FIRST LETTER OF DENIAL FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY
Nov 12, 2006
I guess I knew this was going to possibly happen, I just had my hopes up so high. My L.A. Weightloss documents were not sufficient. It must be a physician managed weightloss attempt so for all of you out there, if you are considering this surgery the first thing you need to do is to go to your PCP and start working on a "weightloss management" program with them. I'm hoping that the fact that he reviewed and approved my L.A Weightloss program and if he writes a letter of my weigh ins for all my visits to him in the last year that the insurance will accept this, otherwise I'm looking at another 4 months before I get my surgery date. Eileen who is a godsend at Sinai has told me not to start stressing until she tells me to so I am going to stick to that.
Oh yeh, the insurance company said they would set up a peer to peer meeting (confernce call) with Dr. G to see if they would overturn their decision. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Let's Dish
Nov 09, 2006
Wow, what fun my friend and I had at Let's Dish, I really recommend it, you can choose heart healthy dishes and if there is any question on some of them, I emailed Nancy to see what she thought, she made suggestions on a couple like watch out for the amount of oil, or the amount of sugar but for the most part you can create your dishes based on your needs. It was fun and in the end I fell very cheep, it averages to $3.52 per dish and it was a great time. I definitely recommend it to anyone trying to get control of their portion control.
On the other hand, having a harder time with the shakes, any suggestions on a brand that you like that tastes if not good, bareable.. Also protein bars, looking for some that taste more like candy but meet the requirements of content, any help would be appreciated.
2nd Bariatric Seminar
Nov 05, 2006
Well today was a new experience. Myself, my friend Pat and my Mom all went to the bariatric seminar on 11/6 and met Daniel Patrick Flaherty for the first time, I had seen him all over the website before but it was nice to meet him. I'm not sure if you all know but he has a cookbook for Gastric Bypass Patients that all proceeds go to the American Heart Association and Diabetes group (can't remember the name of it). In any event, he was an inspiration to us all and it was a joy to meet him and get to know him. I have also invited him to be my first friend to this website. Looking for more friends but haven't figured out how to do that. Of course I have my friend Pat but am looking for more support and ideas.
Once again, the seminar was fantastic and my mother now wants to get the lap-band surgery. It concerns me because she has so many other health conditions.
Consultation appointment
Oct 30, 2006
10/31/2006 - I had my first consultation appointment with Dr. Gandsas and Nancy at Sinai Hospital. I was very excited and nervous at the same time. I got a rash of sh*( from Dr. G about smoking so that is my next step in addition to getting a sleep apnea test which I was lucky enough to get it scheduled for 11/3. I didn't realize how much work this was going to be but I know it will be worth it in the long run. Oh yeh, my husband came also, he was a little taken back by Dr. G's abbrasiveness (I was prepared after reading the testimonials) I think he's great and I love that he is so direct. We both really loved Nancy. Nancy gave some great suggestions like Let's Dish, some ideas of protein bars and shakes, my friend and I are going to be seeking out both on 11/10, I'm looking forward to it.
My first weightloss seminar
Oct 23, 2006
My good friend Pat and I attended our first WL seminar at Sinai Hospital on October 23rd. It was inspiring. I am so happy with my decision to go with the Sinai group (my surgeon will be Dr. Gandsas) and was very releived with their mortality rate. This is the day that I decided that I will definitely go ahead with the surgery.
