Jane M.

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I attended Dr. Clark's Seminar this week. It was very informative and he stressed that this was not magic or easy in any way. He seems like a very caring doctor and stresses post-op care and support, which I feel is essential to your success. I feel pretty confident going to Dr. Clark and am happy with my choice of doctor. His office is supposed to call me to set up my insurance approval. BC/BS is supposed to be pretty receptive to the surgery and having a PPO is helpful as well. I discussed the surgery with my husband and after hearing me out he said he would support me in my decision but is concerned about the 1 in 200 death rate. My mother really wants me to have it done. She has several friends that have had the surgery and says that they look and feel great and almost all of their health problems have disappeared. I need to do this. I'm just getting fatter and yo-yoing on Atkins for two years has actually made me fatter. I'm Ready To change my life!

Well, my new insurance has kicked in and I now have a date to attend a seminar with Dr. Clark's office. YEAH! I received the info packet and I have started filling out all the info to be approved by the insurance. I finally, after 3 years of trying to get this surgery feel like it's on track. My husband is really worried about me having this surgery. He's scared he's going to loose me. I have done so much research on this surgery, that I am very confident that everything will be ok.
I have GERD, IBS (in remission), and Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome and I often get bone spurs and have knee problems. I cannot get up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. I just want to feel good, I don't want to look like a supermodel. Some people might have unrealistic dreams of looking like a cover girl afterward, but I know that if I get a 100 lb loss, I would be very happy. I will update again after the seminar.

I know I haven't been on here in  long time but with the denial by Cigna (Twice, I appealed), I pretty much gave up on getting this surgery. My weight is up in the 280's-90's now. When I started I weighed about 255-260. I'm as depressed as ever. I hating life in general right now. But hope has shined it's beacon on me. You see Joe lot his Job and then got hired at a really good company and they have great insurance. They actually offered 4 plans and I called around and found that BCBS will Cover It!!! Yeah!!!! I also have a PPO, so no refferals needed. As soon as my new insurance kicks in, I'm making an appointment with DR. Clark of Newport News. After years of waiting and haggling with Cigna, I don't need to worry about them anymore. I just about given up and any chance that I would ever have this surgery.

After going through the six month diet, collecting old medical weight loss records (Going back to when I was 10!), attending Weigh watchers, letters from my PCP and GYNO. I was denied by Cigna. I'm going to appeal but It's not looking good. What else do they want from? My first born son? My DNA? It's not even my hubby's employer that's denying it, it's Cigna themselves. They consider it elective surgery. Well, Cigna, it's not elective, it's necessary for my health and well being!  I gained 5 pounds in the last month too. I'm so depressed about everything right now. Half the time, I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning.

Cigna still sucks. They are making me jump through hoops. I'm not sure if this is really worth the time and aggrevation.  Hubby doesn't want me to have it anyway. So, I'm dieting....again and waiting.......waiting.......waiting.......BTW Happy birthday to me. Another year older and other year fatter than last.

3/31/2002

Well I know I have not updated in a long time. My new Insurance Carrier CIGNA, is a big pain in a**. I was denied the first time around. I recently was also diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and I have to go to the Jones Institute at the MCVA School of Reproductive Medicine. Gee, this explains a lot. Weight problems, acne, hair in places where you didn't know you had places, menstration problems, hot flashes etc. The list goes on and on. They are going to put me on glucophage which is supposed to help lose weight while it regulates your insulin (note: I am not a diabetic, at least not yet.) When I submit my new approval form it will have the endocrinolgy report with it. PCOS is a big co-morbidity because you are 50 more times likely to get heart disease and diabetes as well as endometrian (sp) cancers. I am currently on my second round of a 12 week program with weigh in's with my new and much improved PCP. She is incredible and her physician's assistant is even better. Maybe this time I will get approved. I may have to wait longer but I am determined to have this surgery. Because of my PCOS it is even more vital. I suggest to anyone with infertility problems, acne, facial and body hair (also called hirutism) to talk to your PCP. It will be a major co-morbid for getting approved

I'm here because I'm looking into having gastric bypass. I'm miserable at this weight. I weigh about 270. I used to weigh about 185 when I got married. I had a kid and gained a ton of weight. I'm researching now and I'm glad I found this site.