Thaelia

I need advice please. I’m going through the process with Rex Bariatric in Raleigh. I’m being railroaded into getting a colonoscopy I don’t need by a practice that’s charging too much for it (hundreds of dollars more than other providers within my network). I had low iron results and somehow the next damn step is a colonoscopy? I asked if I could get this done someone place else and they said no. I’m going through this alone and don’t have anyone to fight for/with me. I want to explore getting the bypass done overseas. This colonoscopy is going to delay things by several weeks and, even if it comes back negative, they told me they’re going to run a other test. This sounds like a cash cow situation because I have really good health I sure be. 1) does anyone living in Raleigh/dirham/chapel hill have a referral for a Bariatric center other than Rex? 2) Does anyone have great referral for someone in Mexico who can do this surgery by mid-late February? Please be kind. Im 41, black, tired of life and the hope for this surgery is all I have left. I’m spending Christmas alone and I’m determined for this not to be the case next year. I’m going to drop the weight ASAP, get a new job (because people can look past my fat and see my skills/credentials) and I’ll find someone to love (or at least tolerate me) me. Thank you.

TanyaKat, $1100 co-insurance for the procedure vs. the "let's-try-iron-supplements-for-6-weeks" is what I'm referring to as BS. I have to wait 6 weeks to take the procedure anyway, so why not try the pills first? The clinic just wants the insurance money and my co-pay. I see a lot of people in WLS forums, social media, and blogs talk about their husbands, kids, grandkids - those are reasons to fight cancer, which I just don't have. For me, the results of a colonoscopy are irrelevant. Treatment is not an option. The quality of my life is more important than the number of years I live. When I was younger, I hoped that if sought out God, became educated, helped people, and created an interesting life to share, then men might see past my looks and one might want to marry me. Now, I'm 41, black and educated - I have a better odds of becoming president - of Russia. :) This surgery, followed by some cosmetic work, is my only chance to turn things around. I refuse to allow a greedy clinic and irrelevant tests delay that process.

Thanks for the advice. I just feel so frustrated. I felt hope for the first time in years and a BS colonoscopy getting in the way felt deflating. Thank you!!

Something isn’t right. They’ve immediately jumped to $3000 worth of procedures without even suggesting me to increase my iron intake - first, a colonoscopy followed by a capsule endoscopy, if they don’t find anything through the colonoscopy. I feel like screaming. Please, if anyone has advice on how to fight back I would appreciate it.

Thanks for the info. I’ll ask about my Bariatric doctor about Colorguard and whether he’ll accept those results. I doubt the digestive health group (I met with today performing the colonoscopy) would as they seemed hell bent on their anal probe. For the first half of my question, would it be best to search the message boards for doctors other have used in Mexico or in the Raleigh/Durham/chapel hill area?

Rex is the Bariatric center I paired with the go through the process. They would help me to meet insurance requirements, etc. I’m considering overseas because they’re dragging this process out. My pcp ordered the colonoscopy. Because a few of my iron results were in lower end of the Normal range. Yes I’m (still) menstruating. Heavily. Always have for the last 30 years. I just don’t understand how a colonoscopy is step 2. Let me try pills for six weeks Especially since that’s how long it’s going to take me to get exam anyways. Eat more meat. Let me trying taking birth control back to back (ie no placebos). . I’m considering overseas because my out of pocket max would a little less than what surgery would cost with my insurance. I the colonoscopy would add $1300 to this and it’s a waste of money.

Hi all! I’m just starting the process and have a question about pre-op labs. At my nutrition appt this morning, the Rex Bariatric said it’d take a few weeks to send the orders for me to get them done. I have my annual physical with my PCP this week. Rex said they’d accept labs from our PCP. I have a call in to get that list from Rex, but I’m not sure if they’ll call back in time for my appt. From some basic web research I figured they’d want the following: A complete blood count Urinalysis Chemistry panel that includes: -Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) – kidneys and respiratory system as well as electrolyte and acid/base balance and level of blood glucose -Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) – liver and important blood proteins -Electrolyte Panel -Lipid Panel -Liver Panel (also called Hepatic Function Panel) -Renal Panel (also called Kidney Function Panel) -Thyroid Function Panel Does that sound comprehensive? I’d appreciate your feedback. Thanks! Tonya

Thank you Bastian and Krimsonbutterflies! I appreciate the responses. :) The nurses did reach back out with a list (I wasn’t sure if they would! They seemed a little cagey about stating what they were, when I asked during the meeting.)