lisahg

Hey Amy, How are you feeling and doing?? I hope all went well on surgery day. Like others have said the drain removal isnt too bad and whatever pain you might feel doesn't last long. Just take a deep breath and its over before you know it. The PAs have had so much practice taking them out, their good at it. Have a Happy Easter..

I had a drain for a week after surgery also. It did cause me more discomfort with each passing day, and if I didnt have the tubing positioned just right it would cause me pain. Many times I just tucked it in my underwear instead of trying to pin it to a shirt, and that worked pretty well. As long as you are not experiencing any weird discharge or look of infection around the incision site, it probably is just a matter of the way your body is reacting to a foriegn object. I couldnt wait to get mine out but considering all of the liquid that draned out, it was probably a good thing it was there.

I felt left shoulder pain as soon as I was awake after my vsg. It was a constant pain not just when i tried to drink. It hurt more than any discomfort from my incisions actually ( so I know what you're talking about) and the only reaon I asked for pain meds while in the hospital. I was told it was a common complaint but doesnt mean something is wrong. In my case it hurt less and less each day and went after a few days.

I had forgotten I had posted one of my appeal letters. I believe it is what I sent for the external appeal. I also sent copies of all of the journal articles and position papers (with relevant text highlighted) I had referenced. Good Luck! I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Hey I have Highmark bcbs and was denied for the same bmi reason. An independent Review Organization (IRO) who handle external appeals do have the authority to overturn denials if they deem appropriate. That is what happened in my case, so there is still hope..

I drank it straight and then chased it with a bottle of water . It was citris flavored, so made me really thirsty after drinking it. Not great tasting but doable. Much better than that terrible stuff they make you drink for your leak test, Yuk!

It was probably 3 to 4 weeks from the time I got confirmation that the Idependent Review Organization had all the paperwork from me and Highmark.

It is crazy but dont give up! I had to jump through the same hoops from peer to peer - external appeal too with my insurance Highmark BCBS. The Independent Review Organization (IRO) who reviewed my external appeal overturned Highmark's denials and I was approved. You typically get 15 days to submit your external appeal so take your time and write a solid letter and really sell your case. Quote and cite relevant medical journal articles on morbid obesity that support your arguments. http://asmbs.org/ is a great resource. Having the option to appeal to an inpartial (external committee) is a great opportunity because your insurance had no reason/benefit to reverse their decision regardless of what your 1st appeal letter contained. Good Luck!!

I am glad you asked this. I need advise too. I do cardio most days but have noticed sagging in that area as I have lost weight. I think its important to do arm exercises that work on the tricep muscle but I would like to hear other ideas

My first denial was at the end of August and I was finally approved in Mid November. So the process of filing 1 internal appeals and 1 external appeal took just over 2 months. That's not a terrible timeframe compared to some appeals stories I have heard. I would lie, it is hard to wait and for things to be in limbo, with something you want to happen, like yesterday lol. Highmark totally irks me in respect to other things with my health care so i love when I hear they are made to cover services people deserve.

I have Highmark BCBS also. I had a bmi below 40 with hypertension and type 2 diabetes that was controlled with diet. I was intially denied, appealed and denied again before submitting an external appeal. I was finally approved through the external appeal process and sleeved Dec 26th. Sure, it was a hassle and a pain in the *ss but I didnt have the funds to consider Mexico. You are pretty close to the 50bmi requirement. I just wanted to let you know there is hope in being approved going through the appeals process. Highmark is banking on people becoming frustrated and giving up. Good Luck

I am sure you'll really enjoy your new bike. I bought a bike last summer before my surgery to increase my exercise activity options. My town has a pretty nice bike path that travels arounds the town and a college campus. Its been fun getting back into biking. It had been 15+ years since I rode a bike. It was comical when I went to a bike store to try a few out, on a bumpy dirt road in back of the store. I was so hoping that saying about "once you learn to ride a bike you never forget" was true. I was pretty woobley and uncoordinated at first. My 2 sons thought watching their 45 year old mom attempt to ride a bike after so many years was waaaay hysterical. The sales guy said "Why do I feel like this is going to end up on Youtube?" Have fun and dont forget your helmet.

I went home the day after my surgery, but it wasnt until after my leak test so it was early afternoon before I was discharged. I was feeling good and was happy to leave. I am just more comfortable recovering at home as opposed to sleeping in a hospital bed. My surgeon basically gave me the option of staying another night and would I am sure have insisted if I had any trouble like no getting in enough liquids.

Hi I was sleeved by Dr. Hoffman from the Comprehensive Weight Lose Center at Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo NY. They have a very experienced group of bariatric surgeons and Dr. Hoffman does primarily the vsg's. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

I am glad to hear you are doing well now. You have a positive attitude that will carry you through this time and something great, being sleeved to look towards in the near future.