This page is dedicated to all those who have ever had to live with a weight problem.
.......................................................................February 2003.............................................. April 2003
April 9 - I have had a weight problem most of my life. I remember fighting with my weight as a teenager and as I got older and had my children it became harder to lose the weight. I have tried numerous diets, drugs, and exercises just for all the weight to eventually come back. I have known for several years that I needed to desperately find a way to lose the weight and successfully keep it off. It was not till recently I even thought about having Weight Loss Surgery. In February my husband and I had a party celebrating our recent marriage. It was at this joyous event that I saw a friend whom I had not seen in years. A few years ago I had heard from my family that she had become severely overweight (like me). But let me tell you.... when I saw her at the party I didn’t even recognize her. She looked like she did in high school. I could not believe it. Come to find out she decided that she wanted a new life (like me) and had Roux-En-Y surgery. After talking to her about her surgery and her new life as a LOSER I knew I was strong enough to change my life as she had done with hers. So my process of starting my New Life has begun. I have learned alot about Roux-En-Y (Lap) and have decided that this is the way I want to go. I have picked my doctor; his name is Dr. Ronnie Keith. The first step in the process with his group is to go to a seminar, which I am scheduled for on May 8, 2003. This seems like so far away. But I know the wait is well worth it. I thank God everyday that I have a family that is so supportive of my decision. My husband, Gregory, is right by my side. He tells me all the time he will help me in whatever way he can, and I know he will. Stay tuned.....I will keep you posted!
May 9 - Well I made it to Dr. Keith's seminar yesterday, after the tornado came through the Moore area. Let me tell you, for a bit it was quite scary. I had left the GM plant about 15 minutes before the tornado hit the plant. And as I got home I could see the tornado about 1 mile east of my home. It was to close for me, but we are ALL fine. Praise GOD! But back to the seminar...it was AWESOME!!! I definitely know that I am doing the right thing by having Laporscopic Roux-En-Y Surgery. Dr. Keith spoke about all the risk and advantages of having either the RNY or the Lap-Band surgery. He was very informative. I did talk to the nurses after the seminar and told them my possible problems with losing my insurance as the end on June, due to GM releasing all contract employees. They reassured me that they do not see a problem with me having the surgery before that happens. They said that BCBS usually does not require a predetermination letter as long as you meet the requirements for surgery, so that should cut down on the wait time on the insurance.... they also said if I do not hear from them by May 14 to give them a call and see what is going on with my approval. So as long as I don’t lose my job now due to the damage at GM I should be set to have my surgery. I will keep you posted as I learn more information.
May 12 - Well it is Monday, and noone really knows what is going on with GM. We know that there is still no power and I don’t see that changing anytime real soon since the tornado took out the power plant. I did talk to my supervisor briefly and she stated that at this time all she knew was we are all on temporary layoff. After I spoke with her I called the contractor I work for and gave them all the information I have and asked them if they had any additional information or what would happen to our benefits during this down time. She told me as long as they keep the contract active that we will retain our benefits, but if they cancel the contract then my benefits will end. So I am praying that they retain our contracts and just place us on temporary layoff. If this happens I will file for temporary unemployment and enjoy a few weeks off and hopefully have my surgery during this time so that I will be ready to go back to work when the plant reopens. If they cancel our contract then I feel my surgery plans will have to be put on hold till at least August when Greg's insurance will start. I will keep everyone posted on what happens. Keep me in your prays. Love you ALL!!
UPDATE…We have been notified that our contracts are going to be kept active and that as soon as power is restored that we will be back at work. Bad news is they do not know when this will be. I could be a few days then again a few months. But with our contracts staying active so will our benefits…I will keep you posted.
May 15 - Well I heard back from Dr. Keith's office today and was told that BCBS of Oklahoma is wanting a predetermination letter. I am so confused since they told me they dont. Well what it comes down to is I have BCBS of Michigan, but since I live in Oklahoma and since I am having my surgery here then it has to go through BCBS of Oklahoma and they are requiring the predeterination letter. Now the real confusing part is they wanted the predetermination letter mailed to Michigan who does not require it. How crazy is that? I ended up getting the letter from Dr. Keith's office and overnighted it myself so that they would receive it tomorrow. The plus as far as BCBS of Michigan goes, they said it may not take as long for the approval because they do not require the predetermination letter. So they told me to call on Monday and see where it is in the process of approval. The reason I am working so hard on this is because I may lose my insurance if we do not get to go back to work soon, being that I am a GM contract employee. So hopefully i will know something soon. I will post as soon as I have more information.
May 26 - I thought I would do a short update, although I really do not know much new news. I did find out the reason for the predetermination letter is due to the use of an unlisted laporscopic procedure code. I also know that as of last Tuesday (May 20) that my predetermination letter had been received and written up and sent to the actual predetermination department. I will be checking in with the insurance company again today or tomorrow to check the progress. As soon as I learn anything new I will post and let everyone know
May 28 - Well the insurance wait is over, I have been APPROVED!!!!! YEA YEA YEA!!!!! I have my first appointment with Dr. Keith on June 5, unless they have a cancellation and can move me up sooner. The only down side right now is that they are booked for the month of June. The nurse stated that she is not saying they can not do it in June but it will have to be up to Dr. Keith if he wants to fit me in somewhere. I told her I would do whatever it took to have a June date. My insurance at this point is due to end on June 13 and I am going to take Cobra to cover my surgery if we are not back at work before my surgery date. The down fall with Cobra is there could be a lapse and all benefits must be paid before my Cobra coverage can begin or become retroactive. So now I am going to try and get most of my pre-op appointments done before June 13 so that all I have to worry about is having Cobra paid before my surgery. So as I have been doing I will continue to pray that it will all work out. I will post as I have new information!!!
