TheWomanWithin

Didnt know where to put this question, so I figured FL would be the best thing. Since my plans have now changed and my new insurer will cover the procedure (instead of self-pay) I need some names besides Dr. Grossbard, Dr. Jawad, Dr. Jessee. to research on. I'm waiting on the approval from the corporate office after I gave them the CPT code so I can go for a visit. I then have to have them make it medically necessary to do the surgery i.e. M.O. and 6 months they will pay for it. Did you have your band placed by a Florida Doctor? If yes I would appreciate - the name, website and price if you know it. Anyone with info is a great help since I only know of those 3 here in FL. Thanks

Long story short - I joined in 2006 after deciding to go forward through a dr in Mexico; my plan fail through and I did it on my own - lost 110 lbs and kept it off awhile. In 2009 I had some major complications during a heart procedure I had done, wasn't allowed to do anything due to fainting so I started gaining weight...now I'm back to where I was and devastated. If my cardiologist approves me I'm going forward with having it done through Dr. Lee Grossbard since he's pretty close to me and my new insurance pays for it yay! do I have to go again to one of his seminars or can I just make an appt through his office? Couple of questions though. Any idea what the ins means by medically supervised program? are there different programs on certain insurance? I have First Health Network and I'll have to play $1,000 - $3,000 which is fine with me. Another thing is, medically I'm on a no exertion order due to heart & fainting episodes - any idea if this will this be a problem getting my insurance to approve it knowing I can't exercise? I've seen quite a few familiar names =)

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't sure if it was something just my ins required. That sounds like Weight Watchers may fit in the requirement. I've been down the pre-authorization road before, back in 2006 but that insurance didn't require the 6 mth program. I was denied back then because I lost enough on my own in the required time they said I could physically do it myself LOL; I kept on and lost 110 pounds but through using Phentermine with my primary and a strict 800 cal diet & exercise. I don't know if they will approve me now because I'm not allowed to exercise or any exertion of any kind, so I'm going to talk to my cardiologist and just hope I don't faint or my heart stop again.

Anyone ever self pay for Dr. Grossbard in Zephyrhills/Dade City Florida? Im just wondering because I have still been researching in the event something happens again with my surgery (May 26 now) I was told $24,500 which after researching other drs here in FL is really overpriced it seems. Dr. Jawad is $14,000 and there are a few others around $17,000 but I have not another dr for over $20k so I am a bit shocked at this price. Anyone have great success with any Dr in FL ? If yes, did you self pay and how much? Thanks in advance

A friend of ours is taking Phentermine 37.5 mg. Ive looked this up and seen some things that are like other diet pills - symptoms etc. Anyone ever taken this before or after being banded? Good or bad side effects? I want to try something for the next month while waiting for my surgery and maybe have something for after if I have a problem with appetite.

Ok, I got a verbal approval for Dr. Tiffany Jessee. She is on my MSA and is under contract with them, so I am going to see her in June when my 30 day policy period is up. Anyone used her? When searching I see 3 or 4 use her for fills, but can't seem to find anyone who has actually had surgery by her. Sun Coast Bariatrics @ http://www.shedthepounds.com in Largo, FL. Anyone else used a MSA and have any info on things like self pay versus a contracted price? I was told by my MSA they will pay 90% of the contracted price of everything - Certainly better than paying $17,000 out of pocket :biggrin1: Now I just have to find out what the contracted price is lol They won't tell me until my 1st visit. I guess this is my reward for being patient the past 3 or 4 months and taking the bumps in the road and learning from them.

Has anyone heard of or used medical plans such as these to get their surgery done? 1. Qualified Health (PHCS - Private HealthCare Systems) 2. UA - United American Insurance Both places say that as long as the surgery is done by a "surgeon" they approve or in their network they will cover the surgery and you pay out of your pocket the rest. Since I am still waiting on my Urologist to release me - trying to find alternatives to being Full Self Pay for my surgery

Ok I need some :help: Alittle background - my oldest daughter Amber is 19 (there's another post about her in lap band deaths) she has seen me struggle with my weight since she was little. I have never said anything about my weight in front of her so I didn't give her the wrong impression in hopes she would not yo-yo or be obsessive about her weight. She has seen me exercise, diet and take Vitamins - diet pills and vitamins but I call them vitamins Ive always made meals planned around healthy eating and even if my children have not liked something - they have a small portion of it on their plates. Last year my oldest son (20) and daughter 19 moved out with their friends in an apartment. There was some things that went on that made them all have to move - so they moved back in our house in March 2006 until they can save again to move out YEA! lol j/k This is the problem I need help with is this - when Amber moved out, she was around 150 pounds @ 5'8". When she came for Thanksgiving, she had lost 10-12 lbs, at Christmas about 20 lbs. Since moving back in, she has gone down to 125 pounds!!!!! I watch her like a hawk; YES Im a pain in the butt mother, but I care about my children no matter what their age is ~~ that's my job :success1: Would smoking pot or cigarettes do this? Drugs....eating disorder or something else Im missing? Binge/purge disorder...laxatives? I know it's not anorexia (which I suffered from at 17) I watch how much she eats and make sure she eats twice day. Any clues what to watch for if it is drugs or an eating disorder? She does not believe she is too thin and thinks her arms are fat - they are only 1.5 in larger than our 5 year old! This is her yesterday - I told her I wanted to take pictures and show her how much weight she had lost.

