Denied by insurance for gastric sleeve today :(
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Dude! You sound like you're already rocking it. Just keep it up
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Look at you! You don't need no stinkin' surgery! But, what is fantastic is that you believing that's what you wanted and using that as a goal to lose weight… YOU JUST PROVED TO YOURSELF THAT ALL YOU NEEDED TO LOSE WEIGHT WAS A GOOD REASON! Now that surgery is out, find yourself another just as important reason. I mean I can think of a number… your health, your family, your family-to-be-one-day, to go shopping for some rockin' clothes… whatever it is. Just put that new reason in your mind and, baby, you run for it!!
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!0 -
i find it strange because most people do lose weight before.. they probably have a buiild in plan to deny at first. but oh wow YOU have done an amazing job..
why don't you give yourself a year or two of doing what you are doing now with some changes and maybe joining a gym (if you haven't already) and see what your amazing self can accomplish again. YOU may want fast results but you have prooven to yourself that YOu can and will lose weight. i don't know people who do the surgery. but its prooven time and time again that this can be done without it. kudos to you who has started this journey.. wow in a year or two or even before that.. YOu are going to look super amazing and you will think back i did this without drastic surgery. use it as a stepping stone. you can do it.
ps ... its taken me since december to lose 13 lbs. You got a reason to do it.. that you actually cared about and you did 50 in less time then i did 13. you have the power. go YOU!!!!!!0 -
I got the call today. I was denied by my insurance company the coverage for the gastric sleeve. The reason? I've lost too much weight during the 3-moth process in which I had to attend a class once a month that educates you on the lifestyle change you will be embarking on. This was required by my insurance company in order to attain their coverage.
Despite being told by the doctor, nutritionist, and insurance lady that weight-loss BEFORE surgery is preferred and even some-what mandatory, in some cases. And, despite being reassured not once, but three times that it wasn't going to be possible to lose too much weight before surgery, I seemed to have achieved this task.
I did everything I was supposed to. I did what I was told and I started taking charge of my life. Now they're telling me I took too much charge and I no longer have the privilege of their services.
It's bitter-sweet. I mean, who can't be a little proud of losing nearly fifty pounds? At the same time though, I was REALLY looking forward to having another weapon in my arsenal for when my Will Power gun was running low.
I can't say I'm ready to just give up or anything pathetic like that. The thought of launching myself into a downward spiral seems rather annoying and self-mutilating.
Has this happened to anyone else? Can someone share their story with me? I still feel strong....almost like this is a sign I should be doing this on my own....or a sign that surgery might lead to something far worse.
This is only partly related, but might give you hope. My insurance (15 yrs ago) initially denied coverage for my breast reduction, though my doctors had said it was medically necessary. I appealed the decision and got it reversed. I had the surgery only 2-3 months after the initial denial. Good luck to you. :-)0 -
I would like to point out to some of the detracters that Bariatric Surgery is not the "easy way out". It requires LIFELONG dedication, determination, a strict eating plan, and lifelong supplementation. Many people lose weight only to regain it, but most people who lose weight with surgery keep it off if they follow the eating plan that is required.
That being said, the best way to lose weight is without surgery, but if you cannot because of multiple medical issues and severe obesity, it can be a way to get your life back. Yes, there are some that could have done it slower and without surgery, but really it is something that is available because of a need.
It is hurtful and discouraging for those of us who had bariatric surgery and were literally one foot in the grave to hear things like "the easy way out" and the like. It's not easy, it's hard work and the surgery only really is useful for weight loss for the first few years. After that, we lose weight just like everyone else with the unfortunate side effect of needing supplementation because of the malabsorbtion.
People do end up deathly ill after the surgery, but usually that is because of their own doing and poor behaviors. Those that supplement and eat right never have problems.
/endrant0 -
I would like to point out to some of the detracters that Bariatric Surgery is not the "easy way out". It requires LIFELONG dedication, determination, a strict eating plan, and lifelong supplementation. Many people lose weight only to regain it, but most people who lose weight with surgery keep it off if they follow the eating plan that is required.
