WLS Success-through Powerful Positive Attitudes

Recent Posts

mrsfrogdr
on 3/23/10 11:28 am
Topic: Am I approved or being stalled????
Despite being told that the coordinator was filing the paper work as "stat" to get the insurance to move faster and that she would now "stay on top of it"....I once again noticed a week passing with out a call.  So, I called the insurance company to see if they had even received the request for surgery.  And was told yes the received it, it was processed, and it was approved. 

The letter arrived today.  No where on the letter does it say "APPROVED".  It says they do cover the particular procedure.  But that does not guarantee payment for said procedure.  It lists a host of reasons why they might not.  Things like payment of premium and eligibility at time of service, I can understand.  But it also lists exclusions,  limitations, and preexisting conditions.  What does that mean.....they can exclude just me even though the procedure is covered???  They can say nope my obesity was a preexisting condition so we will not cover me????

It goes on to say some procedures require precertification.  Isn't that what we were suppose to be requesting?


I am so confused.  Am I approved or not?????
Big Frog Kisses,           
 DAWN   
                 
 
                            
Yvonne McCarthy
on 3/23/10 11:16 am - Plano, TX
Topic: RE: Another New Member-meet Diane324
Hey Diane!!
Happy Birthday to you and your son tomorrow!!

I too used to say that I wish I could have had WLS sooner but I know that everything happens for a reason and I Iearned so many things as an obese person that I never would have learned as a thin one.  While my friends were out partying and killing brain cells I was learning how to use a computer and do my art on it too.  I also learned to be a better employee because I had to be better as an obese person.  I never look back at that time in my life as a bad thing but as part of my life lessons.  Now I can use that knowledge with my new body and it worked out so much better this way.  I always say that we are only as old as the time we've spent in a smaller body because we start over socially.  We don't have any life lessons to draw from as a thinner person.

You are right about learning to ask more for yourself.  So many of us were and are "people pleasers" and finding a balance and doing things in moderation is a very freeing place to be.  You are more than welcome to talk all about the difficulties in your life.  I want to make sure and reinforce that this board is about the positive side but we talk about all aspects of our life.  I was tired of so much of the name calling and the bullies and that is what I am trying to change.  I certainly understand where you are coming from.  One of my brothers is a severe paranoid schizophrenic and the other suffers from chronic depression.  I cannot imagine what you must have to deal with on a day to day basis and we are here to support you in your journey.  There is nothing wrong with leaning on others and getting some of the stuff back that you've been doing for others for years.

Yes it would be a great idea to be able to donate skin but it doesn't work that way.  "They say" it isn't good because of the elasticity but who knows....it is the way it is.

I'll say this and you'll find some other members that believe this too...see yourself in that new position you want.  See that good boss and that good job and imagine being right there where you need to be.  Thank you for joining and thank you for sharing yourself with us.  I'm looking forward to so much more and as soon as I catch up on some other posts, I'm going to go look at those pictures!!!
hugs Y

Open RNY 3/30/01  260lbs - 130lbs Yvonne McCarthy, CLC. Health & Wellness Coach (full time volunteer). I am happy to help if I can. Visit www.bariatricgirl.com and see the Bariatric Girl blog!  Also check out my Facebook Bariatric Girl Page Photography site www.yvonnemccarthy.com     .„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨

mrsfrogdr
on 3/23/10 10:40 am
Topic: RE: New Date - April 19, 2010
This cat and mouse, chess game business stinks....doesn't it........

I was told by insurance yestarday (I called them to check up on the drs office) and was told I was  approved.   So, I called and left ANOTHER "multiple" voice message.  The letter I got says that the insurance does cover the procedure but they may not cover the cost due to a long list of reasons....so who knows?????  Wonder how many weeks it will take to get that call returned???

So....I'm not gonna believe it either....twin Sigh....
Big Frog Kisses,           
 DAWN   
                 
 
                            
Yvonne McCarthy
on 3/23/10 9:27 am - Plano, TX
Topic: RE: Hello - New member
Molly I'm so so glad you made it here!!!

First things first.  You are a success.  I have never known anyone that lost as much as you have and when you compare it to what you've lost, you can tackle that 50 pounds.  It is very important to stick with a support group (well a good one like us) and try to understand your disease. We are all food addicts and I learned a lot about that.  You already said one of the words that cause our addiction to flare up....shame.  You said you were ashamed to go back to the health club.  Sweetheart...shame will eat us alive.  I will say it until I'm blue in the face and the members here know what I'm about to say.  When you start to feel these emotions you must work on getting them out of your head.
Blame
Shame
Judgment
Guilt
I'd love for you to watch my dear friend Gina in an interview I did with her.  She dealt with a regain of 40 pounds I believe.  She's hilarious and she did it!
http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-journey s/wls-journeys-guest-gina-robinson.html/

Are you keeping food in your house that you shouldn't?  There are ways to exercise without going to the gym.  You can exercise sitting down!  You can get some weights or even use big phone books and lift them up with your arms when you're sitting there watching TV.  Focus on the things you are grateful for and try to get any negative thoughts about your journey out of your head.  That kind of thinking sucks the life out of us and makes for a more difficult journey.  I'd love for you to check out my blog too.  www.bariatricgirl.blogspot.com 

