JuliaA
JULY 4,2003
Independence Day. As I sit and watch fireworks with my family, I was thinking this would be the last 4 th I would be watching fire works fat. Independence Day has a whole new meaning! Independence from all of the limitations from being over weight, and not being able to do things thinner people can. I have been over weight all on my life. My first "diet" was when I was in second grade. It was a little candy called AIDS. (Fast forward a few years, I'm sure the inventors of this product regrets the name.) You ate 3 or 4 of there little soft candies a day. Some how this was to curb your appetite. After many, years of dieting, I am at the point I am at now. Looking forward to a new life after WLS, but dreading it all the same. Frustrated that I can't keep the weight off that I lose, and feeling like a failure when the weight is gained back. I WILL NOT LET MYSELF FEEL THIS WAY AGAIN! I'm taking control of my weight. AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, I WILL NOT BE FAT ANY MORE! LOL (Using my best Scarlet O Hara voice)
Any way, I am waiting for insurance approval with CIGNA. I'm having a little trouble, with them, but I will go into detail later.
Aug 8,2003
Denied!!! I received a letter to day, telling me that I was denied. CIGNA wanted proof of two 26-week doctor supervised diets. As I understand it, they will not accept Weight Watchers as a supervised diet. Go figure.
I called CIGNA today, and asked if the supervised diet was the only thing keeping me from approval. The lady I talked to told me that the diet was all that was needed. I asked for that in writing, but funny thing, she said that she couldn't do that. I'm just afraid that when I complete the 26 week diet, then they will throw something new at me to delay approval. I'm still feeling good, and feel strongly that I will get approval, I will not give up!!!!!
Oct 12,2003
Well a lot has happened, I have decided to change surgeons. I will now be going to a Dr Lindsey in Franklin, IN. She is over an hour closer to my home, and I don't feel like just a number when I go in to the office. I can also get in for surgery in less time after approval. Speaking of approval, I see Dr Lindsey and the nutrition person on October 20th. After that, they will send in all of my paper work, along with my 26 week supervised diet into CIGNA. The denial letter stated that all I was missing for approval is the Dr supervised diet. SO wish me luck!! I hope they don't through something new at me, then an other denial. I will keep you posted.
Nov 21,2003
Well they through something new at me! After going to my doctor’s office for 6 months for weigh in's, they denied me again!!! I was told that there wasn't enough documentation. I would go in and weigh, and nurses would document my weight. Well’ they wanted me to make an appointment with my pcp each month, and have her document my weight. The nurse wasn't good enough. I was mot told they wanted pcp appointments. Just one more thing. On a brighter note, my PCP is going to call and give them the information they want. So I still might be approved, depending on what my PCP is able to provide to them. CIGNA stinks!!!!!
Dec 2,2003
APPROVED!!! After many phone calls, and a near nervous break down, I was finally approved. Now the bad news. I called Cigna Wednesday Dec.4, and they said they didn't know when the approval would be sent to my surgeon's office. I need to have it there by Monday. If it can be there on Mon, I can have surgery on December 15,2003. It's taken so long to get here, and now it seems it's happening so fast!!!! I can't wait, but the waiting is killing me... More later
Dec 5,2003
Well I have my surgery date!! Dec 15th....Yes the 15th. I can't believe it. Today is Friday I go in Wednesday for my pre op tests. I think I need to pinch myself.
July 4,2004
Ok, it's been a year from my first post. Alot has happened.....
I did have surgery on December 15,2004. Surgery at 1:00 pm, Monday, Off all pain meds by Tuesday morning(all but tylenol) the meds gave me such a headache. The post op pain was not bad at all. A little sore, but not unbearable. Home by noon on Wednesay. I felt great, went shopping for a SHORT while on Friday. 8 Days after surgery I drove myself to the surgeons office to have staples removed, Down 11 pounds. This is on
Dec 23. I told my Dr that I was feeling good, and wanted to go back to work on Saturday after Christmas. 11 days op!. She said that would be fine, but not to over do. I had a Christmas party at my shop, after the appointment. When I got there for the party, 2 of my customes were there for hair cuts with other stylists, But while I was there, I did 2 cuts and a shampoo and set. I was tired, but it felt good to work. I was released to have soft food, and chicken and turkey. Good thing with Christmas dinner 2 days away.I was able to eat a bite of potatoes, 1 elbow of mac and cheese, and a few bites of turkey!!! It was amazing how all of the food tasted so different. I even had a eraser size taste of pecan pie.
