1 Hurdle Down!!

I moved back my consultation appointment so that I could try to have all my approval paperwork in order before I go.  My insurance also changes after January 1st and saving $30 per office visit sounds pretty good right about now lol.

Step 1 was getting a letter of medical neccessity from my PCP.  My PCP and I generally disagree on a lot of things, especially my weight.   I went in today expecting him to tell me flat out "no" that WLS was a stupid idea.  Well, my blood pressure was sky high today at 158/105 and my pulse was high as usual at 138.  Not to mention the fact that I've gained 10 pounds in the past couple of weeks thanks to water retention. 

Anyway, after talking to him he fully agreed that at this point WLS is my best option!  I still am in shock.  I cried after I realized that I'm one step closer to my life being changed.  Now I have to work on getting my medical records for the past 5 years and after that I go to my consultation!!  He is going to dictate the letter and send it over to the surgeon's office after Thanksgiving.  

Has anyone had WLS with heart problems before?  I'm kind of concerned about being denied because of my heart issues.  I have unexplained Tachycardia that seems to get worse when my weight goes up.  I also have HBP.  That is the part that makes me the most nervous about this whole process.  

I don't know about the heart stuff but I sure am wishing you luck getting everything lined up and ready to go forward. Stay after your PCP about the letter. Sometimes they will put things like that off to the last minute.

--gina

Thanks!  He is usually pretty good about stuff like that, but I'm sure he probably expects me to annoy him about it until it is done lol.  My husband used to work for their office and they are pretty good about getting referrals and stuff in fast. 

I actually typed him a letter using the template here on OH.  He said that was the most helpful thing I could of done since I listed all the diets I have tried and my reasons for wanting WLS.  It saved him having to look over my records and find it all.  

I am still in shock that this process is actually started.  I really expected him to give me a hard time about my choice.

Excellent! You are going to do great...you're already proactive and know how to be your own advocate.

--g

 Well I have not had my WLS yet but I also have high blood pressure and a high pulse rate and also last week when I went to my PCP they said I had tachycardia.  They have ordered a stress test on me,  have't had it yet but my appointment for that is coming up.  I will tell you that one of the things my dr said to me is once I have my WLS I will finally get rid of the HBP, diabetes ect ect.  I am so tired of feeling terrible all of the time.  I wish you all the luck.

High pulse rate and tachycardia are actually the same thing.  Tachycardia is just their way of saying it.  Do you ever feel like your heart is going to beat out of your chest sometimes?  That is probably my biggest complaint about it.  That and it prevents me from doing strenous exercise. 

I had a stress test done a few months ago.  It wasn't that bad, but I didn't last long without my heart rate shooting up too high.  Mine normally runs around 130 so exercise jacks it up any higher.  Let me know how your stress test goes! 

 I thought that it must be the same thing. I had read it in my dr notes I got from my PCP for my 6 month dr supervised diet visits. LOL  Matter a fact when I got into the office I told the nurse first thing that my heart felt like it was going to pop right out of my chest because it was beating so hard.  I get this a lot.  Heck I feel it when I lay down in bed sadly.  I have been in rough shape.  Having a hard time find a Blood pressure med that will work for me.  Gotta go back and have them change my meds again because I am feeling pretty horrible on them and they are not taking my blood pressure down.  She told me to double my prescription and when I did I got real sick.  I just want to be healthy.

Love the pick of you and your baby.  So Cute!!!!!!!!  I was trying to find a pic of me to add to my profile but the only one I could find is too big and it wont let me resize it.  I will let you know when I have my stress test.  
Kim

I have HBP and a leaky valvue.  I did have to have a stress echo and get a cardiac clearance but I passed it all and had no problems with surgery or after.  I have had no complications at all.

Congratulations on getting your PCP on board with WLS. 

I think there have been several on here with some heart problems that have been approved and had surgery.  Maybe they will respond to you on this post.

Good luck and keep us updated with your progress.

Linda

Kim, my heart feels like that when I lay down at night too.  I hate it.  It is even worse when I'm nervous about something.  What blood pressure med do they have you on?  He just switched me to Procardia and I'm hoping that does the trick.  

I know how you feel just wanting to be healthy.  I'm only 26 and I am so sick of being in and out of the doctor's offices.  I've had most of my health problems since my teens.  I'm tired of it.  My doctor asked me today if I was sure of the risks involved.  I told him I was and while they scared me, the thought of what my health will be like in 10 years if I don't do something scares me more.  

I didn't have a pic the right size either.  I added it on Photobucket and then added it through the link instead of directly uploading it.