[MiniGastricBypass]psych evaluation

[Guest guest]

Hey Sara,

Don't be discouraged! I had a psych eval in preparation for a RNY that I

was going to have here in Huntsville prior to finding out about Dr. R. It

was really no big deal and I just had a one visit session with a

Psychiatrist and a medical student at UAB in Huntsville. Is there a med

school or med school extension near you? Try that.

Dr. Bill in AL

psych evaluation

> Hi,

>

> I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a psychiatric

or

> psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

needing

> organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I know

other

> insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

discouraged,

> but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is a

> psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he says

it

> would be unethical.

> I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the MGB),

and

> I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist who

will

> see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

hassle!!!

> I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at all

> possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

insurance

> company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

known

> about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except that

> Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they had

told

> me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told me. I

am

> very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been very

nice

> and helpful to me.

> So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a psychologist or

> psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

would

> really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the border

of

> Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if I

could

> go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

>

> Thanks,

> Sara

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the encouragement Dr. Bill. My brother says one of the things

they will want to know is whether I have " body dysmorphia " (spelling?). I

believe that means you have an incorrect image of your body. Like maybe you

just THINK you are fat and need the surgery, when really you are a skinny

person!! It seems that anyone could just look at me and know I'm not imagining

that I have a serious weight problem!!! Apparently they also want to know

whether I am competent to make the decision to have the surgery and whether I

am competent to take care of myself after. I feel so cynical about insurance

companies after all the problems people have with them that I have read about

on this list, that it is hard for me to believe that they care even the tiniest

bit about me and whether I can mentally handle this surgery. I'm afraid every

extra thing like this that they ask for is just a stalling tactic.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement!

Sara

" L. Ingram V, DMD " wrote:

> Hey Sara,

>

> Don't be discouraged! I had a psych eval in preparation for a RNY that I

> was going to have here in Huntsville prior to finding out about Dr. R. It

> was really no big deal and I just had a one visit session with a

> Psychiatrist and a medical student at UAB in Huntsville. Is there a med

> school or med school extension near you? Try that.

>

> Dr. Bill in AL

> psych evaluation

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a psychiatric

> or

> > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> needing

> > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I know

> other

> > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> discouraged,

> > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is a

> > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he says

> it

> > would be unethical.

> > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the MGB),

> and

> > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist who

> will

> > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> hassle!!!

> > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at all

> > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> insurance

> > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> known

> > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except that

> > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they had

> told

> > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told me. I

> am

> > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been very

> nice

> > and helpful to me.

> > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a psychologist or

> > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> would

> > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the border

> of

> > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if I

> could

> > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Sara

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> >

> >

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the encouragement Dr. Bill. My brother says one of the things

they will want to know is whether I have " body dysmorphia " (spelling?). I

believe that means you have an incorrect image of your body. Like maybe you

just THINK you are fat and need the surgery, when really you are a skinny

person!! It seems that anyone could just look at me and know I'm not imagining

that I have a serious weight problem!!! Apparently they also want to know

whether I am competent to make the decision to have the surgery and whether I

am competent to take care of myself after. I feel so cynical about insurance

companies after all the problems people have with them that I have read about

on this list, that it is hard for me to believe that they care even the tiniest

bit about me and whether I can mentally handle this surgery. I'm afraid every

extra thing like this that they ask for is just a stalling tactic.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement!

Sara

" L. Ingram V, DMD " wrote:

> Hey Sara,

>

> Don't be discouraged! I had a psych eval in preparation for a RNY that I

> was going to have here in Huntsville prior to finding out about Dr. R. It

> was really no big deal and I just had a one visit session with a

> Psychiatrist and a medical student at UAB in Huntsville. Is there a med

> school or med school extension near you? Try that.

>

> Dr. Bill in AL

> psych evaluation

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a psychiatric

> or

> > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> needing

> > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I know

> other

> > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> discouraged,

> > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is a

> > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he says

> it

> > would be unethical.

> > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the MGB),

> and

> > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist who

> will

> > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> hassle!!!

> > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at all

> > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> insurance

> > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> known

> > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except that

> > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they had

> told

> > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told me. I

> am

> > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been very

> nice

> > and helpful to me.

> > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a psychologist or

> > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> would

> > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the border

> of

> > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if I

> could

> > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Sara

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> >

> >

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the encouragement Dr. Bill. My brother says one of the things

they will want to know is whether I have " body dysmorphia " (spelling?). I

believe that means you have an incorrect image of your body. Like maybe you

just THINK you are fat and need the surgery, when really you are a skinny

person!! It seems that anyone could just look at me and know I'm not imagining

that I have a serious weight problem!!! Apparently they also want to know

whether I am competent to make the decision to have the surgery and whether I

am competent to take care of myself after. I feel so cynical about insurance

companies after all the problems people have with them that I have read about

on this list, that it is hard for me to believe that they care even the tiniest

bit about me and whether I can mentally handle this surgery. I'm afraid every

extra thing like this that they ask for is just a stalling tactic.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement!

