Question:
Advice? Hope is fading after 3 years of fighting for surgery.
— amie (posted on September 23, 2004)
September 23, 2004
Hi I don't know about the state of Ohio but I know someone in Ky that got
vocational rehabilitation to pay for there surgery after that the hardest
part was finding a surgeon that took voc rehab......... Best wishes , Shell
— Shell G
September 23, 2004
Have you tried using the WLS attorney that they talk about on this website
to help with the appeal from a legal standpoint?
— chelle_0608
September 23, 2004
Hi Mandy,
Just read your profile. I may be naive but if your dad is no longer
supporting you because he is retired, his insurance will be done soon, you
can't find a job to support yourself, you have not gone to college yet, I
assume you have no income, WHY CAN'T YOU QUALIFY FOR STATE AID, vocational
rehab or some other state or federal program? Your situation is changed
now that your dad is no longer supporting you and you are not under his
insurance any more. It will be extremely hard for an inexperienced young
person of 400+lbs to get any kind of job esp with insurance due to the
descrimination that exists in "our" world. If I'm out of line
here or missing something please clue me in. I'm not familiar with
government aid programs or even insurance in the US but I do read all the
Q&A and have read about ppl who are unemployed getting wls. It seems
they are in the know about how to get things done. I hope someone can
steer you in the direction you need to go to get your surgery. HUGGS and
hang in there.
— mary ann T.
September 23, 2004
Are you a full time student? If not, try going to school (grant,
loans...it can be done). Almost ALL colleges have a group plan you can
join, and they aren't very expensive.
Have you tried ALL jobs, including down to working at McD's or cashier at a
convenience store? Sometimes the lower paying jobs have good insurance
benefits- and it would be something to get you by on for now.
I wish you luck....
Shannon
— M. Me
September 23, 2004
— amie
September 23, 2004
Have you attended local support group meetings? You need to NETWORK! Our
support group is filled with people who understand being MO. Just recently
our group picked up a owner of a large dairy, he is doing awesome as a
postie. So attend meetings, tell your story and that your looking for a job
that covers WLS in their insurance:( Guess what nearly everyone there had
insurance pay, you might get a job this way!<P> I would call
vocational rehab, your changing circumstances might get them to pay:)
— bob-haller
September 23, 2004
Theres a crack in every wall:) So your dads retiring? Thats nice but he
must find a NEW job for a few months... He retires and gets hired
elsewhere, just to get the insurance coverage YOU need! Once your a postie
he dumps the job:)
— bob-haller
September 23, 2004
Mandy, what I would suggest is going to your closest State run hospital or
even better the closest Medical Teaching Hospital. For me I have the
Medical College of Virginia nearby me. You can go through them and get
financial help according to your income level. When I was living on
disability only they paid all of my bills for hospitalization, dr.
appointments and meds. Try that if you can. Lori
— LoriMcGarrity
September 24, 2004
Please do not get mad by what I'm going to write. However, I think 19 or
20 is to young to have this surgery. Most insurances require that you have
an extensive history of dieting. That your primary doctor has worked with
you on your weight loss and have illness due to your weight. This surgery
is not a quick fix for quick weight loss. There can be some really serious
complications or even death. Even after the surgery you still need to deal
with the eating habits that are still in place. Have you joined a support
group to get the good and back about this surgery? I really do wish you
the best of luck.
— Linda R.
September 24, 2004
Linda, thanks for writing! Not in the least bit mad. I've had to deal with
peoples discrimination all of my life...I'm used to correcting
misconceptions! I hear the "too young" comment online quite a bit
- but never in person. For a year I was actually the leader of a hospital
support group in Cinci for adolescent WLS patients. I'm more than well
aware of the risks that surgery brings, and even more aware of what obesity
does to ones health. I have been battling my weight all of my life.
Extensive dieting history? Indeed. I was put on my first diet (by my
doctor) at age 6. By age 10 I weighed 230 lbs. Now, at 19, I weigh
somewhere around 450 lbs. A doctor actually first recommended bariartic
surgery at age 13 but I did not consider it as a viable option until the
age of 17. All the "experts" I have seen in the past few years
are all in agreement: Surgery is my only option at this point, and all seem
to think I'm one of the most qualified younger patients they've ever seen.
I know a surgical solution is my last hope. At this weight, the chance that
I will ever lose on my own is nearly impossible. I can wait another 5 years
and be at a "socially acceptable" age for this kind of
surgery...But why? I may not even make it to that age. My health is in
jeapordy - and it will be even more so if I wait longer for surgery. I for
one refuse to continue to put my life on hold & live in misery with the
oodle of co-morbidities I have (sleep apnea & diabetes being the
prominent 2) just because society - which has belittled me my whole life -
now thinks I'm not "ready" to change. I'm more than ready. And I
will keep on fighting for surgery because my very life depends on it, as
does the future I so deserve and will no longer be denied of. :)
— amie
September 25, 2004
Mandy,
I agree with other posts here. It sounds like your finacial situation has
changed since your father has had to retire. Re-check with state aid. Here
in Washington the Dept. of Vocational Rehab can be helpful too. Also you
may want to check out University Hospitals - I've heard that sometimes they
do WLS for teaching purposes-Free!
Keep the faith, don't give up, where there's a will, there's a way.
Support groups is a great networking tool also.
And I support your decision, I don't think 20yrs old is too young, you've
already suffered enough. I know, I was obese since puberty, and I turned 45
before my weight dropped below 200. Never give up.....it's so worth it.
Good luck, you're in my thoughts.
Hilda
— Hilda R.
September 25, 2004
Mandy, I know how it feels to fight,I hope that you can find a way to get
the surgery you need. I have a friend who was in the same boat as
you....She was able to cash pay for surgery in Mexico. Her parents were
able to refinance their home, after surgery, she was able to get a better
paying job and repay them for the surgery. Do you know of anyone who might
be willing to help you this way???? I know that Mexico sounds scary, and it
is NOT for everyone, you would need to research it, but thats what I did
too....I am now 13 months post op and have lost 142 pounds...I am also
going back to Mexico for plastic surgery. This may be am option for
you......
— jennap
September 26, 2004
Your note did not state your weight and history. I just read a note from a
23 year old who has so many problems that she is now going to have it
reversed. I also run a support group and just had a young lady who weight
is about 198 lbs and is having the surgery to prevent OBESITY and the
insurance is going to cover it. This is why I responded to your question
this way. Because insurance companys are cracking down on approving this
type of surgery (lastest diet craze) it frustrates me that those like
yourself who really need the surgery can not have it. I will keep you in
my thoughts and prayers that you will soon be able to have this surgery and
a new healthy life.
— Linda R.
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