I think you are one great inspiration and I'm so happy you found your way here!
hugs, Y

Open RNY 3/30/01  260lbs - 130lbs Yvonne McCarthy, CLC. Health & Wellness Coach (full time volunteer). I am happy to help if I can. Visit www.bariatricgirl.com and see the Bariatric Girl blog!  Also check out my Facebook Bariatric Girl Page Photography site www.yvonnemccarthy.com     .„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨

Yvonne McCarthy
on 3/23/10 8:18 am - Plano, TX
Topic: RE: NEW MEMBERS! Help Introduce Yourself!
I'm so glad you're here!  I did do a repost on the discussion board so this wouldn't get lost in the long intro thread so check it out here:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/yvonnegroup/discussion/4143 557/Another-New-Member-meet-Diane324/

I'll also respond there.
hugs, Y

Open RNY 3/30/01  260lbs - 130lbs Yvonne McCarthy, CLC. Health & Wellness Coach (full time volunteer). I am happy to help if I can. Visit www.bariatricgirl.com and see the Bariatric Girl blog!  Also check out my Facebook Bariatric Girl Page Photography site www.yvonnemccarthy.com     .„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨

Yvonne McCarthy
on 3/23/10 8:16 am - Plano, TX
Topic: Another New Member-meet Diane324
I wanted to post this because the introductions get lost in the intro thread so I'm reposting her introduction!

Hi - I'm Diane and I am excited about having a positive place to "hang out". I'm 6 months post RNY - I lost 79 pounds preOp and 65 pounds postOp. It's going slower than I would like, but it's going - and isn't that the whole point? I will be 42 years old tomorrow - the same day my son turns 14. I wish I had had WLS sooner, but I think I needed to be in the right place mentally to make the most of this new tool and I'm not sure I was there before now. I've come a long way on this journey since beginning as a preOp in January 2008 - and I'm not done yet. I am finding that as my body is shrinking (again, anyone else lost far more weight that they have every weighed over the years of losing and regaining?) my emotional being is doing a lot of growing and maturing. The person who used to "give in" and "back down" and be a "people pleaser" is now standing up for herself and doing what is best for me, and strugging to find the balance when I have to factor in the needs of my children, who are the only people's needs I will really consider along with my own. I spent a lot of years sacrificing my health to try to make my ex happy. I'm finding it hard to make myself a high priority in my own life.

I'm in a rough place in my life right now and finding it's tough to stay positive, so I'm hoping to find some strength in this group. I have two teenagers (14 and 19), I'm a single mom with no support from their Dad, financial or other. One kid is bipolar the other has Tourettes. Because of their constant fighting, DSS is now involved and I am fighing neglect and abuse charges because they had a fight the ended up in the older one being charged with assault and I'm to blame for not protecting the younger one - even though technically he caused the issues. It's a lot more complicated than that, but I don't want to dwell on it, just give you an idea of why things are difficult right now. Being broke doesn't help with the needing a lawyer and still being behind on bills from being laid off for 4+ months last year. I know that in the end, I will be ok - but I have also learned that it's OK to lean on people around me and say "I need a shoulder and boost my spirits right now."

I don't mean to sound whiney and negative - I have found the best way to let people know what I need is to be truthful and say "Hey, I'm struggling right now." For a lot of years I put on the pretend positive attitude on the outside while my inside crumbled (and my outside grew to 389 pounds). I am finding be balance between being positive and asking for support and encouragement when I need it.

So right now, I need some support and encouragement. And I have support and encouragement to offer right back - when I look at what I have accomplished in the last 2 years, even through some rough emotional times - losing 145 pounds is pretty great. That's about how much my 19 year old daughter weighs - so I've already lost a person (too bad the extra skin didn't go with that weight!) I wonder if they can donate the skin to burn victims when you have plastic surgery? It seems like such a waste to throw away all that skin - and would you get a discount if you did donate it? (Probably not, but what a nice thought!)

I hope to be adding my 6 month update soon, I have lots to be happy about with my weight loss journey. And I have been lucky enough to find a good job and a great boss who is supportive and accomodating about my need to flex my schedule for legal and counseling appointments. I believe this will be ok - without a supportive family or friends, I hope to find some strength and support here, remiding me that things will be ok. And if anyone has advice on this type of situation, please feel free to send me a PM. I would be happy to receive any advice, information or words of wisedom from anyone.

I'm a good mom who is dealing with a difficult siutation and I'm doing the best I can with kids with tough issues. It's not the black and white situation DSS (or CPS in some stats) would like to make it seem to be.

I hope you have a sense of who I am - and feel free to read some of my journal entries on here to learn more about me, and check out the changes in me so far. An old coworker didn't even recognize me a couple weeks ago. How funny is that?

