CarrieBrownsville

Remember, I am old enough to be your mother, so because of disabilities I am already on SS and get Medicare. I have a Medicare Advantage policy that covers everything Medicare coveres plus more. This surgery is a Medicare approved surgery for diabetics who are obese, so approval must be given within 14 days. I'm with Physicians Health Choice. I read somewhere, though, that insurance companies must give an answer within 30 days. You can call yours and ask for a status and ask about how long it should take and then you'll have some guidance. I'm going in on Thursday to pick up paperwork and pre-register at the hospital. I'll probably get instructions about fasting the night before, but I just don't think they put their patients on a special pre-op unless there are reasons for it. I do know I was supposed to stick to low carb, which I didn't do (vacation came up) so have a gained a couple pounds since they last saw me. I don't know what they'll say about that. I'll keep you posted...

How did you cheat?

I finally have a date with the surgeon on Monday, September 24th! Woo-Hoo!!!!!

I see this forum isn't very active in posting, but I'm hoping that will change. I am 63 with lots of health issues, but am being banded on Monday, 9/24/12! I can't wait, and I am looking forward to a new life. I've had both hips and both knees replaced, am diabetic, have osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and chronic pancreatitis and I still believe this surgery will make all the difference in the world! So, here's to the 24th!

Well, I finally got approval today after lots of phone calls to both Dr. Garza's office and the insurer. Surgery is scheduled for next Monday. Any word on yours yet?

I'm 63 years old with tons of medical problems. Yet, on this website I find courage and resolve to get healthy. I will be banded next week, and believe you me, I am scared to death, especially of failure! Life goes on whether we succeed or fail, but I've found it's a whole lot sweeter to succeed. Whether I'm 63 or 83, the desire to get healthy, to improve my quality of life, and to make a difference in someone else's life far exceeds my fears. So, hang in there - because I'm getting my courage from people like you, as well as from much prayer!

I angry! I just got off the phone with my insurance carrier, and they tell me that the surgeon's office requested surgery for yesterday! Nobody told me!~!~! Now I have to call Garza'S office so they can explain how this all happened! The carrier says to go ahead and have the surgery even though the preauth request is still pending! I am very confused, upset and frustrated with Garza/Reyes' office! Will keep you posted.

I don't know. I'm in the same boat as you. I'm hoping the office will call me and tell me I've been approved and that they want to schedule the surgery. The only other thing I could think of would be a 2-3 week pre-op diet of some sort. Let me know when you hear from insurance, and I'll do likewise.

My insurance company said it will take up to 14 deays, and I'm only a week into filing. Dr. Garza's office was incredibly slow in doing things - they're too busy! Did you meet with the nutritionist next door?

When did you last live there? I lived in No. Charleston, was a Realtor so knew lots of people in the Ladson area. Sold houses in Moss Pointe and in other new subs there - can't remember names of them tho. Had friends who graduated from HS in Summerville.

I need some help with this website. I contacted the website people, but nobody responded. I need to know how to get the term, "View My Profile" into my postings. It took me forever to get my picture to show up, and now I see that no one can link to my profile like I've seen on other posts. Can someone instruct me on what I may be doing wrong? Thanks!

I finally see it! I don't know how I did it, but earlier you could not see my profile. Thanks so much! By the way, we are from Charleston, SC, but have transplanted to Texas. Sure do miss the East Coast!

Dr. Reyes is the best! It's so funny because my primary care doc referred me to Dr. Reyes, but the office girls said I could get it done quicker with Dr. Garza so I agreed. That was back in June!!!! So much for moving quickly! At this point, tho, I don't care which one of them does it as long as it gets done and done right. They have a good reputation. Maybe I'll see you at a support group, because I'm thinking McAllen will be the closest place to go unfortunately for me.

I live in Brownsville, but am using Ernesto Garza in McAllen and will be banded at McAllen Heart Hospital. Brownsville and Harlingen don't have any surgeons in my insurance network. It's been a long road, but am hoping to get final approval next week and then I hope they'll schedule surgery right away. I have chronic pancreatitis caused by diabetes and am gaining weight like crazy!

I don't know where you are in Texas, but my nutritionist only told me that for pre-op, I should be concentrating on learning to sip small amounts of liquid, give up caffeine and carbonated drinks, eat more protein than anything, eat little carbs, but good ones, and no starches if possible. My surgeon is in McAllen - are you anywhere near there? I am looking for support groups nearer to Brownsville.

Are there any members in the Brownsville area?

Good luck! I'm still waiting for insurance approval, but know it will come soon. I am not on any kind of special diet. How long have you been on liquids?

So far I've been cleared by a psychiatrist, a nutritionist and a heart doctor. Friday AM is the upper GI and if I pass it, then I see my primary care doc for clearance. After that is the wait for insurance approval. What kind of time frame are we looking at for normal insurance approval? I should think the insurance companies would approve quickly when health issues are at stake. Any ideas? I'm so ready to get this going!

I have a question: Does everyone get a pre-op diet? I met with the nutritionist, but she didn't put me on a diet. She merely talked about low carb, low fats and gave me literature on post-op.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I always learn so much on this site!

Hi, I am new to this website, so forgive me if I don't seem to know what I'm doing. I am 63 years old and severely diabetic. I had gotten the diabetes under control with Byetta injections, but now my pancreas is beginning to calcify. My primary doc seems to think weight loss surgey can stop the diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and in so doing, it should return the pancreas back to normal. I've been researching weight loss surgery for diabetics and have found a number of physicians believe it should be used as the first line of treatment for obese diabetics, not the last course of action! If I had known I could have gotten the surgery done for stopping diabetes, I would have done it a long time ago. I just hope I'm not too late! I will probably need to lose a minimum of 100 pounds, but have not been told that yet. Next week I will see a heart doc and have an upper GI done. I've already seen a psychiatrist and nutritionist, so the last thing will be my primary care doc for a clearance. The surgeon's office will not present my case to the insurance carrier until everything has been done, so I hope I'm looking at having the surgery some time late September. Is there anyone out there who favors bariatric surgery over lap band? The surgeon said he would recommend lap band if I'm not addicted to sweets. My biggest concern is finding support in Brownsville. Surgery will be over an hour away in McAllen, and I doubt I could go that far for support groups. Does anyone know of any groups in Brownsville? Thanks!