If you HAD to do DS in two parts...
I'm a planned two parter........ I lost 100 pounds with part 1, the sleeve, and 150 with part 2, the switch..... I wanted one surgery, but was warned going in it may be a two parter because of my co-morbidity's and complications. I wasn't happy, but it worked out well for me.....
I'm sorry $$ is such an issue.... I had a 2 year fight with the insurance company, but they finally allowed the DS.... I think some of the fund raising ideas here are good, and will certainly be a way to start.... but, if your ABSOLUTE, only option is a 2 part DS, get it..... don't let your health deteriorate more.... Good Luck, Mary
I'm sorry $$ is such an issue.... I had a 2 year fight with the insurance company, but they finally allowed the DS.... I think some of the fund raising ideas here are good, and will certainly be a way to start.... but, if your ABSOLUTE, only option is a 2 part DS, get it..... don't let your health deteriorate more.... Good Luck, Mary
DS Part 1 (VSG) 11/14/06 DS Part 2 12/18/07
HW 430 SW 400 CW 210 GW 170 Blog: lifeisgood-mc.blogspot.com
Mary, thank you for sharing with me your DS experience. It does give me hope that if I am unable to afford the full DS in one surgery I can still acheive good health results via a two-parter.
I am amazed at the support you people share on this board and the other. For people like me who are in the middle of being morbidly obese, it can feel hopeless and, God, so lonely.
Right now, I've e-mailed Dr. Ungson back and told him of my current health, stuggle with losing a significant weight, and asking what his position is if I can't lose as much weight as he would like me to lose. I'd also like to know how much he is thinking I need to lose but it does freak me out a little that he shows reservation on operating on someone with a BMI of 61.1 (I've lost some)
Dr. Stewart is in the running too. He is my option for having DS in two-parts by having the sleeve first with him. I can currently afford his sleeve price but the future of paying for the switch is not certain.
Thanks to mh, I contacted someone on the other board who was able to give me info. for a potential reduced self pay price if I qulaify. I contaced them today and actually got an email back with a consent form. That's taken care of so I will have to wait and see what they have to say about me.
Everything is up in the air but no matter what, I am continuing to try to lose weight, find and participate in funding for DS, and staying in touch with all my options until I find the best solution for me.
I am amazed at the support you people share on this board and the other. For people like me who are in the middle of being morbidly obese, it can feel hopeless and, God, so lonely.
Right now, I've e-mailed Dr. Ungson back and told him of my current health, stuggle with losing a significant weight, and asking what his position is if I can't lose as much weight as he would like me to lose. I'd also like to know how much he is thinking I need to lose but it does freak me out a little that he shows reservation on operating on someone with a BMI of 61.1 (I've lost some)
Dr. Stewart is in the running too. He is my option for having DS in two-parts by having the sleeve first with him. I can currently afford his sleeve price but the future of paying for the switch is not certain.
Thanks to mh, I contacted someone on the other board who was able to give me info. for a potential reduced self pay price if I qulaify. I contaced them today and actually got an email back with a consent form. That's taken care of so I will have to wait and see what they have to say about me.
Everything is up in the air but no matter what, I am continuing to try to lose weight, find and participate in funding for DS, and staying in touch with all my options until I find the best solution for me.
In reply to newyork***** my PCP knows about my situation and has agreed to do yearly labs without coding them bariatric but rather other reasons.
Think twice about having this surgery for fear of additional costly medical bills due to something going wrong after WLS? I have. I've thought well over twice and then some.
What are my options? To wait and keep saving? Wait until another opportunity is available that offers insurance coverage? What is the wait time on this, if we're being realistic? WILL I STILL BE ALIVE?
The only thing that is certain is that the future is uncertain.
I've decided to do this for a chance at life again. If this means unforseen medical expenses then I will have to accept that. I am not unable to afford my vitamins and protein.
I will gladly trade my expenses of super morbid obesity for expenses of post-op ds.