Sara

" L. Ingram V, DMD " wrote:

> Hey Sara,

>

> Don't be discouraged! I had a psych eval in preparation for a RNY that I

> was going to have here in Huntsville prior to finding out about Dr. R. It

> was really no big deal and I just had a one visit session with a

> Psychiatrist and a medical student at UAB in Huntsville. Is there a med

> school or med school extension near you? Try that.

>

> Dr. Bill in AL

> psych evaluation

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a psychiatric

> or

> > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> needing

> > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I know

> other

> > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> discouraged,

> > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is a

> > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he says

> it

> > would be unethical.

> > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the MGB),

> and

> > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist who

> will

> > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> hassle!!!

> > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at all

> > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> insurance

> > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> known

> > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except that

> > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they had

> told

> > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told me. I

> am

> > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been very

> nice

> > and helpful to me.

> > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a psychologist or

> > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> would

> > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the border

> of

> > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if I

> could

> > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Sara

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> >

> >

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

[Guest guest]

Dear Sara,

You are correct, insurance companies do not care about you. They care about

the bottom line only--taking in more in premiums than they pay out in

benefits. Their decisions are business decisions and not medical decisions.

Fortunately you have a lot of " brothers and sisters " out there in cyberUSA

that do care or at least can relate to you! In my psych eval I felt like I

was walking a thin line: yes- I got depressed about my weight from time to

time, but no-I am not suicidal or anything like that. I have a 35 year old

brother who was diagnosed bipolar 3 years ago after a manic episode.

It sound like all of your comments are right on the money! Good luck!

Dr. Bill in AL

psych evaluation

> >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a

psychiatric

> > or

> > > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> > needing

> > > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I

know

> > other

> > > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> > discouraged,

> > > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is

a

> > > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he

says

> > it

> > > would be unethical.

> > > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the

MGB),

> > and

> > > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist

who

> > will

> > > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> > hassle!!!

> > > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at

all

> > > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> > insurance

> > > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> > known

> > > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except

that

> > > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they

had

> > told

> > > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told

me. I

> > am

> > > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been

very

> > nice

> > > and helpful to me.

> > > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a

psychologist or

> > > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> > would

> > > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the

border

> > of

> > > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if

I

> > could

> > > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Sara

> > >

> > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at

Onelist.com

> > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> > >

> > >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> CLICK HERE AND START SAVING ON LONG DISTANCE BILLS TODAY!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/4125/3/_/453517/_/961793766/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sara,

You are correct, insurance companies do not care about you. They care about

the bottom line only--taking in more in premiums than they pay out in

benefits. Their decisions are business decisions and not medical decisions.

Fortunately you have a lot of " brothers and sisters " out there in cyberUSA

that do care or at least can relate to you! In my psych eval I felt like I

was walking a thin line: yes- I got depressed about my weight from time to

time, but no-I am not suicidal or anything like that. I have a 35 year old

brother who was diagnosed bipolar 3 years ago after a manic episode.

It sound like all of your comments are right on the money! Good luck!

Dr. Bill in AL

psych evaluation

> >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a

psychiatric

> > or

> > > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> > needing

> > > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I

know

> > other

> > > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> > discouraged,

> > > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is

a

> > > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he

says

> > it

> > > would be unethical.

> > > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the

MGB),

> > and

> > > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist

who

> > will

> > > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> > hassle!!!

> > > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at

all

> > > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> > insurance

> > > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> > known

> > > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except

that

> > > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they

had

> > told

> > > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told

me. I

> > am

> > > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been

very

> > nice

> > > and helpful to me.

> > > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a

psychologist or

> > > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> > would

> > > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the

border

> > of

> > > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if

I

> > could

> > > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Sara

> > >

> > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at

Onelist.com

> > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> > >

> > >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> CLICK HERE AND START SAVING ON LONG DISTANCE BILLS TODAY!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/4125/3/_/453517/_/961793766/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sara,

You are correct, insurance companies do not care about you. They care about

the bottom line only--taking in more in premiums than they pay out in

benefits. Their decisions are business decisions and not medical decisions.

Fortunately you have a lot of " brothers and sisters " out there in cyberUSA

that do care or at least can relate to you! In my psych eval I felt like I

was walking a thin line: yes- I got depressed about my weight from time to

time, but no-I am not suicidal or anything like that. I have a 35 year old

brother who was diagnosed bipolar 3 years ago after a manic episode.

It sound like all of your comments are right on the money! Good luck!

Dr. Bill in AL

psych evaluation

> >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'm feeling discouraged. My insurance company has asked for a

psychiatric

> > or

> > > psychological evaluation. They said they ask for this from patients

> > needing

> > > organ transplants, and from patients needing weight loss surgery. I

know

> > other

> > > insurance companies have required this, so I guess I shouldn't be

> > discouraged,

> > > but that's how I'm feeling right now. I was hoping my brother (who is

a

> > > psychologist) might be able to do this for me, but as I thought, he

says

> > it

> > > would be unethical.

> > > I am seeing my family doctor on Monday (he is very supportive of the

MGB),

> > and

> > > I am hoping he can give me the name of a psychologist or psychiatrist

who

> > will

> > > see me (only once!) and do this for me soon, and without a lot of

> > hassle!!!

