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Profile: Ginger L
Surgery: Post Op
Personal Comments
I am a 38 y/o female and I weigh 245. I have pseudo tumor cerebri and my docs say it's not a matter of "if" I go blind it's just a matter of "when" because my spinal pressure is so high related to my weight. I'm just starting the process of getting approved but my policy has a very specific exclusion. Wish me luck.
12/1/02 Well...I've been doing alot of research on the web using this site's links. I really feel much more informed. I've got the name of 3 different surgeons that are on my insurance that I plan to call tomorrow. I love reading the q and a's on this site. Everyday someone asks a question that I was thinking about. I also love to read the different profiles and see all the before and after pictures. It gives me such hope! I haven't started tackling the insurance issue yet. I have an exclusion and it's probably going to be a battle. However...I have a plan B. My husband has UHC insurance and they are having an open enrollment in March. So I have till then to see what my insurance co is going to do. I am so tired of feeling like crap all the time. I read the different profiles and it's like these people are telling my story. It makes me feel alittle better knowing I'm not all alone out there and that there are other people who are going through the same thing and have made it! One thing I have found with the ones who have been successfull is their great attitudes even when things got tough. I really think that is the key. So, from here on out I'm going to try and stay positive. GL
12/13/02 Well, I got a letter of medical necessity today from my opthomologist and I'm waiting for one from my neurologist. I have an appointment with Dr. Ihge next Thursday. However, they left a message on my answering machine that they want to talk with me. I'm sure it has to do with my exclusion. Things seem to be moving so slow. But I'm going to stay positive. Later!!
12/17/02 Called Dr. Ihde's office today. They called just to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow. Wha hoo! Kim was super nice. Still haven't recieved my letter from my neurologist. HAVE to call him tomorrow. Did a rough draft of the letter I'm sending to HR at work. I looks pretty good. I have to admit I took bits and pieces from other peoples letters and blended them with my own individual circumstances. Is that cheating? Hey...all's fair in WLS vs insurance companies. My friends so far have been a cross between supportive and concerned. I have really great friends and a great job. Still staying positive. GL
12/18/02 Went to see Dr. Ihde today for my surgical consult. He was really nice! He spent 2 hours with me just going over everything. He never rushed me and answered all my questions. Only does the RNY open. He made sense though. He feels the less time under anesthesia the better. I agree. With the laproscopic approach it can take longer and be more riskier. He says he's usually in and out bar complications in 50 minutes. He has you up walking 4 hours post op. I wonder if this guy is married? Just joking! Anyway, they liked the fact that I had already gotten letters from my other doctors and had copies of all my research. He said he would submit my paperwork in about three days. He actually made me weigh my purse. He said post op I couldn't lift or carry anything over ten pounds and he was sure my purse weighed at least that. Ha...it only weighed 4lbs. Wish me luck and keep my in your prayers. Ginger
12/19/02 Faxed a letter to the VP of HR at work and several other "big wigs" hoping they will support me in my quest for this surgery. I know my friends are getting tired of hearing me talk about it but they are still supportive. I have to keep talking about it so I can stay focused and motivated. I read other profiles of people who have waited months and some even over a year for this surgery. I don't know how they do that. One thing I have noticed consistently is people who don't feel well after surgery because of weakness or nausea all seem to be doing alot better 2-3 months later. So, if after surgery I don't feel good I will know that about 2 or 3 months postop I should be feeling alot better. Listen to me, talking like an expert or something!! I'm just mentally so there. Gotta go...Ging
12/24/02 Happy Birthday to me!!! I went for a gallbladder ultrasound today. I'm pretty sure I don't have gallstones. This may sound weird but I was kindof hoping I did so they would take my gallbladder out. See, Dr. Ihde said he wouldn't just take it out unless it was diseased. He said the less invasive the procedure was the less chance for complications. That makes sense. He also told me he would be giving me medicine to take 4 times daily for 6 months to prevent gallstone formation. He said I didn't need a psych eval either. He said he has conferenced with many other bariatric surgeons and they have found that psych evals do not determine whether or not someone will become depressed after surgery or whether or not someone will be successfull or not. He did say that the likelyhood of postop depression is fairly significant and if that became a problem to let him know so that it could be addressed. Still think he's a nice guy. I actually ran into him today coming out of the hospital. He looked tired. I hope he gets some rest and has a wonderful Christmas. I think I'm just planning for my midlife crisis! See...I turned 39 years old today. Most people reflect on the last year New Years Day, I always do on my birthday. Just think, this will be the last FAT birthday I will ever have! YEA!!!!!!!!I'm going to have lot's of changes in 2003. See ya...Ginger
