First time to Post!
Hi everyone!
My name is Becky and this is the first time I have actually written into
this group even though I read daily the posts on this site. I have been
researching and studying everything I can about all of the procedures out
there. I have taken my time in trying to find the right situation for me.
When I first heard about wls in July 02, I was ready without much planning,
just anxious to get going and wanted the surgery done yesterday. I’m sure
many of you can relate. lol! I couldn’t do that because I was on UHC
insurance at the time and was changing to Cigna on Oct.1st. I didn’t really
want to start with one insurance and find I couldn’t complete what I had
started and then have to start all over again with another. This was a very
fortunate thing and now I really know I have a angel on my shoulder. Since
I couldn’t just jump in there I had to do my homework and get my ducks in a
row. I started listening and reading to everything I could get my hands on.
The internet has been great and you all are great to share all of your
experiences with us pre-ops. I want you to know that since I took my time I
found out some very interesting things. One, is that I proceeded to find
out about my new insurance company and what there criteria was right off the
bat, and a good thing I did. Their criteria is that you must have been on a
monitored weight loss program for at least 12 weeks in past 12 months. Well
I had been on many in the past but not in the past 12 mos. Therefore, since
I couldn’t do anything until Oct. 1st with getting ready for insurance
approval, I went back to Weight Watchers and started the 12 week program. I
am just about done! WooHoo!! I will probably still go to WW just for the
behavior modification but glad to know that I have the 12 weeks over with.
Second, I had first decided to go to a surgeon in St. Pete, FL because he
was the closest to home and I didn’t want to travel far and started making
plans with that surgeon. But two things were wrong with that, I really
wanted to have Lap RNY and this surgeon only did open. Also, he did not
except my psych. eval., said I needed a second opinion, and he wanted me to
go to one of his psychologist. Well, that wouldn’t have been so bad except
his psych. didn’t except the MMPII that I had already taken and paid $150.00
for and I would have to take it again along with some other tests to the
tune of $260 out of pocket expense to me. You know, that just didn’t sit
right with me and the more I thought about it, the madder I got. So I
started looking for another surgeon. Low and behold that very same day,
someone on the support group wrote in about her experience with Dr. Vaughn
in Jupiter, FL and had nothing but great things to say about her experience.
So I thought, maybe I should look into it. I went on a live Telecast the
other evening conducted by Dr. Vaughn where you could ask your questions
live and he would answer them live. I got all of my questions answered.
Better yet, it is approximately the same distance from my home to Jupiter as
it is to St. Pete. I called the very next day and have decided to go with
Dr. Vaughn and the Surgical Weight Loss Control Program at Jupiter Medical
Center. I went to their website and downloaded their application and filled
it out. Went to PCP yesterday and the referral is being prepared as I speak
and I am now officially on my way to the other side.
I guess what I learned through this whole thing is that patience and
perserverance are truly virtues. If I hadn’t had to step back and go on a
weight monitored program, I may have not found out all the info I needed to
make a good decision. Thank you for all of your good information on this
website and I just wanted to let you know that without your help some people
could be making some very wrong decisions. And for those of you who have
been setback due to insurance issues or co-morbitity problems, sometimes
that can be a good thing. It gives you time to get your “ducks in a row”!!
Thank you and good luck to all. Take care,
Becky
Pre-op 290
Goal 150