> > > I want the MGB so badly, and I want (need) to have it in July, if at

all

> > > possible, and I so much wanted everything to just sail through the

> > insurance

> > > company with no problems and no extra requests. I wouldn't have even

> > known

> > > about needing the psych eval., and some other stuff they want, except

that

> > > Barbara called me and told me. She had called and asked them if they

had

> > told

> > > me they needed all this extra stuff, and of course they hadn't told

me. I

> > am

> > > very thankful that Barbara took the time to call me. She has been

very

> > nice

> > > and helpful to me.

> > > So if anyone has an encouraging word, or if anyone knows a

psychologist or

> > > psychiatrist who will see me just once and write the letter I need, I

> > would

> > > really appreciate it. I live in north east Tennessee, right by the

border

> > of

> > > Kentucky and Virginia. I'd be willing to travel a couple of hours if

I

> > could

> > > go to a doc I knew would be supportive.

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > > Sara

> > >

> > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > Need to allergy-proof your bedroom? Pristine mattress

> > > encasements form a breathable barrier that protects your family from

> > > common allergens. Order one today and get two pillow encasements FREE!

> > > http://click.egroups.com/1/5493/3/_/453517/_/961786331/

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at

Onelist.com

> > > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

> > >

> > >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > Air purifiers, bedding, household cleaning & more! gazoontite.com!

> > http://click.egroups.com/1/5492/3/_/453517/_/961789446/

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> > Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> > Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> CLICK HERE AND START SAVING ON LONG DISTANCE BILLS TODAY!

> http://click.egroups.com/1/4125/3/_/453517/_/961793766/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Leigh Ann,

It is my understanding that this is no longer required by Dr. R. Correct,

friends?

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/23/00 3:26:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

lauddyback@... writes:

<< hi, my insurance company also requested a pshc. eval. all they really want

to know is are you mentally capable of decideing whether or not to subject

yourself to elective surgery. and do you know what you are getting yourself

into.. its usually a one session thing, go in and tell them right at the

beginning that you are there because your ins. company is requesting it for

pre-eval for elective surgery and they will know what to ask you then. and

just think you have to have it for Dr. R anyway so that will be one less

thing you have to get done prior to surgery.

>Fr >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Leigh Ann,

It is my understanding that this is no longer required by Dr. R. Correct,

friends?

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/23/00 3:26:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

lauddyback@... writes:

<< hi, my insurance company also requested a pshc. eval. all they really want

to know is are you mentally capable of decideing whether or not to subject

yourself to elective surgery. and do you know what you are getting yourself

into.. its usually a one session thing, go in and tell them right at the

beginning that you are there because your ins. company is requesting it for

pre-eval for elective surgery and they will know what to ask you then. and

just think you have to have it for Dr. R anyway so that will be one less

thing you have to get done prior to surgery.

>Fr >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Leigh Ann,

It is my understanding that this is no longer required by Dr. R. Correct,

friends?

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/23/00 3:26:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

lauddyback@... writes:

<< hi, my insurance company also requested a pshc. eval. all they really want

to know is are you mentally capable of decideing whether or not to subject

yourself to elective surgery. and do you know what you are getting yourself

into.. its usually a one session thing, go in and tell them right at the

beginning that you are there because your ins. company is requesting it for

pre-eval for elective surgery and they will know what to ask you then. and

just think you have to have it for Dr. R anyway so that will be one less

thing you have to get done prior to surgery.

>Fr >>

[Guest guest]

oh well if the psch eval is no longer required as a prerequisite for surgery

that is good, but nonetheless for those whose insurance companies are

requiring it, it really is not all that bad and my session only took 25

minutes and was completely over with. thanks for the new info.

>From: DebLaMan@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>Subject: Re: psych evaluation

>Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 11:11:12 EDT

>

>Hi Leigh Ann,

>It is my understanding that this is no longer required by Dr. R. Correct,

>friends?

>

>Regards,

>Debbie in IL

>Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

>Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

>

>In a message dated 6/23/00 3:26:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

>lauddyback@... writes:

>

><< hi, my insurance company also requested a pshc. eval. all they really

>want

> to know is are you mentally capable of decideing whether or not to

>subject

> yourself to elective surgery. and do you know what you are getting

>yourself

> into.. its usually a one session thing, go in and tell them right at the

> beginning that you are there because your ins. company is requesting it

>for

> pre-eval for elective surgery and they will know what to ask you then.

>and

> just think you have to have it for Dr. R anyway so that will be one less

> thing you have to get done prior to surgery.

>

> >Fr >>

>

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

oh well if the psch eval is no longer required as a prerequisite for surgery

that is good, but nonetheless for those whose insurance companies are

requiring it, it really is not all that bad and my session only took 25

minutes and was completely over with. thanks for the new info.

>From: DebLaMan@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>Subject: Re: psych evaluation

>Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 11:11:12 EDT

>

>Hi Leigh Ann,

>It is my understanding that this is no longer required by Dr. R. Correct,

>friends?

>

>Regards,

>Debbie in IL

>Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

>Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

>

>In a message dated 6/23/00 3:26:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

>lauddyback@... writes:

>

><< hi, my insurance company also requested a pshc. eval. all they really

>want

> to know is are you mentally capable of decideing whether or not to

>subject

> yourself to elective surgery. and do you know what you are getting

>yourself

> into.. its usually a one session thing, go in and tell them right at the

> beginning that you are there because your ins. company is requesting it

>for

> pre-eval for elective surgery and they will know what to ask you then.

