Guest guest Posted September 22, 2000 Report Share Posted September 22, 2000 In a message dated 9/22/00 6:24:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes: << Hi Blair, thanks for your input. If my husband were a doc and felt comfortable with the surgery, that is all it would take for me. Im sure you helped decrease alot of peoples fear about the surgery. How is your weight loss by the way?? >> Robin: I've lost about 25 pounds, six weeks out, and many, many inches. I'm down 2 clothing sizes! And I'm exercising every day, and I've started playing tennis again. Well, I'm no threat to the sisters, but it's tennis! xoxo Blair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2000 Report Share Posted November 10, 2000 Hi Robin and Blair, Blair wonderful tips you gave to Robin. I plan to use them myself. I haven't started my patient letter yet, and now, I'm nervous about it. Was your letter rejected at first, Blair? Robin, how did you do your letter the first time. There is an example of a patient letter on Dr. R's website, however it's only 5-6 pages long. I thought that odd, that it was used as a good example. Best of luck Robin, let us know how everything goes. I'm thinking of you! Bells MGB Hopeful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2000 Report Share Posted November 11, 2000 Blair, thanks for the encouragement. It wasn't only for the Robin in Virginia (?), but also me, Robin in Ohio. The additional requirement for a Psych Eval and hearing that people's letters had been turned down, broke my heart. I feel that as long as all of the information is there, what difference does it make how long the letter is! I'm only a Pre Op hopeful, working on my packet, but when I see the things that I've been reading in the Posts, it's disappointing. I feel like I won't ever get all done, because something else will be required before then. And I have two insurances and I wish the doctor would take that as a good enough " deposit " . I don't have the resources to make the trip to NC and pay for the deposit and the hotel and everything else. Oh well, I'll just be depending on God to make away. I have to admit being a little discouraged today. I was so enthused this past week at getting so much of the requirements out of the way, and now I worry that my patient letter won't be good enough, or it will take a long time for the Insurance companies to answer, or my doctor won't write the letter right...or something. I'm feeling defeated today. So close...but yet so far! Thanks for letting me vent! Robin from Blair >In a message dated 11/9/00 11:39:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, >MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes: > > >> I am so >> upset. I was so hoping for a date in dec but that doesnt look like >> > >Hi, Robin: > >I know how disappointed you must feel. > >Take a deep breath. It's okay to say some bad things about Dr. R. in the >privacy of your own home - I know I did during the application process! Just >don't say them to his face, or he'll double your Tums requirement or >something equally bad like that. > >Look over your packet, if you kept a copy, especially at the separate >categories he wants you to address. On another piece of paper, make headings >that correspond to each of the sections of your patient letter, > " Understanding the Risks of Surgery " , etc. > >Now, start listing in each of those categories all the things you can think >of that pertain to YOU. How morbid obesity has impacted YOUR life. List >the risks of surgery, and answer each risk for yourself. And so on and so >forth. > >Same with the family letter - make sure your family member really writes >about how they've seen morbid obesity has impacted the quality of YOUR life, >and that they fully understand what you'll need after surgery: emotional >support through all the changes, etc. etc. > >Is your patient letter still in your computer? Go back into your original >document and add in these thoughts and changes. > >He doesn't expect us to be literary giants, but he does need to know that we >and our families FULLY understand what we're getting ourselves into. We're >essentially changing one chronic condition for another - morbid obesity and >its complications for another chronic condition (rearranged innards) with its >own potential for complications. > >I believe in you, and how much you want this surgery. Deal with your >disappointment first, and then after you've done a lot of cursing and deep >breathing (remember, I did a LOT of this during my application process). >Then write that letter again, from the heart again, and I can almost >guarantee that you'll be fine. > >Call me or write me if you need any extra support. > >Love, >Blair > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2000 Report Share Posted November 13, 2000 Robin, You know I wondered why everything had to be just so on the patient letter and our package, too. I did the best I could, only having a high school education, and not use to writing proper letters and all, and I made sure every thing was legible including the support letters and the doctor's letter.. and whew, I was accepted. When I seen how small this whole process is handled down there, I was amazed!! There are only about 3 or 4 ladies helping Barb with clinic, Dr. Rutledge actually reads all the information in your packet himself !! This is not some big organization ran by hundreds of people and computers... When he (Dr. R.) says he must understand what you are saying he means it. If your info is all hap-hazardly thrown together, he won't be able to understand or even find the important stuff he will need to care for you. Do you understand what I am saying? These are just normal people down there. If Dr. R. wants you to send him something or tell him something than he wants just that. Your letter should be legible and easy enough to understand, it should prove to him that you know what you're doing by choosing to have this MGB surgery. Hope I was of some help, and good luck. Trudy/Indiana post-op nov.3,00 Robin from Blair >In a message dated 11/9/00 11:39:34 AM Eastern Standard Time, >MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes: > > >> I am so >> upset. I was so hoping for a date in dec but that doesnt look like >> > >Hi, Robin: > >I know how disappointed you must feel. > >Take a deep breath. It's okay to say some bad things about Dr. R. in the >privacy of your own home - I know I did during the application process! Just >don't say them to his face, or he'll double your Tums requirement or >something equally bad like that. > >Look over your packet, if you kept a copy, especially at the separate >categories he wants you to address. On another piece of paper, make headings >that correspond to each of the sections of your patient letter, > " Understanding the Risks of Surgery " , etc. > >Now, start listing in each of those categories all the things you can think >of that pertain to YOU. How morbid obesity has impacted YOUR life. List >the risks of surgery, and answer each risk for yourself. And so on and so >forth. > >Same with the family letter - make sure your family member really writes >about how they've seen morbid obesity has impacted the quality of YOUR life, >and that they fully understand what you'll need after surgery: emotional >support through all the changes, etc. etc. > >Is your patient letter still in your computer? Go back into your original >document and add in these thoughts and changes. > >He doesn't expect us to be literary giants, but he does need to know that we >and our families FULLY understand what we're getting ourselves into. We're >essentially changing one chronic condition for another - morbid obesity and >its complications for another chronic condition (rearranged innards) with its >own potential for complications. > >I believe in you, and how much you want this surgery. Deal with your >disappointment first, and then after you've done a lot of cursing and deep >breathing (remember, I did a LOT of this during my application process). >Then write that letter again, from the heart again, and I can almost >guarantee that you'll be fine. > >Call me or write me if you need any extra support. > >Love, >Blair > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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