01/05/03 Well, I spoke with my HR person on Friday. She said she had submitted my letter to my insurance company and it was in the "review process". She said it would be up to the insurance company to decide. But when I spoke to the insurance company they said it was up to my company to decide. Anyway, at least it's being looked at. My HR person said we should hear something in 4 to 6 weeks. I'm trying not to be pushy Yet. I truely believe you get more from honey than you do from vinegar but the honey will only flow so long. In the meantime everything is on hold with Dr. Ihde. His office called my insurance and they said they won't pay for this so I will have to pay for his office visit. They also said I would have to pay for the nutritional consult so I'm going to wait and see what my insurance says. My HR person said if they made an exception for me they would have to make an exception for everyone and I'm thinking SO...what's wrong with that. Maybe there are alot of people in my company that need this procedure. We currently employ over 5000 people! I'm sure I'm not the only one out of 5000 people that need this surgery. I've noticed I've been eating alot lately. I have read where alot of people waiting to have this surgery have done the same thing. Yesterday I was in a plus-sized clothing store trying on clothes. Anyway, the lady in the stall next to mine was just a huffin and a puffin trying on clothes and I thought man, that's me in a year or two if I don't have this surgery! I got an email from Shannon yeaterday. She's having surgery also with Dr. Ihde on Jan. 20th. Everyone pray for her. Good luck Shannon!! Well, gotta go. It's late and I have to go to work tomorrow. Ginger
1/27/03 Well, got a call from my insurance company last week. They wanted a copy of all my medical records. They are actually reviewing my case! Dr. Ihde's office felt like they probably wouldn't pay...apparently BCBS is notorious for that, so I'm pretty stoked that my case is even in the review process. They said they are reviewing for medical necessity and for cost effectiveness. Ok...I might loose my vision and they are trying to see which way costs the least amount! I can't believe they would put a price on my vision but I guess they are. So hopefully by the end of this week I will know something. My clothes are getting bigger and bigger. I have stuff from a size 12 to 3x. Man, after I have this surgery I'm going to have a huge garage sale. See ya later.
2/6/03 Got a call from my insurance company yesterday. I have been denied. She wouldn't say over the phone but said I would get a formal explanation by mail. I'm curious what it says. That's ok...on to plan "B". I will submit my application to my husbands insurance company tomorrow. His open enrollment is March 1st. Good timing, Huh? But it makes me so mad that so many people don't have other options! This surgical procedure can potentially save lives. If I was an alcoholic 10 years ago and damaged my liver to the point of needing a liver transplant I could get it. If I had heart disease and needed treatment for my heart I could get it. But I need treatment for my obesity and I can't get it through my insurance company. How sad!!
3/12/06 Well, it's been a couple of years since I updated my profile. Was denied all the way to the top. It was devastating. I just gave up. But I'm back at it again. I got approved for partial financing and I'm hoping Dr. Aceves' office will finance the rest. I've been coresponding with Nina and I'm hoping to have a lapband April 19th. Lost 50lbs last year doing weight watchers and working out with a personal trainer. It took me 7 months. I worked out everyday and stuck to WW religiously. After 7 months my PT did a body fat analysis and I was 42%. I just started bawling. I had tried soo hard! I was still half fat! As soon as I stopped working out the weight started creeping back. I weigh less than I did 3 years ago but only by about 8lbs. All my paper work has been submitted. I'm really starting to have some health problems. My BP is going up, etc. If you read this please pray for me...I need all the prayers I can get.
3/14/06 Well, it's official. I am having surgery April 19th in Mexicali, Mexico with Dr. Aceves. They have been very nice. No problems what so ever. Had part of it financed here in the states and Dr. Aceves is financing the rest. All my friends are really excited. I am so tired of feeling bad all the time. Looking forward to starting over/being born again/finally beating this monster called obesity. Wish me luck.
4/23/06 I'm home! Had surgery on the 19th. Everything went great. Dr. Aceves found a large hiatal hernia which had to be repaired before he could band me. He did not even charge me extra! Everyone was really great and these people work hard. I can only eat about 1/2 to 3/4c of broth and 1 sf jello per meal. Then I feel like I have eaten a side of beef! No hunger at all and I've already lost 7lbs! Yea! This is so going to work for me. Ginger
Surgeon Info:
Alberto Aceves M.D., F.A.C.S. (Mexicali, )
Dr. Aceves was very kind and informative. I truely believe he wants everyone to be successful with their weight loss. His staff was friendly and these guys really work hard! He explaned all the risks and benefits. I would give him an A+!
Insurer Info:
self pay
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