>and

> just think you have to have it for Dr. R anyway so that will be one less

> thing you have to get done prior to surgery.

>

> >Fr >>

>

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

I just had to write and tell you how very sad I was to read of your losing

your child--I cannot imagine anything more devastating in life. It seems to

me that the psych person you saw will recommend you--I pray that this is the

case, anyway. As for the physical, there is no required form and I've heard

that some have been very " short and sweet. " Good luck to you, sweetie! You

have been through so much and it is a shame that so much of the s*** we deal

with as obese people is so humiliating. We just have to grin and bear it,

knowing that that it will be worth it in the long run. Again, I am so sorry

about the loss of your child--you deserve health and happiness! Hang in

there! I will be praying for you, Sara.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

n a message dated 6/28/00 10:16:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

vaschutz@... writes:

<< Hi,

My psych eval (required by my insurance) was Monday, and it wasn't as

smooth as I had hoped. The psychologist obviously thought that I must have

some serious psychological problem that makes me fat (she was about a size

2), and she kept asking me why I thought this surgery was going to change

my eating habits?! I kept explaining over and over that the stomach is

made much, much smaller, so you cannot eat as much, but she just kept

saying, " well what if you still can eat as much? " !! Apparently she knew

people who had the old stomach stapling surgery and gained their weight

back. I tried to explain that this surgery is not the same as the old

stomach stapling surgery, but she acted like she knew all about the MGB

(which she doesn't because she had no idea, apparently, that there are

different kinds of weight loss surgeries.) I knew I was in trouble when

she asked me at one point if I had tried Metabolife!!!

I think she thinks I am looking for some easy, quick fix, and that I have

chosen an option which she believes will just fail, because for some reason

she thinks I'll still be able to eat just as much (she also seems to

totally overlook the malabsorbtion caused by bypassing the intestines), and

so I have to somehow be able to eat a tiny amount on my own anyway, without

any help, and if I could do that, or if any of us could do that continually

for the rest of our lives, then none of us would need the surgery anyway.

It was just a frustrating experience.

I had said at one point that I wouldn't try any other weight loss drugs

because of them being very ineffective and often dangerous, and she

translated that into meaning that I might not be willing to take the

medicines I need to take after the surgery!!! I said that of course I

would take the medicines after the surgery, that I am committed to

following Dr. R's instructions exactly. Finally she said she was worried

that if (and according to her limited understanding, it almost surely will

be) this surgery is a failure for me, that I won't be able to handle it

well because, according to her, I seem to have " so much hope " that this

will solve my health problems. I said of course I have hope that this will

solve or improve my weight related health problems!! Why would anyone have

surgery unless they had hope that it would solve some problem??!!!

I finally told her that if it did fail for some reason, if I had to have it

revised for some reason, or if I just didn't manage to lose weight, or if I

gained it all back, that certainly I would be sad, but I would get through

it. I told her that I had had a child die (which was another thing that

she wanted me to deal with in this session - something which has been dealt

with years ago with other therapists and really had nothing to do with

making sure I am competent to choose to have this surgery and to care for

myself afterward) and that I had lived through that, and that any failure

of this surgery would not even come close to being as hard to deal with as

the loss of my child, and that since I had dealt with that, that I could

deal with this surgery and whatever comes of it. She seemed more satisfied

after I said that, but I really don't know what she is going to say in her

report to the insurance company. Does anyone know if she would have been

ethically required to let me know if she intended to tell the insurance

company that I am not a good candidate for this surgery, because she didn't

say anything like that before I left, she just said good luck, and that she

hoped I would do well? I'm hoping that means she plans to say I'm OK.

I could use some prayers, please! My packet to Dr. R should be ready by

Friday, if I can get just what I need from my family doctor. His letter to

Dr. R was supposed to be ready yesterday, and he thought it was, but he

hadn't included anything about being willing to follow me after the

surgery, so he has to add that, and, of course he is not in his office

today, so it will be tomorrow before it can get done.

This has been so long (sorry) maybe no one is reading anymore, but I have a

question. I have my medical records from my doctor and he did a physical

and bunches of tests a few weeks ago when I told him about wanting to have

the MGB. Well, I have those records, but they are just a bunch of test

results. My docs letter lists my health problems, and says he thinks the

MGB will be a good thing for me, but I am wondering if all those test

results and the letter from my doc (which is short) will be enough to count

as my history and physical from my doctor for the packet? Does anyone know

if it has to be in a certain form? I'm not sure I'm asking this clearly

enough, but any advice along this line would be appreciated.

Sorry again for the length of this. I love you all out there!

