lapfish

Hi yal, From the Springs but having surgery with Metz on the 3rd of December. So far, so good. My liquid diet starts 11/30/09. Surgery is at P/SL. Very nice office staff & insurance clearance p/w was sent ASAP. He offers GBP, Lapband and VSG. His NP is very nice and is his sidekick for surgeries. Dieticians are nice and social workers are awesome! I love Liz! Anybody out there considering their practice, it's a GO! If you wanna pair up with me to keep up-to-date, reply to this thread. Rebekah 265/? BMI 48 surgery date 12/3/09

Me-Lapfish-banded 12/3/09 w/Dr. Metz in Denver, CO. So, so ready for my first fill on the 4th of Jan! Hooray for all of us brave December folks with all the sweets around!

Had my surgery and now awaiting first fill on 1/4/10. Metz is taking 2 months off and will be back in March! Guess I'll have Allison until he returns. She's really sweet. Yes, Metz is young! Still a little port pain for me but all in all doing great! Just wanna start dropping good here real soon. Down about 16 right now. Take care and update me when yal can. Rebekah 266/250/? Dr. Metz, 12/3/09

Dear all, I am sitting her consumed with guilt. I was banded 12/3/09 and have already eaten chocolate bars and chicken. I am supposed to only be moving to mushies today. (week 3 & 4) I was only supposed to be on full liquids for week 1 & 2. I simply have not done what I was supposed to do. So what have I done to my band? How do I get past this issue of being so hungry? How do I change my thinking? I am so afraid of failure but I know God is bigger than that! I just don't know how to get out of this predicament that I am in. I go to the surgeon today for a 2 week followup. I don't want to tell them this. I have lost 20 pounds already but it won't be for long, if I keep this up. I am also a very picky eater and that doesn't help. I need prayer please. I am very discouraged.

Hiya all, I made it and I am so thankful to the Lord for the success thus far. I am in some kinda pain but I am constantly praying for relief. I have had some relief. Lots of burping for me and pressure/bloating. My surgery was Thursday. Please keep me in your prayers as my family and I have a lot going on. We just closed Friday 12/4 on a house. Now, it is time to move in. All of this has hit us at once. We also have 2 girls, one with significant special needs. Lift us up in prayer when you think of me. Rebekah Colorado starting 266 goal 140 BMI 48 Dr. Metz Denver, CO 12/3/09

hey there...I was banded on 12/3 (thurs) and have the same pain. I called the doc last night because the gasx wasn't working and he asked when the last time I had pain medicine was? It was way past time. He told me to take the vicodin and if the pressure/bloating didn't go away in an hour, to come to the ER for him to check me over. It went away, thankfully! Keep on top of you pain meds!

I have an awesome husband that is fully behind me every step of the way, thick and thin. I have two beautiful daughters (that need their Mommy to be healthier)! I have a wonderful church family that I can call on at anytime. We have the finances to buy a new house. Praise God! Rebekah Colorado current BMI 48 265/? Surgery date 12/3/09

I'm in with all of you. My surgery date is December 3rd and I start my liquid diet on Nov. 30th! I am extremely nervous, but know that this is what I haved decided to do. I wrestled with this for 2 years and this is it! My insurance is covering it 100% and I'm going for it. I will be banded in Denver, CO with Dr. Matthew Metz. www.coloradobariatric.com Had my lapband class this past Wednesday (Veteran's Day). Many blessings to all of you in your journey's.

Have you heard anything? I looked on that blog for diary of a fat woman. She has a wonderful blog full of info on BCBS appeals. I wish there was some way to contact her but there isn't. I don't see pix there either. I will use some of her first appeal letter to do mine. I just received a note back from our state and the insurance commission tells me I have to appeal through the plan administrator, whoever that is? I am on a rat race here! Talk to you soon.:cool:

Group, I was scheduled for surgery on 9/24 with Dr. Metz, in Denver. His billing clerk called today and said that she called a 5th time today to my insurance, Federal BCBS. She spoke with the pre-cert dept this time and got an R.N. on the line. The R.N. said the VSG with CPT code of 43843 was not covered. I called twice and the billing clerk called twice before this and we were both told that it was a covered service. I am extremely depressed and upset. I refused to have my guts re-routed or some foreign part in my body. (sorry to be so blunt) I am completely confused as to why 4 different ppl would tell us that it is covered and then pre-cert R.N. says no. I called back and I was told that I could talk to an M.D. with pre-cert if I wanted but it wouldn't change their decision. I am just screwed now.:001_wub:

Mine has also been disapproved for the same reasons that you stated. We need to get together and find out what states that are FEP Blue are covering it. I am in Colorado. I am at a stand still because I dont' want the Bypass. My PCP today said I should just go ahead and get the lapband but I don't want that! I have until the end of the year to get it done because my Cat cap has been met. I would have to pay nothing for the surgery right now.

