Hello All

[Guest guest]

Hi: I'm glad you wrote. My daughter, age 6, will be undergoing the leg

straightening surgery on both legs in January (osteotomy). I also would like to

hear some experiences and any advice! Thanks, Sharon (mom to Kelsey, achon).

[Guest guest]

I cut and pasted this right out of the online manual for you. I have to go

see my physician a month early to get all of mine done . Hope all yours

comes back perfect!

Sandy B. 11-12-02 315/185

At about one year after surgery you should plan on seeing your local Doctor

to get the following blood tests and have the results set to me at my

office:

Recommended One Year Follow Up Blood Tests:

Vitamin B-12 level

Folate level

Calcium / Magnesium / Phosphorus levels

Total Protein / Albumin

Iron /TIBC, Ferritin, Transferrin

CBC (Complete Blood Count) Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

Chem. 7 (Electrolytes and Glucose)

Liver Panel: SGOT/SGPT Alk Phos, T/D Bilirubin

Cholesterol Triglyceride Level

Hemoglobin A1c level

Vitamin E and A levels

Pyridoxal phosphate (Vitamin B-6) level

DHEA-s

Zinc

Hello All

> Hello Everyone.

> I was wondering if someone could do me a favor and post everything that we

need to have checked for our one year blood work?

> Thanks a lot.

>

> Nov. 6, 2002

> 376/242

> 5'5 "

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

It sounds to me like you are doing all that you can do and doing it WELL!

Congratulations. I had 200 pounds to lose too. I had my MGB on May 3, 2000.

I lost 100 pounds and stopped losing. In all honesty, my eating was NOT the

best, but even in the beginning when it was, I still did not lose like

everyone else. I was in the era where RR was telling everyone to eat

whatever you wanted and be happy....I think as he has learned more he has

changed that tune.

It was HUGELY disappointing, but I never regretted having the MGB. It was

however, difficult to sometimes be treated like a failure by other MGBers or

even the good doctor himself...He clearly thought that those of us with

revisions are not good for business, but we are in fact, a fact of life and

there are many of us. I have never thought it made one bit of difference to

the newcomer...if there is the CHANCE of freedom from obesity, those of us

who have suffered so from it cling to it like the drowning cling to the life

raft, even if you know a few people are not going to make it....but that's

another story...

Out of my little group of friends SEVERAL of us did not get all the way and

had to have revisions, one of my dearest friends is still waiting and

praying for the money for a revision that I know will one day happen. I had

paid for my first MGB so paying for a second one was not an option. Luckily,

my husband's insurance company started paying for WLS, in part, because of

my VERY VERBAL and public stance on it. On April 7, 2003, I had a revision.

I still lose slow, it is NOT like the first one, but it is working well. I

have lost 56 pounds and I am thrilled. I hope to lose another 50 but every

pound is a blessing.

I have been on this list for the most part since January 2000. It is a crap

shoot, pardon the pun of who loses and who doesn't and why. I have seen

people eat horrible and lose it all, people eat well and not lose, and all

shades of in-between.

I truly believe that you can MAXIMIZE your chances of losing by following

all the rules. You are doing that. I wanted this surgery as badly as anyone

and I was not always successful at following all the rules. There are those

of you out there who are, and I say good for you. For the rest of us, I

stay, babysteps...change the things that you can, and try to make better

decision every day....don't compare yourself to all the ones who ARE able

to do it perfectly, but don't hate them either. This is a journey, and no

one else can make it for you.

I think you are very lucky that you are still losing 5- 10 pounds a

month...that is WONDERFUL and you have no reason to believe it won't

continue. If you aren't exercising and you are willing to do anything at

all, I have found that it ALWAYS helps my weight loss. A friend of mine who

is a Eating Disorders Specialist at Duke ( not associated with their WLS

group...) recently went to a conference where they talked a lot about

WLS...She said, without a doubt they believed the number one key to LONG

term success with WLS was found in weight training...building muscle...I am

trying...one step forward, two steps backward to add that to my life because

I do believe it is key and is also a healthy lifestyle. As I get to a more

normal size, I actually ENJOY exercise better because I can actually DO it

without hurting myself. Last weekend I walked 6 miles on the beach with my

friends. I would NEVER have done that before, and I would have been in bed

for two days afterwards if I had even TRIED to do it...I was fine...people

MY size can do things like that! A lot of people don't really understand

the difference, but walking at 225 is a HELL of a lot different than walking

at 380.