That being said, the best way to lose weight is without surgery, but if you cannot because of multiple medical issues and severe obesity, it can be a way to get your life back. Yes, there are some that could have done it slower and without surgery, but really it is something that is available because of a need.
It is hurtful and discouraging for those of us who had bariatric surgery and were literally one foot in the grave to hear things like "the easy way out" and the like. It's not easy, it's hard work and the surgery only really is useful for weight loss for the first few years. After that, we lose weight just like everyone else with the unfortunate side effect of needing supplementation because of the malabsorbtion.
People do end up deathly ill after the surgery, but usually that is because of their own doing and poor behaviors. Those that supplement and eat right never have problems.
/endrant
Agree. After watching a few episode of My 600 lb life" I realized how hard it must be both physically and emotionally and I only have admiration for those who have the surgery and are able to make the necessary changes in their life to keep healthy.0 -
You are a beautiful young lady, and I hope as you continue to have success the HEALTHY, NATURAL way, you continue to share your story, and turn it into a charge AGAINST bariatric surgery. I know quite a few people who have had this surgery. One passed away at a young age, leaving 3 young children. One had 5 followup surgeries before they discovered they lacerated her liver. One got so thin she ALMOST died (and yet is letting her daughter have it), one gained back the weight because she continues to eat crap-- and it makes her sick besides. The only one I know that DIDN:T have a bad experience is such a total **tch, that it makes you not want to be like her.... .you are too good for all that. You feel strong now -- wait until you hit your goal , and in the meantime have made your health your way of life! Keep inspiring!0
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Surgery is not the cure all, if you don't learn to live a healthier life you would most likely just end up gaining the weight back anyway . You CAN lose weight , nothing is stopping you and you've proved that by the weight you've already lost. Keep going , we are all here for you!0
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Great job losing 50 lbs! Just think how amazing you will feel when you lose the rest on your own!! That is true power!0
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CONGRATs on your weight loss so far. I know you are dissappointed, but you have done amazing so far. I love your attitude. I have no doubt you can do this. Keep up the good work0
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You can do this, you are doing this!0
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Honey, if you lost that much on your own why would you want to put yourself through any kind of surgery?!?0
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When I went in to see a doctor for gastric bypass he emphasized two things:
1. Any bypass surgery can be cheated.
2. Gastric bypass must be a method of last resort.
I'm not familiar with your personal situation, but I hope you can appreciate that you're not at that stage. You are far from your last resort
And BTW, I decided not to get the surgery.0 -
You lost 50 lbs!!!!! Clearly you can do this au naturale! Keep doing what you are doing
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Keep on doin whatchya doin! And be proud 0
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I understand you wanted this surgery as a tool to assist with keeping you from regain. I am so sorry you were denied, but regain is real no matter if you have the surgery or not. It is about changing your mindset. I know not everyone will agree with me, but seeing a therapist might help you deal with your issues with food. Therapy can go along way with helping you deal with the mind aspects of food addiction. Just because they operate on your stomach doesn't mean they also operate on your brain.0
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I had a friend who fought for 3 years or more to have the surgery done. She was denied and denied and every turn. FINALLY she got the surgery one Christmas eve... it's now 3 years later and she has had her entire stomach removed because of it. I'm not saying it was the doctors and I'm not saying it was her, but both are to blame. She used the surgery as a quick fix. She had a hard time doing the work because she was in a horrible car accident that took over a year to recover from, but she could do some workouts. She could have found a pool to make it lower impact, she could have hired a trainer, she could have done a ton of stuff... I say all this to say that sometimes, God, the universe, fate... whatever you want to call it- tells us "this isn't for you" and sometimes we are so into what WE want that we don't look at the warning signs. If you have lost 50lbs, you have done incredibly well, and it would be my opinion that you are just looking for a quick fix. Your stomach obviously isn't the problem, so why are you trying to make it one?0
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Be proud of what you have done.
I personally would rather be able to say that I DID THIS! 100% ME!
I refuse any sort of supliment or weight loss aid for that reason. It might seem a billion times harder - but its WAY more worth it.
Doing this on your own - you know what the effort is to get to your goal - and you are less likely to put the weight back on.
So many people have procedures done as a stepping stone - or for some as an easy way out - and they end up piling the weight back on.
