RSREED53
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Everything posted by RSREED53
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First of all, I am stoked at the number of members in this group that I created because I was disappointed in the lack of connections with patients of WLS. My surgeon left the Valley this month so now I have to take a proactive stance in follow up care. Please tell us your story. I want to use this forum to help us endure our weight loss journeys--If we get 100 members, I will arrange periodic Live meetings so that we can engage in discussions about our progress and support the frustrations that may be plaguing our successes., Once again, I invite any and all who are in AZ to join our group. Healthcare Providers, you are most welcome to be part of our group, too. Remember, we are here to support each other preop, during, and postoperatively. Now, I would like each member to introduce themselves to our group, telling us about their journey through weight loss--surgery dates, progress, hopes, aspirations, recovery, and anything you want to share about your experiences with obesity and bariatric surgery. I will post mine under this thread. Please join me! Ronda
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The Bridges Program in Phoenix is very good--Dr. Fang gives great seminars and seems very attentive when I went to a seminar at St. Luke's Phoenix. I could not use him because he was not a provider under my Mercy Care plan with AHCCCS. Best of luck to you--I am staying around 40 pounds lost, but trying to settle into an exercise plan and hoping to get a job fairly soon. The nerves sort of play a game with me. Plus, the holidays are coming up, and I really like to bake--have converted some of our nutbread recipes to low carb and low sugar content. They taste good! Life is good, and so happy you are progressing with Dr. Fang and impending surgery. Take care! Ronda
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Have never had so much tech probs as I have had with this laptop and new printer. The two would not communicate for about a week and a half. Finally got printing activity back and the scanning feature, too--super neat stuff! Naturally, the HP tech tried selling me a new unit--I want a new one later, but as long as I can "make do" with this laptop it will be OK. My PC has some intermediate viruses on some files, but the security software I am using this year is making it harder to get to s...
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how long did you wait to be approved?
RSREED53 replied to jasleeve's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
It took awhile for the approval to confirm. Usually 2 wks. My surgeon had to do conference call with my insurance co to get my surgery OKd. I had it done last May. I am doing alright, 40 pounds lost--want to lose another 40. Ronda -
Glenna, once you contact your doctor, they will schedule you, and give you the PreOp Diet that has to be followed for 2 weeks, usually. That PreOp is like a detox, designed to shrink your liver so that the surgeon has optimal conditions to do your procedure at surgery. Oh, also at scheduling, the doctor will order some labs and an xray to be done, if not already, in your surgical prep orders--this is routine. If I have missed anything, I stand corrected. Your time at surgery, and recovery, will be smoothe--I am betting so! Ronda
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Glenna, congrats to you! So happy to hear you will be getting surgery soon. I worked 4 years before getting my revision surgery. It is so worth it!! Keep us posted on date and your progress--right now, I am finding need to be engaged with successes from the board here--loss is kind of stalemating my successes right now due to having a birthday last Sunday and just generally a high stress week. I am working to get right back on track, tho! Take care, Ronda I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I GOT APPROVED!!! I am soooooo excited I can hardly stand it!! I haven't even called the surgeons office yet LOL I told my sister & my best friend!! I cannot believe that it worked out, after 2 denials from BCBSIL I was starting to loose hope... for all of you who are in the process be patient! I have been working toward this for the last 10 months!! Now to call the surgeon & figure out what to do next... Wow, I am in shock... my new life will begin soon!! Thank you all for your support it kept me going through all the months! Glenna
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Say your prayers. Yes, it seems like a very good sign. :rolleyes:Ronda Ok, so I don't know what to think... I called BCBSIL and was told that I needed more information from my Dr regarding the type of program that I was on for the 6 months of MSWLP. So my Dr wrote a letter explaining that I was on a low calorie diet with exercise 3 times a week, daily food journals & exercise notes; that i came in every month for a weight check etc... so I sent that over with the personal letter I wrote as to why I want the surgery. When I called yesterday they told me that they have my fax, but have not reviewed it & that my surgeon's insurance coordinator might get more information. So she did call in and magically between my call and hers they had reviewed the fax then sent it on for Dr. review & she should call back in a week for an update. My question, for all you out there, is: Is that a good sign? I am optimistic that this is a step closer to surgery, like maybe before they denied it due to the lack of information and it never got to the Dr review part? What do you all think??? I have been doing this since Dec of last year & I just want the approval so the waiting is over... Thanks for all your help! Glenna
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Gastric Sleeve Nightmare V.2.0
RSREED53 replied to dishdiva's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Dishdiva, I hope you are recovering much better than before. It was great to hear from you--thanks for your update. I wish you continued success with your recovery, Take care, Ronda -
xchange, I am glad you are home and doing well. Congrats on your sleeve surgery! Ronda
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MIne was repaired 1o yrs ago when I had my RNY--no problems thereafter! I do sometimes chew 4-5 Tums, but the hernia has not been a problem postop. That surgery was an open incision one, so did not have the scope procedure. Now, my sleeve was done by laparosope May 31st. I am all healed up mostly, lost about 45 pounds now, and still working to get the remaining 40 off for maintenance. Good luck--the repair surgery is good--my hernia was the size of the surgeon's fist, so I needed it fixed! Ronda
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Pregnancy Update - Pictures included
RSREED53 replied to Tiffykins's topic in Pregnancy with Weight Loss Surgery
Tiffy, you look cute and ready for baby to come! Glad for you, and hope your labor and delivery goes without a hitch! Too bad she is not coming in Oct--my birthday is Oct. 16th, which is next Sunday. I could be her Grandma! Gonna be 58. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us here. Tatum will be here before we know it--on my niece's 16th birthday, I might add. Take care of yourself and get the rest you will need for the hospital and baby's arrival. Ronda -
Just be proactive in every way with this. I took 4 years before getting OKd last spring for surgery May 31. It is worth it! Doing very well with my sleeve. xchange, congrats on getting your approval, and those waiting I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that your day will come very soon. Hang tough! Ronda
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Gastric Sleeve Nightmare V.2.0
RSREED53 replied to dishdiva's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Dishdiva, I hope you have a speedy recovery. So sorry you have had a very difficult postop recovery time. Ronda:rolleyes: -
I Was Preapproved And Now After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Insurance Is Denying Claim. Beware!
