rivergirl

I'll toss my name in here, too. I had VSG in 2013, lost 140 lbs and GERD started a couple years later, during my first pregnancy. I'm revising to RNY and having a hiatal hernia repaired on 12/16, so I'm on day 8 of liquids. I've also gained back 65 lbs over the last few years, so I'm really hoping if I follow all the rules, I can get back down to my lowest weight. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I also have RA (was diagnosed post-VSG) and am headed toward a revision for GERD in the next few months. My rheumatologist automatically put me on injectable methotrexate so i didn't have to deal with any GI side effects. It's really easy and cheap - I still have to draw it up myself from the vial with an insulin needle. But I have no side effects from it. My bigger problem will probably be figuring out what i can take for as-needed pain relief...

After a few months of hassle to get my coordinator to understand how my secondary insurance pays (during which time I ended up completing the extra 3 months my primary insurance wanted), I FINALLY have approval and a surgery date of 11/21! I go in next wednesday for pre-op blood work and a nutrition class, and then clear liquid diet starts 11/18. It sounds like my surgeon sends his patients home the evening of surgery if there are no issues - no overnight stay. Is anybody else having the sleeve done outpatient?

Thanks for the responses! I just found out that a local grocery store will do the entire meal - 12-14# turkey, gravy, rolls & 3 sides for $90.00. I think that may be the answer

For those of you fortunate to already be post-op, how were you feeling 1 week post-op as far as pain and energy level? I'm having surgery a week before thanksgiving, and my husbands parents and grandmother are driving 8 hours to spend the weekend with us. They've offered to take my husband out to a restaurant for thanksgiving, but I'm considering making a few dishes the day before (with hubby's help) so they can just reheat and then leave just the turkey & stuffing for my father in law to cook thanksgiving day (his normal holiday duties). We're not talking anything too fancy here - I envision myself mainly doing chopping, peeling and pulling ingredients from cupboards and coaching my husband through the rest of it. Am I taking on too much or do you think I'll be alright?

Thought I'd post an update in case this helps anybody else. My husband and I both talked to separate people at Cigna (the secondary), and were told that if UHC denied (whether b/c they don't cover OR b/c I didn't meet their requirements) then Cigna would become primary and would pay as primary. All they would need is a denial letter or EOB showing UHC paid zero. However, because they would become primary for this procedure, they are requiring that we have the surgery pre-authorized. Both people told us that they would cover at 100% after our deductible is met. The dr's office also called to see what the coverage would be (this was just an informational thing, not anything official), and Cigna told them that they wouldn't pay until UHC paid. They did not tell the dr's office what they would pay if UHC denied. I mentioned this to the rep I spoke with a few days ago, and he emphatically said the person was mistaken. They will cover everything UHC does not cover (within the limits of our policy), regardless of whether UHC pays a small amount or zero. When we get closer to the 3 months of supervised weight loss that Cigna requires, we can try to nail down a more firm answer, but for now we're waiting for a copy of the policy itself where it explains their coordination of benefits. Hub's HR department wasn't even sure about this, so they're working on it for us also.

I have insurance through both my employer and my husband's. My primary is United Healthcare (mediocre coverage), and secondary is Cigna (fantastic coverage). I meet the requirements for WLS with both companies, however UHC requires 6 months of physician monitored diet and Cigna only requires 3 months. Do you think I can go ahead for Cigna approval after 3 months? Will there be any payment issues with Cigna if UHC never approved the surgery? Thanks!