Hi Brenda! I was scared to have surgery with my kids being so young...ages 3 and 6 at the time. I cried a lot, thinking about them living their life without their momma. BUT, they deserve a mom who is healthy, and who is active in their lives. I also didn't want to die before they reached high school from weight related issues! I can tell you, I am sooo happy God led me to have this surgery. It was definitely worth it! I'm only 7 weeks out, but I feel SO much better already! And I can go out with my kids and not have to sit down every 15 minutes! I would call your insurance and find out their bariatric policy. I had my insurance (Anthem BCBS of GA) send me a copy of the weight loss surgery section of my policy, so I could be sure to get them the EXACT info they needed. Best of luck to you as you pursue surgery! Keep us updated! ~Elizabeth

Hi Brenda, Just wanted to wish you the best as you plan for your future ... I think every single one of us who have pursued WLS have had moments of wondering whether it was the thing to do, especially when there are no guarantees. But the way I finally got some peace about it was to face the reality of my life as an almost-50-year-old morbidly obese woman. I knew that health and mobility problems were guaranteed to be a part of my life. And the emotional stress and pain that my weight has cause me over the last 25 years ... well, I can't even tell you how much I wanted to be free of THAT. My family was worried, of course ... everyone that loves you will naturally want you to be as safe as possible. And any surgery is a risk to take. But ultimately it is YOUR decision to make. Hopefully your loved ones will support you when you take the time to explain to them why you came to your decision. Learn as much as you can, and make the best choice for YOU. Good luck! Dawn

Thanks Dawn for your encouragement, everyone has been so supportive and nice. I know this is going to be a hard road, but I have always tried to pray for guidance, and not make a move until I get that word, and I am praying for guidance on this. I do know that my health is getting worse, and if I don't do something I'm facing so many more complications. Thanks again for responding to my inquiries.