Nylaj

I didn't get a pre-op diet. I guess every Doctor is different. But you should get more Protein than carbs/sugars a day. Just make sure you pay attention to that more than anything. I'd say pre-op wise, you should have 50g protein & 25g sugar/carbs.

I am assuming that it isn't a covered benefit under your plan? We did a few BCBS Texas patients last month. But it was covered by their plan. Always read your policy & the underlying rules & regulations.

We did a Survey recently with a bunch of insurances & it came back that most still feel it is kinda like 'cosmetic'. Even though it's not. They think that a person can lose weight on their own & shouldn't need medicine to interfere, but yet they want you to turn to medicine to lose weight. Which makes no sense, right? Right. Also, it is ELECTIVE. Meaning, it is NOT medically necessary even though your BMI is over 40 & you have a bunch of comorbidities. You can treat your other issues with medicine, which is a lot cheaper than weight loss. But the insurance companies fail to realize, you might be able to quit half of those medicines, if you lose all the weight.. Which means? In the long run, they won't be paying for more claims. You know how some insurances want you to go through 3 - 6 months of weight loss training with a nutritionist or a weight loss doctor, well say you do what they say & lose 30lbs. But you still get denied. Why? Because you lost weight following the plan, which means, you can lose weight on your own. So why should they cover to pay the $20,000 surgery? Also, a lot of patients fail to realize, your insurance has to have it as a COVERED BENEFIT. Most people just assume that because they have insurance, they should pay. That is not the case. You should know your insurance policy like you know your social security number. You should study what they say & how they word things.. Yes, we had a few patients approved with Cigna/Samba Coverage. What is happening with your case? You can private message me if you want.

The only thing my doctor said about alcohol was that I could not have any up to 6 months after surgery. After that, I can have it, but within limits. But that is just like food. If you are not ready, then don't do it. You should be 100%. You will be supported here no matter what you do. I do think 1 meal a day is not good. I use to do that & my Doctor told me how that isn't helping me 'cause my body is storing what I ate once a day b/c it wasn't getting what it needed other times. Just be careful.

I have PCOS as well, but that has nothing to do with what you are having done. I find that mind blowing. Do you have stomach issues? I work at a hospital & I do all the pre-authorizations/benefits for bariatric procedures & we never asked for a endoscopy. I might have to pick my Doctors brain.

Is your insurance paying or are you paying? My doctors told me I didn't have to lose anything prior to surgery. So crazy how some ask you to do that & some don't. Why do you need a endoscopy?

Who is your Surgeon? I work at UNC Hospitals. I am going with Dr. Farrell. Dr Farrell is doing my surgery. I REALLY like him. He is one of the few surgeons I have ever seen that didn't treat me like some oddball because of my abdomen. Have you met with him yet? Do you have a surgery date yet? I will meet him on August 18th. But I told Lisa that I want the date of Sept 17th. Hopefully he isn't booked up on that day. Everyone states he is awesome. I work for him, but never met him.. lol. I hear some people say they like Dr. Overby, but they think Dr. Farrell is just better. I went with Dr. Farrell 'cause a coworker had it with him & she adored him.

Who is your Surgeon? I work at UNC Hospitals. I am going with Dr. Farrell.

Hello! I am in Durham, but work in Chapel Hill. How are you all?!

Thanks! I am nervous, but excited!

Depends on your Doctor. Aetna usually states they have so many days. I think it use to be 7 days from the date on the letter. If the Doctor doesn't do the peer to peer, it will be denied based on lack of documentation. You can send the clinicals, if you have them that is. If it is denied due to the doctor not doing the peer to peer, call & ask Aetna what they need from you that they didn't get from the doctors office. You can appeal your own case. You have that right. *FYI -- this is my job. I do this every. single. day. LOL. Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!

I am from Louisiana & did stuff for patients in Louisiana. Has any of your Doctors ever stated in any of your visits/clinicals that they are watching you because of your blood pressure? Has any told you if it doesn't go down, they will give you medicine? If so, that can help. You are technically diagnosed with it in a sense.. Just have to get a doctor to put that down into a diagnosis & into your clinicals.

I was told no to caffeine beverages, but 1 cup of coffee a day is okay. Talk to your Doctor. I still haven't had my surgery yet, but I know once I do, I will quit caffeine. I am slowly pushing it out of my life now.

Congrats!

2 years? My doctor said a year if I am happy with where I am with my weight. I think the best thing to do is to find a OBGYN that also knows some stuff about WLS. I know I read on some articles that there is a lot of OBGYN's that are also double-majoring in Bariatrics so they know what to do with patients that have WLS. If anything, get your OBGYN & WLS doctor to talk.

If they didn't see you prior to surgery, how would they know you lost weight?

I work at a hospital. I am in the office on Monday & Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday - I work from home. When I work at the office, I am 95% at my desk, sitting. When I work from home, I am sitting on my sofa. I plan on having surgery on Sept 10th. This is my goal.. Thurs - Sept 10th - have surgery Fri - Sept 11th - go home Sat - Sept 12th - rest Sun - Sept 13th - rest Mon - Sept 14th - take off of work. Tues - Sept 15th - take off of work. Wed - Sept 16th - work at home. Thurs - Sept 17th - work at home. Fri - Sept 18th - work at home. Sat - Sept 19th - rest Sun - Sept 20th - rest Mon - Sept 21st - take off of work Tues - Sept 22nd - take off of work Wed - Sept 23rd - work at home. Thurs - Sept 24th - work at home. Fri - Sept 25th - work at home. Sat - Sept 26th - rest Sun - Sept 27th - rest Mon - Sept 28th -- go back to work. Would that be okay or no? I read so many conflicting information that I have no idea what to do. I don't wanna take off more than I have too because I am not from North Carolina & I want my days so I can go home for Christmas. (Home is Louisiana.) For those that have desk jobs, do you think this is possible or should I take the full 2 weeks off or 3? Tell me what worked for all of you, please. Thank you!

Oh dear, is the pain that bad? That is my only fear.. I hear more sore than pain. Did they nto give you meds?

I am in Durham, NC! I work at UNC Hospitals & that is where I will have my surgery done at. I am very nervous, but excited!

I am hoping to have surgery at the end of September. I go for my first appointment on July 13th. I work at the hospital & I do the pre-authorizations for bariatric/plastic cases so I already know what I have to do to get my insurance to pay for it. Lucky me, my hospital & my insurance have an agreement so as long as my BMI is over 40, they will cover the cost at 100%. Good luck! I am scared, nervous, & not sure. But I am tired of being overweight.