woot what great news ! My mil just had one done then had to redo it :second: because they found lumps but then had to go deeper [ouch] but all turned out ok as yours did Glad you got good news also

I sometimes feel like a complete failure as a parent because no matter what I have done to make sure I am in my children's lives, or what I have taught them, Amber does things that are totally screwing up her life. I hope by learning as she grows and matures that the things I have tried to teach her sinks in and she can be the woman she is destined to be. (Geez, doesnt that sound corny? lol Im sitting here crying because I can see where her decisions are leading and I want so much more for her, as every parent does for their children) After reading the past 3 or 4 responses I am so glad you guys are all here - Lots of different views and experiences to help draw from. Sometimes family and friends see things happening before parents do - and tend to judge you as parents on how your children act. I made sure that I have always been open and honest and my kids know they can tell me anything. Sometimes I wish it weren't that way though - sometimes knowing too much causes me much grief and worry. I don't want to ask her to do a drug test - I think that is beyond the limitations of being mom to a grown daughter...(or maybe it's not :second: ) I told her when they moved back in - you are an adult and your choices you make you have to live with and deal with the consequences, just don't bring it in my home. I might not agree with your choices but I love you no matter what you do. So, I have to stick by what I say and learn to live with her decisions. Thank you all again - I never expected to find such kind and caring people.

Penni, just wondering if you had any success with Zetacaps? I was a bit leery of buying them at omgosh $89 a bottle - but Im still pre-band (kidney issue) and trying to find anything to curb my appetite when I exercise. So I plunged in and thought what the heck - 1 pill does nothing - when I take 2 pills I can tell Im less hungry BUT crap why not just do one of the weight loss programs for that price. 2 pills 3 times a day - that becomes very expensive at $89 per bottle. I was going to try phentermine, but found out it is prescription only and haven't had time to visit the dr again. Anyone tried Nutri-system? I was thinking of doing it.

Shannon, welcome and glad you are looking into the band. Hey Maryb - that's great with your daughter, are you going to get her to post here how she's doing?

you guys, what awesome NSV's - keeps us pre and newly banded with hope to have those soon :second:

wow after reading this again I see how much of a worrywart I am I have a life, I have a business, I run my husband's business, I have 2 small children, I exercise daily, I have hobbies; I am a computer freak; Im a cleaning fanatic, I do all the yard work & house work and yet I still find time to worry and obsess about things...thank goodness I only need 4 hours sleep nightly:p OMGOSH; maybe I need to find a good therapist:paranoid

WOW! Teresa - great job :clap2: I never thought to add up the miles, inches, cm I was walking lol not sure mine would be as impressive as yours! Still resting this week - other than a large order I got in and have to sort through. We are leaving Friday so I will walk Fri - Sun then :faint: because my husband has these legs [drools] muscular as heck and when we go he RUNS everywhere lol Anyone ever used one of the Ab Chairs? I saw it in another thread and am thinking of getting one - weight limit is 250 though UGH! I am at 260 still. Wonder if I can still do it?

That is great to hear Kat since I have followed your journey so far. My original date was close to yours (April 21). Don't give up and Good Luck:biggrin1:

Im simple also - no explanation needed other than Im waiting on the woman within I did have another name (my initials), and finally found out how to change my name.

Sarah ) we do that - we make the oldest two pay $250 per month for food and rent - we gave them a 6mth break after they graduated and told them what we expected a few months in advance so everything could be worked out before they had to pay. Heck I even have contracts! I know I know, I told them I had to be their "landlord" not their mom when it came to them moving back in since they grew up and were adults now thats what led them to move out to begin with. They thought that it was "crazy mom" how can you charge us rent! I told them you graduated and have a job and are learning to be a responsible person. After moving into their own apt they found out just how much it was to live on their own, and that was with us helping them -- they learned a new appreciation for what things truely cost. Luckily our oldest son - almost 21 - never has tried anything either. If he had I might have been in the mad house with stress and worry after they moved out, and he looked after her when they moved out. Im going to talk to her again after everything ya'll have told me....thanks again for all the great advise

Emily, do not be ashamed to file. You are a hard working loving single mother. The ones who should be ashamed of filing, are those people who have million dollar homes and live luxuriously then file to get out of it all and keep those homes -- we have a few of those here in Tampa who live in Avila (1 was in the local paper) RUN don't walk to the court or attny and file - some attnys will let you make payments - I worked for one that we did that all the time until the fees were paid off. Just be careful and call around - check out your local court and see if there is help for paying the fees (alot of times there is) or see how much it is to filll out the paperwork yourself. Take any and everything that you owe, since you don't own a home and file it Chapter 7 and be done with it.... Start your life over -- fresh new and do not look back or feel bad. Check with your state laws also about getting back child support AFTER your case is discharged

