Approval! What was it like and Don't ever give up!!!

Insurance Approval!

I know when I originally started the journey my worst fear was

insurance approval. I felt that was the hardest step!

In 2002 I started to think about weight loss surgery after my son was born. My husband and I visited the Bariatric Bartix.. and met with a Dr... They started on my approval as I met the requirements. I really forgot about it.. December came and then January.. I got a letter in the mail that I was approved! I never even thought they sent this in to get approval. They asked me when I wanted surgery. I through about it and I was in the middle of the school year at Ohio State. I said we will wait until June. They set up all my appointments and my pre-op was scheduled for the end of may.

Time past.. I joined groups.. Obesity Help.. Yahoo groups and found a group of people in my area that had surgery with the same surgeon or at least at this center.. I kept hearing horror stories! About the office.. about how they make you jump through hoops etc.. I thought to myself.. but my case is different. I am in overall good health but weighing over 350 pounds. So I had my pre-op and they did not like my heart rate.. really?? Labs were drawn and then they sent me to a cardiologist to check this out... The cardiologist put a monitor on me for 24 hours... I heard back from them right away and they noticed my heart skipped occasionally.OK.. news to me.. Cardiologist did a Echo.. I just had regurgitation.. he said it is no problem! Cleared me for surgery!!

YES.. I got through their hoops.. they aren't going to stop me.. It was the Friday before my Monday Surgery. My husband received FMLA.. my sister was coming out.. etc.. everything was in place. I received a call from the office.. to get my surgery time.. WRONG.. My labs were not right.. low white blood cell count.. She said.. you need to have your labs drawn again like yesterday! WHAT!!!!!!!! Great time to tell me this.. I was furious! Went to get my labs drawn.. they called me and said there still was a problem with my white blood cell count I need to see a hematologist! Are you kidding me.. Surgery was cancelled.... I was beyond furious! I went off in my groups and someone from the office monitors the groups.. Told the office.. I called them incompetent. Most likely not the best words for a surgery that has a death rate of 1 out of 100.. (at least then!) The hematologist called them and said everything was fine and to do the surgery!!!

So the office called and said that they will not do the surgery on me!
I was lost.. but I have insurance approval... how can you do this to me!!! So I joined weight watchers.. and then focused on getting pregnant and expanding my family.


......... I did get pregnant and lose the baby it was a tubular pregnancy! I had PCOS.. My weight was keeping me from having a child!  We still tried.. went through infertility treatments.. and cost mega money.. and nothing..


----- April 2008! I decided to get a new gastric bypass surgeon. One at a hospital and went to a information seminar. I loved this surgeon!!! They did verify that my husbands insurance does cover Weight loss surgery and started me for nutrition classes and a all day seminar to make sure I was fit to do the surgery. After a few months.. everything look good.. passed the psychological test.. YAY.. I waited and waited and waited.. Why is insurance taking so long... Well.. even though they said they cover Weight loss surgery the plan changed on September 1st!
So my surgery was a no go again.. Well this was it.. I knocked on the door twice and the lord closed it.. 

.. In 2009 I wanted to get a job.. I wanted to get out of the house! My son was in 1st grade and so I thought it was time! I got a awesome job with OhioHealth! In 2010 I had to get their insurance because of my husbands company only will cover me if I do not have an insurance option.  So I thought about it and thought about it and they cover the gastric bypass!!! I went back and fourth.. I did not want to get my hopes and dreams up and then be turned away again...

On January 1st 2010... I woke up and weight over 350 pounds! I felt horrible!! I decided that I was going to call them and get in to see Dr. Myers.  I met with them and they took most of the work I did before and counted that towards my progress.. I worked for this hospital so not sure why they would deny me! On March 24th.. I got the email from the nurse.. since we all use the same email where I worked the subject line said APPROVAL.. less then 24 hours!! Really.... She said when do you want to do it.. I said the first one.. I was scheduled for April 5th!!! YAY!!! Oh no.. every call.. every email.., I was afraid.... I went for pre-op and received my food for the next week before surgery. He has you on a liquid diet... I did great.. It was a Monday and my surgery was on Tuesday... I got the call I needed to be at the hospital at 8:30.. WOW.. really.. Still not buying this was going to happen.. 

We left for the hospital and my surgery started a little late but it happened!! 


I went through hell to have this surgery!

NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Since my weight loss surgery in 2010.. with the RNY.. I needed B12 shots! Well no more because I found this awesome Vitamin called Xfactor from PLexus... 

my levels were below 200... with 2 months on the Xfactor.. No shots it is up to over 500.. the higher end of normal!!!

• 
  

There is a multi vitamin on the market called XFactor. This has aloe and helps us absorb the vitamins better! This is from Plexus and can be found at! 

