Questions!! :)

March 25, 2004

In a message dated 3/25/2004 4:26:40 PM Pacific Standard Time,

nabi80@... writes:

> Question # 1. Has anyone had their insurance company request a

> doctor supervised diet but turned in a weight watchers diet and

> still get approved? I know all insurances are different, but I need

> some reassurance lol

, this is not uncommon. You can document your weight loss efforts and

history, and you can have them added to your PCP's files, as well. If you have

the little handbook from Weight Watchers, that would be good, too. Remember to

put in your history your doctor supervised weight loss efforts, even though

they were when you were younger. Try to document as much as you remember.

Remember, though, your insurance may be tougher/less tough on the restriction.

#4 What are some good questions to ask the psychiatrists office

before I make an appt? Like how do I know they aren't going to make

me go back for 3 and 4 visits, or are supportive of patients

receiving weight loss surgery?

For my psychologist's appointment, I made it clear that I was seeking mental

stability clearance for weight loss surgery. He had me fill him in on the

surgery, he was impressed with how much research I had done. He asked me if I

understood the lifelong ramifications of follow-up care and getting my labs

done. He charged me for two hours, one for the visit, one for writing the

report

(and my insurance covered him).

As for the growth plates, I believe that the thinking these days is that

people are growing for a longer period of time, and I think this is an excellent

preop requirement for you!!! (My opinion because I have had osteopenia, and I

think we can't be too careful about our bones.)

Hope this helps!

Hugs and blessings,

Ann

March 25, 2004

Ok I got a call from Dr K's office. My insurance is requiring I go

to a nutritionist and have a psychological evaluation (not

surprising there).. they also want me to get an x-ray of my hand to

make sure my growth plates are closed (guess because i'm only 24???

but come on, don't know they women stop growing when they're about

16?? lol) plus they want a doctor supervised diet and weight loss

history (I haven't had a doctor supervised diet since I was about

13) I do have a record of my most recent weight watchers diet.

Question # 1. Has anyone had their insurance company request a

doctor supervised diet but turned in a weight watchers diet and

still get approved? I know all insurances are different, but I need

some reassurance lol

#2 does anyone know where I can find a good nutritionist in Orange

County or possibly even San Diego?

#3 I know some people talked to me about this previously, but is a

psychiatrist ok to see? My insurance pays for psychiatrist visits

so I'd like to choose one of them.

#4 What are some good questions to ask the psychiatrists office

before I make an appt? Like how do I know they aren't going to make

me go back for 3 and 4 visits, or are supportive of patients

receiving weight loss surgery?

Thank you guys!!!

March 26, 2004

Ann,

Thank you so much!! I used the file on the other dr k website for

weight loss history to use as my guideline and then filled in my own

information. It's so sad writing that I was on a diet back in 1990

when I was only 10 years old! I started being overweight in 3rd

grade when I was only 8.. A lot of people talk about " living their

life again " .. I have never lived my life due to being obese for

pretty much most of it and most of my childhood.. I want to start

living for the first time.

But thanks for the info on the psychologist.. I wouldn't have known

how to phrase it.. saying " I'm seeking mental stability clearance

for weight loss surgery " sounds way better than what I might have

said!! lol It's so sad though, since I have been obese for so long

and as a child, I never really learned how to talk to people. I get

nervous around people.. even cashiers at the store. What's worse is

I get extremely nervous on the phone and they cant even see me!!

lol I sound like a jibbering idiot most of the time.. I've even

noticed myself stutter!! lol Anyways.. thanks for all your help!!

Oh and I agree about the bone thing, I was just being silly.. I'll

do whatever they want me to so I can have this surgery!!! I

already set up an appt to get the x-ray done!

> In a message dated 3/25/2004 4:26:40 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> nabi80@y... writes:

> > Question # 1. Has anyone had their insurance company request a

> > doctor supervised diet but turned in a weight watchers diet and

> > still get approved? I know all insurances are different, but I

need

> > some reassurance lol

>

> , this is not uncommon. You can document your weight loss

efforts and

> history, and you can have them added to your PCP's files, as

well. If you have

> the little handbook from Weight Watchers, that would be good, too.

Remember to

> put in your history your doctor supervised weight loss efforts,

even though

> they were when you were younger. Try to document as much as you

remember.

> Remember, though, your insurance may be tougher/less tough on the

restriction.

>

> #4 What are some good questions to ask the psychiatrists office

> before I make an appt? Like how do I know they aren't going to

make

> me go back for 3 and 4 visits, or are supportive of patients

> receiving weight loss surgery?

>

> For my psychologist's appointment, I made it clear that I was

seeking mental

> stability clearance for weight loss surgery. He had me fill him

in on the

> surgery, he was impressed with how much research I had done. He

asked me if I

> understood the lifelong ramifications of follow-up care and

getting my labs

> done. He charged me for two hours, one for the visit, one for

writing the report

> (and my insurance covered him).

>

> As for the growth plates, I believe that the thinking these days

is that

> people are growing for a longer period of time, and I think this

is an excellent

> preop requirement for you!!! (My opinion because I have had

osteopenia, and I

> think we can't be too careful about our bones.)

>

> Hope this helps!

>

> Hugs and blessings,

> Ann

>

March 28, 2004

Dear ,

I am so happy to hear that all of your appointments are now set! You

are getting closer and closer to your goal of weight loss surgery! I

am sooooo happy for you. I can really understand how you feel about

everything...I have walked in your shoes. When people say how nice

that I will have my life back, I always say that I never really had

my life...From being super morbidly obese all my life...Since

surgery on Feb 11th this year, even though it's only the end of

March, and I'm only about 7 weeks out of surgery, I can ALREADY feel

the difference, and I am starting to get a little tiny glimpse of

how wonderful life can be! After just 5 1/2 or 6 weeks, 51

pounds...GONE FOREVER!!! My breathing machine (C-PAP machine)

GONE!!! IT IS SO INCREDIBLY AMAZING...I know that Dr. K saved my

life. When I started this, I knew that I needed to lose at least 220

pounds. If I feel this good after 51...I can hardly weight (hee-hee,

I mean " wait " ) to see what the next few months will bring! Also...I

have found my ankles! I haven't seen them since I was 12!!!!

(They're kinda cute if I do say so myself!) So, I know you have to

jump thru a lot of hoops, and it's frustrating and time

consuming...but it will be so worth it! Keep posting, and remember,

we are all here if you need us! Luv and Hugs...Deb :-)

> In a message dated 3/26/2004 12:42:12 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> nabi80@y... writes:

> > A lot of people talk about " living their

> > life again " .. I have never lived my life due to being obese for

> > pretty much most of it and most of my childhood..

>

> Hi !

>

> How I do relate to this! I VERY obese, even in Kindergarten, and

I know I

> weighed 70 pounds more in the 5th grade than I do now -- how sad

is that? Grasp

> life, , and enjoy it to the maximum! Good for you getting

your

> appointment for the x-rays!

>

> Hug and blessings,

> Ann

>

March 28, 2004