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I'm new to this and was wondering what everyone's first step was. Did you call your insurance co. first, talk to your pcp, or go to the bariatric office first? I know it can depend on your insurance coverage, but just wondering. Have a great day!
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What was your first step?
Papillon replied to sychadelic's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The process started with an information session at Banner Gateway Bariatric Center. The information sessions are free. Take the time to do your research. -
What was your first step?
Donna4545 replied to sychadelic's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My first step was having my PCP make me an appt with the bariatric clinic. She's the one who suggested the surgery, and seemed to think the insurance would pay (it did). The bariatric clinic asked her to do an ECG, blood work, a chest xray, and to refer me to a pulomologist for a clearance because I have asthma. When all of that was done, paperwork was sent to BCBS, who approved it within 3 days. The bariatric clinic then scheduled my surgery. I started the process in May and was sleeved in July. They offered a June date, but I had time conflicts. The process was really easy, but that could be because I had a high BMI and because my bariatric center was in a pilot program with BCBS for the sleeve. That said, I had tried to have a gastric bypass in 2002 and 2005 and got stopped by insurance issues both times, in another state, with different insurance (Kaiser and UHC) -
Who's starting their new life on February 17th?
slocin12 replied to Bobbi McGhee's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi I have surgery on Wednesday- 2/19/2014- I started this process by seeing a bariatric physician at the hospital where I work- It has taken almost two months to get the surgery. Hooray for us both!!! -
New Member - 12 Weeks Post-Op
lsheshequin replied to lsheshequin's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
In the first 6-8 weeks it was definitely a challenge to eat anything more that 1/4-1/2 cup at a time. Now that I'm 12 (almost 13) wks out I am up to about 3/4-1 cup at each meal. I'm Canadian and had my rny surgery via a bariatric centre where I live. It has a whole team that has supported me throughout the process, and my dietitian has assured me that my intake amount is right on track. She stresses that when eating, the focus should be on getting the Protein consumed first. So I do just that. I've been eating a lot of peanut & almond butter lately, lol. I also love cheese so I try to have some of that everyday too. Tuna is something else I've been enjoying. My dietitian said that at this point any deficiencies from not being able to eat any or very little veggies & fruits should be balanced out by the daily multi-Vitamins and calcium/Vitamin D supplements that I've been prescribed to take. I stopped drinking the protein shakes (powder & liquid) at about 3 weeks because I couldn't find any that I liked. I then focused on Protein Bars (the soft, brownie consistency kind, not ones with nuts) and ate about 1/2 a bar at a time. Again, my dietitian said this was fine as long as they were sitting in my tummy fine. Now that I'm further along I make my own protein shakes using unflavoured Protein Powder. There are quite a few good recipes online - I just googled "high protein smoothies for gastric bypass surgery". One of my faves has soy chocolate milk, protein powder, 1/2 banana, 2 tbsp. Peanut Butter & ice. I admit that I don't really keep track of my protein count so I may be falling short. I have my 3 month follow up in a couple of weeks, and just went to get my bloodwork done for that this morning. So I'll be finding out where all of my levels are at - hopefully all is good! -
I just want to hear from others how long after they did what the insurance needed them to do. Like the 3 or 6 month supervised diet. How long after that was done did you have a surgery date or your surgery? My final weigh in is May 16 and paper work will be sent to the insurance. I should be approved fairly fast i would assume. I talked to my Bariatric Coordinator today and she said once the approval is back to her it will take me 3 weeks to get in to see the surgeon, then i will start my presurgery stuff and will take another 6 to 8 weeks for complete all of that. Does this seem unreasonable to anyone? 3 Months after my insurance approves me before I have my surgery???????
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I suggest going to the library, ordering from Amazon and studying every forum or article you can get your hands on to help make this decision. Also, attend a seminar or get a consultation with one or two (depending on availability) bariatric surgeons. Only you can make this life-changing decision yourself, and everyone has your history or something similar. It took me 5 years to make my decision, and I just had surgery in December. I am quite happy, and the surgery was minor from a physical standpoint. The toughest part will be staying committed and understanding the life changes - which is why it took me 5 years!
