Bryn

i just got the itemized bill and it was a total of $3,897 that was charged and sent to my insurance company. about the same price when i had another 3 years ago at a different facility. i ended up paying$120 copay

lots of these programs have fees because many people went into consultations (which can be lengthy) and never continued, or some made appts, and never showed up. also doctors began setting up programs which includes a lot of education (especially these mandatory seminars in which they pay for ), it sometimes include nutritional consultation, exercise regiments and all the documentation they give you. my doctor told me this is why she charges $500 because if people started all this and she guided them and they quit half way in, her time is just wasted. so they have to make up the costs somewhere. these are elective surgeries, so i'm just thankful my insurance covers the procedure. there are programs that require no fees, but the patient has to do almost all the appt set ups and guidance on their own with little to no help from the surgeon

I went to a seminar last night where the doctor said his oldest patient was 71 and he was going to operate on a 73 year old later in the week

I am here in Montgomery County Maryland. Have been to a few seminars but I have one more appointment to complete all of my steps needed before surgery. Although I began my journey in Montgomery county, my doctor moved to Baltimore at Sinai hospital so after researching docs here in Montgomery county and Frederick county, I do not want to pay program fees all over again so I will be staying with my doc in baltimore

I am looking into doctor's all over again because my original doctor moved. Dr. McKenna is one of the surgeons i'll be reviewing

I've switched from 2% to fat free. No difference to me now I've tried soy and almond milk, too sweet and watery in my opinion

aah ok. yea she mentioned she won't be starting surgery there til february. i'm hoping for a march/april surgery date. i just have one last appt left and i'll be complete. gives me time to lose more weight actually. i just don't wanna go through the hassle of another doctor here, although if it does take too long, i may switch to a doctor at shady grove. thanks for your help

I have Aetna and my doctor stated I should lose weight (although not required by Aetna; she wanted to see me lose). Was suppose to be on the 3 month track, but like folks stated above, I'm past my 3 months. too many appts, to try and squeeze in (especially since i work full time and go to school full time). doesn't help because of the holidays as well. my doctor although was not specific about how much i should lose, i've only lost about 4 pounds which isn't anything

Hi, I also have aetna and will finish up the 3 month supervision this friday. i went to see exercise physiologists, the nutritionist and my pcp..they all qualify as professionals. good luck to you

wowzers! I've read your blog before. haha you're like a mini-celebrity! awesome! you look great

oh goodness. my mouth waters just thinking about a thin mint. my co-worker purchased a few boxes from her neighbor's daughter and she bought the Cookies to work I begged people to eat them and take them away haha. Now a co-worker's son is selling fruit at his school so I'm gonna purchase a box of grapefruits so much better

i work in a nursing home and had abdominal surgery twice before where i've required 3-5 weeks off due to the fact that like you, i lift, push, pull, etc all day at work. just ask your doc to write you a letter saying you need to have "light duty" and let him put the max you're allowed to lift. most facilities have lifts or ask a nursing assistant to help or perform the tasks

isn't she the fitness chick who said she would never have children because she didn't want to "ruin" her body? she's a great motivator, but she still doesn't seem wrapped too tight imo.

isn't she the fitness chick who said she would never have children because she didn't want to "ruin" her body? she's a great motivator, but she still doesn't seem wrapped too tight imo.

Looking back, it was quite quick. Met the doctor, reviewed the available WLS procedures. Discussed my health history/weight history/diet history/exercise regiment etc. And talked about my expectations. She also gave me a bag that included pamphlets, Protein shake samples and a book she created for her program in which her patients were to follow during their 3/6 month process. really didn't review the book being that it had every doctor/professional listed that i would need to see, so it was simple, just so much info to take in. i have to finish up 3 appts. then we submit everything into the insurance company. has been an interesting journey thus far.

One way is to have documentation from your PCP. I have Aetna as well and am finishing up my 3 month requirement. My bariatric surgeon states you don't necessarily need to try weight watchers or jenny craig type programs, but even simple documentation from you PCP stating that you and them have discussed weight loss goals, any recommendations they've given you, your weight history throughout the years, even documentation from you gyno will help. My doc also asked if i've tried certain diets on my own like south beach/atkins and i told her i have and she put that into my list of things i've tried. i also included my visit history of the gym i have been attending for the past 4 years. hope this helps

I have Aetna and while Aetna has no requirements for weight loss, my Doctor has requirements. Although she has not stated how much specifically to lose, she said she needs to see some weight loss or she will not perform the surgery. I will complete my 3 months in mid december, but i won't see her til after dec. (in Jan) due to the holidays and her moving her practice. I'm reaching to lose at least 10 lbs.

after seeing so many complications that are occurring with the lap band that people have. I'm surprised more doctors aren't opting out of performing that surgery. Just seems like a slew of complications and annoying things you have to do if the lap band is life long. I hope you make your decision wisely and I hope that you have a very successful surgery with either option you chose.

try changing your work out routine. start incorporating weight training a few days a week

when i had to take 5 weeks off for a surgery 2 years ago i had my doc fill out the FMLA paperwork. she charged me absolutely nothing. not even a fee for coming in to her office that day. she had me come in during their hour lunch break and it took all of 5 minutes. I can see as to why they would charge you though, if they need to document that they looked through your files and did paperwork for you etc. you are essentially using their time. but I guess it depends on who your doctor is and what type of practice they work in

Had one a few weeks again. Showed a fatty liver

Sooo...I work at a Rehab facility in Physical Therapy. Got a new patient over the weekend and lo and behold, they happen to be a WLS patient who had the sleeve. Won't go into details due to HIPPA. But this person also happens to be a healthcare professional whom had the surgery Reading their chart I guess I was not surprised as to how little the healthcare world knows about WLS and what it truly entails. Being that this person had a slew of problems before the operation, they probably had double afterwards. What got me was the information provided by the Dietician/Nutritionist. There was absolutely no documentation on the appropriateness of what the person were to eat, and Fluid intake. I took it upon myself to call the surgeon who performed the surgery to have them fax over the info. the dietician obviously needed. Granted our dietician to the facility is new, she appreciated the fact that I "saved" her. I guess I'm just venting about my day and if anything were to happen (knock on wood) to you and you needed to be placed in a skilled nursing facility, please have your family or yourself do some research on where you'll reside for your rehab/nursing care. I'm glad I am treating this patient because they are EXTREMELY motivated despite what happened to them after the surgery. Brings me great hope and motivation as well. They could not wait to begin their healthy life and I know that's something we all look forward to. Hope this helps some people who are on edge about the surgery. No matter what happens, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel

only thing you can do is prove them wrong. much luck to you

I have Aetna and I've been reading a mix of requirements from people on three different forums. So I'm sure it all varies. I have also noticed that depending on who your surgeon is, he/she has a slew of requirements as well. I have a surgeon whom requires more than what insurance requires. I am doing the three month supervision though. In the end, I'd rather have my surgeon require a lot more in order to make sure i get approved and so that she feels i am healthy enough and in the right mind set to have surgery. my surgeon requires: -1 meeting with nutritionist before surgery, 2 meetings after surgery -10 cardiac exercise sessions (requires 2 before surgery, the rest is divided up however patient sees fit) -requires some weight loss (did not mention how much) -requires sleep study, EKG, endoscopy, chest xray, abdominal ultrasound, mental health evaluation -1 Meal Replacement supplement