Neoteric Verve

I was all set on Dr Teng doing my surgery and today I found out that I can't because of a HUUUUUGE bill my old insurance didn't pay. Now I can pay it off but not before this year (or next, it's $12k). So I made an appointment to see Dr Umbach for July 5th. According to his office, I can do some things to satisfy Aetna and get the surgery approved in three months. Or I can do the customary six months. Minor bump in the road but from what I have read here Dr Umbach is also an excellent surgeon and that I should worry none.

I have yet to be sleeved but yes, at my size it is hard even without surgery to power up that much man. I too am a big guy at 419lb. I would very much like to keep in communications with you. If you need a ear or what have you drop me a line. Soon I too shall feel you pain/joy. Stay strong brother and congratulations. Very few have the courage to change their lives like you have. Be joining you soon..

I'm very grateful to have found this site prior to any surgery. I am currently in the process of doing seminars (June 6th), scheduling doctor visits (after seminar) and getting ducks in a row with insurance. I live in Las Vegas and have Aetna PPO insurance. I have already chosen a physician here: Dr Francis W Teng. He performed a cholecystectomy on me in August 2010 and I feel extremely comfortable with him. Also he does still work with his brother in the OR (he's the Anesthesiologist). Me: I am approximately 6'3'' and weigh 430lb and 36 years old. I really wish I had listened to Dr Teng when he did my gallbladder removal in August last year to go forward with this. But hey, I'm doing it now, right?

Aetna has two ways to get approval. One is the six-month route while the other is three months. Obviously I would rather the three month option but Dr Teng is adamant that Aetna wants to see six months. I've gone over their policy bulletin (#0157 if you are curious). I want the Multidisciplinary one that green lights me in three. As of right now, I have documented (prior exercise regimen of mine requires it) 2 years of BMI of 50+, 3 months (more really) of food logs, 3 months of doing plyometrics and weights with my friend (a Certified Personal Trainer) and I start seeing a NUT on the 16th (JUN, JUL & AUG). So by the 16th of August, I will have all the aforementioned criteria for the Multidisciplinary approach to get a "Thumbs Up" from my insurance. Now if my chosen surgeon (Dr Teng) still wants me to wait and additional three months could I just go to Dr Atkinson, Dr Hanna or Dr Umbach for the procedure and get it done in three? I'd do the six months but I wouldn't make it by this year and I don't want to go into deductible and copay hell. What do I do?

Thank you all. Right now my wife and I just finished looking at a video of a VSG. Very interesting indeed! I can't wait to get going!!!!

The Mrs and I have decided that we both want the VSG and have plotted our course from being green lit by Aetna to post-surgery. I'm thinking of calling a limo to pick us up and take the new us home! Can a couple get the surgery done simultaneously? How much at-home care is needed? Her parents are in town as well as her two brothers. We can lean on each other but is it too taxing and stressful to have us both newly sleeved at the same time?Also, if allowed by Aetna, I'd like us to populate one of the fancy double rooms for a few nights (4 is dandy) before we get kicked.

Meggie I have seen your videos and look at them almost daily. Just to gain perspective and inspiration if nothing more. While I haven't had VSG surgery, I have had my gallbladder removed (by the same surgeon that will do my VSG) and Dr Teng uses the same anesthesiologist ALL THE TIME, Dr Vitus Teng! His brother. I think of them as Allstate and I'm in good hands. If there are any similarities (feelings post op) between a cholecystectomy and VSG then I'll be ok and will assume the role of watchdog. I was released from the hospital the same evening. All I did was go home and sleep for a bit. My only restriction was that I could not sleep on my right side or my stomach. You're right. If we have to do them separately then Ladies first! I just very well may have my duck more in a row because I go to our PCP more.

In talking with Dr Teng, my Mrs was told that Aetna wants 6-months of pre-surgical work (diet, exercise, NUT, etc) before submitting for approval. Now I checked the Aetna bulletin on first-time bariatric patients and their program requirements are 90 days. How do I convince him that we only need 90 days without stepping on anyone's toes? I totally respect his opinion and have no doubt he respects his patients. I'm quite certain he also has dealt with Aetna before (he has) and knows them well. He has his own office program for the VSG (well any bariatric procedure I surmise). The NUT is 3 consecutive months, he wants to see us every 8 weeks minimum, a therapy group and some sort of physical fitness regimen.

