Message Board Add your post to this page Add yourself to / remove yourself from the mailing list 04/07/2004 05:34 PM     Can anyone tell me how Access Care II is, with approving these surgeries? It is Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE PA. I have my first appointment with Dr. Peter on June 3rd and am getting anxious about whether or not my ins. co. will approve it. I have Degenerative Disc Disease, arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Reflux. I don't know about sleep apnea. Anyone that has any imput would be appreciated.     -- 04/07/2004 10:52 AM     ***URGENT UPDATE*** There is a TYPO on the events calendar, the meeting for April says the 8th which is Thursday, that is WRONG!!! The meeting is tonight, WEDNESDAY April 7th, 2004! It is always scheduled on the first Wednesday of every month unless otherwise noted but it is tonight, please pass this message on to anyone you may know in case they do not sign on to the internet and see this in time, Hope to see you there..Jennifer G    -- 02/29/2004 09:20 AM     I would like to hear from anyone more than 2 years post-op to help me feel better about the long term prognosis of the DS surgery. Thanks. Linda    -- 02/22/2004 04:58 PM       TS I'm fighting a pre-determination through BC of NE PA right now. I hope to find something out within the next few weeks. It's been a long haul, but I won't quit at this point. There's too much at risk here. They need to know that many other companies are paying for the DS and there is no reason why they can't. They have it listed in my benefits as a "investigational" treatment but that goes back to 1986 and no update has been done since. Also, I read from other people on the net that they were paying for this in 2001 but stopped. We've got to fight this. Everyone who wants this has to go fight this = go to the insurance company - go to your employer as they are the ones who tell BC what benefits they want.    -- 02/10/2004 08:50 AM     I've been hearing about some BC/BS coming around and now approving the DS. Does anyone know if the BC/BS communicate with ecah other? Can we expect NEPA BC/BS to follow suit?    -- 02/10/2004 07:10 AM     Just to let you all know that the DS is a wonderful procedure. I have lost 120lbs. since I had the surgery in April 2003. I feel great and all my medical problems are gone. Good luck to all of you. The first month was really hard, but now I am thrilled.    -- 02/02/2004 12:00 PM     Anyone had any advice on getting approved for a DS?     -- 01/02/2004 02:10 PM       oh......... and LuAnn....congrats on the huge weight loss. You go girl!!!!!!!    -- 01/01/2004 02:43 PM     I just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone and the best of everything to you and your families. I pray every day that this is the year I will get to the losing side along with everyone who wishes to be there too....    -- 01/01/2004 11:26 AM       Hi everyone - Wanting to stop in and wish each of you a HEALTHY, Happy New Year. I wish for each of us success in becoming the new thinner person so that we can live a longer healthier happier person. My hats off to all of you who have gone through this journey successfully. My prayers for those of us still trying to succeed. Ann Marie H    -- 12/30/2003 05:19 PM       Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!! I thought I would drop a line and let everyone know that I am feeling just great! I am just about 5 months post-op and I am 85.5 lbs. lighter!!!!!!!!! The energy I now have is just unbelieveable!     -- 12/12/2003 02:34 PM     Ann Marie, thank you, I think it is the depression kicking in....everyday the wait gets harder and harder....but having people here to talk to makes it all a little easier. Hopefully I will be able to keep this frame of mind and get through to the "losing" side. Michele    -- 12/09/2003 12:42 PM     Hi, I just want to say that even though the first month after this surgery I was very sorry I did it. I am thrilled to death now. I have lost over 108lbs. so far (had the DS in April 03) and I feel great. I am getting tons of compliments from everyone and I now can wear things I haven't worn in over 5 years. Good Luck to everyone.    -- 12/06/2003 11:22 AM     I am on my waiting for my approval by the insurance company and going to Nutrition counseling, but I can not seem to lose anything...I am having a terrible time and the stress of the wait for approval is making it worse...(I am a stress eater), has anyone else had this problem? How can I overcome it? I would appreciate any help you can give me...Thank you in advance. Michele    -- 12/06/2003 05:41 AM     In 11 days, it will be two years since my DS. The time has flown by. My life is so full and busy now. There isn't anything I can't do. My weight had kept me from enjoying any part of my life and now I live life to its fullest. My starting weight was 360 lbs. I now weigh 171 and wear a size 12. I truly believe I could lose more if I put some effort into it but I am thrilled with where I am. Every day is an adventure!     -- 12/03/2003 07:58 PM       Hi all. I've been coming to this site for the last 6 months and I've noticed that not many people access this message board. I'm wondering why. I go to the support group meetings monthly and I see so many people with questions, comments and insurance problems. I am hoping by doing this post that we can start some feedback to each other about our problems and concerns. I personally am having problems getting my insurance carrier to approve the DS so I would like to hear from anyone who might have some good advice in that direction. Just an FYI - at the support group meeting tonight we decided that since the January 2004 meeting was almost a week after NY day, that we will have a group meeting after all. Hope to see you there.     -- 10/15/2003 11:08 AM       October 15,2003- this is a celebration of my second anniversary. My weight has stabilized and I have been at goal and have had no problem staying there. I eat what I want but still emphasize protein more than carbs. For the first time in my life I eat normally, I do not worry about calories but rather with eating for health and energy. I am wearing a size 10 or 12 in pants, an extra small to small for shirts (medium if it has long sleeves). I can shop in any store including the kids department. I love to dress up and wear really cute clothing. I exercise 4-5 days a week, aquajog and aquasize 4 days and bowling on the fifth. For my anniversary my DH Steve took me to Letchworth state park in NY for a huge craft fair. I bought a quilted sweatshirt in fall colors and needed it in a medium but the brown only came in a large I may add some buttons to it to get it more fitted. We walked and shopped and had some treats to eat. Then we went for a hike- I would guess that I hiked almost two miles. We then went down to the lower falls to get there is a 127 steps down then back up- I did it and only was a little winded. On the way back from the falls Steve had me stop in the park gift shop to buy a memento of the hiking- I got a special candle, the glass jar is shaped like a pumpkin. Steve was so amazed at how far and how fast I could hike. Then to top of the evening we went to the Glen Iris Inn at the upper falls for a great dinner. It was a perfect way to celebrate my anniversary because two years ago I would not have been able to even do the craft fair shopping on level ground without pain and certainly would not have done any hiking up and down the trail by the gorge. I have surpassed the goals I set for myself two years ago. I live a normal life now- I am happy and active. I feel very blessed to have had my surgeon Dr Peters do the DS/BPD as I have autoimmune arthritis and need the ability to take medications with a functional stomach and intact pyloric valve. For my anniversary I scared my DH I told him I was off to treat myself with a special "2" at the jewelry store either two carats, two strands or two charms for my bracelet. I let him off the hook easy as I found two charms I loved- 1st is a lazer etched GODDESS and the 2nd is a Hebrew letters for Chai which means life. For I truly feel I have been given a new life. My soul is that of a goddess for I have found a strength and love of life like I have never had before. I would wish for all to have a wls journey that helps each of us to reach our full potentials for we each only have one earthly life to celebrate. Too life...Amanda     -- 09/09/2003 09:38 AM     Help! I can't get into obesityhelp.com (I've tried on 3 different computers and always get an error message). I'm having a duodenal switch with Dr. Peters on 9/22...*yiiippppeeee*... and I've seen suggested lists of things to take to the hospital on obesityhelp.com. Now that I need them, I can't get to them....*grrrrrrrr* Could some of you who have already *been there* please let me know what I should take, in your opinions? Thanks so much...*s* Carol    -- 08/23/2003 06:05 PM       DS patients...what have you done to get the weight moving when you've plataued??    -- 07/29/2003 07:05 PM       Hi everyone! just touching base with you all to let you know that I am doing well. Things are going just great! Keep smilin' everyone!    -- 07/17/2003 01:37 PM     Sherri: Thank you so much for you wonderful wishes! I am feeling just great! LuAnn    -- 07/14/2003 01:26 PM     Hi to everyone!!!!! I can not believe that I have had surgery 2 weeks ago today and I have lost about 24 lbs. already!!!! I feel FANTASTIC! I love being a loser! Thanks to all of you who have supported before and right up to the minute with my surgery. I really appreciate everything. To my one special friend CINDY! Your the best! You are definitely an inspiration to me. God love ya! LuAnn~    -- 07/08/2003 05:12 PM     Good lord its been 1 yr. I am doing better than I thought and I love it all. I have now offically lost 1 whole person. I have gone from 283lbs to 139lbs and a sz 28 to 6. I have got a promotion at work and will attend my 10 yr high school reunion...boy they will be shocked, I also will have my arms done and a tummy tuck on Sept 4th...so thats what I have been up too. O and one more thing, to those just starting this journey....remember one day at a time and you are not in this alone. Consider each day as a learning expercience in your new life..and believe me its ALL NEW. But most---when times are tough..remember why you did this to begin with, you will love the new you. Take care all.    -- 07/06/2003 08:59 AM       AHHHHHHHH This photo is old! I need to get a new one up here. this one is from about 4 months post op!!! Wendy    -- Click Here for previous 25 Postings     Click Here for next 25 Postings