Sara

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

I just had to write and tell you how very sad I was to read of your losing

your child--I cannot imagine anything more devastating in life. It seems to

me that the psych person you saw will recommend you--I pray that this is the

case, anyway. As for the physical, there is no required form and I've heard

that some have been very " short and sweet. " Good luck to you, sweetie! You

have been through so much and it is a shame that so much of the s*** we deal

with as obese people is so humiliating. We just have to grin and bear it,

knowing that that it will be worth it in the long run. Again, I am so sorry

about the loss of your child--you deserve health and happiness! Hang in

there! I will be praying for you, Sara.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

n a message dated 6/28/00 10:16:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

vaschutz@... writes:

<< Hi,

My psych eval (required by my insurance) was Monday, and it wasn't as

smooth as I had hoped. The psychologist obviously thought that I must have

some serious psychological problem that makes me fat (she was about a size

2), and she kept asking me why I thought this surgery was going to change

my eating habits?! I kept explaining over and over that the stomach is

made much, much smaller, so you cannot eat as much, but she just kept

saying, " well what if you still can eat as much? " !! Apparently she knew

people who had the old stomach stapling surgery and gained their weight

back. I tried to explain that this surgery is not the same as the old

stomach stapling surgery, but she acted like she knew all about the MGB

(which she doesn't because she had no idea, apparently, that there are

different kinds of weight loss surgeries.) I knew I was in trouble when

she asked me at one point if I had tried Metabolife!!!

I think she thinks I am looking for some easy, quick fix, and that I have

chosen an option which she believes will just fail, because for some reason

she thinks I'll still be able to eat just as much (she also seems to

totally overlook the malabsorbtion caused by bypassing the intestines), and

so I have to somehow be able to eat a tiny amount on my own anyway, without

any help, and if I could do that, or if any of us could do that continually

for the rest of our lives, then none of us would need the surgery anyway.

It was just a frustrating experience.

I had said at one point that I wouldn't try any other weight loss drugs

because of them being very ineffective and often dangerous, and she

translated that into meaning that I might not be willing to take the

medicines I need to take after the surgery!!! I said that of course I

would take the medicines after the surgery, that I am committed to

following Dr. R's instructions exactly. Finally she said she was worried

that if (and according to her limited understanding, it almost surely will

be) this surgery is a failure for me, that I won't be able to handle it

well because, according to her, I seem to have " so much hope " that this

will solve my health problems. I said of course I have hope that this will

solve or improve my weight related health problems!! Why would anyone have

surgery unless they had hope that it would solve some problem??!!!

I finally told her that if it did fail for some reason, if I had to have it

revised for some reason, or if I just didn't manage to lose weight, or if I

gained it all back, that certainly I would be sad, but I would get through

it. I told her that I had had a child die (which was another thing that

she wanted me to deal with in this session - something which has been dealt

with years ago with other therapists and really had nothing to do with

making sure I am competent to choose to have this surgery and to care for

myself afterward) and that I had lived through that, and that any failure

of this surgery would not even come close to being as hard to deal with as

the loss of my child, and that since I had dealt with that, that I could

deal with this surgery and whatever comes of it. She seemed more satisfied

after I said that, but I really don't know what she is going to say in her

report to the insurance company. Does anyone know if she would have been

ethically required to let me know if she intended to tell the insurance

company that I am not a good candidate for this surgery, because she didn't

say anything like that before I left, she just said good luck, and that she

hoped I would do well? I'm hoping that means she plans to say I'm OK.

I could use some prayers, please! My packet to Dr. R should be ready by

Friday, if I can get just what I need from my family doctor. His letter to

Dr. R was supposed to be ready yesterday, and he thought it was, but he

hadn't included anything about being willing to follow me after the

surgery, so he has to add that, and, of course he is not in his office

today, so it will be tomorrow before it can get done.

This has been so long (sorry) maybe no one is reading anymore, but I have a

question. I have my medical records from my doctor and he did a physical

and bunches of tests a few weeks ago when I told him about wanting to have

the MGB. Well, I have those records, but they are just a bunch of test

results. My docs letter lists my health problems, and says he thinks the

MGB will be a good thing for me, but I am wondering if all those test

results and the letter from my doc (which is short) will be enough to count

as my history and physical from my doctor for the packet? Does anyone know

if it has to be in a certain form? I'm not sure I'm asking this clearly

enough, but any advice along this line would be appreciated.

Sorry again for the length of this. I love you all out there!

Sara

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara,

I just had to write and tell you how very sad I was to read of your losing

your child--I cannot imagine anything more devastating in life. It seems to

me that the psych person you saw will recommend you--I pray that this is the

case, anyway. As for the physical, there is no required form and I've heard

that some have been very " short and sweet. " Good luck to you, sweetie! You

have been through so much and it is a shame that so much of the s*** we deal

with as obese people is so humiliating. We just have to grin and bear it,

knowing that that it will be worth it in the long run. Again, I am so sorry

about the loss of your child--you deserve health and happiness! Hang in

there! I will be praying for you, Sara.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

n a message dated 6/28/00 10:16:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

vaschutz@... writes:

<< Hi,

My psych eval (required by my insurance) was Monday, and it wasn't as

smooth as I had hoped. The psychologist obviously thought that I must have

some serious psychological problem that makes me fat (she was about a size

2), and she kept asking me why I thought this surgery was going to change

my eating habits?! I kept explaining over and over that the stomach is

made much, much smaller, so you cannot eat as much, but she just kept

saying, " well what if you still can eat as much? " !! Apparently she knew

people who had the old stomach stapling surgery and gained their weight

back. I tried to explain that this surgery is not the same as the old

stomach stapling surgery, but she acted like she knew all about the MGB

(which she doesn't because she had no idea, apparently, that there are

different kinds of weight loss surgeries.) I knew I was in trouble when

she asked me at one point if I had tried Metabolife!!!

