Monday, February 12, 2007
Why do I want to blog?
I guess the biggest question of the day is "why (do I want to) blog the things I go through with my struggle with my weight?" I'm not really sure. I guess I am really looking for a way to record my feelings and what I learn along the way. Right now I'm struggling with making time for exercise. I have this wonderful elliptical trainer. It is new and I'm very proud of it. However, it kicks my butt evertime I get on it! How can a child of 6 run his legs off and I feel like a Mack truck has hit me after the first 8 minutes? ~Guess that's just one of the uphill battles I have ahead of me!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Deep in the Heart of Texas: History
I love to travel. This past summer I visited Playa Del Carmen, Mexico . While boarding the plane I hurt my hip. I was miserable throughout the trip, limping all over town with a messed up hip flexor. When we returned to the States I sought medical advice. After several x-rays and a CT scan it was determined that I would live...I'd just need lots of physical therapy. Of course, I also had the obligatory talk with my PCP about my need to lose weight (as my weight wasn't helping things). Frustrated, I asked, "What is it going to take for me to be able to receive weight loss surgery?" I left his office that day with a referral to a weight loss surgeon.
The following is an extremly LONG list of all of the appointments I've had so far:
1. Initial appt. with Dr. Duperier on July 19, 2006. Also met with Dietician and Psychologist.
2. Had an upper endoscopy in 2nd week of August 2006.
3. Met with my OB/GYN on Aug. 25, 2006 for annual physical.
4. Had a Sleep Study on Aug. 26, 2006
5. Follow up visit with dietician on August 31, 2006
6. Was notified by WeightWise insurance personnel that my dietician appts. through WeightWise were not going to be covered by my insurance...they had "overlooked" this when they first enrolled me in the program and scheduled my appointments.
7. On September 18, 2006 I met with my PCP as my insurance will not cover a bariatric surgeon for the "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 336
8. Followed up the Sleep Study on Sept. 22, 2006 with a pulmonologist who referred me to Praxair for a CPAP because of Hypopnea episodes.
9. On Sept. 26, 2006 I met with a representative from Praxair and rented a CPAP machine. Almost 30 days later, requested that they exchange and replace the original CPAP (RemStar Autoset) with a different model...the one I was told I would receive (RemStar M Series Autoset with Cflex). Praxair lost my file and it took close to two weeks before they resolved my request. Since that time I have had virtually no contact with Praxair or follow up with them concerning the CPAP or my settings. Additionally, I have tried repeatedly to contact them regarding the fact that they have NEVER processed my CPAP rental/purchase with my insurance. I spoke to a lady in their main billing office on January 9, 2007 who reports she will contact the local Praxair office and follow up with me ASAP. I have not heard back from her.
10. Met with my PCP (2 of 7) on Oct. 18, 2006 for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 335
11. Met with my PCP (3 of 7) Nov. 27, 2006 on for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 333
12. Met with my PCP (4 of 7) Dec. 27, 2006 on for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 332
13. Contacted Praxair representative regarding broken mask part on January 7, 2007. Was informed that I should "...wait until tomorrow and make an appointment to come in to be fitted for a new mask" as he would not meet with me on Sunday to replace the mask.
14. Contacted Praxair on January 8, 2007 at 11am to request an appointment for "mask fitting" and was informed that the respiratory therapist was at lunch and would not be returning for the next few days. I was additionally informed that there were no other therapists in the office who could fulfill my need for a new mask as the current one was broken.
15. Contacted a respiratory therapist supervisor at American Home Patient on January 8, 2007 to discuss issues with other DME provider and need for a new mask or emergency mask repair. Also discussed possibility of transferring DME rental to American Home Patient from Praxair. Met with RT who repaired my mask for my CPAP. He advised me to continue to call Praxair regarding the billing (or lack thereof) for my CPAP as it could indirectly effect the results of the insurance determination on my bariatric surgery.
16. On January 9, 2007 I attended the StapleMates group. It was very interesting to hear the stories of the other patients.
17. Purchased a Keys Fitness G2 Elliptical machine from Fitness in Motion. They delivered it and showed us how to use it. It is COOL!
18. Met with my PCP (5 of 7), January 29, 2007 for "Medically supervised diet and weight loss program" My weight is now down to 330 1/2.
The following is an extremly LONG list of all of the appointments I've had so far:
1. Initial appt. with Dr. Duperier on July 19, 2006. Also met with Dietician and Psychologist.
2. Had an upper endoscopy in 2nd week of August 2006.
3. Met with my OB/GYN on Aug. 25, 2006 for annual physical.
4. Had a Sleep Study on Aug. 26, 2006
5. Follow up visit with dietician on August 31, 2006
6. Was notified by WeightWise insurance personnel that my dietician appts. through WeightWise were not going to be covered by my insurance...they had "overlooked" this when they first enrolled me in the program and scheduled my appointments.
7. On September 18, 2006 I met with my PCP as my insurance will not cover a bariatric surgeon for the "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 336
8. Followed up the Sleep Study on Sept. 22, 2006 with a pulmonologist who referred me to Praxair for a CPAP because of Hypopnea episodes.
9. On Sept. 26, 2006 I met with a representative from Praxair and rented a CPAP machine. Almost 30 days later, requested that they exchange and replace the original CPAP (RemStar Autoset) with a different model...the one I was told I would receive (RemStar M Series Autoset with Cflex). Praxair lost my file and it took close to two weeks before they resolved my request. Since that time I have had virtually no contact with Praxair or follow up with them concerning the CPAP or my settings. Additionally, I have tried repeatedly to contact them regarding the fact that they have NEVER processed my CPAP rental/purchase with my insurance. I spoke to a lady in their main billing office on January 9, 2007 who reports she will contact the local Praxair office and follow up with me ASAP. I have not heard back from her.
10. Met with my PCP (2 of 7) on Oct. 18, 2006 for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 335
11. Met with my PCP (3 of 7) Nov. 27, 2006 on for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 333
12. Met with my PCP (4 of 7) Dec. 27, 2006 on for "medically supervised diet and weight loss program." Weight was 332
13. Contacted Praxair representative regarding broken mask part on January 7, 2007. Was informed that I should "...wait until tomorrow and make an appointment to come in to be fitted for a new mask" as he would not meet with me on Sunday to replace the mask.
14. Contacted Praxair on January 8, 2007 at 11am to request an appointment for "mask fitting" and was informed that the respiratory therapist was at lunch and would not be returning for the next few days. I was additionally informed that there were no other therapists in the office who could fulfill my need for a new mask as the current one was broken.
15. Contacted a respiratory therapist supervisor at American Home Patient on January 8, 2007 to discuss issues with other DME provider and need for a new mask or emergency mask repair. Also discussed possibility of transferring DME rental to American Home Patient from Praxair. Met with RT who repaired my mask for my CPAP. He advised me to continue to call Praxair regarding the billing (or lack thereof) for my CPAP as it could indirectly effect the results of the insurance determination on my bariatric surgery.
16. On January 9, 2007 I attended the StapleMates group. It was very interesting to hear the stories of the other patients.
17. Purchased a Keys Fitness G2 Elliptical machine from Fitness in Motion. They delivered it and showed us how to use it. It is COOL!
18. Met with my PCP (5 of 7), January 29, 2007 for "Medically supervised diet and weight loss program" My weight is now down to 330 1/2.
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