Please can someone help?

I live in Clover S.C. and need to get a doctor that will fight my insurance company in order for me to have either the lapband or the RNY surgery done. I had a hysterectimy in 2000 and after that I gained weight and now where the stomach overlaps I keep a real bad rash and the medicine I need to put on it cost $100.00 a tube and of course my insurance dont cover it. Also I have been on lots of diets and they are not working. My daughter had the gasto surgery done and has lost about 130 lbs and looks great and she is behind me in doing this surgery but I need to find a doctor who is willig to fight with my insurance compnay for me. I contacted them and they refuse to cover it. They told me unless it was a life matter then nothing can be done. They are not in my shoes and I cant afford to keep paying the $100.00 a tube when I was told by my family doctor that if I had the surgery and lost the excess weight then the rash would go away along with my high blood pressure that I am on medicine for. If anyone knows of a doctor that can help me please let me know. Thanks for any help and GOD bless you all. Patricia

Patricia what insurance do you have? Have you been denied? If so start appealling. Some insurance companies want to see a 5 year weight history. If your policy has an exclusion for WLS contact your employers HR and as them to add it to policy when they renew. They can ask it to be removed to keep the rates lower. From what I have seen your WLS surgery will normally tell you to get your PCP to help you fight because they are the ones that have followed you not your WLS doc. I have seen 2 people fight their insurance and win. It takes work on your part and if you can get your pcp to help. Good Luck and start fighting - if you want it you will get it!!!!

Patricia, I can't help with the doctor, but I can help with the rash. I get rashes now that I have lost 160 pounds. But I have found a great spray that will heal them up. It is kinda new, it is Neosporin Athlete Foot Spray. It is good for Jock itch too. Don't laugh, I get the rash under my breasts and it is terrible. I either use this spray or Micatin Athletes foot spray, It is marvalous. It will burn some the first few times you use it, but it is wonderful. Rita 326/170/150 Lap RNY 7/27/05

I have weighed over 300lbs since I was 13 and had twins and had a hysterectomy, so I know all about the rashes. When I have a rash, I wash the affected area with diluted peroxide and then use plain cornstarch (the kind you cook with) under my tummy area. The cornstarch is cheep, safe, and is VERY absorbant. I usually put cornstarch on after a shower to prevent rashes from forming. For less than $2 I have all I need to treat and prevent the rashes for a couple months at least. As for the Dr. ... do you have any comorbidites in addition to the obesity? My Dr. (in Pinehurst NC) had me visit many specialists and found any comorbidite I had (I had no Idea I had sleep apnea) I have heard that he has very few insurences deny the surgery, if you meet the qualifications. It couldnt hurt to try. This is a link to my Dr. http://www.pinehurstsurgical.com/bariatric_surgery/candidate.htm good luck! Shellie

Well, I can relate to insurance excluding WLS as my current employer has elected to exclude WLS from our health insurance benefit due to the cost; that's what my personel director informed me as to why it was excluded COST.. as I am a person that has averaged 1 surgery per year for different health issues since being an employee(8 years now), and with WLS some of the health issues would hopefully go away. I had just about given up on WLS, and my hubby got a new job that has health insurance that covers the surgery. I'm currently awaiting him to become permanent and enroll in the insurance (which for family is a lot, but worth it if it means I can have the surgery!!) I say it was God's way of making a way for me, although i'm still scared something will happen and prevent me from having the surgery, hubby lose the job and not get the insurance...I've been a stressed women for 7 weeks now 10 more days before his probation is up... I have decided if something happens to hubby's job and the insurance doesn't go into place, I will seek a new job, and will only accept if they have BCBS or one of the insurances that I know covers the surgery... I'd hate to lose longevity with my current employer, but if they aren't willing to help me become a healthier me, i've got to help myself..... Good luck to you in your journey for WLS

Hi Patricia. Sorry for posting this so late, but I just saw this thread. I am sorry that you're having trouble with your insurance, I wish you good luck with that and hope you keep us updated. I wanted to respond to your question about the rashes. I have them too, I expect all of us have at some time or another. What works for me is this: I always wash with Anti-Bacterial soap. Then if I'm having a flare up, I will use Extra Strength Gold Bond Medicated Powder, in the green bottle. It stings a little, but it dries up the area really well. Also, I try to take 5 minutes or so, after I shower, to lay down on the bed and let the area air dry. Air will kill the bacteria as well as anything. If it's particularly bad, I will also fold a couple of paper towels and put them between the layers of skin to help dry the area. The reason we get these rashes, at least from what I'm told, is that we get an over growth of yeast in the folds, the rash comes when bacteria, which feed on the yeast, get overgrown as well. I have also read, but haven't tried, to use Anti-Dandruff shampoo to wash the affected areas. The nurse who told me said that dandruff is caused by yeast as well, and that the shampoo would help. I would stick to the shampoo alone, make sure that you don't get shampoo and conditioner in one. I hope that some of our advice helps. Take Care. ~Ellen