caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
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Post by caro on May 5, 2016 14:46:07 GMT
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Post by scrapmaven on May 5, 2016 14:49:49 GMT
Brandy, you're an amazing person. You are an inspiration to others who need to lose weight. I don't know anything about skin removal and insurance approval, but I do know that you deserve congratulations and some major pampering.
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Post by scrapnatya on May 5, 2016 14:50:00 GMT
I don't have any practical advice, I just wanted to say...Good Job!! I know how hard it is to lose and maintain.
What an awesome accomplishment!
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Post by mikklynn on May 5, 2016 15:04:17 GMT
You look fabulous! I don't think it's selfish at all to want to live your best life. Go fight for the insurance to cover it!
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Post by peasapie on May 5, 2016 15:07:11 GMT
What an amazing, incredible change you have made. I'm sure you posted this previously, but did you have bypass? I honestly don't know anyone who has accomplished what you have.
Congratulations on this achievement!
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Post by quinlove on May 5, 2016 15:28:40 GMT
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Post by quinlove on May 5, 2016 15:31:58 GMT
I'm on my phone and it wouldn't let me comment on my reply above. You, my dear --- ROCK !!!! You are to be admired, what an accomplishment. Yay You !!!!!!!!
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Post by red88 on May 5, 2016 15:40:15 GMT
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on May 5, 2016 15:51:15 GMT
It's exciting to see your progress! You're so young-- to me that's another reason for you to pursue dealing with the excess skin.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 13:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 15:59:40 GMT
Brandy, you are such an inspiration!! I am so amazed at your dedication and perseverance to being healthy. I have no advice to offer, but I wanted to say that I hope you can find a way to have skin reduction surgery performed, because anyone who's worked as hard as you have more than deserves to feel confident and comfortable in her body.
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Post by peano on May 5, 2016 16:00:08 GMT
Brandy, you should be so proud of your accomplishment. As someone with lifelong issues with food and weight I applaud your hard work. And it's been my experience that insurance companies, for all their shiny brochures on "health" that I get several times a year, make it as hard as possible for people to get coverage for weight related issues. Makes me rage-y.
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Post by *KAS* on May 5, 2016 16:01:23 GMT
No advice, just echoing others that you ROCK! Such a great job and gift you've given yourself and your family.
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calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on May 5, 2016 16:03:31 GMT
What an amazing achievement, a true inspiration to others.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 13:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 16:21:40 GMT
Wow brandy327 what a massive achievement. Congratulations.
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Post by Lori McMud on May 5, 2016 16:35:32 GMT
What an achivement!!!
A friend of mine had weight loss surgery and needed/wanted to have a tummy tuck and breast lift. Her insurance covered the breast lift, but not the tummy tuck. She did do both, as the insurance covered some. She did pay out of pocket for the tummy tuck, but it was less than if she had done 2 procedures.
She said it was very painful, but was glad she had done it.
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Post by hop2 on May 5, 2016 16:44:39 GMT
I agree. It's time to make sure this is documented. BTW, it may not take years of documentation. When I was in private practice, I was able to document that a patient had years of pain along with my physical finding of grooves in the shoulders, that was helpful for insurance documentation. Also, be aware that just because something is rejected the first time does not mean it will be rejected the second time. As far as skin conditions, if you are busy preventing them with powders, etc in the folds, that counts. I had a friend who was also able to have some of her skin removal surgeries covered by insurance. She had lost about 250 lbs over a 2 year period. I have a relative who works in insurance and it is common practice to reject expensive stuff the first time because that weeds out something like %50 of the stuff which equals big savings. Many people are just not going to pursue it, no time, can't be bothered, etc. So, definitely resubmit or submit an appeal.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,175
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on May 5, 2016 16:44:52 GMT
Wow Brandy, You look hot!!
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353
Jun 26, 2014 16:09:34 GMT
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Post by brandy327 on May 5, 2016 16:57:24 GMT
What an amazing, incredible change you have made. I'm sure you posted this previously, but did you have bypass? I honestly don't know anyone who has accomplished what you have. Congratulations on this achievement! No ma'am. One of the biggest motivators for me even starting is that I had a doctor suggest lap band. It pissed me off so much that I lost 60 lbs the first year and went back the next year to kind of say HA! I did it. She didn't even realize I'd lost any weight. But it's what got me started. I never tried before that, honestly. I loved food, didn't care what I weighed, etc. Looking back now, I see how much my weight held me back...I was practically a recluse. I'm SO thankful that she made her comment (which I know was coming from a good place but still pissed me off) because it sent me down a path that I needed to take. I began with using Weight Watchers back when they had the slider. I didn't even have the money to join...a friend loaned me her slider and I copied it. I followed that and did VERY low impact (Wii Step thing) exercise. I got tired of doing WW so for a long time, I just steered clear of any fried foods and kept my portions small. Then a couple of years ago, I started using My Fitness Pal. Then in January this year, as I'd started watching my weight creep back up (by 20 lbs or so), I decided to not only use MFP and continue exercising, but to switch to a mostly whole foods diet. I eat about 80-90% whole foods and then 10-20% processed. For me, it's not realistic to go 100% whole foods...I like cheese and yogurt and pretzels too much. Oh and if anyone has ANY questions about me or my journey, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll talk about any and all of my story.
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carhoch
Pearl Clutcher
Be yourself everybody else is already taken
Posts: 2,991
Location: We’re RV’s so It change all the time .