So, my advice to you is WHO KNOWS? Just hang in there, you are doing

wonderfully well and what will be will be...

V

Hello All

Hi.

I have a question for those who had to lose over 200 lbs.

I am almost a year out and I have lost 138 lbs. This is about the average

loss in a year. I am more than pleased.

I do, however, want to know from you all, how " easy " was it to get that

extra 100 lbs off during the second year.

I use my " tool " well. I very much watch what I eat and faithfully take all

my vitamins. I am vegetarian so I am careful about getting enough protein in

my diet (no meat or dairy--but I do eat seafood). I'm seeing my PCP on my

anniversary date and he will schedule my blood work. I have had no problems

and feel fantastic.

I am still losing, it's averaging between 5-10 lbs a month. Of course I

have had some plateau's.

To get to my realistic goal of 140 lbs, I still have another 100 lbs to

go. I think it's normal for me to be a little anxious to know how this will

happen, and I understand that it will most likely happen slowly. I just

would like to hear from those that have done it and get any advice they wish

to share.

One thing that I have been bad with, that is taking my Citrucel. I think

I'm ready to be a good girl now. LOL

Thank you to anyone who would like to help.

Nov. 6, 2002

376/238

5'5 "

BMI: pre-61/post-39

PS: My hair has been falling out since month 4 and still going--should I

be scared?

[Guest guest]

Gosh , my heart is with you. It is good that you are on the mend

now….welcome back.

Debby

[ ] hello

all

Just thought I'd write a quick

note to let you guys know why I've been missing. I had a pretty bad

pancreatitis attack late Saturday night. Hubby took me to Crestwood, the

hospital that's in the next town and is about an hour away. Pancreas and

liver enzymes were okay and pain and nausea was better after bag of IV

fluids and IV med for pain and nausea, so they sent me home. We got home

about 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. I slept til 9 a.m. and then within

minutes after I woke up, the pain was back at a major 10+ level. Hubby

had almost no sleep so I told him to just take me to the local hospital (only 5

minutes away). I just could not stand the thought of an hour long car

ride when I was in so much pain and so nauseated. I did call my local pcp

and ask him to call the ER and tell them that I was coming and to let them know

my history. He said that he could not actually give an order to the ER

doc, but he could certainly tell him that I am not a flake. Don't know if

that's what made the difference, or maybe filing the complaint did some good,

or maybe it was having a copy of my labs from Christmas night showing my lipase

elevated, but whatever it was, the doctor was incredibly kind and

compassionate. It ended up being the doctor that I had filed a complaint

against, but the experience was as different as night and day from the first

time he treated me in the ER. They got me back to a treatment room within

minutes of me walking in the door. They told me that my pcp was on the

phone with the ER doc that was there. The ER doc actually asked me what

normally helped me when things got this bad. He said he wasn't even going

to do any labs since I had just had them done a few hours earlier at the other

hospital. He said that he thought I really needed to be admitted and

asked if I was okay with that. He called my pcp back and within an hour

or so, I was admitted. I started to tell him to call my doctor in

Huntsville and have them send me to Crestwood, but then decided that I would

give the local hospital another chance. It is so much less stressful for

my family if I am in the hospital minutes from home vs an hour from home.

The nurses on the floor were all wonderful. A few times it did take a

while to get my pain med, but they always apologized if it took more than a few

minutes. It was so nice to be treated with kindness and compassion

instead of being treated like a drug addict.