I was just told yesterday by Federal BCBS that the reason they won't cover a VSG is because we are Federally bound with our insurance. If it hasn't been FDA approved, we can't get it done. They have to go by medicare guidelines and medicare is not covering it. It is still considered experimental, even though other insurances are covering it. I am at a loss. My hands are tied when they tell me that. I even went through Pre-cert dept and asked them with the CPT code of 43843 and they wanted to know the procedure name and then told me no. Until the medical board with the insurance meets again, which is every quarter, we won't know if they will cover it. I want it done now because my catastrophic cap has been met. That means I would pay ZERO for my surgery, doc, hospital, meds and all. I just don't know what to do.:tongue_smilie:

AJW How expensive are these Vitamins and do they not come in a chewable or liquid form? I just went on their website and took the "test". I don't know if I'd be able to afford them. Thanks.

Nanna- If I might ask, what was the drain for? My doc didn't mention anything about having a drain. I'm confused. Thanks for sharing! I loved your paraphrase of the WORD and I never thought of it that way. I'll definately look that one up and post it on my fridge! Bless you through your recovery period! I am scheduled 9/24 and still so nervous.

I'm looking for patients of Dr. Matthew Metz in Denver that have had VSG done. I want to talk about the surgery at PSL, Dr. Metz and about your successes with VSG. I am scheduled for 9/24/09. Thanks in advance. :001_rolleyes:

Ruthi--I can't thank you enough for the message above that you posted. I have surgery on the 24th of September. I am EXTREMELY nervous, however I know after being overweight for about 18 years now...I MUST do something now at my young age of 36. I worry so much about the head games that I will have to deal with still, but I do know that my God is much bigger than those games. I will be doing a lot of praying and alot of posting on here afterwards. I hope to start my blog soon so that I can be accountable and maybe help someone else. Again, thank you so much. You are truly a blessing to all of us!

I was just told by my surgeon a week ago at my consult that oversewing is NOT a good thing. He said he did his fellowship with a bariatric surgeon. It is his practice not to oversew do to the fact that the new stomach can become swollen and infected and come open at the staple line. My surgeon uses glue along with the staples. This is just what I was told and this is a center of excellence at www.coloradobariatric.com Dr. Matthew Metz . Sorry to put a twist on your thoughts but I'm trusting of this doctor.

Alisa--Call BCBS tomorrow and tell them you want to know if CPT code 43843 is covered. I have Federal BCBS and my docs office has called twice. Both times, they have gotten a yes for the answer.

Hiya all... I went to my consult yesterday in Denver. I was there 3 1/2 hours and was overloaded by the time I left. I have a surgery date of September 24th. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I worry who will take care of my kids after hubby has to go back to work! I have plenty of friends. As some of you know, we have a special needs child that weighs 75 pounds. I lift her day in and day out. I am praying someone that helps will be able to lift her too. I know it is a lot to ask but I won't be able to do it for a while. I need to get it this done as I am just beginning to be a worthless, miserable person. Well, enough of that. I have to pray that my insurance will cover this now, when the PAR is sent in. Talk to you all later. Thanks for all of your help! Rebekah <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wJ5HdR6/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wJ5HdR6/blk-blk-weight.png"></a>

Can someone enlighten me as to what to look for as I go on a quest for the protein shakes/drinks? How much protein, carbs, fat, etc? I have one in particular that I like. It's spendy but it is so yummy. My surgery is 9/24 so I want to get my ducks in a row beforehand. Thanks.

Howdy from Colorado! I am scheduled in Denver for 9/24/09 with Dr. Metz. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I just hope and pray I am making the right decision for myself so I can continue to lead a happy, healthy productive life! I can't stand the thought of altering my tummy but I can't make headway any other way. So, we'll all be in this together! Rebekah

Judy- I just went to my consultation today! I still have the nutrition one-on-one consultation to do and my surgery date is already scheduled for September 24. I am praying that I lose the anxiety that I left the docs office with today. I too am a Christian. I am praying that God will give me direction and give me clear answers about this surgery. As a Mom of a special needs child, I feel priviliged that that He chose me to raise our sweetie. However, I know He knows my struggles with obesity and how it affects my parenting and being able to take care of her and other daughter I have. It is my desire to be fully relying on Him! I am praying that you will find the strength too. We can keep up with each other. This is a great way to remain accountable! Take care and we'll talk soon on here or the chat. Rebekah

Thank you for this video. I'll share with hubby. Very informing!