Jun 28, 2014 21:46:39 GMT
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Post by carhoch on May 5, 2016 17:09:52 GMT
First of all congratulations what you have achieved is amazing . I see the skin surgery like the cherry on the cake ,you can have the cake without the cherry but personally I really want to eat the dam cherry .
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Post by gizzy on May 5, 2016 17:44:43 GMT
You are simply amazing & you look lovely! I'd love to bottle up your willpower.
No advice on insurance, I only know ours doesn't cover it, hopefully you'll find out differently with yours.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 13:11:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2016 17:52:16 GMT
If insurance will pay for lap band/gastric bypass surgery, I don't see why they can't pay for your skin removal. I would focus on getting your issues documented over the next year and then try to convince insurance to pay for it. I'm truly amazed at your willpower and determination to lose that weight on your own. Great job and you look amazing!
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on May 5, 2016 17:53:19 GMT
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Post by cath4k on May 5, 2016 19:08:51 GMT
I have no advice, but I want to tell you that you look AMAZING and - more importantly - you ARE AMAZING! What a tremendous accomplishment!
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Post by femalebusiness on May 5, 2016 19:13:04 GMT
You look AMAZING! You must be so proud of your determination! I am in awe of your stick-to-it-ness. You are my idol!
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marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
Posts: 4,176
Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
Site Supporter
Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on May 5, 2016 19:20:35 GMT
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 5, 2016 19:27:31 GMT
WOW!! I read this thread yesterday; what you've accomplished is amazing... but it's really dramatic to actually see the difference in the pictures! Huge Congratulations to you!!
I also agree, keep pursuing the skin removal surgery. I watch the television show My 600-lb Life (I think that's what it's called, on TLC?) and have seen a few episodes where skin removal surgery is the focus-- it makes SUCH a difference in the quality of life for the people who have gone through it. I also agree with talking to your doctor(s) and having photos taken, and your skin issues documented, documented, documented. It's not cosmetic, at all!! It totally has to do with your overall health, and the sooner you start getting that documented in writing / photos with your doctors, the more ammunition you have for the insurance company. I personally think they routinely deny some things the first time just as a matter of doing business, just to see if the patient really wants to do it-- because if they do, they'll pursue an appeal. I figure it's an easy way for the insurance company to stop people from pursuing 'unnecessary' procedures... (that's just my opinion, though)
One thing I've seen on the television show, though, is that the doctor always wants the person to be pretty close to where they want to stay long-term (under 200 lbs, or around 180 lbs, depending on their height) so that the skin removal surgery is as effective as possible long-term. (meaning if you have a lot of weight to lose AFTER having the skin removal surgery, you may still end up with some sagging skin at the end of it all.)
I went through something similar a number of years with jaw surgery to fix my underbite- the insurance company denied it at first as cosmetic and the surgeon wrote a letter including photos and X-rays to say it truly was a functional issue, not cosmetic at all... which it was- I couldn't chew properly. So in the end, they covered it as a medically necessary procedure, not just cosmetic one.
So I think the more you document your health issues and how they are affected / worsened by your excess skin, the more chance you have of getting it covered by your medical insurance.
Good luck and WAY to GO!!
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Post by withapea on May 5, 2016 19:39:55 GMT
I'd start the process and at least find out where you stand. You've earned it. Life is too short, if there's a way to make it happen I think you more than deserve it. I know a couple of people who have gone through skin removal and while it isn't easy, they both feel that it was well worth the pain and expense.
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Post by peasapie on May 5, 2016 19:46:28 GMT
What an amazing, incredible change you have made. I'm sure you posted this previously, but did you have bypass? I honestly don't know anyone who has accomplished what you have. Congratulations on this achievement! No ma'am. One of the biggest motivators for me even starting is that I had a doctor suggest lap band. It pissed me off so much that I lost 60 lbs the first year and went back the next year to kind of say HA! I did it. She didn't even realize I'd lost any weight. But it's what got me started. I never tried before that, honestly. I loved food, didn't care what I weighed, etc. Looking back now, I see how much my weight held me back...I was practically a recluse. I'm SO thankful that she made her comment (which I know was coming from a good place but still pissed me off) because it sent me down a path that I needed to take. I began with using Weight Watchers back when they had the slider. I didn't even have the money to join...a friend loaned me her slider and I copied it. I followed that and did VERY low impact (Wii Step thing) exercise. I got tired of doing WW so for a long time, I just steered clear of any fried foods and kept my portions small. Then a couple of years ago, I started using My Fitness Pal. Then in January this year, as I'd started watching my weight creep back up (by 20 lbs or so), I decided to not only use MFP and continue exercising, but to switch to a mostly whole foods diet. I eat about 80-90% whole foods and then 10-20% processed. For me, it's not realistic to go 100% whole foods...I like cheese and yogurt and pretzels too much. Oh and if anyone has ANY questions about me or my journey, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll talk about any and all of my story. Amazing, amazing, amazing. And because you did it this way, I'm sure your likelihood of maintaining your weight loss is excellent. I can't think of anyone I've ever known who accomplished such a thing on their own as you have. I truly hope your surgery will be covered by your medical. If anyone ever deserved it, it's you.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on May 5, 2016 19:52:24 GMT
Brandy, you are awesome! No advice, other than keep trying, start documenting, and hope you can find a Doctor who will help you through the insurance maze. You are an inspiration!
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Post by kelly316 on May 5, 2016 20:06:39 GMT
Wow! I can imagine that you would want (and deserve) skin remove after all of your hard work. You look amazing!!!
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