ShirleyF
November 5, 2007: Pam, my daughter, decided a few weeks ago that she was going to try to have surgery and have the Lapband put in. I went with her to her appointment with Dr. Lynch. After she told him that she would like to have the surgery, he recommended that she check with a doctor he had heard of in Tulsa. After I began looking at some web sites about the surgery, I stumbled on to an article that told about the fact that Medicare would now pay for the laparoscopic surgery if you had a BMI of at least 35 with one other co-morbidity. I realized that I met the criteria. The only thing was that they would only pay if it was performed at a place that was designated a Center of Excellence. The Tulsa place wasn’t so designated, so I began looking for a place that was. I found that place in Shawnee Mission, Kansas—Center of Kansas City. Pam and I talked about it and she wanted to go where I could. So we made an appointment to attend the seminar held on this date. We drove up to KC, checked into our room and then found a place to eat dinner. We arrived at the building and began watching for other “heavy” folks like us to arrive. The seminar was held from 6 PM until 9:30 PM or so. It was so informative and before it was over we both had decided that the laparoscopic bypass (RNY) was the way we wanted to go. Nola (the program coordinator) was absolutely marvelous. She presented herself as such a caring person. Dr. Hoehn was also great!
I am so excited at the thought that I might be cured of my diabetes! January 26, 2008: I finally received THE letter from Nola with the consultations I’ll need to do. I am sooooooo happy! It has been such a long road and I was beginning to wonder if this would ever happen. I have already started to make changes in my life style. Beginning the first of this week, I stopped drinking colas or anything with carbonation in it. I must say I haven’t missed it at all. Also I have started drinking water as much as I can. My goal is to start consuming four 20-ounce bottles of water a day. I am up to at least 2-1/2 bottles now. I know I have got to have a complete mind set change. I am so ready for this! March 10, 2008: I am in Kansas City with daughter, Pam, who had her surgery today. She is doing great! I also received a call from Nola with great news! They don't need additional documentation so she gave me a consultation date with Dr. Hoehn for Wednesday while I'm up here with Pam and then I have a surgery date of March 31! I am so happy!
November 27, 2007: Received notice that Dr Hoen’s office has all of my records and will start the review process. They will notify me when this is complete. Was told it would probably take 30 working days. Also learned that my insurance which is Medicare and TriCare for Life will take care of the surgery and hospital charges. What a relief!
February 8, 2008: I had my first Psychologist appointment. Dr. Sabapathy was wonderful. I have a phone appointment with him in 2 days . Everyone has been so accomodating with trying to coordinate appoinments since we have to drive so far. I also had my appointment with the dietician. Kurt, my husband, attended it with me. He has been so supportive of me during this change in my life.
February 12, 2008: I had an appointment with a cardiologist here in Joplin for cardiac clearance. I had a stress test done and was quite surprised when the doctor told me that I had failed the test. His next words were that he felt I needed a heart cath done. That followed on February 19th. He did find some blockage, but felt that a stint could be postponed until after the surgery. If he puts a stint in now, it could delay my surgery for up to a year. I called Dr. Hoehn's office and told them. They wanted their cardiologist to review the heart cath results just to be sure.
March 3, 2008: I saw the cardiologist in KC today. Hooray!!!! He cleared me for surgery! Now I'm just waiting on Nola to get the final clearance from Medicare and then I can get an appointment with the surgeon. Pam also saw Dr. Hoehn today and her surgery is next Monday, March 10, 2008.
