D Trent
Below is my original entrys to ObesityHelp's old site.
I'm 39 years old, pushing 40. Oh my gosh! I never expected to be in this condition at 40! I've struggled with my weight for so many years and have tried so many diets that I can't even begin to count them all. I'm tired of failing... so tired...
Friday, April 9, 2004
My PCP's office called me on Wednesday to say the letter of support that I had requested was ready. I thought they had already sent it. I got a message from them today that I can pick it up on Monday. Good... I'll get to read it!
I got a call from Dr. Olsens office yesterday. They said that the insurance had denied me because he is not in network. They gave me the names of 2, I have checked them out on the obesity help website and there isn't a whole lot of information about either. I read the comments that others who are going to them have written. Most comments were positive which helped me to feel better. But I do have some concerns. 1. Dr. Olsens rate of mortality was considerably lower than the national average and that had really eased some of my fears. I don't know the rate of either of the new guys yet. 2. It appears that there is a $3000 aftercare fee the insurance doesn't usually pay for. This worries me, both because I don't know where I would come up with that amount of money, but also, why do they have this REQUIRED expense when others don't. It makes me worry that it’s just another way for them to make money and I really don't want that kind of doctor to be in charge of my care. I guess I'll just have to wait until I attend the seminar and hope that I get the answers that I need.
4/19/04
I went the new doctors seminar last week and wasn't really impressed. The whole thing just kinda felt like a sales pitch. He is probably a very competent surgeon, but if I don't feel comfortable with him I know that I need to look elsewhere.
On the 16th I called John Deere and talked to Kristy in customer care. We discussed the denial for Dr. Olsen and she gave me several surgeons names who are in-network. I then called Dr. Jack Rutledge in Chattanooga and asked several questions. I liked what I heard and made an appointment for his seminar (my 3rd!) on the 21st and the consultation on the 23rd.
4/20/04
Today I called my PCP and had them fax a referral letter to Dr. Rutledge's office. They are being very helpful. They also gave me a letter of medical necessity for the insurance co. It convinced me! LOL.
April 22, 2004
My Daughter & I went to Dr. Rutledge's seminar last night. I really, really like him. He seemed much more knowledgeable than any of the others that I have seen so far. I came away with trust in him and much hope! Friday I have an appointment for the consultation. I'm trying to get everything together so they can file with the insurance company ASAP, but it sure isn't easy.
Today I called Rita at Dr. Knights office. I need documentation of medically supervised weight loss attempts for 6 months out of the last 12. Rita said that Dr. Knight usually just puts the minimum necessary in her records and that unless she had prescribed medications she probably wouldn't list the times that we discussed it. As she had not written the letter of medical necessity yet, she is going to ask her to mention the attempts in the letter and hope that this will suffice. I am to call back on Monday, April the 26 to see if they have it finished and if it is I can pick it up. I sooo hope this will help me to meet the requirements!
Kim, a friend of mine, had her surgery today. Her daughter called to say that she had come through ok and everything was going fine. The procedure took about 4-5 hours!
April 23, 2004.
I went to my consultation with Dr. Rutledge today. I have to say that I am very impressed with him. He seems to really know what he is doing and cares about patients success. I talked with him and his medical assistant Donna, and everything seems to be ok for the surgery, but there is worry about the insurance. Donna said that John Deere has started denying more and more lately. Mostly the denials are due to clients not meeting the criteria of 6 mo. out of 12 with doctor supervised weight loss attempts. I should have this but am unsure if it is documented well enough. I am planning to make an appointment with my OBGYN who has handled most of my medical care over the last year or so and see what we can come up with. She is already supposed to write a letter of necessity for the insurance company but I'm really worried about the documentation. I suggested writing a letter explaining my weight loss attempts of the last several years and Donna agreed that it might help. So I'm trying to remember all my diets and exercise programs for about 7 or 8 years... Wow there are a lot!
If I am denied, I will have to work on the 6 month program with my PCP. I already started with him last month, thinking that this might be a possibility, so I will be able to give it another try in August. My biggest concern is that John Deere is writing the surgery out of their standard policy. I have to get approved before ours changes or it's all over for me. The changes will take place on our renewal date and I'm not sure when it is.
4/27/04
Today I picked up my letter from Dr. Knight. It was supportive but not nearly as good as Dr. Robinson's. I have also finished my letter to my insurance company. I sooo hope this convinces them to approve! The only thing I have left is the psych evaluation from my therapist. I'll work on that tomorrow
April 29, 2004
Finally everything has been turned in. There is nothing else that I can do but wait...
May 11, 2004
I called John Deere on Friday to check on progress with pre-authorization and was told they hadn't gotten the paperwork yet. I thought they had probably "lost" it and called Donna at Dr. Rutledge's office. After checking my file she told me that they were waiting for a letter from Dr. Knight. When I told her that I had faxed it over a week before, she found it in the in box at their fax machine.... sooo it didn't actually get submitted until yesterday, Monday the 10th.
May 22
Well, I've been denied! I called on May 14 and was told that I didn't qualify. It sounded like the reason was because I would have to have 2 years of supervised weight lost attempts first and the customer service agreed that that was what it meant. I was so depressed and disgusted for days!
On Thursday the 20, I decided to call Donna at Dr. Rutledge's office. She had been trying to get in touch with me but I kept missing her calls. She said that I would only have to have 6 months of the supervised attempts and because that was the only thing listed for the reason of denial, I would be approved when I got that taken care of. I actually started this in March, in case it was going to be necessary. So now I'm looking at reapplying in August.
Sept. 14, 2004
I'm APPROVED!! Surgery date is Sept. 27 at 8:00 am.!!