RSREED53 replied to Norman's topic in Insurance & Financing
Njjewing, I would be in the middle of Aetna with my approval letter and ALL documentation for their approval regarding your sleeve--get an atty if they renege on their commitment to your care coverage because what they are trying is a scare tactic because of your complications and a higher bill. Don't let them get away with that! Now is not the time to back down from them. I am sure your doctor's staff will help with any and all paperwork needed to clear the matter up--also, I bet somebody mistyped codes and faulted on the clerical work during claims processing. It happens. Best of luck to you, and I hope you are having better success with your new sleeve. Ronda -
Officially a Member of the 50's Team!
RSREED53 replied to TexasT's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
October 16th is my birthday. I turn 58--gosh, in 2 more years I will be hitting the big 6-0! Ancient, not really! Ronda -
This morning I am 42.5 pounds lighter! Friday was my 4th month postop anniversary! Feeling good! Went to my cardiologist last Wed and he was super happy with my progress! I get to see him in a year! I love that kind of medicine!
This sleeve is a real tool for weight loss, and I don't miss all the terrible stuff I was consuming--caffeine, sodas, sugars, gluten,lactose. Since I eliminated those things or reduced my consumption of them, my health is much bett... -
Sounds good! I bet a Turkey burger with cheese would be even more healthy--altho the beef is a nice change. Ronda
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Feeling good! Gosh, I am 15 weeks postop now--40 pounds gone! I am trying to go below 180 by my birthday on Oct 16th that is 3 weeks away. Over the weekend, I got all of my smaller clothes out, tried them one, and laundered them, so now I have a wardrobe again! Yes, most of those things fit me--discovered I am between sizes 16-18 mostly. Another 10-15 pounds off, I should be wearing the 12-14s in nothing flat! It feels great!
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Protein Powder opinions... What do you like?
RSREED53 replied to GonnaLoseIt's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Muscle Milk Lite 26 g protein and Premier 30g protein are my best choices--I get vanilla powder and whiz fruit and berries in mine.:DRonda -
I stay away from carbs, caffeine and lactose--also limit my gluten. 40 pounds lost and sleeved May 31, 2011. Feeling great! Ronda
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Good luck with surgery Wednesday, Monica! Ronda I am Monica. I have been struggling with my weight since 1997 when I had my 3rd child. I had been under the notion that you needed to be at least 100 lbs overweight to consider surgery but last year I had heard the requirements had changed. That is when I started to reconsider it again. January I started my requirements for the 3 months or medically supervised weight loss the insurance required. As I entered my 3rd month, the policy had changed to 6 months which kinda sucked because I was ready. After the additional 3 months, my life was in the hands of the insurance company. There was an initial denial due to additional documentation needed (that was actually in the file), the approval came a week later. My surgery date is September 28 and I start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow and am looking forward to getting healthy. I should be curing my obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and joint issues with my knees!
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Mercy Care said I could go to Dr. Shuster for my followup appts since Dr. Simon left the valley. My sister had her lapband done at Scottsdale/Shea campus with Dr. Robin Blackstone. You might try there if you need a place closer to Phoenix than Gilbert. Good luck with everything! Keep us posted! Ronda
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I Was Preapproved And Now After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Insurance Is Denying Claim. Beware!
RSREED53 replied to Norman's topic in Insurance & Financing
Contact your state dept of insurance to complain about treatment of coverage. If they no longer cover the surgery, then that is fault of your employer. HOWEVER, I would send all documents of approval to the Insurance Commission--the carriers usually HATE to be investigated by the State! Worth a try. I would not give up the ship with them. Hang tough! Ronda Dont get me started on Anthem BCBS. I am with them as well, good insurance but they do suck. All my pre op testing was covered, I am all set to set a surgical date and then I was then told it wasnt no longer in my contract. I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES! -
Good luck with surgery, Monica! You will love your sleeve!! Glad to have you in our group! Ronda I am Monica. I have been struggling with my weight since 1997 when I had my 3rd child. I had been under the notion that you needed to be at least 100 lbs overweight to consider surgery but last year I had heard the requirements had changed. That is when I started to reconsider it again. January I started my requirements for the 3 months or medically supervised weight loss the insurance required. As I entered my 3rd month, the policy had changed to 6 months which kinda sucked because I was ready. After the additional 3 months, my life was in the hands of the insurance company. There was an initial denial due to additional documentation needed (that was actually in the file), the approval came a week later. My surgery date is September 28 and I start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow and am looking forward to getting healthy. I should be curing my obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and joint issues with my knees!
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Welcome, Rebecca! Glad to have you with us! Good luck with your surgery--the sleeve is WONDERFUL!!! RONDA Hi! My name is Rebecca. I live in Gilbert, AZ and am a full Arizona Native. I've struggled with my weight most of my life, definitely since high school. I'm married to an awesome, supportive husband and have 4 beautiful kids. I've been through the process for preapproval for wls twice before, but this time is it! I'm actually grateful the other times didn't work out, because I now know about the sleeve..and I'm super excited! I'd love to join the AZ Sleevers group. Rebecca