Get the XFACTOR here!

I want you to make the right decision for you! Everyone  story is different.

This is the first step in the Weight Loss Process...

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Before.. over 300 pounds and below at 150

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!

I am so happy I had RNY weight loss surgery! I did it for me and these 2.. I am a better wife and mother then I could have ever been at 350 pounds!

THIS IS MY WHY!!

Part 3.. Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band Surgery:

Lap band surgery is the safest weight loss surgery! 

I originally went to my Surgeon and said I wanted the lap band. He did advise me that weight loss is a lot slower and with the amount of weight I had to lose he did not recommend it. He said he would do it but in the long run it was not going to help me significantly. I chose to do the RNY. Never regretted it.. loss 170 pounds.. doing Zumba.. getting healthy.. found the best vitamin on the planet. It is called Xfactor.. It has Aloe so it helps absorb the nutrients better.. I am 6 years out.. almost and getting B 12 shots.. In November I wanted to see how this new vitamin I was introduced would help me. My levels never went above 250 after surgery! Well on Friday my levels were well over 500!!!! Iron level is up.. 
It is awesome.. If there is one thing you need is a good vitamin!!!



Lap Band Surgery:
This is also know as the adjustable gastric band. Lap-Band and Realize Band is restrictive weight loss surgery! It promotes weight loss by significantly decreasing the amount of food comfortably eaten at each meal and maintains a sense of fullness for a longer time after meals. This allows you to eat less throughout the day and lose weight. The lap band is a procedure in which a silicon band is placed laparoscopically around the upper portion of the stomach. Laparoscopic surgery is a state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive procedure that allows for quick recovery and less discomfort than open surgery. About six weeks after surgery, the lap band is inflated by injecting a saline solution through a permanent port placed under the skin. The surgeon adjusts the lap band to the right level of restriction, helping the patient reach a healthy weight. Once the proper restriction is achieved, future adjustments are not usually required.


The lap band promotes a slow, steady weight loss that may be maintained long-term.  People choose lap band surgery over other types of weight loss surgery if they want a slower and less dramatic weight loss, no nutrient mal-absorption, and a less restrictive post-surgical diet.  The disadvantages of the lap band procedure include the permanent implantation and possible malfunction of the device and less effective long term weight loss compared to gastric bypass surgery. The RNY and the Sleeve.'

Since my weight loss surgery in 2010.. with the RNY.. I needed B12 shots! Well no more because I found this awesome Vitamin called Xfactor from PLexus... 

my levels were below 200... with 2 months on the Xfactor.. No shots it is up to over 500.. the higher end of normal!!!

• 
  

There is a multi vitamin on the market called XFactor. This has aloe and helps us absorb the vitamins better! This is from Plexus and can be found at! 

Get the XFACTOR here!

I want you to make the right decision for you! Everyone  story is different.

This is the first step in the Weight Loss Process...

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Before.. over 300 pounds and below at 150

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!

I am so happy I had RNY weight loss surgery! I did it for me and these 2.. I am a better wife and mother then I could have ever been at 350 pounds!

THIS IS MY WHY!!

GASTRIC SLEEVE! Weight Loss Surgery.. WLS Part 2...

Gastric Sleeve.. What is it..
This seems to be the go to procedure now for weight loss surgery.

When I had my RNY this was not widely available. So I did some research because I want my readers to know all the options and what is right for you!


The Gastric sleeve removes part of the stomach to create a tube like stomach or a "sleeve" It is also called the weight loss sleeve. This is irreversible just like the RNY. Most cases it is don laparoscopic . As like the RNY this procedure makes the stomach smaller so you fee full faster. It is slower then the RNY and expect to lose 50% to 80% of excess weight in a 12 month period of time.
--- Pro... does not cause the dumping syndrome or lack of vitamin absorption.... but since the amount of food is restricted.. can expect malnutrition issues

-RNY you will lose weight faster and if you have a significant amount to lose RNY is the better choice but in a few days we will break it all down.

Unlike the more invasive gastric bypass and duodenal switch, gastric sleeve surgery does not rearrange the digestive system. This results in a lower complication rate, fewer malabsorption problems, and a quicker recovery.

As a stand-alone procedure, gastric sleeve surgery has been impressive…For patients with a body mass index over 50, the gastric sleeve (GS) is sometimes used as a “first step procedure” to get the weight down before moving forward with a more complicated procedure such as the duodenal switch or gastric bypass surgery. It has been performed on patients ranging from 12 to 79 years of age.

• It is less expensive and has fewer complications than other types of bariatric surgery
• It has similar weight loss results but it is slower!

---- Since my weight loss surgery in 2010.. with the RNY.. I needed B12 shots! Well no more because I found this awesome Vitamin called Xfactor from PLexus... 

my levels were below 200... with 2 months on the Xfactor.. No shots it is up to over 500.. the higher end of normal!!!

