Char_in_Md

anyone on here in the baltimore area? would love to get together with people for support/friendship.

Hi my name is Charlotte or Char and obviously I am in Maryland! LOL I had my VSG done on 2/11/09 by Dr. Andrew Averbach. I have lost a little over 55 pounds so far, 45 pounds to go for the surgeons goal and 55 pounds to go for my goal! Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Okay, so I am starting to go to a new PCP, he has been doing my pre-ops for worker's comp case, and when I mentioned that my former PCP mentioned me getting a lap band, he said, you should have the sleeve gastrectomy, aslo he is going to get me the info on a doctor who does breast reductions...yippee! So my question is, what is the advantage or disadvantage of having the sleeve gastectomy over a lap band? :w00t:

this is what I found on the carefirst website....does this sound good? Medical Policy 7.01.036 Obesity and Morbid Obesity Original MPC Approval: 04/01/98 Last Review: 03/13/2008 Last Revision: 03/13/2008 Description Description Obesity is an increase in body weight due to an excessive amount of body fat. Morbid obesity is also referred to as medically complicated obesity. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Panel, patients who have serious morbidity directly related to their weight are considered morbidly obese. Some examples of co-morbidities include hypertension, diabetes mellitus or cardiopulmonary conditions. Patients with morbid obesity generally have at least a body mass index* (BMI) of 40 (35 with certain co-morbid conditions). * BMI = [weight (kilograms) / height (meters) squared] The goal of bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity is to restrict stomach capacity, encourage malabsorption or both. Several surgical open and / or laparoscopic procedures have been proposed, including: Gastric bypass, in which approximately 90% of the stomach is bypassed and anastomosed (reattached) to the proximal jejunum during an open or laparoscopic procedure. The unused portion of the stomach and intestine is also anastamosed to the jejunum or ileum, via a Roux-en-Y surgical technique. A length of the small intestine may also be bypassed, depending on the procedure (e.g., long or very long Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). NOTE: The Roux-en-Y technique is also used for other gastrointestinal surgeries, unrelated to surgery for morbid obesity. Gastric stapling (or vertical banded gastroplasty), in which a proximal pouch of 30-60 ml and a one centimeter outlet is created by a vertical row of staples and horizontally placed reinforcing band. This is not the same as gastric banding. Jejunoileal bypass, any surgical procedure that shunts ingested food from the jejunum into the ileum, thus bypassing a majority of the small intestine. Biliopancreatic bypass (i.e. Scopinaro procedure), a surgical procedure involving a subtotal gastrectomy to limit food ingestion and a small intestine bypass to divert bile and pancreatic juice into the distal ileum. Duodenal switch, is a modification of the biliopancreatic bypass. Sleeve gastrectomy, removal of the fundus portion of the stomach to limit food intake which is performed as part of the biliopancreatic bypass and duodenal switch techniques. Gastric wrapping, a surgical procedure in which the stomach is folded over on itself and a full stomach wrap of polypropylene mesh is applied, used to limit gastric volume. Adjustable gastric banding, a surgical procedure which limits food intake by placing a constricting ring around the stomach's top end (fundus). The adjustable gastric band is a surgical device that is laparoscopically applied around the stomach, creating a small gastric pouch, and a calibrated opening to the rest of the stomach. Gastric balloon (e.g. Garren-Edwards gastric bubble), is an inflatable device placed in the stomach under endoscopic guidance in an attempt to decrease gastric capacity. The device is then filled with normal saline in an attempt to induce early satiety. Policy Policy The following surgical treatments for morbid obesity are considered to be medically necessary when specific patient selection criteria are met, as outlined in the Policy Guidelines: Adjustable gastric banding (e.g. Lap BAND®) Gastric bypass Gastric stapling Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch Sleeve gastrectomy, performed either as a stand-alone restrictive procedure, or as a first stage procedure of a planned biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch. The following surgical treatments for morbid obesity are considered to be experimental / investigational: Jejunoileal bypass, as it does not meet TEC criteria # 2, 3, and 4. Biliopancreatic bypass (i.e. Scopinaro procedure), as it does not meet TEC criteria # 2, 3 and 4. Gastric wrapping, as it does not meet TEC criteria # 2 and 3. Gastric balloon (e.g. Garren-Edwards gastric bubble), as it does not meet TEC criteria # 2, 3 and 4 Policy Guidelines Policy Guidelines Surgical treatment of morbid obesity is considered to be a viable treatment option in patients who meet allof the following criteria: Age: 18 years old or older and Psychological examination: complete a psychological examination to determine readiness and fitness for surgery and necessary postoperative lifestyle changes and Structured diet program: Maryland and D.C. plan members only: must complete a structured diet program in the 2-year period that immediately precedes the request for the surgery by participation in either: - one structured diet program for 6 consecutive months or - two structured diet programs for 3 consecutive months. (can include commonly available diet programs such as Weight Watchers® or Jenny Craig®) and Weight requirement: Maryland and D.C. plan members only: must meet eitherof the following criteria: - BMI of 40; or - BMI equal to or greater than 35, in combination with one or moreof the following co-morbid conditions: hypertension; a cardiopulmonary condition; sleep apnea; diabetes mellitus; or any life threatening or serious medical condition that is weight induced Virginia plan members only: must meet either of the above BMI criteria or the following: Weight at least 45.5kg (100 lbs.) above or twice ideal body weight as specified in the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables. (see Tables Below)