On Monday, the hospital utilization

person came and told me that my insurance was refusing to pay for my hospital

stay. They would pay for Sunday and Monday but after Monday, they would

not pay. They were basing their decision on the fact that my pancreas

enzymes were not elevated. The BCBS physician that made the decision

actually stated that there was no evidence that I have chronic pancreatitis

since they didn't do an ultrasound! I told them that he needed to look at

the info from my GI doc since it was documented in writing back in June that I

have CP. There's really no need to do an ultrasound to document what we

already know! The BCBS doc also said that since I wasn't vomiting when I

got there, I didn't need to be in the hospital. I had to pitch a royal

fit and tell them that this doctor had better take some time to learn about

chronic pancreatitis. I told them to have him look at the s Hopkins

web site that clearly states that once you have cp, your panc enzymes may not

elevate. Also, the local hospital never does a lipase because they can't

do it in house. My amylase has not elevated in over a year. My lipase

had not elevated since August until I had the attack Christmas night.

When I was at Crestwood late Sat night/early Sunday morning, my

lipase was 284 and normal is 114-286 at their lab. So, it's entirely

possible that my lipase might have been elevated a few hours later if they

had checked it at the local hospital. The BCBS doctor also said that I'd

only had one dose of pain med. I don't know where they got that from

because I was getting the pain med just as often as I could have it and it was

barely keeping the pain at a tolerable level. In fact, when my pcp

came in on Monday, he changed the pain med from every 4 hours to every 2

hours. After a couple of hours of raising hell and calling several

people, the hospital's utilization coordinator told me that she had contacted

the BCBS doc and was providing more info to let him know why I needed to be in

the hospital despite having normal pancreas enzymes. Never mind that

my total protein, HGB, HCT, and several other things were off in my labs.

Once I calmed down, my husband told

me that he wanted me to stay in the hospital til at least Tuesday and to hell

with whether the insurance paid. The bad thing is that I was

actually just starting to feel a little better when they told me the insurance

was refusing to pay for my hospitalization. I had slept pretty well

Sunday night (after over 2 days of almost no sleep). I was tolerating a

little bit of ice chips and clear liquids. I had just been given med for

pain and nausea and was almost asleep when the lady walked in to give me the

news. Obviously, getting all stressed caused a major setback. My

pain level sky rocketed and then I started throwing up. I made sure I

didn't flush the toilet so the nurse could see it. Oh, despite the fact

that I wasn't throwing up when I went to the ER, I was having diarrhea so bad

that it was just pure watery yellow bile. I went to the bathroom no less

than 10 times just in the 2 hours or so that I was in the ER.

On Tuesday, the hospital's

utilization coordinator said that BCBS agreed to pay through Tuesday and that

if I still needed to be there beyond Tuesday, the hospital could provide

additional info and they would most likely cover it.

I got home around 10 this

morning. I am doing much better, but I haven't really eaten

anything. It's basically to the point that I am afraid to eat. As

long as I don't eat, I can keep the pain to a somewhat tolerable level.

However, my doctors are all becoming concerned about my nutritional

status. They are talking about the possibility of a feeding tube or

TPN. At this point, if it would keep my pain and nausea down and keep me

out of the hospital, I'd go for it.

My pain doc's nurse called to see if

the celiac plexus pain block I had done on Monday, Dec 29th, was helping.

I told her I really didn't think it had at all. She told me that she

wanted me to try a third and fourth block closer together than I'd had the

first two blocks to see if that would make the block work better. I told

her I was willing to try whatever they suggest. They are supposed to call

me tomorrow and tell me when they can do the next two blocks.

I have almost 300 messages.

Needless to say, I probably won't make it through most of them. If

there's something I really need to know about, please put my name in the

subject or send it to me personally at karenw@....

I hope this finds everyone else

doing well and having an uneventful day!

W

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[Guest guest]

You can read my profile on obesityhelp.com for my feelings about banding. I am

8 weeks post-op. In a nutshell, it is no biggie. Post op pain is tolerable

(altho the liquid pain med was dreadful tasting). I have lost over 30 lbs. I'm

eating most anything except steak or roasts, but I don't care about them anyway.