I think she thinks I am looking for some easy, quick fix, and that I have

chosen an option which she believes will just fail, because for some reason

she thinks I'll still be able to eat just as much (she also seems to

totally overlook the malabsorbtion caused by bypassing the intestines), and

so I have to somehow be able to eat a tiny amount on my own anyway, without

any help, and if I could do that, or if any of us could do that continually

for the rest of our lives, then none of us would need the surgery anyway.

It was just a frustrating experience.

I had said at one point that I wouldn't try any other weight loss drugs

because of them being very ineffective and often dangerous, and she

translated that into meaning that I might not be willing to take the

medicines I need to take after the surgery!!! I said that of course I

would take the medicines after the surgery, that I am committed to

following Dr. R's instructions exactly. Finally she said she was worried

that if (and according to her limited understanding, it almost surely will

be) this surgery is a failure for me, that I won't be able to handle it

well because, according to her, I seem to have " so much hope " that this

will solve my health problems. I said of course I have hope that this will

solve or improve my weight related health problems!! Why would anyone have

surgery unless they had hope that it would solve some problem??!!!

I finally told her that if it did fail for some reason, if I had to have it

revised for some reason, or if I just didn't manage to lose weight, or if I

gained it all back, that certainly I would be sad, but I would get through

it. I told her that I had had a child die (which was another thing that

she wanted me to deal with in this session - something which has been dealt

with years ago with other therapists and really had nothing to do with

making sure I am competent to choose to have this surgery and to care for

myself afterward) and that I had lived through that, and that any failure

of this surgery would not even come close to being as hard to deal with as

the loss of my child, and that since I had dealt with that, that I could

deal with this surgery and whatever comes of it. She seemed more satisfied

after I said that, but I really don't know what she is going to say in her

report to the insurance company. Does anyone know if she would have been

ethically required to let me know if she intended to tell the insurance

company that I am not a good candidate for this surgery, because she didn't

say anything like that before I left, she just said good luck, and that she

hoped I would do well? I'm hoping that means she plans to say I'm OK.

I could use some prayers, please! My packet to Dr. R should be ready by

Friday, if I can get just what I need from my family doctor. His letter to

Dr. R was supposed to be ready yesterday, and he thought it was, but he

hadn't included anything about being willing to follow me after the

surgery, so he has to add that, and, of course he is not in his office

today, so it will be tomorrow before it can get done.

This has been so long (sorry) maybe no one is reading anymore, but I have a

question. I have my medical records from my doctor and he did a physical

and bunches of tests a few weeks ago when I told him about wanting to have

the MGB. Well, I have those records, but they are just a bunch of test

results. My docs letter lists my health problems, and says he thinks the

MGB will be a good thing for me, but I am wondering if all those test

results and the letter from my doc (which is short) will be enough to count

as my history and physical from my doctor for the packet? Does anyone know

if it has to be in a certain form? I'm not sure I'm asking this clearly

enough, but any advice along this line would be appreciated.

Sorry again for the length of this. I love you all out there!

Sara

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Sara,

We, too, have adopted children--grown not of our bodies, but of our hearts.

It must have been torture for you and your husband to go through so many

miscarriages and then the death of a child you had finally conceived and

given birth to. Going through years of infertility, I know the pain that you

suffered and also know that no matter how many children we have, that kind of

sorrow stays with you always, even though we put it on a shelf and go on with

our lives. You were very blessed to have given birth to a healthy living

child, and God bless you for pursuing the adoptions that have made your

family what you and your husband wanted it to be. After going through all

that, this MGB business will be a snap! I pray that the nutty psychologist

gets wisdom and that your PCP finally gets your letter out and that it is

right! Keep up the fight--we will have our day!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/28/00 11:39:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

vaschutz@... writes:

<< Hi Debbie,

Thank you so much for your kind post. I don't think there is anything more

devastating in life than losing your child (and if there is, I pray that no

one

ever experiences it). Our little sweetheart, , was born prematurely

21

years ago, and died very early from complications related to the prematurity.

I have also had 6 miscarriages, which were also devastating. But we have

been

blessed with 6 living children (1 biological and 5 adopted), and we have a

wonderful life. Our Heavenly Father has helped us through the terrible

times.

One of the most surprising things that psychologist asked me was why I wanted

to adopt so many children. She asked it like there might be something wrong

with wanting a lot of children. I was sort of stunned by the question. I

just

told her that we love children, that I had wanted twelve since the time I was

little, and that my husband is from a family with nine children.

Do you know that at one point she told me that I really looked too thin to

have

this surgery! I just said, " Thank you. " My BMI is 43. I really felt like

she

just kept digging and digging trying to find something in my life that would

prove I had something wrong with me (like maybe it is just all in my mind

that

I am morbidly obese?! - although earlier she had indicated that she didn't

think even the surgery could change the eating habits of someone as large as

I

am?!!!). I may just be too sensitive at this point, what with trying to get

insurance approval and worrying about all the different things that have to

go

right for me to have the MGB, but I really had a hard time with this psych

evaluation. You'd think my family doctor (who actually knows something about

me) could have just told the insurance company that I am competent, and that

would have been enough!

