Sharon1964

A few similar threads: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/332776-what-to-wear-in-hospital-what-feels-best/?view=findpost&p=3759055&hl=%2Bhospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/331628-whats-in-your-hospital-bag/?view=findpost&p=3747354&hl=%2Bpack+%2Bhospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/330614-hospital-stay-needs/?view=findpost&p=3738921&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/330440-hospital-bag/?view=findpost&p=3734906&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/327986-supplies-for-post-surgery/?view=findpost&p=3718778&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/324335-what-should-i-bring-to-tijuana/?view=findpost&p=3715931&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/326983-packing-bag-for-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3694782&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/326672-packing/?hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/326148-what-should-i-take-to-the-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3684682&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/324760-what-to-bring-to-hospital-is-there-a-thread-that-lists-all/?view=findpost&p=3667906&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-upcoming-weightloss-surgery-thread/?view=findpost&p=3595545&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/320448-what-to-bring-to-the-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3621105&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/317720-going-in-on-tuesdaywhat-did-you-pack/?view=findpost&p=3585072&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/317458-packing-for-hospital/?hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/311251-what-to-pack-to-bring-to-the-hospital-for-your-stay-during-surgery/?view=findpost&p=3547491&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/313665-what-to-take-to-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3541528&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/312802-packing-prepping-for-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3530624&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/309349-what-should-i-take-to-the-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3492146&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/304273-silly-hospital-clothing-questions/?view=findpost&p=3437340&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/302689-packing-for-surgery-hints-anyone/?view=findpost&p=3428948&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303118-what-to-pack-for-surgery/?view=findpost&p=3424057&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/301026-what-to-bring/?hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297830-new-to-thiswhat-to-pack/?view=findpost&p=3365479&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297306-helpwhat-do-i-pack-for-the-hospital/?view=findpost&p=3359186&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/293888-what-to-pack/?view=findpost&p=3318594&hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/191898-what-to-pack-when-going-to-mexicali-for-wls/?hl=pack+hospital http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/296367-what-should-i-pack-for-surgery/?hl=pack+hospital

It's amazing how people will defend their right to judge others and preach their own brand of B.S. Just sayin'.

The Medi-Cal Provider Manual has this to say about gastric surgery: Approval of a Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) for is required and must include all of the following documentation: ◾The recipient has a BMI, the ratio of weight (in kilograms) to the square of height (in meters), of: ◾Greater than 40, or ◾Greater than 35 if substantial co-morbidity exists, such as life-threatening cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, or severe neurological or musculoskeletal problems likely to be alleviated by the surgery. ◾The recipient has failed to sustain weight loss on conservative regimens. Examples of appropriate documentation of failure of conservative regimens include but are not limited to: ◾Severe obesity has persisted for at least five years despite a structured physician-supervised weight-loss program with or without an exercise program for a minimum of six months. ◾Serial-charted documentation that a two-year managed weight-loss program including dietary control has been ineffective in achieving a medically significant weight loss. ◾The recipient has a clear and realistic understanding of available alternatives and how his or her life will be changed after surgery, including the possibility of morbidity and even mortality, and a credible commitment to make the life changes necessary to maintain the body size and health achieved. ◾The recipient has received a pre-operative medical consultation and is an acceptable surgical candidate. ◾The recipient has an absence of contraindications to the surgery, including a major life-threatening disease not susceptible to alleviation by the surgery, alcohol or substance abuse problem in the last six months, severe psychiatric impairment and a demonstrated lack of compliance and motivation. ◾The recipient has a treatment plan, which includes: Pre-and post-operative dietary evaluations and nutritional counseling, counseling regarding exercise, psychological issues, and the availability of supportive resources when needed ◾Authorization for bariatric surgery will only be approved for a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certified Center of Excellence (as designated by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery or certified Level I Bariatric Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons).

I am the office manager for a medical practice (pain management). I definitely want patients to come in and sit down with me and tell me what's going on if one of my staff is either not doing their job or is giving out incorrect information. I would encourage anyone having this sort of problem to do the same. They can't do a better job for the next person if they don't receive correction and/or additional training.

In my case, Blue Shield of California, it was a "lease to own" arrangement. Between 45 and 60 days after I started with my machine, I had to take the SD card in to the doctor to print out the report and send it to the insurance company. I don't remember what the percent of compliance was, I think maybe 75%, but I had 100% compliance in that time period so it didn't matter. If you don't have the compliance, they stop paying for the rental. After a certain number of months, it was mine, and there is no monthly rental cost now. Federal law forbids an insurance company from retro-denying equipment or services. If they approve you for the machine, you are approved until you get a letter saying otherwise. They are not allowed to come back and deny the first two months.

I'm also at the same stage. My last monthly appointment is in May. I've finished all the testing that my surgeon and/or insurance requires (colonoscopy, upper gi, endoscopy, psych eval, labwork, pap within last two years, mammogram within last two years, and I'm already on a vpap for apnea).