Oct. 6, 2004
Well it’s all done. I had my surgery on Sept. 27 at ParkRidge East Hospital in Chattanooga. Everything went great. Recovery has been quick! Extremely quick. I was able to come home on Wednesday the 29 and worked a half day on Oct. 1.
I had my first week check up and Dr. Rutledge was proud of how well I have healed. And I lost 14 lbs! I couldn't resist and bought a set of scales so I can keep a closer watch. We'll see how that goes. I checked this morning and was down another 3 lbs. for a grand total of 17 lbs in 9 days!!
I will have to say that the hardest time I have had after surgery was the days of clear liquids... full liquids wasn't much better! I just wanted to chew on something... anything... But I made it through it and am now on pureed foods. They aren't bad at all actually. I have discovered that my taste buds are much more sensitive and foods that I used to think of as bland are pretty good now. I have even given up adding extra salt, while cooking and at the table, and I used to love the stuff.... go figure... So here I am no caffeine, no nicotine, no salt, no alcohol, no fatty foods, no sugary foods, and loving it!
Nov. 8, 2004
I went for my 6 week follow-up appointment today. I'm down 34 lbs. I seem to be on track with others who started out at about the same size as me. I had hoped for more... but I'm still happy. Dr. Rutledge said he was happy with my progress so far... I just want to be a size 12 NOW LOL.
Jan. 14, 2005
I went for my 3 month check up yesterday and have lost 62lbs! I am happy with that, but of course I wish I could lose faster. I'm now wearing mostly 18s or 20s, though I have one pair of 16s!
May 29, 2005
It's been over 4 months since I last updated. Time sure does fly when you are having fun. lol. My life is so much better these days. It's hard to believe how much better. I am so glad that I had the surgery, I know it was the best thing that I have ever done for myself.
I've lost 109 lbs and am now under the 200 mark! Hooray! Talk about excited! When I got on the scales and saw it, I couldn't believe it was true. I cried tears of joy! and of course I had to call everyone that I know and share it with them. lol.
I'll try to update more often. I remember how much it meant to me to read others stories before I had surgery. They continue to help me now, though I don't get on OH as often as I did at one time. So... I will try to do better! lol
Aug. 3, 2005
Ok... So I didn't do as well with the up-dates as I planned. I don't get on the computer nearly as much as I used to. I actually have a real LIFE now! lol...
I've lost 124 lbs. now and weigh 184. I'm getting closer and closer to a normal weight. I'd actually be ok if I didn't lose anymore. But I sure would like to tone up everything! I went to a plastic surgeon last month for a consultation. He didn't seem to think my insurance would pay for reconstructive surgery, but I haven't given up yet. Someone (I don't remember who) told me that with John Deere Health, if you keep at them eventually you can get an approval. Sooo... thats my plan!
WOOHOO!!! I just checked my BMI to enter into the chart below and I am OVERWEIGHT! I started out as Super Obese! What a WOW moment!
Aug. 15, 2005
I've gone down another few lbs. and I can see the 170's in my near future! I've sort of set a goal weight of 154, that would be half of my start weight and have me just in the normal weight range! at 181, I only have 27 more lbs to go... WOW! I haven't heard back from the PS yet, but if I'm able to get it approved there will be additional lbs lost there...
I just want to add in here... for anyone who may be reading this while they are trying to decide if they should or should not have the surgery... Having gastric bypass surgery has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself and well worth the risk, to me. Without question! My life is so much fuller than it has ever been. I am finally happy and know that I will be able to stay that way. I'm not foolish enough to think that everything will be smooth sailing from this point forward, but with my new healthy self, healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I know that I can handle whatever comes my way... cool huh?? lol
Nov. 12, 2005
Well, I can see the 160's in the future! My weight this morning was 170.2! I am hoping to hit 154 someday. That will be half the weight that I started as. The weight loss has really slowed but I believe that I will make it to this goal... It may just take a while!
Nov. 19, 2005
I did it! I passed into the 160's! Today the scales read 168.8... Its just amazing to me!
May 27, 2006
Well, it’s been 6 months since I last updated my profile. My, how time flies!
I’ve come to a standstill on my weight loss. Through the holidays I gained about 7 or 8 pounds which really worried me. However, most of it has come back off and I have settled in at about 172. Everyone tells me that I don’t need to lose any more but I would like to get down to 154. That would be half of my original weight and just on the high side of normal weight for my height. So, I have come up with some goals….
1. I will update my profile each week, journaling my eating habits, how well I have stuck to my exercise plans, etc.
2. I will eat 3 meals and 1 snack each day, at regular times, to prevent grazing.
3. I will concentrate my meals on lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains.
4. I will flood myself with water!
5. I will buy a bicycle. It’s one exercise that I really enjoy.
6. I will go to the gym at least 3 times each week.
Wish me luck! LOL
June 5, 2006
Today is my birthday! I'm 42 and loving life! I'm doing pretty good with my goals. Except for the second one. I can't seem to have that regular schedule that I'm trying for. But I did get my bike! It's been nearly 30 years since I've ridden very much... but I really enjoy it. No weight loss results yet... But I already feel better.
June 15, 2006
Ok... so I can't ride my bike like I could when I was a kid! lol... I decided that I would ride it to a park a few miles from my house, meeting some friends there, then ride back. I asked a friend to wait for me at different locations on the way, just in case I had any problems. The first stop was at the market that is about a mile from my house. As I took off I thought it would be a breeze. Down a few hills, then flat, then just a small hill... not too bad... more flat, then a bigger hill. Oh my goodness! It may as well have been a mountain! lol! Luckily my friend had slowed down to wait for me on the other side. I knew that was enought for me! WHEW! Oh well, I'm just proud that I made it that far, which was about a half a mile... lol...