Nice to meet you!! ~ Diane ~

Open RNY 3/30/01  260lbs - 130lbs Yvonne McCarthy, CLC. Health & Wellness Coach (full time volunteer). I am happy to help if I can. Visit www.bariatricgirl.com and see the Bariatric Girl blog!  Also check out my Facebook Bariatric Girl Page Photography site www.yvonnemccarthy.com     .„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨„ø¤º°¨ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨°º¤ø„¸¸„ø¤º°¨

Diane324
on 3/23/10 3:58 am - Apalachin, NY
Topic: RE: NEW MEMBERS! Help Introduce Yourself!
Hi - I'm Diane and I am excited about having a positive place to "hang out". I'm 6 months post RNY - I lost 79 pounds preOp and 65 pounds postOp. It's going slower than I would like, but it's going - and isn't that the whole point? I will be 42 years old tomorrow - the same day my son turns 14. I wish I had had WLS sooner, but I think I needed to be in the right place mentally to make the most of this new tool and I'm not sure I was there before now. I've come a long way on this journey since beginning as a preOp in January 2008 - and I'm not done yet. I am finding that as my body is shrinking (again, anyone else lost far more weight that they have every weighed over the years of losing and regaining?) my emotional being is doing a lot of growing and maturing. The person who used to "give in" and "back down" and be a "people pleaser" is now standing up for herself and doing what is best for me, and strugging to find the balance when I have to factor in the needs of my children, who are the only people's needs I will really consider along with my own. I spent a lot of years sacrificing my health to try to make my ex happy. I'm finding it hard to make myself a high priority in my own life.

I'm in a rough place in my life right now and finding it's tough to stay positive, so I'm hoping to find some strength in this group. I have two teenagers (14 and 19), I'm a single mom with no support from their Dad, financial or other. One kid is bipolar the other has Tourettes. Because of their constant fighting, DSS is now involved and I am fighing neglect and abuse charges because they had a fight the ended up in the older one being charged with assault and I'm to blame for not protecting the younger one - even though technically he caused the issues. It's a lot more complicated than that, but I don't want to dwell on it, just give you an idea of why things are difficult right now. Being broke doesn't help with the needing a lawyer and still being behind on bills from being laid off for 4+ months last year. I know that in the end, I will be ok - but I have also learned that it's OK to lean on people around me and say "I need a shoulder and boost my spirits right now."

I don't mean to sound whiney and negative - I have found the best way to let people know what I need is to be truthful and say "Hey, I'm struggling right now." For a lot of years I put on the pretend positive attitude on the outside while my inside crumbled (and my outside grew to 389 pounds). I am finding be balance between being positive and asking for support and encouragement when I need it.

So right now, I need some support and encouragement. And I have support and encouragement to offer right back - when I look at what I have accomplished in the last 2 years, even through some rough emotional times - losing 145 pounds is pretty great. That's about how much my 19 year old daughter weighs - so I've already lost a person (too bad the extra skin didn't go with that weight!) I wonder if they can donate the skin to burn victims when you have plastic surgery? It seems like such a waste to throw away all that skin - and would you get a discount if you did donate it? (Probably not, but what a nice thought!)

I hope to be adding my 6 month update soon, I have lots to be happy about with my weight loss journey. And I have been lucky enough to find a good job and a great boss who is supportive and accomodating about my need to flex my schedule for legal and counseling appointments. I believe this will be ok - without a supportive family or friends, I hope to find some strength and support here, remiding me that things will be ok. And if anyone has advice on this type of situation, please feel free to send me a PM. I would be happy to receive any advice, information or words of wisedom from anyone.

I'm a good mom who is dealing with a difficult siutation and I'm doing the best I can with kids with tough issues. It's not the black and white situation DSS (or CPS in some stats) would like to make it seem to be.

I hope you have a sense of who I am - and feel free to read some of my journal entries on here to learn more about me, and check out the changes in me so far. An old coworker didn't even recognize me a couple weeks ago. How funny is that?

Nice to meet you!! ~ Diane ~
              389    /    310      /    226  /   165      /     140
          
Consult / Surgery / Current / My Goal / Ideal Weight 

  
                              -25.5 BMI Points / -158 Pounds
~*~*~*~Diane~*~*~*~              I can do this - I AM doing this!   
sally125
on 3/23/10 12:15 am
Topic: RE: Hello - New member
Hello and welcome to this board.  You have taken the first step towards getting this under control!  Stick around and keep up the good work !
Sally  (Back On Track Today Together ! ! !   RNY 1/6/2003)
  RS  2/4/2010  



 
  
_Suzy_
on 3/22/10 8:36 pm - Lawrenceville, GA
Topic: RE: New Date - April 19, 2010
Hmm....that would actually be nice to be cold for a change.  I am almost ALWAYS hot and sweating.  If that humidity is up - no matter how cold it is - I feel it and it sucks!!!   LOL.

Ok I will be approved, I will be approved.  I'll just keep repeating that over and over in my head!!  Thanks!!

Suzy
Suzy


Start Weight     309    
Surgery              301
Current               206

O M G - I am down over 100#.  



    
JEllen
on 3/22/10 2:49 pm - Capital Region, NY
Topic: RE: Hello - New member
Welcome to this wonderful supportive site!
remember WLS is a tool... and the more we learn to use it- the more effective we will be. you can succeed... we are here for you!

JEllen
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