I feel like the weather today

Although this whole pre-op period has had me at times very stressed, I have been able for the most part to stay strong, focused, and patient. Today is different I finally got through all the medical stuff and thought I had my stuff ready for submitting to HMO, but not so. Apparently my six month progress report of weight loss attempts may not be enough since my HMO has gotten more demanding. The bariatric coordinator wanted me to submit at least a year of progress to have a better chance at an approval. I tried, but only got 2 more dates added by my Doc, since those are the only additional visits I made to her that are weight loss related. Why do they do this to us?!? Don't they realize that people like me have been obviously trying for so long and have suffered enough? Why else would we want to turn to something as serious and risky as this major surgery? Since I have started this process 3 months ago I have put on an additional 20 lbs, mostly due to stress. I am so scared healthwise, I don't want to endanger my heart further. It seems like these HMO's are not so concerned with making sure it's something each patient needs, but they seem more determined to make it harder for us so that they won't have to cover the costs. I am so depressed today.

Elizabeth... Hugs to you Hun... I understand your frustration.... Between the Doctors requirements and the Insurance requirements, it is enough to push you over the edge. I too can't wait to get this surgery over and done with. I went shopping last night to try to get a pair of new pants as I have lost 43lbs. (required 10%)and all of my pants are falling off me.... Do you think I could find a freakin pair of pants to fit me right! NOPE... When they fit my fat thighs, they were big in the waist... When they fit my waist My thighs looked like Jello smooshed in a sack... I got out to my car and burst into tears! We need to hang tight as our surgeries WILL happen and we WILL get healthier... Hugs! Lori

You know I hate all the running around these Ins Comp make us do before we can submit paperwork, I know they try to get us to drop it so they do not have to pay but don't they know that paying for other medical stuff due to our carrying all this extra weight is even higher. Just hang in there hun, take a deep breath and hang on. Debra P

To Lori and Debra, thank you so much for your replies. You are both beautiful people in every aspect of the word and I appreciate your support, it helps more than you may know. Lori I too look foward to the day when clothes shopping does not have to be as dreadful. I absolutely hate shopping for jeans. Only place I can purchase them is Lane Bryant, and even then I always have to have alterations done so it cost me almost double, and LB is not cheap. However, we shall overcome. I'm trying to hold the faith that those tears we shed in sorrow will soon be of joy and relief. Debra, you make a lot of sense. I know that medications for hypertension can be expensive, and I take 3 different kinds, in additon to meds and testing equipment for diabetes, high cholesterol, and so on. In total I have to take 8 medications a day, 4 of those twice a day, and I'm only 32. When I first when to the doctor who is my PCP now, about a year ago, my blood pressure was at 225, if you can believe that. They looked at me with shock and wondered how I was still alive. My first diagnosis of hypertension was actually at age of 16, and even then it was so high for my age that the doc said if I didn't lose wait, I wouldn't live past 30. Strangely enough it was at the time that I turned 30 when I started to feel some chest pain and having constant headaches. At 16, I didn't take things as serious as I do now and believe sometimes that I am still alive now by the grace of God. I also believe that the HMO's do consider the expenses of those with co-morbidities, but again, it's more about outweighing the expenses than actual concern. They have a right to make sure a certain budget is maintained, medical care can be very expensive, I blame the medical field as well. However, for the people who only have one or no co-morbidities they should consider the bigger picture of the obesity problem and what can potentially happen, that people shouldn't have to wait for something to go seriously wrong with their health. I read someones page here through the memorial section and this one man was trying to appeal a denial and while waiting on things, suffered a heart attack and died. Even his doctor said that his insurance company is what killed him, I would say they certainly were a factor. Well I actually called the coordinator today who can be a little difficult to deal with, and she received my fax with the extra weight loss/gain report. I have been struggling with her get her to get my things in order and sent out. She is the only person who does this at this hospital so I know she can get busy, but I have been very patient with her. I even waitied a week before calling her to give her time, assuming by then something would be done, but she hadn't even pulled out my record. Honestly, I truly believe if I don't call, I will never get called by her and nothing would get done. She has never once called me. Now even after all this waiting, when I asked her when was she going to send my info. out, she says, "Well not today 'cause I'm very busy, maybe tomorrow, wait not tomorrow 'cause I'll be very busy then too, Friday, hopefully." It doesn't help either that she seems to have a negative attitude sometimes and makes you feel like your call is a bother and lets make this as brief as possible please. So I continue to wait and now with a lot less confidence about being approved. I have resigned myself to the fact that it will be what it will be, and if I am denied I will not appeal but change to health first, which I hear is much easier to deal with and they don't even require a diet progress report. Seems like Health First is really true to their name, more HMO's should follow suit. Well take care and God bless. I will post it when I have new news. Liz

Liz - I'm so sorry your coordinator is giving you so much trouble. When I read your post I couldn't stop thinking how supportive you were when I was feeling down - and now you are feeling "blue" too. Do you have a gym membership? This is also considered a "Health Maintenance/Weight Maintenance" effort. I have been paying membership at Ballys Fitness for over a year, and saw a personal trainer for about a month. So I wrote a letter "vague as it might have sounded - still was not untrue", and I had the Gym coordinator sign it - because it stayed within "legally true" guidelines. It basically said: Client has been a member of Ballys for over a a year, and has engaged in several "guided/advised health maintenance programs" with an accredited personal trainer for a total weight loss of 28 lbs. The incumbent's weight at enrollment is registered at 272. Client is still an active patron. Let me know if you have a gym membership - so I can call their main office for you - and inquire about a possible letter evidencing enrollment and other activities. This is a barrier that soon shall pass - and your OH community is here to support you, just as you have given us your support when requested. Well ma lady - let me know if there is ANYTHING you need help with - or if you just want to talk by all means reach out to me and I will be there to listen. \(^_^)/ susie