They did not wake me during my study either, and they diagnosed me with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Apparently I wasn't necessarily stopping breathing, but I kept coming almost awake because it was difficult to breathe. I was getting barely any deep sleep. Now, a year later, I have almost no problems sleeping with the mask. I don't wake up with headaches the way I used to, my throat isn't always sore, and my doctor says my lungs sound a whole lot better (I'm moving more air and using more of my lungs to breathe). Also, my heart is getting healthier (sleep apnea affects heart function). If you get a vpap (variable pap) or bipap, you will find they are very different than a cpap. A cpap is continuous pressure. The variable only provides air when you need it so you don't have a constant flow of air in your face. In any case, good luck!

Rapid test strips can certainly have false positives; I don't happen to know the rate of error for sugar content in urine. I wouldn't worry at this point; a blood glucose test and an A1C test will give a more definitive answer.

Perhaps I'm a bit touchy today, but when I saw there was an article here in the newsletter section titled, "Six Simple Ingredients to Get Weight Off And Keep It Off", I was taken aback. I find the use of the word "simple", when combined with weight issues, to be insulting. Pretty much NOTHING related to my weight issues is simple. If it was, I would have resolved it long ago. Perhaps it rings a little too close to a phrase I've seen many times, that I consider insulting and condescending, and that is, "weight loss is simple, just eat less calories." I probably wouldn't have even thought twice about it if it was called "Six Important Ingredients..." or something like that.

Glad to hear it! I was going to tell you that the three month requirement is a minimum, not a maximum. When you said, I'm worried I won't be able to get all my NUT visits, exercise visits and other appointments done within the time line required by insurance", it sounded like you thought you had only 90 days to get it done, but that is not the case. (sorry for being late to the party, I swore I had posted this before)

sugar-free Rockstar used to be my drink of choice. I could get so much done after one of those! Then I started having chest pain. The caffeine was causing me to have abnormal heart rhythm. I switched to crystal light peach tea (which has only a little caffeine) as well as decaf coffee (and most decaf isn't 100% decaf either). Now when I have my decaf in the morning, I tell myself it's fully caffeinated, hoping I can fool my brain!

I also have four more monthly visits. I think that all of my testing is finished - some of it might have to be repeated. My doctor requires "recent pap" and "up-to-date" mammogram; I asked my surgery coordinator exactly what those terms meant to them, and she said two years. Depending on my surgery date, I might have to have a mammogram again. I've already had an upper GI, an upper endoscopy, a colonoscopy (and I'm thankful my doc requires it, as they found something that needed to be taken care of), psych eval, nutrition class, and lots of labwork.

My surgeon says no bread, crackers or Pasta for six months after surgery. The nutritionist stated that those products turn into a gummy paste in your stomach and that's the last thing they want in there.

Why do you feel the need to hit rock bottom before you're ready for the surgery? Aren't you ready now? Have you examined your motivations for getting the surgery? Have you accepted that what you're eating, and the way you're eating, is slowly killing you? Why would you want to keep doing that? I may very well be wrong, but it seems like you're trying to see what you can get away with before the surgery. It IS possible to gain weight after the surgery. Find something else that gives you pleasure, and substitute that for what you're craving now.

"Hubby and I are getting away for a few days".

First you referred to your surgeon's preop diet as 'suggestions'. Now by your statement you don't know if they will cancel your surgery if you don't lose weight. Maybe you should get clarification of the issues. Or perhaps you have a sense of humor that I'm just not understanding.

I told the technician the same thing. She showed me that there is a quick disconnect, to detach yourself from the machine. She told me if I woke up and had to pee, just say her name and she would come in and unhook me (there is a microphone in your room). I told her she would have about half a second to get the job done. When I did wake up to pee, I'm not even sure I finished saying her name before she was in my room! She unclipped me, threw the wires over my shoulder, and I was in the bathroom in no time!

Your company's policy is most likely illegal, as "use it or lose it" is prohibited in almost every state. http://www.gfrlaw.com/pubs/GordonPubDetail.aspx?xpST=PubDetail&pub=844

That's an assumption that would have NEVER crossed my mind. I'm in the "all the consideration it deserves" camp.

My primary care doctor said that a particular surgeon was the only one he would allow to do the surgery, and he referred me there. Some surgeons want you to be referred from your primary doctor, so they know your other health issues (if any) are being followed.

Well, if you eat them, they're just going to go to waste. If you hand them out to the homeless people, you are giving someone a meal that would otherwise go hungry. Maybe go volunteer at a Soup kitchen. Have you really examined your relationship with food?

Make sure you discuss "bipap" or "variable pap" with your sleep study doctor. They are not as difficult to adjust to as the cpap, which gives continuous pressure. The others give pressure only when you need it. Once I had my mask adjusted to fit me correctly, I had no trouble sleeping with the machine. If the mask is too loose, then when I turn over at night the mask comes loose, the machine blows in my face, and I wake up. Now the only time I can't use it is when I have a cold or cough.

Have a proper sendoff! Buy a dozen in & out burgers, and hand them out to homeless people. That way, they will be put to good use.

I would suggest reading "The Five Love Languages", figure out your language, then TELL your husband how to speak it, and make him practice.

My primary care doctor has a philosophy that he doesn't care what the number is, as long as the scale in going in the direction it should be going. I'm good with that. Sharon PS: Someone remind me of this when I whine (and I WILL!) about slow weight loss after my surgery, tentatively scheduled for July 2015. PPS: I'm not saying the OP is whining by asking this, I'm saying that I will surely whine in the future.