I here folks say thet they morn food. I have never felt that way. For me it's a relief NOT TO HAVE THAT FOOD ADICTION. I knew I shouldn't eat so much, but I couldn't stop until it was all gone. Feeling guility for eating so much.
I'm able to have a taste of what ever I want, And at this time I feel satisfied.
I went back to work 11 days post op, part time, and took a break after each cut. Back full time a week later.
July 26, 2004
Well I'm down 105 pounds, It still amazeses me every day! It seems like a life time ago, but it's only been 7 1/2 nonths ago.
I feel great, I often asked if I would do it again... I say
" In a heartbeat" I know I was lucky not to have any complications, and feel truly blessed every day!!!!
STARTING WEIGHT 295 ---- GOAL 180
August 15,2004
9 months out,I can't believe it! It seems like it hasn't really happened. I was fat, now I'm not.It's been a blur. I feel great, and able to find cloths that fit!!! I'm down to 183,
3 pounds until goal. 180n sounds like a lot, but I'm 5'10" so 180is a good weight. Any less doesn't look good. My dream when I was heavy, was for someone to say " Your looking a little to thin" Well, I'm now gettin "your not going to lose any more are you?" I don;t see it. I still feel that I need to lose alot more. But I'm going to trust their judgement, and try to stay in the 180's. Well, that's all for now!
3 more pounds until goal!!!!
Oct 1 2003 295#
Dec 4 2003 288# -7
Dec 15 2003 285# -10 Day of surgery
( The only time in my life I didn't try to lose weight,
and did)
Jan 15 2004 254# -31
Feb 15 2004 245# -50
Mar 15 2004 230# -65
Apr 15 2004 218# -77
MAY 15 2004 208# -87
Jun 15 2004 198# -97
Jul 15 2004 190# -105
Jul 24 2004 189# -106
9 pounds to goal!!!!
Aug 15 2004 183# -112
Sep 15 2004 183# -112
Oct 15 2004 182# -113
Nov 15 2004 180# -115 GOAL!!!
Independence Day. As I sit and watch fireworks with my family, I was thinking this would be the last 4 th I would be watching fire works fat. Independence Day has a whole new meaning! Independence from all of the limitations from being over weight, and not being able to do things thinner people can. I have been over weight all on my life. My first "diet" was when I was in second grade. It was a little candy called AIDS. (Fast forward a few years, I'm sure the inventors of this product regrets the name.) You ate 3 or 4 of there little soft candies a day. Some how this was to curb your appetite. After many, years of dieting, I am at the point I am at now. Looking forward to a new life after WLS, but dreading it all the same. Frustrated that I can't keep the weight off that I lose, and feeling like a failure when the weight is gained back. I WILL NOT LET MYSELF FEEL THIS WAY AGAIN! I'm taking control of my weight. AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, I WILL NOT BE FAT ANY MORE! LOL (Using my best Scarlet O Hara voice)
Any way, I am waiting for insurance approval with CIGNA. I'm having a little trouble, with them, but I will go into detail later.
Aug 8,2003
Denied!!! I received a letter to day, telling me that I was denied. CIGNA wanted proof of two 26-week doctor supervised diets. As I understand it, they will not accept Weight Watchers as a supervised diet. Go figure.
I called CIGNA today, and asked if the supervised diet was the only thing keeping me from approval. The lady I talked to told me that the diet was all that was needed. I asked for that in writing, but funny thing, she said that she couldn't do that. I'm just afraid that when I complete the 26 week diet, then they will throw something new at me to delay approval. I'm still feeling good, and feel strongly that I will get approval, I will not give up!!!!!
Oct 12,2003
Well a lot has happened, I have decided to change surgeons. I will now be going to a Dr Lindsey in Franklin, IN. She is over an hour closer to my home, and I don't feel like just a number when I go in to the office. I can also get in for surgery in less time after approval. Speaking of approval, I see Dr Lindsey and the nutrition person on October 20th. After that, they will send in all of my paper work, along with my 26 week supervised diet into CIGNA. The denial letter stated that all I was missing for approval is the Dr supervised diet. SO wish me luck!! I hope they don't through something new at me, then an other denial. I will keep you posted.
