I am honored to be today’s featured article on ObesityHelp.com – Advocate: A Decade in the Making. I have been a member of ObesityHelp since 2003 and have attended 7 of their events. October 4th & 5th I will attending the ObesityHelp 2013 National Conference in Anaheim, CA.
ObesityHelp asked me to share my experience and struggle with Lymphedema and Lipedema. Including fighting for insurance coverage of needed treatments. Both conditions affect individuals struggling with obesity, including those seeking weight loss surgery. Many like myself, are not aware they have Lipedema until after having weight loss surgery and noticing that despite massive weight loss their legs are still abnormally large.
[…] When I was initially diagnosed with lymphedema I was on Medicaid. While it took a couple months for my initial treatment and compression pump to be approved, I never encountered a coverage issue or claim denial. I received unlimited physical therapy sessions, and was in the process of being fitted for compression garments when I got my first REAL JOB with REAL INSURANCE. And then came my first coverage issue and the experience that started me on my journey to advocacy. […]