my doctor has suggested lap band surgery for me, due to my sleep apnea...she has said that my insurance will cover it due to this...just need to have some reassurance about having it done..thanks so much!

Hi all, I am Charlotte or Char, I am from maryland and 52, just found out about the lap band surgery on saturday from my primary doctor, so I have just started on the road to banding...but really looking forward to it.

this surgery is for a work related injury....I am still in my first stages for my wls...how is your surgery recovery going?

hiya....i have 4 children...4 grandchildren....i am just starting my journey...almost have the book of paperwork the doctor wants before scheduling the appt filled out, it is going slowly due to just having hand surgery on monday...thank you!

I just got my paperwork to fill out from the doctor I want to use and I am going for the bariatric seminar they require on July 7th..I am at the beginning and excited! Yippee!

how did you all find your psychologist? Is this something that the surgeon's office helps you find or do you need to find one on your own? thanks!

So I am ready to contact the surgeon my PCP recommends but I have a worker's comp surgery coming up on june 9th, my partner has surgery in sept. or october for a torn rotator cuff...and we have 6 cats and a dog that need to be taken care, two of the cats have to take medication, including shots every day, so at least one of us has to be functional...so just when am I supposed to be able to schedule the surgery my PCP wants me to have??

I think I found someone... Alex Gandsas, M.D. of sinai hospital....thank you all!

can anyone recommend any surgeons in network for BCBS in md? thanks so much!

I also have the PPO...dr. singh huh...will have to find this doctor...thanks!

to help me make this huge decision and be my friend, and I will be your friend too...and help anyway I can...

of course! and thank you! two of my children live on the outskirts of seattle with my ex...

thank you, a little bit far for me, but if I can't find one a little closer, I will definitely call him! I tried to do some research on the carefirst website but have no idea what type of doctor to look for...I am closer to baltimore...

thanks...I have just contact my insurance company to find out which doctor's are in network...also, I am scheduled for a preop for tomorrow for hand surgery for a workers comp injury so I may ask this doctor if he can recommend any doctors....thanks!

I just received an email from the doctor that my PCP told me to go see saying he was out of network for my insurance but that he does see BC/BS patients....this is what he said partially... "Initially you will need to pay $212 for the consultation and then pay before surgery: $5500 for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery; $3488 for Laparoscopic Lap-Band or Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; $7500 for laparoscopic duodenal switch with BPD. BC/BS will then reimburse you by sending you a check to your home that is based on your benefits after you file the consult fee and then the surgeons fee's (again the hospital and anesthesia fees are covered if they approve you for surgery). (one example is: 80% paid out of network fees after a $200 a year deductible and $50 copay up to a maximum of $1500 out of your pocket and then the plan pays the rest of the customary charge)." does this sound reasonable?

I hiccup with hot peppers if they are really hot...I think<not sure> that is the body's way of getting rid of the irritation of the pain.... how do you make your stuffed peppers? sounds yummy!

may I ask what type of diets they are talking about and how you found a nutrionist? thanks for any info and hi neighbor!

I went to my doctor this saturday for my meds refills and she is the one that told me about lap band surgery, and recommended that I use Alli weight loss system until I see the doctor she told me about. Now, my problem comes with the person I live with<boyfriend>. Whenever I try to lose weight he starts bringing home the stuff that I am weak for, strawberry ice cream and potato chips. then he will make comments about my weight...why does he try to sabotage me like this...

thank you....how do they decide how much you need to lose before the surgery?? Is there a set way of doing this or is it different with each doctor?

you might be right..but it makes it hard, I would not buy this stuff...but I am determined that if I am approved for this, to do everything right and lose this weight....thank you!

What are they? I am getting myself more and more confused the more i research...thanks!