Nov 21,2003
Well they through something new at me! After going to my doctor’s office for 6 months for weigh in's, they denied me again!!! I was told that there wasn't enough documentation. I would go in and weigh, and nurses would document my weight. Well’ they wanted me to make an appointment with my pcp each month, and have her document my weight. The nurse wasn't good enough. I was mot told they wanted pcp appointments. Just one more thing. On a brighter note, my PCP is going to call and give them the information they want. So I still might be approved, depending on what my PCP is able to provide to them. CIGNA stinks!!!!!
Dec 2,2003
APPROVED!!! After many phone calls, and a near nervous break down, I was finally approved. Now the bad news. I called Cigna Wednesday Dec.4, and they said they didn't know when the approval would be sent to my surgeon's office. I need to have it there by Monday. If it can be there on Mon, I can have surgery on December 15,2003. It's taken so long to get here, and now it seems it's happening so fast!!!! I can't wait, but the waiting is killing me... More later
Dec 5,2003
Well I have my surgery date!! Dec 15th....Yes the 15th. I can't believe it. Today is Friday I go in Wednesday for my pre op tests. I think I need to pinch myself.
July 4,2004
Ok, it's been a year from my first post. Alot has happened.....
I did have surgery on December 15,2004. Surgery at 1:00 pm, Monday, Off all pain meds by Tuesday morning(all but tylenol) the meds gave me such a headache. The post op pain was not bad at all. A little sore, but not unbearable. Home by noon on Wednesay. I felt great, went shopping for a SHORT while on Friday. 8 Days after surgery I drove myself to the surgeons office to have staples removed, Down 11 pounds. This is on
Dec 23. I told my Dr that I was feeling good, and wanted to go back to work on Saturday after Christmas. 11 days op!. She said that would be fine, but not to over do. I had a Christmas party at my shop, after the appointment. When I got there for the party, 2 of my customes were there for hair cuts with other stylists, But while I was there, I did 2 cuts and a shampoo and set. I was tired, but it felt good to work. I was released to have soft food, and chicken and turkey. Good thing with Christmas dinner 2 days away.I was able to eat a bite of potatoes, 1 elbow of mac and cheese, and a few bites of turkey!!! It was amazing how all of the food tasted so different. I even had a eraser size taste of pecan pie.
I here folks say thet they morn food. I have never felt that way. For me it's a relief NOT TO HAVE THAT FOOD ADICTION. I knew I shouldn't eat so much, but I couldn't stop until it was all gone. Feeling guility for eating so much.
I'm able to have a taste of what ever I want, And at this time I feel satisfied.
I went back to work 11 days post op, part time, and took a break after each cut. Back full time a week later.
July 26, 2004
Well I'm down 105 pounds, It still amazeses me every day! It seems like a life time ago, but it's only been 7 1/2 nonths ago.
I feel great, I often asked if I would do it again... I say
" In a heartbeat" I know I was lucky not to have any complications, and feel truly blessed every day!!!!
STARTING WEIGHT 295 ---- GOAL 180
August 15,2004
9 months out,I can't believe it! It seems like it hasn't really happened. I was fat, now I'm not.It's been a blur. I feel great, and able to find cloths that fit!!! I'm down to 183,
3 pounds until goal. 180n sounds like a lot, but I'm 5'10" so 180is a good weight. Any less doesn't look good. My dream when I was heavy, was for someone to say " Your looking a little to thin" Well, I'm now gettin "your not going to lose any more are you?" I don;t see it. I still feel that I need to lose alot more. But I'm going to trust their judgement, and try to stay in the 180's. Well, that's all for now!
3 more pounds until goal!!!!
Oct 1 2003 295#
Dec 4 2003 288# -7
Dec 15 2003 285# -10 Day of surgery
( The only time in my life I didn't try to lose weight,
and did)
Jan 15 2004 254# -31
Feb 15 2004 245# -50
Mar 15 2004 230# -65
Apr 15 2004 218# -77
MAY 15 2004 208# -87
Jun 15 2004 198# -97
Jul 15 2004 190# -105
Jul 24 2004 189# -106
9 pounds to goal!!!!
Aug 15 2004 183# -112
Sep 15 2004 183# -112
Oct 15 2004 182# -113
Nov 15 2004 180# -115 GOAL!!!
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Dana Lindsay, M.D.
Dr. Lindsey was wonderful! She gave me the good the bad and the ugly, about WLS. I had many questions, and she answered them all. I'm still waiting approval, but her office sraff has been very helpful.
Insurer Info:
CIGNA, PPO
About Me
IN
Location
41.2
BMI
Jul 31, 2003
Member Since