New Attitude..

So I have a new attitude about the whole WLS (weight loss surgery) thing. I have switched (during open enrollment) to Aetna and hopefully will be having my surgery in Jan/Feb or next year.

I am pretty happy about that. Out with the old in with the new.

Today I am under the weather: cramps, and a migraine that is really getting on my nerves. So I stayed home from work.

I have started a 3 month medically supervised weight loss plan. I can't tell you how its going my current issue has put a little bit of a crimp in my program. My plan is not to snack and to write down my food and exercise at least 3 times a week.

Ugh.. I am getting off my computer... Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Denial

I have decided to revive my blog as I seem unable to post videos to my you tube channel. I am pretty bummed about my current situation. I have applied for the VSG through Anthem and I was denied on 7.28.10 because they view it as experimental, so I had my doctor do a peer review with the Anthem dr, well that was denied on or around 8.16.10.
I STILL haven't been notified of that denial, although my dr's office said they told them right away it would be. So I took matters into my own hands and decided to write my appeal letter. My dr's office is supposed to also be writing an appeal letter. Mine is 6 pages long. I borrowed if from someone who posted it to their blog on Obesity Help. If it works i will post most of it. Some of it is personal, so i will probably leave those parts out.

My backup plan is to switch to an insurance carrier next year to one who will approve the VSG. So I know ultimately I will get it, but I just have to be patient

Off topic, I decided I am going to stop getting a relaxer because its painful and I mostly wear wigs anyway..I am not doing anything with my hair so this is where we are at. I am going to take pictures. I haven't figured out a way to show my progress that is flattering, because I don't like to post picture were I look crazy...lol..

Weight Loss Surgery

So I picked a surgeon, met with him today and I am on my way.. My girlfriend had her surgery last week and she is recovering quite nicely.I am really looking forward to mine. I have been ditching my personal trainer, but I am going to do better.

Hoping to have surgery in late July, we will see how that goes.

I have a bunch of appointments and I need to talk to my job about taking time off...oh how exciting!

Church!

I am looking for one. I have been going church shopping and I found one I really like. I am going to check out some others while I continue to pray about Liberty Church. I went to the singles ministry (yes they have one!) service, then they had a cookout and games afterwards.

The married people cooked and brought all the food...how amazing is that! The service was really good. The Singles paster talked about seeds being planted in good ground, but how we as the seeds have a shell around us that has to die once we have been planted so that the life inside of us can spring forth...good stuff.

Definitely going back next week. They have a LOT of services on the weekend. So I am going to try Friday night.. I can't fathom going to church on Friday night..i have done Saturday, but I am ready to check it out.

Insurance Chronicles...

So... I found out this week that my insurance has changed.. when I started my new job, i kept my NC address and so they assigned me to United Healthcare, once I changed my address to Atlanta a month later, they switched me to Anthem BCBS. The good new is, they are still going to pay for 100% of the surgery...I still think that is AMAZING! God is good. The issue is that I might have some issues with getting the type of surgery that I want. They approve RNY (Gastric Bypass) and the Lap Band.

I have decided I am against the lap band because of the post op complications that are possible and having to possibly go back for a bunch of fills. I don't want want to have to worry about something happening to the band, or me being able to feel the port or anything like that.. I know it works for a lot of people so no judgements, just not for me. I have a friend who has it and she LOVES it.

As for the RNY, I prefer not to have a surgery where they are moving around my intestines. But I would do it if I can't get the sleeve.

Oh so the 2nd BEST thing is I don't have to wait the 6 months that I had to if I had United Healthcare with the medically supervised weight loss program that was required. Yay.. I will keep you posted. I haven't shown up in BCBS' system yet, but the moment I do...I am ON IT! LOL...can't wait to get the process started..

Cute pic of the pooches.. I love them...

The big decision

Soooo... I have decided that I am tired of going on the way I am and I am going to have weight loss surgery. It is not something that I am taking lightly and I have prayed about it and I know it is the right decision for me. I am pretty nervous about it.

So the good news my insurance will pay for it 100%! How great is that? The only down side is the waiting. Although they will pay for all of, I have to go a on a medically supervised diet and exercise plan for 6 months. I don't have to lose any weight interestingly enough, I just have to go to a dietician/dr once a month for 6 months and discuss diet and exercise and weigh in. Oh and it has to be well documented.

I am getting something called a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, which actually isn't very common. Gastric Bypass and the Lap Band are done more frequently.

I am working on finding a surgeon, a confusing process as there are so many here. However my list is more narrow because I am not going to someone who doesn't do this very often, and several doctors on my list don't even do it. Anyway, I am excited about the outcome. I have to be patient and wait until September, but that is ok.

I will be adding more info about my journey.

Oh did I mention that I heart my new job.

Wondering...

I have another blog for makeup but with my move to atl I haven't been to focused on that. So yup I am in the atl for a new job that I really like so far. I miss my friends and my life but I am working on establishing a new life. So for a while I will just be posting here until I get settled. I am writing this post from my phone. I am going to include a pick of the 2 dogs on the drive up here to see if it works.