The most surprising thing I've learned is that I didn't have to give up food...I

still eat yummy stuff, just a lot less of it. The most amazing thing is that

98% of the time I really don't care that I'm eating so much less. The other 2%

is cuz I'm stressed and jones-ing for some junk food. I've had some chocolate

here and there, and seem to be getting away with it. I'm not exercising a ton,

both due to being too busy and cuz fibromyalgia limits my exercise tolerance.

But I feel MUCH better physically, knees and feet don't hurt, can move without

such effort, and have more energy. If you are fearful about giving up a food

addiction, I can understand that. I put off surgery for a year because of that,

and cried over it many times in the last few weeks pre-op. That was just plain

unnecessary. You are not giving up food! And, amazingly enough, what

deprivation you might be experiencing, ya just don't care that much about. You

are making a good decision. Bobbi Hotchkiss, Leavenworth, WA.

Hello All

I had really hoped to make the south end soup night, but my little

boy (2.5) got his hand run over by a loaded wood cart at home depot

on Monday afternoon (on daddy's watch). We spent most of our day

waiting for doctors--he is fine, just bruised. Anyway, I am

scheduled for surgery in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz on April 22nd. I'm

extremely nervous and would appreciate some support in my decision.

If anyone has time to take on a little mentoring, especially if you

were banded in Mexico, could you please email me! My hubby tries to

be supportive, but since he's never used food the way I have, he

hasn't a clue how hard of a decision this has been.

Thanks!

Tana

tana@...

[Guest guest]

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and would be happy to talk to you on phone,

or if necessary email. At moment I'm back in Chicago, so it is two

hours later than where you are. 208-283-7711 at any civilized hour.

dan

Thursday, April 8, 2004, 7:28:31 PM, you wrote:

s> If anyone has time to take on a little mentoring, especially if you

s> were banded in Mexico, could you please email me! My hubby tries to

s> be supportive, but since he's never used food the way I have, he

s> hasn't a clue how hard of a decision this has been.

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/211/199 Age 61

[Guest guest]

-Hi Patty,

Im so sorry to read of your continuing health issues. I will keep you

in my prayers next week and I hope all goes well with your surgery,

im sure it will. I also hope this is the end of your problems.

Ive missed your posts... I posted just last week wondering where you

were. Now we know.

Please take care of yourself and try and stop by to let us know how

you are doing. We care.

Hugs Helen and (6,systemic)

-- In , Emeraldsx3@a... wrote:

> Hi Everyone:

>

> Well, I have given up getting caught up:( I haven't been able to

get online

> and read as much as before. I hope everyone is doing okay and you

are all

> enjoying the summer. Getting really hot here some days, YUCK! LOL,

I do love the

> cooler climate.

>

> Caitlin had lab work done last week and I am thrilled to report all

is great.

> No nasty asterisks this time, YIPPIE!!!!!

>

> Now that the girls are all feeling good I am falling apart. I am

having some

> medical issues and have spent the past month+ having tests done,

etc and just

> feeling blah. Becoming a worrywart over myself now:( Gallbladder

surgery is

> scheduled for next Wednesday. I am praying for a great outcome,

but worried

> about some cardiac issues with it.

>

> Take care.

> Patty

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Patty,

Glad to hear the girls are doing great.Good luck on your surgery and I will

be praying all works out.

You take good care of yourself and it was great to hear from you.

Hugs

Becki and 5 systemic

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I hear about summer it has actually been pretty good there were days

when the humidity was up there. Glad to hear Caitlin is doing fine , sorry to

hear about yourself prays are being sent that things will be ok with your

health. I havent posted much either been keeping up on the posts tho. is

doing fine I'm glad to report that. I need to get him into see his rhuemy tho

and soon,we had moved and were out of the area for about 3 mos and its been that

long since he's seen his rhuemy ugh,,,,we'll have to wait and see what the fall

brings as far as school goes? take care and keep us posted.

