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Sept 29, 2000 Ok, I've decided..it's time to start researching! I want to know about weight loss surgery! I've putting it off...and I can't do it any longer. The best way I've found so far is to go to AOL search and type in gastric bypass. SO far I've spent HOURS on the computer reading all I can. You ask..why weight loss surgery? I've got a simple answer for you...I'm overweight! I'm only 5'3" and over 250 pounds. My BMI (body mass index) is 46. Anything over 40 is considered morbidly obese. When I see that, I want to cry. It really hits home. I could die. Just from my weight. Not from cancer, a car crash, any accident. But because I'm overwieght. It's a scary thought. I love life. I love to travel, shop, do arts & crafts...and read. I love life, and I love myself! I love myself so much that I am going to try and save myself. |
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October 1, 2000 I HAVE FOUND THE BEST SITE!!! It's called Obesity Help it has people that are considering surgery, people who have had surgery, and so on. It also has patients reactions to doctors, a list of doctors by state, a list of peers by state, people's before and after pics, a TON of info! So, after spending days on the site I now have a list of doctors. I made the list by finding doctors in my area, then reading about each from the patients point of view. Then I went to the doctor's individual websites and read each and every piece of info on the sites! I now have a list of 5 doctors, but only one of them is in my area! The others are anywhere from 2-4 hours away. I don't care, I don't mind! |
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October 2, 2000 Ok, now the hard part....finding out if insurance covers this! From what I've read this surgery can cost anywhere from $8000-$30,000...but I think it all depends on what you get done with the surgery...like a tummy tuck, a big ole hospital room, etc. So I called my insurance company and guess what???? THEY COVER IT!!! YAY! Ok, so they only cover 80%, but that's fine with me!
You're probably wondering if I've decided what surgery to have...well, I've been wondering that too! I narrowed it down to 2 choices the duodenal switch and the roux-en-y (RNY). I've been reading about each one and have decided to go with the RNY. I like the results of the RNY, and I'm a good candidate for the laparoscopic version of it rather than the open version. That means less recovery time, and not such a big scar. Ok, that was superficial of me, but if you could have a few little boo-boos compared to one big boo-boo, which would you choose?! :-D |
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October 3, 2000 Off to call the insurance company I go, off to call the insurance company I go...
Let me tell you what happened with that! I called to see what doctors were covered by my insurance...well only 2 of the 5 were, and actually the doctor I was hoping for, Dr. Marema, was!!! Yay!
Do the HAPPY DANCE!!! I visited their website the other day and requested info. The next day a nice Mr. Hart wrote me and told me about an info group they have 30 minutes from my home! I was so excited about this, because Dr. Marema's office is in Ft. Lauderdale, and that is about 3 hours from my house. So I'm going to go to the info meeting in the middle of November, I can't wait!
Also, while I was on the phone with my insurance company, I verified the requirements to be covered by insurance. You want to make sure that there aren't any hidden requirements! All they require is that I am morbidly obese, not a problem...already there! I never thought I'd actually use that for something good. Don't hesitate to call your insurance company if you have any questions! That's what they are there for! |
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October 4, 2000 Ok, I have signed up for some groups at e-groups about WLS. One group, OSSG, has over 2000 members! Another group, ossg-main-list is VERY supportive and informative. Does that tell me I am not alone! Just go to e-groups, and do a search of all the groups for weight loss surgery, OSSG, gastric bypass, etc. These groups give wonderful info and lets you hear about other people's struggles and triumph through all this. It gives you great support!
I also talked to my parents. I love my family so VERY much. They couldn't be more supportive. They know the struggle I've been going through, because they've watched me go through it! They understand why I've chosen to do this, and they don't question me about it, except in the good ways. I wish everyone could have a supportive family such as mine! |
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If you want to be notified when I update my journal or webpage, sign up at Yahoo Groups! |
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