You are young - be proud that you are beating the odds of "never being able to lose weight on your own" and push forward!!!
You have come so far - so keep running!! Never look back!0 -
I still feel strong....almost like this is a sign I should be doing this on my own....
This is the only voice you need to listen to. Say it. Loud.
^^^ This!!! I hope you are walking around with your head held high because you have already accomplished something AMAZING! The best part - There is more amazing ahead of you still : ) Go Rock It!!!0 -
That really sucks when doctors and insurance tell you something and then backtrack. I've had that happen zillions of times and it's really frustrating.
The good news here is that it didn't cost you tons of $$ that they shrug and tell you "It doesn't matter what you were told, this is the cost."
/personalvendetta
Anyway, something I noticed from your profile is that you have been big your whole life. I'm curious--did you believe you could be as successful as you were on your own? People get used to being bigger, and it's not something that usually changes without some attention to the problem, and people begin believing that there is something "wrong" with them that needs more intervention. But the intervention here just may be your confidence.0 -
I still feel strong....almost like this is a sign I should be doing this on my own....or a sign that surgery might lead to something far worse.
It's a sign of both. You should be proud of yourself that you managed to do this all on your own, without the risks and recovery associated with surgery.
Years from now, you will be able to look at the new, fit, thin you and say that YOU accomplished this. Not "a team of doctors". Not "medical science". YOU, and you alone, through willpower and perseverance.
The fact that you have proven you are ABLE to do this yourself says volumes about you as a person. You're far stronger than you think. The doctors just figured it out a little before you did.
PS: I'm not a doctor nor an insurance agent. I understand the insurance company did this for financial reasons. Even if money were no object, I'd have made the same decision they did. You've PROVEN that you can lose weight without surgery. If I were you, I'd avoid going under the knife at all costs, because gastric bypass surgery is for cases where the patient is entirely unable to lose weight. It's a surgery and carries risks, and you'll run the risk of dealing with scar tissue issues and possibly reduced physical capacity for life. It's a great way to prolong life in severe cases where the patient is eating themselves to death,but it is truly a weapon of last resort.
I don't mean to belittle or criticize anyone who actually needs the surgery, by the way. We're not all the same, and some people truly do need the help losing weight. Several friends have had the surgery, and for two of them the outcome was excellent and probably could not have been achieved any other way. One managed to re-expand his stomach and is currently in much deeper doo-doo but is trying to work his way through willpower issues. It's a useful tool and I recognize a necessary one in some cases.
You avoided needing it. GOOD JOB!0 -
I would think you would be thrilled to not need a surgery and that your able to do this yourself now. I`m sorry but I just don`t get why your upset at a good thing surgery should be an absolute last resort IMO and clearly your doing just fine at working it yourself0
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I did everything I was supposed to. I did what I was told and I started taking charge of my life. Now they're telling me I took too much charge and I no longer have the privilege of their services.It's bitter-sweet. I still feel strong....almost like this is a sign I should be doing this on my own....or a sign that surgery might lead to something far worse.
As you said here always remember you did it and to be denied this is a wonderful thing you did not need it, it's hard work and you passed that goal. Always be proud of yourself and keep your head up everyone here has your back so keep it UP.
That strong feeling is awesome I love it thanks for sharing you story. :-)0 -
You're too good for those quick fix solutions. You've proved you've got what it takes without needing surgery.
Um...you obviously don't know a thing about gastric bypass surgery. It is far from a "quick fix" solution. Indeed, it is a lifelong commitment to eating healthy food, and not very much of it, to avoid vomiting and other unpleasant side effects.
The prejudice against weight loss surgery on this thread is appalling, and so obviously born out of rank ignorance that I hardly know what to say. Study after study has shown it to be the only effective method of long-term weight loss, even if some of the weight is gained back, because very low calorie diets are usually the only method of weight loss that works for morbid obesity. It is not a way out for the lazy, and you are not a better person because you managed to lose it "on your own." It is a difficult, torturous path that means never being able to eat like a normal human being ever again. It is a brave and sensible thing to do in the majority of cases, and shame on all of you who implied otherwise without the slightest bit of research just because you heard Dr. Oz or Oprah say it was bad, or your friend's second cousin's gardener's sister had a hard time with it. Who's lazy now?