Teena, & 15 jra,fibro

Emeraldsx3@... wrote:

Hi Everyone:

Well, I have given up getting caught up:( I haven't been able to get online

and read as much as before. I hope everyone is doing okay and you are all

enjoying the summer. Getting really hot here some days, YUCK! LOL, I do love

the

cooler climate.

Caitlin had lab work done last week and I am thrilled to report all is great.

No nasty asterisks this time, YIPPIE!!!!!

Now that the girls are all feeling good I am falling apart. I am having some

medical issues and have spent the past month+ having tests done, etc and just

feeling blah. Becoming a worrywart over myself now:( Gallbladder surgery is

scheduled for next Wednesday. I am praying for a great outcome, but worried

about some cardiac issues with it.

Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear Caitlin's labs went well. Sorry to hear about your own

health issues and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for next

Wednesday. Michele (17,pauci & spondy)

Hello All

Hi Everyone:

Well, I have given up getting caught up:( I haven't been able to get

online

and read as much as before. I hope everyone is doing okay and you are

all

enjoying the summer. Getting really hot here some days, YUCK! LOL, I do

love the

cooler climate.

Caitlin had lab work done last week and I am thrilled to report all is

great.

No nasty asterisks this time, YIPPIE!!!!!

Now that the girls are all feeling good I am falling apart. I am having

some

medical issues and have spent the past month+ having tests done, etc and

just

feeling blah. Becoming a worrywart over myself now:( Gallbladder

surgery is

scheduled for next Wednesday. I am praying for a great outcome, but

worried

about some cardiac issues with it.

Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Patty,

I'm glad to hear that Caitlin's labs have improved - I hope that your health

improves soon, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Val

In a message dated 6/22/2004 8:09:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Emeraldsx3

writes:

>

>

> Hi Everyone:

>

> Well, I have given up getting caught up:( I haven't been able to get online

> and read as much as before. I hope everyone is doing okay and you are all

> enjoying the summer. Getting really hot here some days, YUCK! LOL, I do love

the

> cooler climate.

>

> Caitlin had lab work done last week and I am thrilled to report all is great.

> No nasty asterisks this time, YIPPIE!!!!!

>

> Now that the girls are all feeling good I am falling apart. I am having some

> medical issues and have spent the past month+ having tests done, etc and just

> feeling blah. Becoming a worrywart over myself now:( Gallbladder surgery is

> scheduled for next Wednesday. I am praying for a great outcome, but worried

> about some cardiac issues with it.

>

> Take care.

> Patty

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Patty. I feel so terrible. Once you have that gallbladder surgery you will

be soo much happier. I had it when Caroline was 6 weeks old and it made such

an amazing difference! I was only in the hospital 24 hours, but I think it

can be done same day. Everything will be great! Try not to worry too much. I

hope that they are able to pin point everything else soon!

Alia and Caroline, age 2, poly/uveitis

Hello All

Hi Everyone:

Well, I have given up getting caught up:( I haven't been able to get online

and read as much as before. I hope everyone is doing okay and you are all

enjoying the summer. Getting really hot here some days, YUCK! LOL, I do

love the

cooler climate.

Caitlin had lab work done last week and I am thrilled to report all is

great.

No nasty asterisks this time, YIPPIE!!!!!

Now that the girls are all feeling good I am falling apart. I am having

some

medical issues and have spent the past month+ having tests done, etc and

just

feeling blah. Becoming a worrywart over myself now:( Gallbladder surgery

is

scheduled for next Wednesday. I am praying for a great outcome, but worried

about some cardiac issues with it.

Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

Take a deep breathe say a prayer I know all will go well We are all here for you

-- hello all

Ok I am making myself crazy. I have been waiting for them to do this surgery so I can lead a somewhat normal life again and now I am terrified . I go fri for my pro op test then Nov 12 is my surgery date . I think alot of it has to do with the fact that i will be 2 hours away from home and my family will not be there. I have a few questions for those who have had there surgery my doctor says he does not do the wrap have all of you had the wrap done ? I just think not doing the wrap is going to make the asperations remain . My biggest problem is i have allways slept on my stomach . Ihave my hospital bed but allmost every night without fail if i am not sitting right up in bed i end up on my stomach and awake a few minutes later gasping for air . I know it has to be done and soon because i am haven a very hard time even getting liquids to go down now . Any info would be great thanks . Penny P.S I just wanted to thank you all on behalf of my family and myself for all the prayers for my dad. I know it was for the best that he went so soon . I also know i now have yet another angel to watch over me as i go through this .

[Guest guest]

Penny wrote:

....my doctor says he

does not do the wrap have all of you had the wrap done ? I just

think not doing the wrap is going to make the asperations remain .

....

Hello, Penny.

Aspiration while sleeping, in achalasia, is from food and drinks that did

not make it into the stomach because of the restriction caused by a

malfunctioning LES. A wrap actually adds some restriction to a myotomized

LES. It does this to stop acid from coming up from the stomach. If a wrap

is not done correctly it can cause too much restriction and cause

achalasia like symptoms, including aspiration. Ask Jan about

that.

Perhaps you meant reflux or the aspiration of reflux and not simply

aspiration. Without the wrap there is greater chance of acid reflux from

the stomach, because the myotomized LES may not provide enough

restriction without a wrap. Other people in this group have said that

they did not have a wrap. I don't remember who.

There are doctors and studies that support doing myotomies with and

without wraps. Neither way is perfect or without risk. However, you

should be reasonably confident with making a choice. If you are not yet

confident, perhaps you should consider a second opinion from someone that

does wraps.

notan

[Guest guest]

Re the pre-existing condition exclusion, I switched my kids from my

husband's insurance to mine after was diagnosed because my insurance was

better.

I remember being totally stressed about the pre-existing condition problem,

and ending up having no problem. I just looked at my insurance booklet, and

it looks like there's a one-year exclusion. For whatever reason (I can't now

remember what it was, there was no lapse) I never understand insurance

policies, though. I'd call your current insurer and talk to them about it.

Sorry I

can't remember the details. But don't freak out yet.

Re finding doctors out of state, where are you moving? Somebody on this list

likely has info on doctors for you. Otherwise, I'd do the same thing I did

when was diagnosed. While I lived here, I had no info about rheumies.

I called the Arthritis Foundation, Children's Hospital, and anyone else I

could think of for recommendations. They were very accommodating. In AZ, we

have

a publication that comes out once a year called " Top Docs " that lists the

supposedly best doctors by specialty. You might research that way. But I'd

start with this group.

Good luck.

Diane (, 5, pauci)

[Guest guest]

Penny -- sorry to hear you're having a rough time right now... on top of your dad's passing this is bound to be doubly stressful.

I hope to hear nothing but good things from you in a month's time, and I will be sending prayers northward for you!Debbi in Michigan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/17/2004 7:19:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, pennylevesque@... writes:

Ok I am making myself crazy. I have been waiting for them to do this surgery so I can lead a somewhat normal life again and now I am terrified . I go fri for my pro op test then Nov 12 is my surgery date .

Penny,

I can really sympatize with you. But if you have really thought this through, and have done your best in picking your surgeon, you should be strong and go with your gut feeling on this one. I can also sympathize with you about being 2 hrs away from home. I was at the Cleveland Clinic and it was 5 hrs away from my home. It was hard, but I felt it was worth it to be somewhere where there were experts.

Jan

[Guest guest]

Hello !!

We have not heard from you for ages - how are you?

