NWgirl

Some insurance plans also pay as you go and slowly add to the deductible. Before my switch to Anthem BCBS, I was with Regence BCBS, and that particular plan allowed me to go to the Dr and pay copays. I would sometimes receive a bill, but insurance immediately started paying out instead of requiring the whole deductible be paid first. For my particular insurance (Anthem BCBS), my family deductible is $2500 and my max out of pocket is $3000. There are four people total on my plan, and so any medical care received before insurance started to pay out went to the deductible. At this point in time, insurance is now paying some on medical bills, so anything I pay is going towards my out of pocket max. So, for example, the hospital I am getting my surgery at usually charges between 18k-21k for the surgery. My insurance plan requires the deductible + 20% for payment towards the surgery. I am currently at $1750 in out of pocket costs and my MAX out of pocket for the year is $3k. If I did not have a cap on spending, I would be looking at another $4k payment to receive my surgery, but because of the out-of-pocket max, I should only owe $1250. Hopefully this was easier to understand. I would call the insurance company for clarification if you are confused, as there are multiple plan types and different ways they figure deductibles.

Sorry to hear about your reschedule

The chance of dying is about 1 in 2000 for band, 1 in 200 for gastric. I would ask the Dr. what exact complications he has had- slips, deaths, etc. From what you've said the Dr. was incompetent, but then again you did hear it on the news so there may be more to the story than was given. Is this Dr at a center of excellence?

No problem. I had to call to verify when I was switched to Anthem this year, and they don't really seem to have the number advertised anywhere. I only got it because a customer service person gave it to me. Hope you get things figured out!

My surgeon, dietician, and bariatric case manager all said to wait two to three weeks after surgery to weigh due to the fluid retention.

My Dr gave me a booklet with all the necessary info. They are a center of excellence and allow the following: - Phase one (first two weeks after surgery): 2% milk, low fat yogurt (no seeds or chunks), Protein supplement, Soups without lumps/chunks, tomato Soup w/added milk, non-fat milk powder, pureed soups (must strain through a sieve after blending), low-sodium vegetable juice, maximum 10oz per day 100% fruit juice diluted 1:1. Phase 2 (2-4 weeks after surgery) is pureed foods. Phase 3 (4-6 weeks after surgery) is soft foods. After 6 weeks, you can start to eat "normal" foods. They recommend introducing new foods one at a time to make sure you can tolerate.

I have been doing a low-fat diet with some leniency on the weekends for the past two weeks. My surgery is March 20, so I will start a pseudo liquid diet the 14th that will mirror post-op diet. Protein shakes, non-chunky yogurt, non-chunky Soups, SF Jello, SF popsicles. I am so excited to get my surgery! I feel like I've been waiting forever

Do these have the kiddy flavors? I am currently using chewable kids, and am finding the more I take them, the less I like the taste.

Yoplait has the new Greek yogurt four packs. The honey vanilla and coconut both are creamy and have no lumps or seeds.

The Blender Bottle is a Protein mix bottle where you put in the liquid, dump in the powder, and then shake. The little ball blends the powder and you don't get chunks. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AJ61JO/ref=asc_df_B001AJ61JO1924708?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001AJ61JO I saw Walmart had them for about $7 last time I was there.

Call 1-800-824-0581 and follow the prompts. It is the number for Anthem transplant and bariatrics number. You will need to leave a message for Angela if you do not have a case manager containing your insurance #, full name, and DOB. Someone should call you back and at least be able to speak with you.

Have you considered getting the port relocated?

Cancer patients get ports on the chest too.Not sure about the pains though. Personally, I'd much rather have the port on my chest.

If you have a Costco local, they sell a protein shake called premeir nutrition with low carbs/fats and 30g protein. Approx $25 for 18.