I do understand your cause for concern. I'm a business major and financial concern comes to mind first, always. But, in business and in life you have to see the big picture and act accordingly. This is worth all the risks. Period.
Think twice about having this surgery for fear of additional costly medical bills due to something going wrong after WLS? I have. I've thought well over twice and then some.
What are my options? To wait and keep saving? Wait until another opportunity is available that offers insurance coverage? What is the wait time on this, if we're being realistic? WILL I STILL BE ALIVE?
The only thing that is certain is that the future is uncertain.
I've decided to do this for a chance at life again. If this means unforseen medical expenses then I will have to accept that. I am not unable to afford my vitamins and protein.
I will gladly trade my expenses of super morbid obesity for expenses of post-op ds.
I do understand your cause for concern. I'm a business major and financial concern comes to mind first, always. But, in business and in life you have to see the big picture and act accordingly. This is worth all the risks. Period.
Yearly for labs is not enough. And you never know if your insurance company will pay for them, no matter how they are coded.
Then what about iron infusions, bone scans, vitamins, supplements, expensive protein diet? And what if you have complications - then what? Let's say you have a surgical problem like a stricture or a blockage - then what?
Do you have some insight as to why you are eating yourself to death? Of course we all did that....but in your cir****tances right now it's urgent to think about that. Are yoiu in therapy?
Then what about iron infusions, bone scans, vitamins, supplements, expensive protein diet? And what if you have complications - then what? Let's say you have a surgical problem like a stricture or a blockage - then what?
Do you have some insight as to why you are eating yourself to death? Of course we all did that....but in your cir****tances right now it's urgent to think about that. Are yoiu in therapy?
***WARNING-THIS POST IS LONG***
I do see what you are saying. This is a very expensive decision for life.
That's true, I can't say for sure that the insurance company won't reject paying for the labs regardless of coding. Iron infusions, bone scnas, vitamins, supplements, protein, complications like stricture and blockage....
All of this is what every one of us who has done research on DS and are considering this surgery must understand. I do understand this is critical to know these things before having DS or any other WLS.
This and more are on my mind and have been. This isn't a snap decision for me and was not made lightly. I am 32 years old and have been at least obese since age 8.
Do I have insight into why I can't stop overeating? Am I in therapy for my condition?
Well, yes, shouldn't we all search to find the root of why we overate to begin with? Of course! Surgery is a radical move, by far. To me, it's the last decision after all other means have been thouroughly explored.
I've been to pyschologist and therapists and specialist since the age of 12. My mother, who is obese, though, not super obese such as myself, has been open with me since I was young about the perils of being overweight.
I've been psychoanalized and spent years working with therapists. Then, I found Overeater's Anonymous and worked with a sponsor WHILE seeing my therapist. This lasted years.
The cause of my eating, from what I understand to be true, really can be viewed from different directions, depending on what angle you choose to look from.
Science says that when I eat certain "binge" foods that my brain releases endorphins and makes me feel good. Other people (normies) don't get this reaction in the brain and so they have no further desire to continue to eat for this effect.
My therapist and sponsors (I've done OA long enough to have had more than one and different types) in OA, have helped me discover my use of food is almost like a medicinal use but to sedate negative emotions or to cope with stress, eleviate boredom, celebrate, etc.
I don't have a history of sexual, physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. My parents are still married today and we still talk. I'm married, and my husband, though emotionally stingy at times, is a good provider, partner, father to our kids, etc.
I don't have any mental disorders or chemical imbalances, though I've been checked for those. My thyroid is fuctioning fine, etc.
I don't hate myself, I do want to be healthier.
I have always been socially shy and anxiety runs in my family. I'm on Paxil and have been for over a year now. Do I use food and my fat to cacoon me away from social situations? Maybe, it's a damn good possibility.
Why can't I avoid my "trigger" foods or at least be able to stay with my food plan for the day? That's the questions. I am spiritual. I do believe in a Christian God. I do pray. I read the Bible. This spiritual fortification has never helped me stop yearning to fill full, blanketed if you will.
