The Checklist Begins...

Had my first apt with the Dr today... He agreed that the sleeve was a good choice for me.
so now we proceed with the checklist of GOT TO DO's

• Psych Consult
• Dietitian Consult
• Nursing and PT Education Seminar
• Physician supervised diet- 6 Months
• Medical records
• EGD

Technically I have been on a medically supervised weightloss regime for a few years... I dont know if it will count or if I have to start all over again. I am going to talk to my gp tomorrow and see what he says. If I have to start all over again, well then I will if not then its all good I just need to get this stuff moving. It would be kinda annoying but it is understandable if thats the case...

The things insurance makes you do...

Went to a second seminar

So the hubby has had some questions about the procedures. He also is contemplating having something done as well.

So I scheduled a second seminar. When we got there Dr. Kowalski was in the hall that gave the seminar that I went to. He recognized me and wondered what I was doing there again. I explained that the hubby had questions and concerns and that it would be answered better at the seminar where he could hear the info first hand.

At the seminar surprisingly the hubby didnt have any extra questions... in fact he was impressed by the amount of info that was given.

I highly recommend the Seminar for the informational process.

new quirk...

I got the call to make the initial apt with the surgeons office. I was informed that the program fee of $500 is due at this time... this covers things like support group and other care/support option that the insurance doesn't cover. What I don't understand is WHY this couldn't be grouped for billing with insurance? Surely support groups could could be billed as psychology apts right? I need to research what the rest of this $500 funds.


Finding the money that could be tricky, they will allow for splitting this cost up 1/2 now and half before day of surgery. I may need to take this fee out of my tax return.


Everything boils down to money. Dont have it, cant get what you need done, done...

Payment and insurance hurdles

Payment could end up slowing everything down... I talked with my Insurance Company today... while ANY   procedure that is recommended for me is covered it is only covered 80%. This is something to definitely contemplate. Where will the remaining 20% come from?


While it is nice to know that all 3 procedures are covered it now comes down to $$$... Just how much will that 20% come to? How to come up with the money?


While in the mean time I am still looking for a job preferably one that has benefits. That would be the ideal solution, as that would pick up the remaining 20%. Its not like I need to come up with the $ tomorrow or anything... this process will take some time.

And it begins...

I have been overweight most of my life... I can remember being teased for being chubby/fat from about 1st grade. I turn 40 this year. I am tired of being heavy. The numbers just get higher every year... I have little to no energy, I have hip/back/sciatic pain from being overweight. In the past I have done Fen-Phen, WeightWatchers, South Beach, Dexatrim, Heck my dad put me on grapefruit when I was 10 LOL

Last night I went to a Informative Seminar at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City In Shawnee Mission Medical Center Kansas. I know someone that used them last year and she is having great results; she referred me and it also turns out that KC Bariatric is the ONLY place that is covered by my medical insurance.
The informational seminar is their first step to being seen/evaluated. Included was the presentation of various styles of surgery they do including Lap-Band, Gastric Sleeve, and Gastric Bypass by the Drs that do them. Also included was a Health questionnaire packet for the office/hospital, medical releases for records, & they also had guest speakers who had the different  surgeries there to answer questions first hand .
There were only a couple of ppl there that in my opinion could just hit the gym a little more and NOT have a issue but **shrugs* what do I know... there were also some REALLY sick sick ppl... some that were on some heavy duty meds for various conditions, and a few that were SO big that they were in that category where you are like "OMFG how do you walk much less wipe your behind you are so big!" and you wonder what happened, how did you get to that point, then it hits you OMG that could be me in a few years...Oh heck NO!


I am rather lucky... I weigh 370lb (Weighed today @ my regular gp)... and I dont have Diabetes, I don't have High Blood Pressure, I dont have Kidney Problems, or other MAJOR health issues...YET! I know I am a bomb waiting to blowup I just dont know when my body will say "ohh HELLL NO!".
I had to see my GP about a unrelated matter (when I got my weight) I told my gp about going to the Seminar and he was of the opinion that it would be a good idea. He says I am one of his healthier patients EXCEPT Im overweight... He is sending my records later this afternoon. I should get called sometime in the next couple of weeks to set up a initial visit with a Dr.

Still unsure WHAT surgery I want. 
At first I thought I wanted the Lap-Band... Adjustable/Removable/Reversible, but now Im not sure. it can take upto 3yrs to loose what you can loose with the other surgeries in 1-2 yrs.


I dont think I want to deal with the major possible issues of the Mal-absorptive problems of a Gastric bypass later in life (senior yrs). Tho GB is reversible these days it is rarely done. 


The Gastric Sleeve doesn't have the Mal-absorptive problems that the GB has but they REMOVE part of your stomach... Kinda weird/scary...  what if you need it later or something?

Where to start...

How does one start these things? I'm not normal so I don't think normal would work as well for me so I'm just gonna wing it... I hope you don't mind.


I'm from the Kansas City Metro Area. I have lived in the Metro 5.5 yrs now. Originally from the West Coast and prior to that Hawaii. I have 3 great boys, ages range 6, 9, &15. I have a Terrific husband that supports me and encourages me in everything that I do. I cook, I craft, I mom, I wife, I read, I do lots and yet not enough.


I turn 40 this year I weigh 370lbs and I am done... I cannot stand being this way anymore. 


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