Question:
I need help.....please help me.....

ok I got an appeal date for 10-23-02. It will be held over a phone call between me and a judge....give me some advise on what to say to the judge...i sent pics of me along with my appeal letter and so forth....i need help...anyhting you guys can give me would be extremely helpfull...thanks    — DIANE B. (posted on September 8, 2002)

September 8, 2002
Hi!! You sound very worried!! First of all RELAX!! You can do this!! I would simply tell the judge exactly why this surgery is absolutely necessary to you!!! Maybe even write down everything you want to say and priortize your reasons..so if you get nervous you have all you need to tell him in front of you. I.E. serious health conditions that will be improved with weight loss, money reasons..can't work or can't afford all the meds for your illnesses...whatever your reasons... talk about the wieghtloss methods you have tried and let them know how unsuccessful they were... let him know this is your last chance to be healthy!! Take care of yourself and know people are praying for you!!
   — Allie A.

September 8, 2002
I think being well prepared for this interview will help. In the book: "A complete Guide to Obesity Surgery" (at http://www.obesitysurgerybook.com ) And it may be on this website somewhere and on this website's book, but there is a very long list of comorbidities on pages 5 through 17 and samples of letters of appeal and such that will be greatly helpful to you. I printed those out and sat down and wrote out my long list of associated obesity problems. After reading the list, I was surprised to find out how many things I had that were associated with obesity that I hadn't related in my own mind. If you don't have that book and the book on this website, you are probably doing yourself a disservice. There is loads of information that you will refer to for months and months to come, both before and after surgery. In fact, my surgeon made it REQUIRED reading on the first visit. I also found it helpful in bringing complete information to him, as there was so much I had forgotton over the years about diets I had tried, and the book was a good reminder. I used that information to bring with me for my patient history that you have to flll out with a new doctor. It gets hard to remember everything when you've been trying different things for 30 years.
   — Darlene P.

September 8, 2002
Another thought, check your insurance policy closely. What does it say about obesity surgery? IF it says it will pay if medically necessary, then prove that it is medically necessary. Also point out (as in a previous post) how much the insurance company has to pay for your current medications for the rest of your life as well as the cost of obesity related diseases and surgeries to come in the future if they don't allow the surgery. Usually, when talking to insurance companies, you need to show them how much money they will save over your lifetime if you have this surgery. By the way, I think the current life expectancy tables are about 79 years, so you can use that as your calculation of future costs minus your age. This will take some research on your part. There are pages on this website, I think in the user profiles of how much this surgery costs. Compare that to the cost of reflux surgery, gall bladder surgery, knee replacement surgeries, hospitalizations and medical supervision for a lifetime for weight control and medications a doctor may have you on for weight control That have FAILED. Also possible psychiatric treatment for depression, treatment for heart disease and bypass surgery, high blood pressure, diabetes complications (such as amputations). There are so many co-morbidities and I think if you sit down and really lay this out in a logical list, you'll have your information. You may even want to fax a finished copy of your list so they can "see" it. Sometimes having it in writing helps boost your verbal plea. They certainly can't selectively remember what you told them when all of it is in writing in front of them. Best Wishes to you.
   — Darlene P.