Sara

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Sara,

We, too, have adopted children--grown not of our bodies, but of our hearts.

It must have been torture for you and your husband to go through so many

miscarriages and then the death of a child you had finally conceived and

given birth to. Going through years of infertility, I know the pain that you

suffered and also know that no matter how many children we have, that kind of

sorrow stays with you always, even though we put it on a shelf and go on with

our lives. You were very blessed to have given birth to a healthy living

child, and God bless you for pursuing the adoptions that have made your

family what you and your husband wanted it to be. After going through all

that, this MGB business will be a snap! I pray that the nutty psychologist

gets wisdom and that your PCP finally gets your letter out and that it is

right! Keep up the fight--we will have our day!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/28/00 11:39:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

vaschutz@... writes:

<< Hi Debbie,

Thank you so much for your kind post. I don't think there is anything more

devastating in life than losing your child (and if there is, I pray that no

one

ever experiences it). Our little sweetheart, , was born prematurely

21

years ago, and died very early from complications related to the prematurity.

I have also had 6 miscarriages, which were also devastating. But we have

been

blessed with 6 living children (1 biological and 5 adopted), and we have a

wonderful life. Our Heavenly Father has helped us through the terrible

times.

One of the most surprising things that psychologist asked me was why I wanted

to adopt so many children. She asked it like there might be something wrong

with wanting a lot of children. I was sort of stunned by the question. I

just

told her that we love children, that I had wanted twelve since the time I was

little, and that my husband is from a family with nine children.

Do you know that at one point she told me that I really looked too thin to

have

this surgery! I just said, " Thank you. " My BMI is 43. I really felt like

she

just kept digging and digging trying to find something in my life that would

prove I had something wrong with me (like maybe it is just all in my mind

that

I am morbidly obese?! - although earlier she had indicated that she didn't

think even the surgery could change the eating habits of someone as large as

I

am?!!!). I may just be too sensitive at this point, what with trying to get

insurance approval and worrying about all the different things that have to

go

right for me to have the MGB, but I really had a hard time with this psych

evaluation. You'd think my family doctor (who actually knows something about

me) could have just told the insurance company that I am competent, and that

would have been enough!

Sara

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My psych eval (required by my insurance) was Monday, and it wasn't as

smooth as I had hoped. The psychologist obviously thought that I must have

some serious psychological problem that makes me fat (she was about a size

2), and she kept asking me why I thought this surgery was going to change

my eating habits?! I kept explaining over and over that the stomach is

made much, much smaller, so you cannot eat as much, but she just kept

saying, " well what if you still can eat as much? " !! Apparently she knew

people who had the old stomach stapling surgery and gained their weight

back. I tried to explain that this surgery is not the same as the old

stomach stapling surgery, but she acted like she knew all about the MGB

(which she doesn't because she had no idea, apparently, that there are

different kinds of weight loss surgeries.) I knew I was in trouble when

she asked me at one point if I had tried Metabolife!!!

I think she thinks I am looking for some easy, quick fix, and that I have

chosen an option which she believes will just fail, because for some reason

she thinks I'll still be able to eat just as much (she also seems to

totally overlook the malabsorbtion caused by bypassing the intestines), and

so I have to somehow be able to eat a tiny amount on my own anyway, without

any help, and if I could do that, or if any of us could do that continually

for the rest of our lives, then none of us would need the surgery anyway.

It was just a frustrating experience.

I had said at one point that I wouldn't try any other weight loss drugs

because of them being very ineffective and often dangerous, and she

translated that into meaning that I might not be willing to take the

medicines I need to take after the surgery!!! I said that of course I

would take the medicines after the surgery, that I am committed to

following Dr. R's instructions exactly. Finally she said she was worried

that if (and according to her limited understanding, it almost surely will

be) this surgery is a failure for me, that I won't be able to handle it

well because, according to her, I seem to have " so much hope " that this

will solve my health problems. I said of course I have hope that this will

solve or improve my weight related health problems!! Why would anyone have

surgery unless they had hope that it would solve some problem??!!!

I finally told her that if it did fail for some reason, if I had to have it

revised for some reason, or if I just didn't manage to lose weight, or if I

gained it all back, that certainly I would be sad, but I would get through

it. I told her that I had had a child die (which was another thing that

she wanted me to deal with in this session - something which has been dealt

with years ago with other therapists and really had nothing to do with

making sure I am competent to choose to have this surgery and to care for

myself afterward) and that I had lived through that, and that any failure

of this surgery would not even come close to being as hard to deal with as

the loss of my child, and that since I had dealt with that, that I could

deal with this surgery and whatever comes of it. She seemed more satisfied

after I said that, but I really don't know what she is going to say in her

report to the insurance company. Does anyone know if she would have been

ethically required to let me know if she intended to tell the insurance

company that I am not a good candidate for this surgery, because she didn't

say anything like that before I left, she just said good luck, and that she

hoped I would do well? I'm hoping that means she plans to say I'm OK.

