Okay...so I know I have 6 long months ahead of me but I'm feeling encouraged. I got to thinking about the changes in my insurance coverage which the doc's office will confirm when I go in for the initial consultation. But under the old coverage, with no comorbidities, I had to have a BMI over 40 which is no problem as I am unhappily sitting snug at 42.5. Now, I need 35.1 with one comorbidity. Well, as far as the comorbidity thing goes...that's gonna be up to the doc to find something that will work and I'm really hoping he will. Isn't that kinda psycho to HOPE for a comorbidity?
Anyways...this DOES, however, open me up to losing weight during my 6 month supervised diet. Ya see, before the change, I'd pretty much have to fake it in order to still be approved for the surgery after the 6 months because if I lost weight, I'd dip below 40 which would give the insurance company an excuse to deny my request. Now, however, I get to actually try to lose some of this weight myself before the surgery. I know, I know..if I could lose the weight, then I wouldn't need the surgery but the hardest part about losing is keeping it off and there's no way I'd lose enough to get close to goal on my own. That's obviously where the band comes in. But I've figured out that if I get down to 200 lbs, that puts my BMI at 37.8. Above the requirement but way below where I am now. That's about 4 lbs a month, a pound a week, a half pound every 3 1/2 days. It's pretty ambitious but I think it's worth a shot and will be a good starting point when I do get banded. It'll also help me feel like the next 6 months are just waste of time. All things I will discuss with my surgeon (hopefully) at my consultation.
In the meantime, I find myself fascinated with reading other bandsters' blogs and seeing their progress. I know I shouldn't obsess like this for the next 6 months but it's tough...especially when the mind starts to wander.
4 comments:
Just use the time to mentally prep yourself.. I think it's the best thing you can do for yourself. And these rules they have ... BMI's, comorbities.. they suck.. so stupid! It just makes things more difficult when all you want to do is get healthy.
I agree with Cara (The Dash). Just keep your spirits up. Don't let the Insurance Company try to slow you down. Use this time to read as many blogs as possible for their experiences, like I have. I have found that I have learned more from reading the blogs then I ever have in the "Classes" that I had to take through my Surgeon. Anyway, good luck in your Initial Consultation. By the way, your Consultation is the day of my Surgery! So this has to be good luck.
Thanks for the advice ladies! I'll definitely be using the time to do some more research. I bought a book over the weekend that looks promising by Somebody Sewell (only one Barnes and Noble carried).
Good luck on your surgery Debi! I'll be sending good thoughts your way that day.
You wouldn't believe the trouble I went to try and get my insurance approved...I dug up all kinds of old medical records to find times when it showed high blood pressure (co-morbidity). It's funny the hoops insurance companies make us jump through. Now is the time for you to make the decision to get your weight down and ready for surgery. I have to admit that I had many last meals which I now regret because they added to my weight and took away time from me reaching my goal weight. Either way -- 6 months will fly by! :)
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