Hugs,

Joan

Re: hello all

Take a deep breathe say a prayer I know all will go well We are all here for you

[Guest guest]

Penny I feel for you. As Notan has advised why not try and see someone who does do a wrap and see what they say. This is an ongoing dilemma for many and some win and others loose. I had a partial wrap and all symptoms of reflux were gone, but Eating became a problem because it was probably too tight !!! The I had a dilatation and the LES was opened and I had reflux all over again. At a rough guess there are many who do well with a wrap and many who do well with out one. No help this but I will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs

Joan

hello all

Ok I am making myself crazy. I have been waiting for them to do this surgery so I can lead a somewhat normal life again and now I am terrified . I go fri for my pro op test then Nov 12 is my surgery date . I think alot of it has to do with the fact that i will be 2 hours away from home and my family will not be there. I have a few questions for those who have had there surgery my doctor says he does not do the wrap have all of you had the wrap done ? I just think not doing the wrap is going to make the asperations remain . My biggest problem is i have allways slept on my stomach . Ihave my hospital bed but allmost every night without fail if i am not sitting right up in bed i end up on my stomach and awake a few minutes later gasping for air . I know it has to be done and soon because i am haven a very hard time even getting liquids to go down now . Any info would be great thanks . Penny P.S I just wanted to thank you all on behalf of my family and myself for all the prayers for my dad. I know it was for the best that he went so soon . I also know i now have yet another angel to watch over me as i go through this .

[Guest guest]

Patty,

So sorry to hear about your husband. Trust me something good will come

out of it. I don't have experience with changing states, but my husband

was out of a job, several years ago, and as long as you keep your

insurance going with a cobra plan, your pre-existing conditions should

be covered by the new insurance. But if you let it laps just one month

it won't be covered for at least one year. I had this happen with my

daughter and ear infections...you know the come back every 10 days for a

new set of medicine. Well for 1 year we paid for all of those visits.

Take good notes when changing and ask lots of questions. There is also

a certificate of insurance you will need to have from the old insurance

company...Just one more set of rules and regulations to learn about.

Good Luck

and Allie (8 poly)

Ray

651-340-4384 Direct line

952-835-2724

@... <mailto:@blueribbon travel.com>

________________________________

From: Emeraldsx3@... [mailto:Emeraldsx3@...]

Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 5:19 PM

Subject: Hello All

Hi Everyone:

I am playing the email catch-up game once again. I swear we need at

least 5

computers here to get everyone on line. The girls literally race each

other

home to see who gets on first LOL!

I have a question that I am hoping someone has experience with or has

suggestions. My husband was laid off last Monday (first time he hasn't

worked since

12 years of age) and we are now faced with switching insurance companies

when

his benefits stop. What happens with preexisting conditions? All of my

girls

have medical issues and all with require medicine for them for their

lifetime. Aren't there others out there like this that have had to

switch insurance

coverage and still get it covered? This is a huge worry for me:( It's

hard

enough for us to take care of the financial aspect of medical care with

insurance. I don't know how we would do it without insurance.

Also, when you move to another state how do you go about making

appointments

with doctors? How do you find out about them when you know no one in

the area

for reference? Some of these specialists book (as we all know) months

in

advance. How do you handle that when you aren't even in that state yet?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks all. Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/18/2004 5:45:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jfbartolino@... writes:

from NJ ........ Hey stop and smell the roses life is tooooooo short

,

It's sooooo great to hear from you, !

You are so right in your comment above. You must be a very positive person. I am trying to be again............

Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

Hanging on Eating less and less And it doesn't bother me I take my slimfast Even to peoples house for dinner They eat I drink It doesn't bother them and it certainly doesn't bother me I try to "eat" all day sip some soup some milk with things in it Hard cookies cold water Love the water with fruit flavors Hubby makes sure we travel with water or snapple and some cookies My wt has been good 140 Maybe at times higher never lower ......... Stress????? Don't let my daughter in law bother me any more She's in NYC and I am in NJ The house is dirty enough to be happy clean enough to be healthy Spend a lot of time with ME I think stress has a lot to do with my eating ............. I really watch what I eat from smiling achalasis taught me that Must have a glass of milk before bed time ............. Take a lot of Tums or mylanta .... Also do some crafts and continuing education courses Now that's all my secrets And so far so good ............... from NJ ........ Hey stop and smell the roses life is tooooooo short

-- Re: hello all

Hello !!