This post is really long. I could go on for a lot longer about the issue of why I am eating myself to death. If there was a magic answer...I'd love to know it. Either way, I fully understand that any WLS is just a tool to help prevent us all from overeating. This is a tool I am willing to risk my financial security for.
I do see what you are saying. This is a very expensive decision for life.
That's true, I can't say for sure that the insurance company won't reject paying for the labs regardless of coding. Iron infusions, bone scnas, vitamins, supplements, protein, complications like stricture and blockage....
All of this is what every one of us who has done research on DS and are considering this surgery must understand. I do understand this is critical to know these things before having DS or any other WLS.
This and more are on my mind and have been. This isn't a snap decision for me and was not made lightly. I am 32 years old and have been at least obese since age 8.
Do I have insight into why I can't stop overeating? Am I in therapy for my condition?
Well, yes, shouldn't we all search to find the root of why we overate to begin with? Of course! Surgery is a radical move, by far. To me, it's the last decision after all other means have been thouroughly explored.
I've been to pyschologist and therapists and specialist since the age of 12. My mother, who is obese, though, not super obese such as myself, has been open with me since I was young about the perils of being overweight.
I've been psychoanalized and spent years working with therapists. Then, I found Overeater's Anonymous and worked with a sponsor WHILE seeing my therapist. This lasted years.
The cause of my eating, from what I understand to be true, really can be viewed from different directions, depending on what angle you choose to look from.
Science says that when I eat certain "binge" foods that my brain releases endorphins and makes me feel good. Other people (normies) don't get this reaction in the brain and so they have no further desire to continue to eat for this effect.
My therapist and sponsors (I've done OA long enough to have had more than one and different types) in OA, have helped me discover my use of food is almost like a medicinal use but to sedate negative emotions or to cope with stress, eleviate boredom, celebrate, etc.
I don't have a history of sexual, physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. My parents are still married today and we still talk. I'm married, and my husband, though emotionally stingy at times, is a good provider, partner, father to our kids, etc.
I don't have any mental disorders or chemical imbalances, though I've been checked for those. My thyroid is fuctioning fine, etc.
I don't hate myself, I do want to be healthier.
I have always been socially shy and anxiety runs in my family. I'm on Paxil and have been for over a year now. Do I use food and my fat to cacoon me away from social situations? Maybe, it's a damn good possibility.
Why can't I avoid my "trigger" foods or at least be able to stay with my food plan for the day? That's the questions. I am spiritual. I do believe in a Christian God. I do pray. I read the Bible. This spiritual fortification has never helped me stop yearning to fill full, blanketed if you will.
This post is really long. I could go on for a lot longer about the issue of why I am eating myself to death. If there was a magic answer...I'd love to know it. Either way, I fully understand that any WLS is just a tool to help prevent us all from overeating. This is a tool I am willing to risk my financial security for.
(deactivated member)
on 1/21/12 6:32 am
on 1/21/12 6:32 am
You can get labs done yourself, usually cheaper than most co-pays. I get mine done this way for a little over $500.00.
My post-op DS expenses so far are much less than my co-pays and pre-op expenses.
NYB questions are good but do not apply to everyone. Only you know the answers and it looks to me like you have looked long and hard.
Keep your chin up, this will happen for you!
My post-op DS expenses so far are much less than my co-pays and pre-op expenses.
NYB questions are good but do not apply to everyone. Only you know the answers and it looks to me like you have looked long and hard.
Keep your chin up, this will happen for you!
Lisa
I have been reading your posts here and just want to say something encouraging - I've read a lot of pre-ops and from what I've seen - you will be a smashing success with WLS whichever one you have.
good on ya!
hugs
Jackie
I have been reading your posts here and just want to say something encouraging - I've read a lot of pre-ops and from what I've seen - you will be a smashing success with WLS whichever one you have.
good on ya!
hugs
Jackie
once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.
PM me if you are interested in either of these.
size 8, life is great
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