I could use some prayers, please! My packet to Dr. R should be ready by

Friday, if I can get just what I need from my family doctor. His letter to

Dr. R was supposed to be ready yesterday, and he thought it was, but he

hadn't included anything about being willing to follow me after the

surgery, so he has to add that, and, of course he is not in his office

today, so it will be tomorrow before it can get done.

This has been so long (sorry) maybe no one is reading anymore, but I have a

question. I have my medical records from my doctor and he did a physical

and bunches of tests a few weeks ago when I told him about wanting to have

the MGB. Well, I have those records, but they are just a bunch of test

results. My docs letter lists my health problems, and says he thinks the

MGB will be a good thing for me, but I am wondering if all those test

results and the letter from my doc (which is short) will be enough to count

as my history and physical from my doctor for the packet? Does anyone know

if it has to be in a certain form? I'm not sure I'm asking this clearly

enough, but any advice along this line would be appreciated.

Sorry again for the length of this. I love you all out there!

Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

Thank you so much for your kind post. I don't think there is anything more

devastating in life than losing your child (and if there is, I pray that no one

ever experiences it). Our little sweetheart, , was born prematurely 21

years ago, and died very early from complications related to the prematurity.

I have also had 6 miscarriages, which were also devastating. But we have been

blessed with 6 living children (1 biological and 5 adopted), and we have a

wonderful life. Our Heavenly Father has helped us through the terrible times.

One of the most surprising things that psychologist asked me was why I wanted

to adopt so many children. She asked it like there might be something wrong

with wanting a lot of children. I was sort of stunned by the question. I just

told her that we love children, that I had wanted twelve since the time I was

little, and that my husband is from a family with nine children.

Do you know that at one point she told me that I really looked too thin to have

this surgery! I just said, " Thank you. " My BMI is 43. I really felt like she

just kept digging and digging trying to find something in my life that would

prove I had something wrong with me (like maybe it is just all in my mind that

I am morbidly obese?! - although earlier she had indicated that she didn't

think even the surgery could change the eating habits of someone as large as I

am?!!!). I may just be too sensitive at this point, what with trying to get

insurance approval and worrying about all the different things that have to go

right for me to have the MGB, but I really had a hard time with this psych

evaluation. You'd think my family doctor (who actually knows something about

me) could have just told the insurance company that I am competent, and that

would have been enough!

Sara

DebLaMan@... wrote:

> Hi Sara,

> I just had to write and tell you how very sad I was to read of your losing

> your child--I cannot imagine anything more devastating in life. It seems to

> me that the psych person you saw will recommend you--I pray that this is the

> case, anyway. As for the physical, there is no required form and I've heard

> that some have been very " short and sweet. " Good luck to you, sweetie! You

> have been through so much and it is a shame that so much of the s*** we deal

> with as obese people is so humiliating. We just have to grin and bear it,

> knowing that that it will be worth it in the long run. Again, I am so sorry

> about the loss of your child--you deserve health and happiness! Hang in

> there! I will be praying for you, Sara.

>

> Regards,

> Debbie in IL

> Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

> Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

>

[Guest guest]

Sara,

As a counselor, we are trained to focus on the issue that brought the person

to us initially. It sounds like your " size 2 " was trying to get her some

additional time with you. Be encouraged.

in Druham

[Guest guest]

Sara,

As a counselor, we are trained to focus on the issue that brought the person

to us initially. It sounds like your " size 2 " was trying to get her some

additional time with you. Be encouraged.

in Druham

[Guest guest]

Sara,

As a counselor, we are trained to focus on the issue that brought the person

to us initially. It sounds like your " size 2 " was trying to get her some

additional time with you. Be encouraged.

in Druham

[Guest guest]

Sara, bless your heart. We have all been through hell carrying all of this

weight around. Then we have our own personal problems to deal with, such as

the death of your child (I am so sorry by the way about your child), and to

top it all off, we have to deal with the ignorant beliefs of people that have

not had a fat day in their lives telling us how we can and cannot handle

problems that we have. I am so tired of people with that mentality. My

prayers are with you. Just know that we love you and are with you all the

way. Here is a giant ((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))) for you.

(waiting to start a new life)

[Guest guest]

Sara, bless your heart. We have all been through hell carrying all of this

weight around. Then we have our own personal problems to deal with, such as

the death of your child (I am so sorry by the way about your child), and to

top it all off, we have to deal with the ignorant beliefs of people that have

not had a fat day in their lives telling us how we can and cannot handle

problems that we have. I am so tired of people with that mentality. My

prayers are with you. Just know that we love you and are with you all the

way. Here is a giant ((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))) for you.

(waiting to start a new life)

[Guest guest]

Sara, bless your heart. We have all been through hell carrying all of this

weight around. Then we have our own personal problems to deal with, such as

the death of your child (I am so sorry by the way about your child), and to

top it all off, we have to deal with the ignorant beliefs of people that have

not had a fat day in their lives telling us how we can and cannot handle

problems that we have. I am so tired of people with that mentality. My

prayers are with you. Just know that we love you and are with you all the

way. Here is a giant ((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))) for you.

(waiting to start a new life)