• 
  

There is a multi vitamin on the market called XFactor. This has aloe and helps us absorb the vitamins better! This is from Plexus and can be found at! 

Get the XFACTOR here!

I want you to make the right decision for you! Everyone  story is different.

This is the first step in the Weight Loss Process...

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Before.. over 300 pounds and below at 150

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!

I am so happy I had RNY weight loss surgery! I did it for me and these 2.. I am a better wife and mother then I could have ever been at 350 pounds!

THIS IS MY WHY!!

Types of Surgery Available; Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Part 1

 Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

This is the surgery I decided to have. I went to a seminar and at

first I thought I was going to have the gastric band. I knew this was not going to be for me as I needed to lose more weight then this would allow. The Sleeve was not widely performed when I had my surgery in 2010

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most frequently performed weight loss procedures in the United States. In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch, about the size of a large egg. The pouch is created by dividing the small intestine just beyond the first 50cm of small intestine, also called the duodenum, for the purpose of pulling it up and attaching it with the newly formed stomach pouch. The other end of the small intestine is connected into the side of the Roux limb (the portion of the small intestine attached to the new small stomach) creating the "Y" shape that gives the technique its name.

There are some distinct advantages of the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass over other procedures. The first is the fact that most patients lose weight for the first year and a half. In essence, the surgery forces you to change your eating habits. There is a "golden period" after gastric bypass--the time when the body becomes accustomed to less food and patients have an easier time developing good eating habits.

Simply put, the gastric bypass procedure requires less willpower than a band to be successful early on. However, in the long term they both require a commitment to change, including the way patients eat. There is strong data which shows that with gastric bypass surgery, many people lose the majority of their excess weight and are successful in keeping it off.

-You will have dumping..this is when you eat sugar.. you will get sick.. don't start.. or start and get sick..I started and then as time went had a little more and got used to sugar.. I gained 40 pounds of my 170 lost.. but I lost the 170 because I always had low sugar, natural sugar or sugar substitute! DON"T EAT SUGAR!!!!

-Tell then just to take out your gallbladder... I went back 2 weeks later and my gallbladder had to removed..

I do control my sugar again and doing better; I also use plexus to control my sugar cravings.

The slim drink is perfect for us along with the Xfactor vitamin! 

Slim (Pink Drink) - is a drink originally created for type II diabetics to regulate their sugar. As a side effect, people have lost weight.  

Get Slim and Xfactor Here!

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?When a laparoscopic operation is performed, a small video camera is inserted into the abdomen. The surgeon views the procedure on a separate video monitor. Most laparoscopic surgeons believe this gives them better visualization and access to key anatomical structures.

The camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions made in the abdominal wall. This approach is considered less invasive because it replaces the need for one long incision to open the abdomen. A recent study shows that patients having had laparoscopic weight loss surgery experience less pain after surgery resulting in easier breathing and lung function and higher overall oxygen levels. Other realized benefits with laparoscopy have been fewer wound complications such as infection or hernia, and patients returning more quickly to pre-surgical levels of activity.

Laparoscopic procedures for weight loss surgery employ the same principles as their "open" counterparts and produce similar excess weight loss. Not all patients are candidates for this approach.

- My surgery was done Laparoscopic!

-

There is a multi vitamin on the market called XFactor. This has aloe and helps us absorb the vitamins better! This is from Plexus and can be found at! 

Get the XFACTOR here!

I want you to make the right decision for you! Everyone  story is different.

This is the first step in the Weight Loss Process...

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Before.. over 300 pounds and below at 150

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!

I am so happy I had RNY weight loss surgery! I did it for me and these 2.. I am a better wife and mother then I could have ever been at 350 pounds!

Weight loss Surgery... Making the Decesion

Hi I am Lisa!! I has my gastric Bypass RNY done on 4/5/2010! Yes it was a great decision and I would do it all over again. I went into my story yesterday a little and I am going to do a series on weight loss surgery in general. I would love questions! If you want information on a topic please let me know!

Thinking about weight loss surgery?

That really the first step. This is a big decision for anyone. Do your research and do more research. Making the right  type weight loss surgery is important as well.

The decision about whether to undergo obesity surgery is fairly complex and most importantly, very personal. You must understand that weight-loss surgery is a major undertaking, and though most patients enjoy an improvement in obesity-related health conditions and self-esteem after successful surgery, these results should not be the overriding motivation for having the procedure.

Deciding to undergo a bariatric surgical procedure will change your life in a dramatic and permanent way, so there’s no such thing as too much careful consideration. Even if you are interested in having surgery, your goals should be to live better, healthier and longer. To get skinny is not a reason. Your health is the most important. I strongly advise you be honest with yourself as I was not. I had no really complications except Arthritis I wanted to get skinny! Well I did maybe too thin.. 