Thanks you two. I hadn't considered the hotel Idea. The Santa Fe is very close to our home.

Thank you so much for the chronicle! It was and is a great read. Those things on your legs are SCD's (Sequential Compression Devices) designed for just what you mentioned. The tech is a Certified Nurse Assistant (I know 'cause I am one). I felt much the same as you did with little to no pain but I had a different surgery (gallbladder removal). I have yet to be sleeved..... Absolutely DO NOT EAT THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY!!! 24 HRS MINIMUM. If you follow the after midnight thing there's a 50/50 chance of regurgitation. The anesthesia makes you nauseous. For some reason (perhaps from intubation) all I wanted to do in the recovery room was spit. I was O-U-T. And I didn't get a button, lol. I felt I didn't need it. Those nurses are beyond awesome. I felt as if I had a mother-like figure (ok father-like too as one of the nurses was male). If anything I am excited to get through the process and get a surgery date.

I have a question for those that have been VSG'd (sleeved, lol). How soon after the procedure were you permitted to do intense cardio and core training? I am a staunch proponent of High Intensity Interval Training and strengthening my core muscles. Three times a week I do brief HIIT cardio (15 min per session), usually M-W-F. On Tues & Thurs I do compound weightlifting (Deadlifts on one day and Bench Press on the other). I feel that exercising could only amplify my results and would love to get after it ASAP after surgery. What are your thought on when to jump back into the gym?

Thanks all. I was guesstimating about 4-6 weeks before I can hit the gym hard again. I usually deadlift 225lb and bench the same. Each I only do two sets for 7 reps/set. To play it very safe maybe 8 weeks for the weights and just 4-6 for the cardio?

Thanks, Caliblonde. I was wondering how I was going to take in my water after a hard exercise. A lot of times after a workout I have drank half a gallon of water in addition to sipping throughout my exercises.

Does anyone here have any experience with them in Nevada? I'm certain I can get two-year documentation from my PCP of my BMI being over 40 (actually over 50). Now I've hear conflicting details about their needing 90 days of counseling and monitoring or is it six months? With this being June 1st and all I am taking today to start a food journal (if it's necessary) and I work out.

Thanks man! I am broad shouldered as well. I still want to be a big guy just not a BIG guy, know what I mean? I never wanted to be skinny, per se. Consequently, I am not so much concerned with BMI as I am bodyfat percentage. So if I end up at 230-240lb that's fine. According to the BMI charts I'd be obese. But if my bodyfat percentage was 15% I'd be just fine..

I think everyone is correct. As a male I've had a significant drop in desire. Sometimes we to feel inadequately able to "please" you. I am in the pre-sleeve phase and my primary doctor has suggested AndroDerm as well. While your hubby isn't near my size (425lb) it still is an issue. Maybe you can get him to explore VSG also. Similar experiences can have a bonding effect that you'll both love.

After I get the VSG this very topic is one of my concerns. I currently lift weights 2-3 times a week. Then I work on my core doing planks and hanging knee raises. My favorite exercise is the Deadlift. Given that I warm-up with 225lb is one month really enough time? Ouroborous, let me know your findings too as I am keenly interested.

My name's Courtney. I am not female but I still would like to chat with people from Las Vegas like me. I am 6 months away from getting the VSG and have questions from time to time.

HUA!

Dr Teng (Las Vegas, NV) is great. Now I don't have bariatric surgery experience with him. However, he was the surgeon that performed my cholecystectomy in August 2010. He does great, phenomenal work! And I'm not sure this is a big factor to anyone but he is the Chief of Surgery (since 2001) as well as the Medical Director of Bariatrics (since 2006) at his hospital. I read that sometimes (if not all the time) there are tests run on your gallbladder for stones or something? I'm not sure what this all mean because I'm relatively new. But I think having the same surgeon do both my gallbladder removal and my VSG gives me a continuity of care that nobody else could provide. It may sounds nuts but I want total comfort as I get major surgery done. And as far as I'm concerned, he is the BEST in Las Vegas. No offense to other surgeons but I just feel more at peace with him and his surgical team.