I just had a call from a company that tries to get reimbursements from my private insurance company to cover the cost of the Lapband (not surgery costs). I was rejected—I wasn’t fat enough. She told me their cut-off is a BMI > 35 and mine came in at 34. Didn’t matter that I had a bunch of co-morbidities. Money isn’t really the issue here. I chose the band to keep me from dying young. So what is a few thousand dollars when you can be around for years longer. My kids still tell me, and have for years, that they get to choose my nursing home. Ha to them. I’ll be around longer and healthier than they thought. And the cost of the lapband just came out of their inheritance. I grew up in the era of Twiggy (see picture) and I guess I have always thought I was terribly fat, but that'll be another post. In a weird way it is strange to hear someone tell me I’m not fat enough. I guess this is actually an NSV. I’m not fat. Oh, and they aren’t coming to repo my band.
In other news, I don’t think I need to go for an un-fill. Since the vomiting incident on Tuesday, I have stuck to liquids and today the spasm/pain in my port is almost gone. The nurse at the clinic called back and said if it didn’t improve to go to my doctor to have an un-fill. Looks like I will be fine and just have to learn to eat slower and chew, chew, chew. I was able to eat some meatloaf and squash tonight. I did remember that on Monday night I had most of a chicken burrito which had rice and corn in it. After reading a few posts I found out that corn might be indigestible and maybe it contributed to the stuck feeling. This learning is getting harder. Someday I’ll have a Ph.D. in banding, but first I have to get out of the remedial class.
In other news, I don’t think I need to go for an un-fill. Since the vomiting incident on Tuesday, I have stuck to liquids and today the spasm/pain in my port is almost gone. The nurse at the clinic called back and said if it didn’t improve to go to my doctor to have an un-fill. Looks like I will be fine and just have to learn to eat slower and chew, chew, chew. I was able to eat some meatloaf and squash tonight. I did remember that on Monday night I had most of a chicken burrito which had rice and corn in it. After reading a few posts I found out that corn might be indigestible and maybe it contributed to the stuck feeling. This learning is getting harder. Someday I’ll have a Ph.D. in banding, but first I have to get out of the remedial class.
13 comments:
Amen to that lesson.. It's amazing how much we have to learn.. but how nice it was for you to hear YOU ARE NOT FAT.. I tend to agree with you, I am not doing this for vanity, I want to walk with out my legs feeling like hell.. glad things are working out with the band.. You have had great weight loss..keep up the good work.
You're not fat and I'm not fat ENOUGH! That is what my insurance company told me when I inquired about coverage of the surgery. "you're not fat enough...you have to gain another 40-50 lbs for us to cover". How sick is that?
Glad you are doing better and will probably not need an un-fill. I was wondering about corn. Good to know
Insurance companies need a bullet sometimes - its all about the money.
Sorry to hear you weren't well but are on the mend. I do hear corn is the devils child :)
I know insurance companies need guidelines, but it is ironic that they are making me go through 6 months of nutritional counseling, but I can't lose too much weight or I won't get approved for surgery. Kind of seems like a trap - just saying.
hehehe - I would like to see them try to repo it :-)
Glad that things have settled down and you won't need the unfill.
I'm in the 'not fat enough' to get the band paid by insurance too.... self pay all the way. But it is worth gaining health and years of life going DOWN the scale and hopefully staying there.
Thanks for the lovely supportive comments on my blog.
lol repo the band...i had that dream again last night :-)
so...yayy? for not being fat enough? lol
I can manaage a little corn (sweetcorn) but not much...
Be careful with the overfill thing Sandy Lee - the band is weird, one day fine and the next all set to strangle you. When I had to go for an unfill last year on one occasion they told me at the hospital that a lot of the problems are caused by the delay in dealing with it. You keep telling yourself it'll calm down, but meanwhile you're getting dehydrated. I remember in just 12 hours I didn't feel thirst or anything, but all my muscles REALLY ached. Weird.
Caroline
(Really appreciate the supportive comments on my blog!)
Insurance companies suck....
Remember this is all a learning experience and if you think you know how your band works, the next day it can throw you for a loop.
Chew chew chew is the best advice I can give you
Remedial band, that's me! Funny. I learn something new about it, myself, and weight loss almost daily. Soooo happy to hear your fil is good.
Sounds like you are getting this band thing down!!! Also glad to hear you aren't fat!! LOL!!! YEah~!
Sorry to hear you had troubles with the band but awesome news that you are not fat enough!!!! Whoo hooo
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