MsDownToMe

Okay- I have BCBS PPO (Network Blue) here in Florida. I had my surgery on 7/5/11. Prior to surgery I called and checked my benefits and was told that VSG is covered with a 10% copay since I had already met my deductible. The surgeon's office made a copy of my insurance card and verified my benefits, and informed me that my co-pay would be $150, which had to be paid up front..... Well, out of the blue I get a call from my surgeon's office today saying they got notice from my insurance that I am responsible for $1340-WHAT?! So, I contacted insurance and they are blaming the surgeon's office saying that whoever verified the insurance made a mistake and that my surgeon is out of network. The surgeon's office is blaming BCBS saying that they were told my copay was only going to be 10%( which was the $150 I already paid)....either way, it looks like I am going to be left with a bill that is TEN TIMES the amount I was quoted What do you guys think? How can this be right?! It's like going to a restaurant and getting the menu that quotes your meal as $10, then after you have eaten it, they say "Oops, it really costs $100" Unbelievable!!!! What would you do???????????

For quite a while after surgery all I could tolerate was lukewarm fluids-give that a try. Oh and please don't try carbonation-it will only make things worse....warm tea with a little splenda was a lifesaver for me. I hope this helps. I know it's easier said than done, but don't worry-it DOES get better, just hang in there!

I just joined today!! Please feel free to add me :-) I am MsDown2Me

My surgeon's office collects any out of pocket expenses before surgery. After contacting my insurance company and verifying coverage, they gave me a written verification that I would only have to pay a program fee of $500 and a co-pay of $150, all due before surgery. I understand that this is significantly less than self pay patients have to come up with, but that does NOT negate the fact that I was told the $650 would be all I had to pay out of pocket, and now I am faced with an additional $1340 bill that wasn't anticipated.

This all just caught me off guard. The surgeon himself is pissed and called me directly to ask me "What we're going to do about this...." I didn't know what to say.

It still sucks to have to pay ten times the amount you were told by both insurance and the surgeon prior to the operation-that's what irks me! I just keep going over in my mind whether I could have done something different to avoid this situation, but honestly I can't think of anything.....

I will look into this....I am just flabbergasted that this is happening.

It seems fishy to me too!! When I contacted BCBS they said it is different in Florida-that the doctor has to be a member of BCBS as well as Network Blue in order to be considered "In Network". What I don't understand is whythis wasn't explained to me when I called to verify coverage and find out what my out of pocket expense should be. The surgeon's office said that every time they contact the insurance company they have to give thier tax id number so benefits and out of pocket expenses can be verified for that specific provider. I can't figure out who is at fault......what a mess.....

Thanks for posting this!! I am having the same issues with trying to pace myself. I have always eaten quickly, so this is taking a lot more effort than I thought it would!! Glad to know I am not the only one!!

Ice chips were my best friend in the beginning

It took me a little under a week to get back to normal with lifting my son (one year old) and doing all my normal Mommy duties. I still had some soreness and got tired easily, but I just took naps when he did and we did fine. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery!!

I am 3 weeks post op. I had no gas pain, but a lot of abdominal pain from the incisions. Mainly on my left side-and it still hurts. I started off on the morphine pump in the hospital, which I used as I needed to. After that I was on the liquid Lortab which I continued at home, but now I only take Tylenol every once in a while (usually at night) for the pain/burning on my left side. I think it has taken me a while longer to get rid of this left side pain because I have a one year old that I have to lift. All in all, I did regret my surgery for the first couple of days just because of how sore I was, but now I have NO regrets. In my opinion temporary discomfort is so worth it when you see that scale moving down, down, down!

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I still have my divot as well.... can't wait for it to go away!!

Sounds like you are doing great!! Happy for you!!!

I felt the same way for the first week or so. Like everyone else has said, it WILL get better. Those first few days I liked either ice or lukewarm broth, but hated room temperature stuff. I had quite a bit of nausea as well-but it faded as time went on.... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well!! (((Hugs)))

Well, I am a little over 2 weeks out and I have the same pain you are describing...I called my doc because it wasn't getting any better and he told me the same thing others have mentioned about the fact that the left side is where he had to seperate the muscle and remove the stomach. My pain is worse when I sneeze or cough, too. I still can't lay on my left side and it takes me a while to find a comfortable position in bed (I have taken over 99% of our pillows). So, you are not alone!!

I had it in week one, but I also cut down on the acidity by adding some milk..I didn't have any problems. I am on Protonix for 2 months so I am not sure if it will give you indigestion...I would just try a little at first and see how your new tummy does.

Hi guys, I am 2 weeks post op and aside from doing a lot off walking, I haven't begun working out yet. When did you all start to workout and what type of exercise did you do? Thanks!!

My surgeon did 2 leak tests-one during surgery and then the barium swallow the next day. (That's where they had me take 2 sips of barium while they watched it on xray as it made it's way down). The barium solution was pretty gross and I had a very hard time keeping it down, but they were able to see what they needed before it made it's way back out. The test didn't take long at all! (Transportation to and from xray is a totally different story, though-can you say FOREVER.....

Hi and welcome!! I also think the best thing you can do is to attend one or more support group meetings at your prospective surgeon's practice. It is a great way of seeing how others experience life after being 'sleeved'. I am only 12 days post-op, but I haven't had any problems. I have a one year old, so I can relate to your energy concerns. I can only speak as to my experience, but I was only seriously pooped for the first 2 days post op (when I was in the hospital). Once I was able to have some full liquids (for me that was day 3), I felt like a brand new woman! There is the soreness, which can be a nuisance, but it gets better with each passing day. From what I understand from my research, your stomach won't ever stretch back to it's original size, but it can stretch some, so you should do your best to 'listen to your sleeve' and stop eating when you begin to feel full. As fas as regrets-my only one so far is that I didn't do this MUCH sooner! I LOVE my sleeve!!