So, here's a list of support groups around Oregon that I received from my surgeon's practice, updated 6/2011. Ashland - Ashland Community Hospital, Conference Room 1. Every fourth Monday of the month 6:30-8:30pm, every second Wednesday of the month 6:30-8:30pm. Contact: Sindra Koebrick RN 541-488-7452 Astoria - 1508 Exchange Street, Astoria (15th street entrance). LAP BAND ONLY. Last Tue of every month, 5:15-7PM. Contact: JoAnne Vivian bandsters@yahoo.com or 503-665-0049 Bend - 2705 NE Connors Drive. Contact: Kathryn Wilson kathryn@advancespecialtycare.com or 541-322-1765 - 2084 NE Professional Court. Contact: Kathryn Wilson kathryn@advancespecialtycare.com or 541-322-1765 Coos Bay - North Bend Medical Center. 2nd Tue of the month, 7PM. Contact: Robin Stevenson, 541-267-5151 x 1526 Corvallis - 3600 NW Samaritan Dr. Suite 407. Contact: Susan Majure 541-768-4280 Flood River - Providence Flood River Hospital. 1151 May St. Flood River, OR 97031 Klamath Falls - 2200 Bryant Williams Dr. Klamath Falls, OR 97601. Contact: Peggy Skillin 541-882-7111 Medford - Southern Oregon Bariatric Center. 520 Medical Center Dr Suite 300 Medford, OR 97504. Contact: Kathleen Kellenback 541-282-6729 - Rogue Valley Medical Center- Smullin Health Education Center. Tue or Wed 6-8PM. Contact: info@sobariatrics.com Portland - 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, PV330. Contact: Bernadette Battilega battileg@ohsu.edu or 503-494-4373 - OHSU Hospital 3181 SW Sam Jackson Rd. Contact: Vicki Jakovec jakovecy@ohsu.edu or 503-494-4373 - 1040 NW 22nd Ave. Portland, OR 97210. Contact: Kelly Laschkewitsch klaschke@lhs.org or 503-413-7557 - Hillsboro Vineyard Church Hillsboro, OR 97123. Contact: Lee Mckibbin gramylee@comcast.net or 360-260-7447 Salem - Salem Hospital, Main building. Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Contact: Pam Bush salem_bost@hotmail.com or 503-930-0196 Yakima - Memorial Hospital: 16th Avenue Station Clinic. Every Thursday 7-9pm

I got a date for March 20th! I'm excited!

Look into obesitylaw.com. I read a post awhile back from a woman who went through them after she was denied and was ultimately given approval. If you satisfy all requirements set forth by your insurance and they are unable to give you a clear reason why you were denied, consider reporting them to whatever department in your state that oversees insurance matters. If they are setting forth guidelines but not actually following them, it's illegal.

I have a list of Oregon support groups provided to me by my surgery center. I will post them later this evening.

I wanted to go the route of least invasive and least down time. I also thought that if there's a problem 5, 10, or 15 years down the line, they may have come out with another equally less invasive procedure to perform. I would really like to keep all of my anatomy. I also am young and plan on having a family someday, so it's important that I could still lose weight now, but have the possibility when pregnant to remove part of the saline to allow for adequate nutrition. I also considered the actual weight loss aspect. Although gastric usually loses more weight at a faster pace initially, there is a chance of regaining after 18 mths-2 years (when the body learns how to reabsorb) if you did not learn to eat properly. The band causes you to change your eating from the start and also requires less nutritional supplements.

sparkpeople has a recipe builder where you enter all ingredients, enter the total servings, and it will give you a read out. http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp

You should ask the Dr. why he has been unable to clear you. This way you are not wondering and maybe you can work on the problems he/she is seeing. This is only to your advantage that they are making sure you are mentally prepared. Take the opportunity to get advice and use it to your advantage.

I would recommend the Kirkland sugar free calcium +vit D chews. My surgeon's office recommends Viactiv, but the taste is awfully gritty.

I am on a low-fat diet and have found I am loving chicken salad. I bought a rotisserie chicken and removed the skin, then use 3-4oz per salad. Fred Meyer/Kroger sell a butter lettuce/lolla rosa mix which I mix with lite Kraft ranch, chicken, and a small amount of zesty croutons. It is a really delicious meal and only around 300 calories! Yum

What a sweet picture Congratulations on your awesome accomplishment!

I am insurance, and I was only given opportunity to schedule after I received approval. I imagine you will meet with the surgeon prior to scheduling. The surgeon likes to talk to you about why you want the procedure and to see if you could be a better candidate for another type of WLS.