Your input & prayers are appreciated :long

December 9, 2000

Hi Everyone!

I've been lurking for a couple of months now, but now I need some input. I

didn't want to inflict my personal problems on the group,when so many others out

there seem to have just as many, if not more, problems & frustrations

themselves.

I have been looking into surgery for weight loss for quite a long time. In the

past I didn't have any insurance coverage and definitely no money for self pay.

I have been having gall bladder problems for over a year and couldn't even do

anything about it.

In July, my sister had DS surgery by Dr. K in Delano and it was a miracle in her

life! I'm so proud of her! I moved to Portland in August and started a new

job. I now have insurance and looked at the policy and it said it wouldn't

cover

any of these surgeries. In Oct. my sister told me I was crazy and to look into

it further, Dr. K recommended Dr. Welker. I started investigating and found

out

that my insurance WILL cover when the co-morbidity criteria are met.

I was able to get my referral to Dr. Welker from my PCP. As most of you know he

doesn't have many opening for consultations and the first date I could get is

Jan. 29. Problem # 1, my company is changing insurance companies Feb. 1. I

currently have Pacificare, but it will be changing to HealthNet. I'm very

concerned. Problem #2, my PCP is having me go in for an ultrasound on my gall

bladder the end of Dec. I don't want to have 2 surgeries! Right now to survive

the pain from my gall bladder when I feel an attack coming on is to take 3-4

Advil and walk, which seems to help the pain subside.

I know everyone wants to have their surgeries accelerated. I'm just at a loss!

Problem #3, Pacificare is an HMO which means I can't go outside my medical

group,

out of State.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone else in the Portland area do Lap

DS?

To have an insurance company who says they'll cover when the right criteria is

met, which I do, to an unknown with a new insurance company scares me.

So to those of you who pray, I'm asking you for a little spot on your prayer

list. Any other input and suggestions that any of you have, is greatly

appreciated.

Thank you for letting me share my frustrations.

Hugs,

Betty

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