Would My Mom Qualify?

[tattooedsuess]

My mom has mentioned to me on a few occassions that she'd consider being banded if her insurance would pay for it. She was also wondering if my surgeon would do the surgery, as she's only 80 pounds overweight. (Not meaning to sound like ONLY, it's just that most will only do the surgery in the states if you're 100 or more overweight.)

I've been meaning to call my surgeon and ask, and I just keep forgetting. I am going to email her right now and ask. I'm sure that most doctors make up their own rules about what the acceptable weight is to band someone. I'm pretty sure I recall them telling me 100 or more, but I have to check on it for my mom's sake.

My momma has been sooooooo supportive of me through this entire process. She was the one who encouraged me to check into weightloss surgery in the first place, and she has been by my side ever since. She encourages me ALWAYS, and reminds me of how proud she is of me for doing this for myself. That's why it's so hard for me to see her still struggling, and to see her trying so many different things to lose weight.

I know that there is always Mexico, and I personally am not against that. But I know my dad wouldn't allow that, and I don't think she'd be so keen on it either. So please keep your fingers crossed for my mom. If anyone on the face of this earth deserves this, it's her.

I will update the story when I hear back from my surgeon. I will pray that my surgeon will do the surgery for her. I don't think anything else would give me as great of joy as seeing my mom have the same new hope and chance at life that was given to me.

[tattooedsuess]

I just called her and got her height and weight. She would qualify with my surgeon (according to their web site) if she has comorbiddities. I asked her if she had any of them, and she has a few.

I told her that I'd call the doctor tomorrow and ask for her. I so hope that she can get this done. Even if it adds 5 extra years to her life, it's 5 extra years that I get to have her with me!

[HeatherGurl]

That is awesome. I hope it works out for your mom.

[Kathy]

Cool...keep us posted...does her insurance cover?

[tattooedsuess]

I just called my surgeon's office and she called me back within 5 minutes. (Showing what an awesome woman she is.)

She said that she would definately do the surgery for my mom, and asked about her insurance. I told her that my mom needs to call her insurance still, but just wanted to find out if the Dr. would even consider banding her.

So Dr. gave me the procedure and diagnostic codes to give to my mom, as well as the questions she'd need to ask the insurance company too.

I called my mom to let her know that she is a candidate and she sounded so excited and surprised. She said that she will call beginning of the week to talk to her insurance company (she works all day during certain days of the week, which is why she can't do it sooner) to find out more.

So I am happy, hopeful, and excited all for her. It would be so awesome to see her finally find a permanent solution to her struggle. And it'd feel pretty darn good to return the favor, and be her biggest supporter as well.

[JDru]

That is SO awesome! Keep us updated on her progress.

[NurseTeresa]

That is absolutely fantastic. Hope that this is an end to her problems as well and that her insurance will cover it for her. As everyone else has said...KEEP US POSTED PLEASE!

[tattooedsuess]

I talked to her last night and she said that she wants to try one last thing. Of all things it's a stupid diet pill.......but it's her choice.

I just smiled and nodded and kept my mouth shut otherwise. My aunt (the one that's going for her bypass consult) chimed in however. She said, "Well, I got sick of trying other things, because they don't work for me." My mom agreed and didn't say a whole lot after that.

I think that what it boils down to is that my mom is scared of surgery, and knowing that it's semi-permanent to permanent. I don't think she can quite justify taking that "drastic" of a measure in her mind yet.

So I sit here......waiting to see how she does with her stupid diet pills, and will try my hardest to be a supportive daughter regardless. *sigh*

[PhotoNut]

It's a huge decision to make for anyone. Not only do we face the fears of surgery, we face the fear of giving up the food. People, including myself, don't realize how normal we can live and eat until we are actually banded. Still, you have to be mentally ready for it and that has to come from within herself.

I'll keep her in my prayers. And you are a good daughter. She's blessed to have you in her corner! :)

[tattooedsuess]

Thanks PNut. I appreciate any and all prayers for her and myself. It's just that I love her so much that I want her to be around for a LOOOONNNNNNNNG time.

I pray that whatever she decides to do, she can be successful at it.

Sorry if I sounded so anti-diet pills too, as I didn't mean to sound snotty or judgemental. They definately have their place and have helped some people.

[Adlen]

I know how scary a surgey can be, the band was the first surgery I ever had, and i was scared to death! And there has been a lot of changes in me and i know that if i wasn't completely convinced i will not be able to stand them. I think that she has to realize this before the surgery :)

Just continue to support her as you have :) she will be in my prays so that any treatment she choose will work :)

[tattooedsuess]

Thanks Adlen. That's very kind of you!