For all these reasons, you should make the decision to have weight-loss surgery only after careful consideration and consultation. I recommend going to your primary care physician. He advise best if you are a candidate for the surgery and if he belongs to a hospital network (even if he does not) they can send a referral. But don't take their word for it.. do your research.

-Once you get a referral or find a qualified surgeon  on your own. The surgeon should answer your questions clearly and explain the exact details of the procedure and what procedure is best for you. They should go over of the recovery period and the reality of the follow-up care that will be required.  A surgery date WILL NOT be scheduled. So if you think yes I want weight loss surgery and you see a surgeon you will need to see a dietitian  and a psychiatrist. You will need to be ready! Your body is being changed forever (unless you are getting the band) You can not go back to your old eating ways and mentally you will need to be prepared.

Weight-loss surgery will only succeed when the patient makes a lifelong commitment. Some of the challenges facing a person after weight-loss surgery can be unexpected. Lifestyle changes can strain relationships within families and between married couples. To help patients achieve their goals and deal with the changes surgery and weight-loss can bring, most bariatric surgeons offer follow-up care that includes support groups, dietitians and other forms of continuing education.

Ultimately, the decision to have the procedure is up to you. After having heard all the information, you must decide if the benefits outweigh the side effects and potential complications. Remember, this surgery is only a tool. Your ultimate success depends on strict adherence to the recommended dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes.

The following are considerations that help determine whether or not a patient should have gastric bypass surgery:

Weight

Surgery is only offered when a patient is so heavy that they meet the medical definition of morbid obesity and have failed dietary and medical management of this problem. For patients who do not meet these criteria, the risk of surgery outweighs the expected health benefits of the weight-loss.

Ability to comply with therapy

You must be able to follow the advice of your surgeon, especially regarding dietary habits after surgery. Again, bariatric surgery is only a tool, a patient’s expectations are unrealistic if a patient depends on the procedure to "take care of the weight problem" in some magical way. Dietary habits that we recommend after bariatric surgery are simple and very effective if adhered to. Bariatric surgery is a powerful tool to achieve long-lasting weight-loss if used correctly. You need to comply comply comply... not eating sugar.. not ever again.. no it will happen are you prepared of the sickness you will feel after it? You will need to take multiple vitamins everyday! Maybe even injections down the road. As of right now I am getting iron infusions because my iron is so low. There is a multi vitamin on the market called XFactor. This has aloe and helps us absorb the vitamins better! This is from Plexus and can be found at! 

Get the XFACTOR here!

I want you to make the right decision for you! Everyone's  story is different.

This is the first step in the Weight Loss Process...

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Before.. over 300 pounds and below at 150

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!

Welcome!!! I had Gastric Bypass.. my story

Gastric Bypass 

Future, and present patients

because we never really become past patients...

right?

So I am a 43 year old mother of 1 very active son. Wish I had more but with my weight issues I was blessed with just one and I am happy about that. Right after he was born I started looking into weight loss surgery. I had a few disappointments in the road.. first with the surgeon  at the widely know weight loss center they had to get an ok because of my white blood cell count was low.. Turned out I called them incompetent because it was 4 days before I was to have surgery! So I was cancelled and then after going through all the hoops with insurance.. my husbands company changed their policy after 9/1 and my surgeon went to get approval on 9/3 so no go there. I thought I was destined to never have surgery. In 2009 I started working for a hospital and they had coverage and I started to think about it again.. and again.. I still was not sure on January 1 as we all do make some crazy resolutions we can't obtain. I remember that morning... I was getting a shower and was getting ready top host my in-laws and the stepped on the scale (naked) hey at 350 pounds.. really?

There is was 365.... I will remember that moment the rest of my life. 

I called the surgeon that I was working with a few years prior and he agreed to see me and count my past requirements as met. I did have to do a few more dietary meetings. I was determined no ONE was going to ruin this for me! On March 24 2010 I received a email at work since it was the same hospital system.. The title line from the coordinator said APPROVAL...

I screamed at my desk! I immediately called.. as my supervisor said when ever you can get in.

I did and surgery was set for 4/5/2010

I will continue my struggles and accomplishments!

There are so many.

I want your questions and feedback! What surgery is right for you?

I have researched it all and will tell you what I think.I want all your questions!

good or bad;

email me: LHOSACK93@gmail.com

Since we all worked so hard in getting large amounts of weight off why not give it a boost! I also use PLEXUS... These are great products to help you maintain your weight loss and also get the nutrients that we need!! 

What is PLEXUS?

Check Out PLEXUS!