OP: Congratulations on your weight loss, and sorry to hear about your experience with the insurance company. I've known people to appeal these decisions and get somewhere, especially if their doctors are willing to write letters about how this early compliance makes one a particularly good candidate for the difficult regimen to follow. It might also make sense to see what other insurance options your employer offers. From what I understand, the PPOs are much more likely to approve these surgeries than HMOs, although it varies from company to company. You might check out the renewedreflections bulletin board for those who have had or are contemplating the surgery. There's an entire section on people's various experiences with insurance companies, so you might be able to find a company more amenable to helping you reach your goals.0 -
Years from now, you will be able to look at the new, fit, thin you and say that YOU accomplished this. Not "a team of doctors". Not "medical science". YOU, and you alone, through willpower and perseverance.
Um, sorry, but this is just so insulting to anyone who's had this surgery that I can't let it slide.
When you have weight loss surgery, your doctor spends maybe five hours operating on you. You spend the rest of your life trying to balance the demands of getting enough protein, nutrients, and physical activity, while eating a very small quantity of food--a quantity, indeed, that triggers most people's "I'm starving to death" mental switch, if not their physical one anymore. The results you achieve are due to your successful mastering of these skills, not your "team of doctors." If you think willpower doesn't enter into it anymore, you need to do some research and educate yourself about life after gastric bypass surgery, and I think you need at a minimum to apologize to all of the people on MyFitnessPal whose commitment and willpower you've just disparaged.0 -
If you've been able to make this much progress without surgery, why risk your life by going under the knife? You've already proven you've got the motivation to change your life!0
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Well, clearly you don't need surgery then.
You're 22 for christs sake. You can achieve anything you want if you put in the work. You don't need shortcuts like that. It's a good thing you were rejected in my opinion. You have the strength to do this without medical intervention.
Exactly!0 -
You shouldn't be disappointed, you should be giving yourself a massive pat on the back
You have lost an amazing amount of weight, and in the process educated yourself. You have obviously had to chagne your life style and you attitude. Im delighted for you, if you can loss 48lbs, you can do anything
You have also saved yourself a very risky surgery from what I am lead to believe.
Congratulations, thats amazing news0 -
You're too good for those quick fix solutions. You've proved you've got what it takes without needing surgery.
Um...you obviously don't know a thing about gastric bypass surgery. It is far from a "quick fix" solution. Indeed, it is a lifelong commitment to eating healthy food, and not very much of it, to avoid vomiting and other unpleasant side effects.
The prejudice against weight loss surgery on this thread is appalling, and so obviously born out of rank ignorance that I hardly know what to say. Study after study has shown it to be the only effective method of long-term weight loss, even if some of the weight is gained back, because very low calorie diets are usually the only method of weight loss that works for morbid obesity. It is not a way out for the lazy, and you are not a better person because you managed to lose it "on your own." It is a difficult, torturous path that means never being able to eat like a normal human being ever again. It is a brave and sensible thing to do in the majority of cases, and shame on all of you who implied otherwise without the slightest bit of research just because you heard Dr. Oz or Oprah say it was bad, or your friend's second cousin's gardener's sister had a hard time with it. Who's lazy now?
OP: Congratulations on your weight loss, and sorry to hear about your experience with the insurance company. I've known people to appeal these decisions and get somewhere, especially if their doctors are willing to write letters about how this early compliance makes one a particularly good candidate for the difficult regimen to follow. It might also make sense to see what other insurance options your employer offers. From what I understand, the PPOs are much more likely to approve these surgeries than HMOs, although it varies from company to company. You might check out the renewedreflections bulletin board for those who have had or are contemplating the surgery. There's an entire section on people's various experiences with insurance companies, so you might be able to find a company more amenable to helping you reach your goals.
All you mentione about the surgery are things one must do to lose weight anyway! so why even go through the surgery when one needs to change ones ways even with surgery? I am so glad insurance tells one to lose weight before this type of surgery, had I not been told to this, I would have probably gone through with this surgery, never realizing that i could do it on my own!0
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