Wheestin, you're too perceptive (edit: yes perceptive is the right word - you're good at picking up things not written) :yield: Yes she has given me plenty of reasons not to trust her. I love her and think she has so much potential, so I will never give up and have to be the support system her dad is not. I was trying to get some info without giving out all that she has done and to try and understand this girl turning into a woman who I think is pleading silently for help. I just don't want to be a parent who misses something and her go off the deep end and never have her close to me again. We had that happen with my oldest son's best friend. He got into the crowd they did and tried a couple of things he shouldn't have and died at age 17 last year. This boy was part of our every day lives and we questioned things when he was here; and was lied to - he had horrible allergies and he told us it was his new allergy medicine messing up his face. We as parents ask questions when we notice things, even though sometimes we don't like the answers :speechles Unfortunately, his parents never asked questions, didn't know what was going on until it was too late - by the time they called us to talk, it was too late. Without going into too much detail - she has lied, cheated, stolen, skipped school, dropped out of college, tried some other things like OTC meds, been so drunk she ran into the middle of a busy highway, smoked and done pot THAT I know of. My husband and I were talking and said - well we know she does pot, so that gives her the munchies and she eats, then she smokes, so that curbs the appetite. She moved out in August 2005, from then to January she lost from 150ish down to 130. Since moving back home in March 2006, she has lost from 130 to 125 - unsure her current weight. She eats 2 full meals a day - or more if I can get her to, that's why we thought it was weird she is losing weight. At the beginning of May she was at 125 lbs, but the other day she came out in a bathing suit, she barely has any padding at all - truely skin and bones if you will. We noticed her losing more weight - so Im not sure what she is down to now - she says still 125. The picture looks bigger than she actually is - her arms are 9", waist 24.5 and her thigh is 17". She had on a pair of 27" low riders that just fell off her hips. I only know this because we asked if she was losing more weight and she said no, so my husband said - you're not much bigger than Hunter - our 5 year old and she laughed and said you're crazy - so we started measuring lol While they were in their apt, I paid for their phone bill and took them groceries every other week. My son and her both had FT jobs and sometimes came here to stay on the wknds when they were off work. Her b/f that she had dated for 4 years was living there also - he worked for IBM and made good money also. She got rid of the long term b/f when she moved out and has been "seeing" this new guy (forgot to add this before) and new friends - which is one reason I wondered about the new friends. The reason I think she would lie about doing anything else is that she has used things to "escape" from herself and life itself - I have talked to her about this, and tried to get her to go to therapy again, but she won't. She was 10 when her dad and I separated and had therapy but still had a problem with her dad not being in her life. I then met and married my husband 2 years later and she could not handle that - but refused to go to therapy again. Long story short - she has to learn to deal with life and what it has dealt her as an adult and I don't she is doing that without using "things" to help her "cope".

Thanks Karen, and Yes I agree communication is very important in every relationship you have. I tend to talk TOOOO much sometimes, when things bother me thats what I do though, I have to talk everything through and go over every option. I am a very open, honest person even when it's about faults of mine - hence that I talk too much lol I have known everything my oldest children do because they TELL me! yikes, maybe I know too much? hehehe We have had so many conversations about this, and she says mom I would never do anything else BUT she said she would never smoke also While she is an adult, she is still a kid trying to grow up - I just want to make sure she is still here with me in 20 years and not just another victim of a bad decision. Thanks again everyone - time to go get ready to leave. Im doing research when we get back this evening for my peace of mind.

Carlene; I thought that about pot also being a gateway - and said that to her when I found out. I wanted to make sure as an adult that she knew what she was doing smoking pot - was it was just the first step [cringes] I went over what we had went over when they were 11 & 12, 13 & 14 etc. Maybe I am just being way overprotective, but when you see signs as a parent it scares the heck out of you (or least it did us) She went from a 4.0 gpa in 11th grade to hanging out with some wrong friends - we steered her in another direction and homeschooled her, got her a job and some after work activities. She matured and grew up some and last year found other "friends" with different habits - this time pot. She graduated and got another job with better pay & benefits, again with different friends, some older which is where my fear lies. If she would do pot why wouldn't she do other stuff. Maybe 25 pounds doesn't sound like alot, but 25 pounds on a normal weight person is ALOT. She goes through bad mood swings, not just "monthly" ones, which was my first clue of something. I can't say she doesn't sleep - when she is here, she sleeps well. Luckily the only thing I have ever found were papers - which I talked to her about then. Thanks for the info about your neighbors son - I'll go look up info on programs and see if I can find any info online.

wow, how scary.... glad you got her out safely I'll send some of our FL sun if you send some of your MA rain

3. YEA! I loved that NSV -- that's one of my favorites too (not too sure my hubby likes it though lol)

Hey Maybe I would trade you my 19 yr old for your 17 yr old lol just for a week or two I promise :guess Keep your chin up - being on the pre-op diets are a pain in the rear, but well worth it. Having said that - I am not even banded yet and put myself on a pre-op diet almost 2 months ago. I tried pure liquid stuff first OMGOSH I almost died - no energy and forget about being sane. Those around us need to understand how hard it is and what it puts our bodies through. Unfortunately, children and spouses don't always understand. I feel what you are going through and wish you luck.