New here and need help

Hi everyone! I'm just starting my journey of looking into having Gastric Bypass surgery. I never thought of it as an option for me, because I thought I had to be like 350 lbs to have it done. I guess thats not the case. Ok, the problem I'm having is that I'm not sure if my ins covers it or not. I'm thinking it doesn't because I cant find any info on it. We have health ins through my husband's work. On 1/1/05 our ins was changed from Pacificare to PacificSource. I havent gotten a booklet or anything about exclusions yet. Only a few papers that say our copays. Anyway, does anyone have PacificSource or know anything about it? My information is: I'm 31 yrs old, 5'4", weigh 235, BMI 40.33. Recently diagnosed with asthma, restless leg syndrome, my blood pressure was high and now we're watching that. My chest hurts all the time. I have depression and hate going anywhere because I look fat and I'm embarassed. I'm tired all the time and have no energy for anything. I have 3 kids and a husband that I'd like to enjoy life with. I've been on every diet imaginable. I lose a little and then the weight loss stops and I gain back. I've been overweight for 10 yrs now. It all started with the pregnancy of my first child. Now I have 3. I have never been able to lose the weight. I was always about 130 before having kids. I'm so desperate and longing for my life back. If my insurance doesn't cover it, I would like to find some way of getting financing or a load. We filed bankruptcy about 2 yrs ago, so that doesnt look good on our credit. Well, if anyone has any help for me please let me know. I'm calling my Dr. this week for an appt and I will call Dr. Flanagan's office also. Thank you sooooooo much for any and all help! ~Candice~

Hi Candice, I don't know if I can help you at all with the insurance, but I do know that Flanagan has retired but, I'm sure they could refer you to someone else. From my expereince gofor it..and don't give up...I am so glad I did and I have NEVER looked back. You go!!!! Laura

Thank you Laura! I guess my yellow pages needs updating, because it still has Dr Flanagan in it. lol. I'll have to call the center and ask about the Drs. Hopefully there is another Dr in Eugene.

Hello Candice! I know there is no other doc in Eugene. Dr. Flanagan just retired in November. He was my surgeon. He is finishing up his post -op stuff with all of his patients for the next few years, but he is no longer doing the surgeries. You'll probably see his office in the yellow pages for another few years. Anyway...he still may be an excellent resource for you and should be able to refer you to another doc. Good luck!! -Mary P

Hi Mary! That really sucks, but thanks for the information. lol. Do you know where the closest Dr to Eugene is? I will try to do some research tomorrow. If anyone knows any good Drs close to Eugene, please let me know. Thanks, Candice

Hello Candice, I'm just starting on my weight loss surgery, I'm seeing a doctor in Corvallis Oregon. Dr Read at Good Samaritan Hostpital in Corvallis Oregon. So far I have no complaints the staff is very nice and I had my visit with Dr Read and he seems very knowledgable. Hope this helps. I hoping to have my surgery in March of this Year. Hope this will help you. Good Luck Sherri

Candice - I know there is Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay and there are about 4 down here in Jackson county now (3 in Medford and 1 in Ashland). Ashland apparently has built a whole wing just for bariatrics, so I suspect they have the most up to date equipment. Other than that, you have a lot of options in the metro area - but I'm not really familiar with them. For paying out of pocket, I went to Mexico with Dr. Aguirre and cannot say enough wonderful things about him. I think his rates went up this year, but I paid $8500 in March for surgery with him. All total I took a friend with me and paid for her "vacation" and we got a luxury hotel suite. For airfare, hotel, surgery and meals/mad money for my friend, it cost me about $10,500. You can get by on less than that though if you don't need a beach view. There is also a doc in Washington I believe it was Joanie Cherry who saw him. I think the total cost for his cash paying patients is under $13,000. If you look down through her posts you should see where she linked to his website. Good luck - let us know if you have more questions! Dina

Thanks Dina! Congrats on your surgery and weight loss. I know my husband would not let me go to Mexico. He's not very supportive of this surgery. Everyone else in my family, and my friends, think I should go for it. My hubby never thinks anything is a good idea. I havent talked to him much about this, but I feel its something I really need to do for ME. I'm sure he will benefit also. LOL! He does want me to lose weight, but he wants me to just eat good and exercise. Well, obviously after 10 yrs, its not working. I feel like if I leave it up to myself I will be overweight forever. Did anyone else have trouble convincing their husbands? Has anyone here had Dr. Read in Corvallis? That would be closest to me. I really appreciate everyones help. I'm so mad because we had PacificCare until 12/31/04 and it covers this surgery. I guess PacificSource (which I now have) sucks when it comes to WLS. We had to switch because its through my hubby's employer. UGGGGGGH! Well, I hope you all have a wonderful day! All advice and info is welcome. ~Candice~

Candice, I knew my SO would not be supportive of the surgery, so I didn't tell him until I gotten to the point that I'd already decided to do it...for me! I didn't want him to influence my decision and I wanted to reflect within myself to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons. My SO was against the surgery for quite awhile. I'd lost a large amount of weight thru diet and exercise and he thought I should be able to do the rest. I really did try and it wasn't coming off. To be honest, in hindsight, my body WAS changing for the better, but I was really focused on the scale (which wasn't moving) and got very depressed and lost my ambition. He went to my orientation and I had him watch a program on Bariatric Surgery on Discovery Health. He finally came to the realization that the decision was mine to make and that I truly believed I was doing what was best for me. There was also some fear on his part....fear of losing me due to complications, fear of my actually getting to goal and changing as a person and fear of the unknown future. 86 lbs and almost 6 months later and he's seen huge changes in me...all for the better! He's seen the weight come off, but also tells me how proud he is of me and that he believes it took alot of conviction to go through with the surgery. I'm telling you all of this because I don't want you to give up on this for him. Do what is right and best for YOU! It's your body, your life and your decision. It may take some time, but if nothing else, his love for you should bring him around to support you. Take care, Michele

Hi Michele! Thank you so much for that reply. Its nice to know that I'm not the only one that had or has to deal with their husband's negativity. I'm happy for you that your husband came to an understanding. Hopefully mine will. I have an appt with my pcp tomorrow morning so we'll see what she says. She's usually very supportive of anything I want to do. I'm trying to be strong and stick to what I know I want. Congratulations on your surgery and your weight loss! You must look and feel so good. I cant wait to have that feeling. Have a great day! ~Candice~