I am 5'3 and weigh almost 300lbs. I have Humana insurance through my husband's employer. My health plan lists any treatment for obesity as an "exclusion". The gastric bypass physician I consulted with stated that in his 15 years, he has never had an insurance company overturn an exclusion. I suffer depression, anxiety, panic attacks, migraine, recurrent sinus infections (even after having sinus surgery), elevated triglycerdide levels, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, anemia, hypothyroidism, irretable bowel syndrome, recurrent bronchitis, a fatty liver, cystocele, rectocele, urinary stress incontinence, bilateral planter fascitis with 3 bone spurs on one foot and two bone spurs on the other foot (walking is difficult so excersice is out of the question except for possably a recombinate bicycle), insulin resistance (my last two pregnancies I had gestational diabetes so I'm at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes), elevated cortisol levels, chronic fatique syndrome, and fibromyalgia. I am a stay-at-home mother to three girls. My husband makes a good income, however, he recently lost his job in Michigan. Because he was flying to interviews trying to find a job, he missed his face-to-face interview in order to receive unemployment. After filling out a 20 page application for Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, free lunches for the children, utility bill assistance, and child care assistance, we were told that because we had too many assets, we were ineligible for assistance. Both my husband and I have college degrees, we have did all society has told us to do (401K, life insurance, long and short term disability insurance, long term care insurance, pre-funeral arrangements and burial plots, three months worth of expenses in our savings account which was interest bearing) so when we needed help we received ZERO! We sold our home, after having it on the market for seven months(for a loss of $75,000-poor housing market we were told). My husband moved to Florida in March, I stayed with the girls in Michigan until their school finished in June. Before marrying my husband, I worked as a case manager for an agency which provided services to the MR/DD population. When I moved to Florida, I attempted to get a job in my field but was told I had been out of the field for too long-thus no job. Even when applying to retail stores I didn't get a job-this time I was too educated. Finally, I decided to return to college to get a second baccularate degree this time in nursing-I was told that all my prereqs must have been completed within 10 years-I graduated 12 years ago. I have been seeking assistance to pay for laporscopic gastric bypass surgery, but due to my husband's income they have refused to provide support. The individuals I spoke with doen't take into account our expenses (my current monthly medical expenditures equal little over $500 a month). They seem to believe that I got in this terrible situation by either being foolish or selfish. My health problems began 9 years ago after the death of my second child. Does anyone know of some charity, hospital, organization, of physician who will pay for this surgery for me? I'm quickly losing hope in our society. I want to raise my children to believe that the world is just but I don't know how when I am be "punished" for doing what we are told to do-be successful, love your family, and remain positive even when the rain clouds begin to roll in!!!
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