We have not heard from you for ages - how are you?

Hugs,

Joan

Re: hello all

Take a deep breathe say a prayer I know all will go well We are all here for you

[Guest guest]

Hi Patty:

I don't know anything about changing states and doctors, but I do have some

knowledge about insurance.

First of all, is your husband currently under a group insurance plan (a good way

to figure this out is how many employees worked at your husband's old job - if

there were alot, 50+, you were more than likely on a group plan). But, of

course, you would know if you were on an individual plan.

The law currently states that as long as there is no lapse in coverage from one

group plan to another group plan, then the pre-existing insurance clauses are a

mute point. However, if there is any lapse at all in insurance coverage, the

pre-existing insurance clauses will hold up and I've seen them be in effect from

anywhere from 1-3 years. Now, once your husband got laid off he then became

eligible for the Cobra plan, which you can use for 18 months (by law). You can

use this for insurance coverage until your husband is at his new job and until

the time he can get insurance through his work. The Cobra insurance policy

works just like your old policy did, same rules, stipulates, regulations,

etc.....

What I would do now though is contact his old Human Resources person and figure

out how to get on the Cobra coverage. I would do this tomorrow, in fact, as the

longer it takes to get the paperwork, the more out of pocket you may have to pay

in the interim (until the papers you have to sign get back to the Cobra

department).

Now, I do realize Cobra can seem quite expensive, but believe me, with our kids

and their health concerns, it's a small price to pay compared to the actual

medical costs without any discounts given to the insurance companies.

Ok, hth you out.

We are currently on Cobra and it can be a pain getting stuff straightened out

for awhile. Also, be very sure you pay your Cobra payments on time as they very

well may cut you off if you don't.

Wife to Bruce

Mommy to - 6, Noah - 4, and Grace - 1

HOME AND GARDEN PARTY INDEPENDENT DESIGNER

Want to see a book? Just let me know

Click HERE to see my Ebay Auctions

OR

Look Under User ID " numom1 "

COMPLETE SURVEYS FOR CASH

Email Me For Referral Links

Hello All

Hi Everyone:

I am playing the email catch-up game once again. I swear we need at least 5

computers here to get everyone on line. The girls literally race each other

home to see who gets on first LOL!

I have a question that I am hoping someone has experience with or has

suggestions. My husband was laid off last Monday (first time he hasn't worked

since

12 years of age) and we are now faced with switching insurance companies when

his benefits stop. What happens with preexisting conditions? All of my girls

have medical issues and all with require medicine for them for their

lifetime. Aren't there others out there like this that have had to switch

insurance

coverage and still get it covered? This is a huge worry for me:( It's hard

enough for us to take care of the financial aspect of medical care with

insurance. I don't know how we would do it without insurance.

Also, when you move to another state how do you go about making appointments

with doctors? How do you find out about them when you know no one in the area

for reference? Some of these specialists book (as we all know) months in

advance. How do you handle that when you aren't even in that state yet?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks all. Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

We all have to be positive We have what we have The big "A" is nasty I am 70yrs old {well be in Dec" I feel that I have this condition for years Maybe 15 yrs Sooo I got to do what ever to make me feel good And when I don't And thats often I hope tomorrow will be better However when it's a good day I kick up my heels and Make the most of it .................

-- Re: hello all

In a message dated 10/18/2004 5:45:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jfbartolino@... writes:

from NJ ........ Hey stop and smell the roses life is tooooooo short

,

It's sooooo great to hear from you, !

You are so right in your comment above. You must be a very positive person. I am trying to be again............

Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

- it sooo wonderful to see you so cheerful after all the problems you went through !!!!!

Great !Hugs,

Joan

Re: hello all

In a message dated 10/18/2004 5:45:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jfbartolino@... writes:

from NJ ........ Hey stop and smell the roses life is tooooooo short

,

It's sooooo great to hear from you, !

You are so right in your comment above. You must be a very positive person. I am trying to be again............

Jan in Northern KY