OK heres the before and so far pics:



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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


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Great pix, Thank you.
 Mrs Rip Van Winkle: I can't lift him now, but he likes to pounce on me. If it takes a year, My daughter will be stateside,(Air Force) so I will have help also.

Barbccrn. No , I am still argueing with my P C Dr to get a referal .

 Thanks, we just got back from vacation in South Dakota, and It's not much fun as a double person.  I am exhausted.
>^..^<
Carla

Yes, to get full approval it usually takes about a year.  You go through psychiatric evaluation, support groups, medical clearance, insurance approval and Dr may require that you lose a specifc amount of weight prior to the surgery..maybe 11 pounds maybe 30 pounds.  All depends.  So if you get the ball rolling now, you can always cancel if you want...but by waiting until there may be a better time could prolong it much more than you want..


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Hi all,  

I thought I'd weigh in (hahahaha!) on the  subject.  I'm in the process now of getting approval for lap band surgery.  It's really frustrating for me because my insurance provider wants so much.  Some people don't have a hard time at all; others, like me, keep getting the run around.  I started the process in March, and the provider keeps giving reasons why they can't approve the surgery, the last one being that there isn't proof that I've had trouble losing weight, or something like that.  I forget the exact wording.  I guess I'm writing this just to say that I agree with Mrs. RVW.  The process could take quite some time, and the sooner you get the ball rolling, the better.  It's really frustrating!  

Debbie

Debbie....most insurance don't want to approve WLS because of the cost.(in the long run...think it would be cheaper to approve it). A LOT of policies have specific EXCLUSIONS with regards to bariatric surgery. I thank God every day for Cigna and my surgeon,Dr. Teng. FYI...my out of pocket expenses were around $2000. My hospital bill for 3 uncomplicated days(I had to pay ZERO...Thank God!) was $87,497!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING?????? Cigna paid...$34,887 and that was taken as payment in full. WOW!WOW!!WOW!!!   I have a good friend that fought for 3 years and filed a number of appeals in order to get her gastric bypass approved.


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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


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My pcp finally agreed to a referal  only because my gasterenteroligists told him it may resolve my caliac disease because it by passes the douedenum(upper small intestine) My last scope showed a growth in my lower stomach that turned out to be pancraitic tissue.I don't
 know how dangerous this growth is,but my triglycerides were 258, and my amalese was 138 both way too high.  My total cholesteral was 189 so something is wrong. I just don't know what.
>^..^<
Carla

Barb, yes, that's what one of the doctors said when I went to the WLS seminar; that most insurance companies don't want to pay for it.  I agree; and I think I even wrote that in a letter to my insurance company--that it would cost them less in the long run.  I've read of people being denied over and over, and though it's discouraging, I'm going to keep bugging them until they get tired of me--if it comes to that.  

Debbie

OK so I'm 8 1/2 months out...down 125+ lbs(lost 23 lbs pre-op) down from a tight size 26 to a comfortable size 14. My happiest accomplishment...my CPAP pressure has gone from 15 down to 9!!!! And my retitration study was over 50 lbs ago. I'm still on my BP medication...so far!!!


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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


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         125 is incredible!  My grandson says you look like a nice lady and says "Hi"  I know I will feel better. I'm 5ft 4in 260 It's like carrying another person around all day. I hope I am approved for surgery, I have a grand child to get to adult hood.
 Carla

You sound much like me,Carla. I'm 5'3". I was 318 at my highest weight. I feel awesome!!! 8 1/2 months since surgery and I n weigh 193 lbs. WOW!!!! What a difference. I showed DH a pic from last August and he said he never saw me as being that big. My goal weight is 130lbs. I'd love to reach that by my 1 year surgiversary on Dec 6 but not likely. I definitely want to be that weight by next April 7...very significant...the BIG 5-0 BDAY!!!!!!!


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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

April 7th is my mothers b-day. She will be 90.  That would be a wonderfull birthday gift to yourself.I know I'm still in here I just have to find me. My husband and daughter  will be back stateside  next summer so I will have help, I talked to my insurance co and they said the medical portion is covered they just need to be sure I qualify, so maybe it won't be too bad. time will tell.I have my first appointment aug 26th.
>^..^>
Carla

My insurance company sent me a packet of info explaining what they do and do not cover! cool. The person I talked to said the surgery costs a lot less than CICU or stroke recovery, and a high percentage of wls patients lose their co-morbiditys along with their weight. I still have to qualify but we are off to a good start.
>^..^<
Carla

They said because of my health problems it  could be as soon as christmas for my surgery, I still have to jump through the hoops, but they  are pushing to get it done while I'm still well enough to handle it. So far ins is supporting it.  I'm not going to get excited yet .
>^..^<
Carla

Carla- it is so much less stressful when the insurance companies are open minded and do realize that your comorbidities will improve/disappear with weight loss surgery. I feel like a new person and am thankful that Cigna handled everything so readily. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Keep us updated. My surgery was last Dec. 6th...an early and BEST Christmas present ever!!!!


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EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

bad mamogram and scarey core biopsy results ,have everything on hold. I've been clear for 10 years, I'm supposed to be safe.    I want to just curl up in a ball and cry.
Carla