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where to have the surgery , urgent please
lebyvr posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hi all I am planning to have my surgery as soon as possible and I am in contact with few doctors trying to make the right decision. I wished that this forum doesnt have members who might be getting money referals and they only talk about their own experiences to help each other . Anyway thanks all for ur help my major question is was anyone here helped by a lady named Rita Coonrod, she sounds like a respectful nice lady and she is trying to help me to get my surgery by dr Mario Almanza, it's a package to go to san diago.....Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery, Mexico - The Bariatric Group s the company she works for I guess th epayment should go to ISA in texas , has anyone done that b4 and is it safe to send the money this way . Rita sounds like a nice proffesional lady but I just want to make sure that I am on the right track and no spam is involved. Another one is Sandy Johnson who is very porffesional and helpful as well , she gave me the same package for a different price . have anyone been helped by this lady or did the surgery through her. she workd for www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com Both look good to me and I just want to hear from people who did it NOT WHAT PEOPLE THINK PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE in a lot of threads I notice that members start fighting so please please please dont do it here , if u have anything personal discuss it personally , I would like to get exact info so I can do my surgery very soon thanks -
Tori, it's as others have said - start with a referral from your PCM, and the rest falls directly into place. Just be sure your referral is to a Tricare-approved surgeon/clinic that is authorized to perform the surgery. I also live in Washington, and I have Tricare Prime. I just went through all this. I was referred to two different Tricare-approved places first, only to learn they don't/can't do the surgery. On the third go-round, I was finally referred to the right place, and everything was smooth sailing after that. If you're close to Ft. Lewis, they can do the surgery for you right at Madigan. They have surgeons on staff, and a very active bariatric program there. There are many others in your same shoes, so nobody will be judging you. In addition to lap band, they also do both RNY bypass AND the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, if either of those is a better option for you. I believe Madigan is the only place in Washington where you can get a sleeve surgery that Tricare will pay for. (I initially wanted to have that surgery, but found I could only get it at Madigan, which wouldn't work out for me. Banding was my second surgery choice.) If Madigan isn't an option for you, Swedish Hospital in Seattle is the next closest, I believe. (There may be others.) That's where I had my band surgery. Awesome program, excellent surgeons, great staff. They combine many appointments on the same day, which shortens the time from initial intake appointment to surgery approval. In my case it was about three weeks till I was approved by Tricare for surgery. Good luck with your journey! Dave
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U.S Bariatric, St. Augustine, Flagler Hospital
outside*looking*in replied to outside*looking*in's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Update for anyone interested in this practice. So far my experience with U.S Bariatrics has been great. They really help you with each stage. Jenn, the surgery scheduler has been wonderful in taking me through each step. The only thing that I just found out was that I have to have my surgery with Dr. Marema instead of Dr. Koppman. Not that that is bad but I did my consult with Koppman and have planned on him being the surgeon since the seminar. The problem: I am self pay and Dr. Koppman can not provide the 1 year complication insurance. So I have to go with Marema. I really wish they would have mentioned this sooner so I could have had my consult with Marema. I will still have my pre-op appoinment with him. I am so far into at this point there is no turning back. Good thing I know that Dr. Marema is a fine surgeon. PCP appointment next week and then all of the final stuff from bariatrics. WhoooHoo:thumbup: -
Wellesse Liquid Vitamins. I get them from my surgeon's office for 7.99 a bottle (which is enough for 16 days). Walgreens has them for $7.49. I tried Bariatric Advantage chewable multi, but they literally made me throw up. Stick with bariatric vitamins is what I hear repeatedly. Also, I went to a presentation regarding calcium and WLS, I will never stop that supplement!
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You did better than I did!!!! Today was my first day and I'm scheduled for 12/16. I did great while at work before lunch, but after lunch I didn't get to get anything in every 2 hrs bcuz we were so busy. So when I got home I was starving. I made a Bariatric Advantage shake but that was sooooo nasty. I ended up eating 3 chicken nuggets. Now I feel like I'm going to be punished for it. But tomorrow is a new day and I will be sticking to my liquid diet. those shakes are so NASTY!!! I started off with those but i had to change....
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I am going through the same problem. I have BCBS of FL through my employer. The employer(thanks, a lot), b/c of the fact that we are a small business, chose the most basic, cheapest plan out there - So there is an exclusion to the policy which states that they will not cover bariatric surgeries of ANY kind - And none of the individual plans will, either. I have been frantically and desperately searching around for someone who WILL cover the surgery - I do not qualify for financing b/c of my credit score and debt to income ratio. I have been in touch with the agent for my insurance - the office - and am fortunate that the lady there understands my pain, or whether or not she understands it, I don't know - But I do know that she is sympathetic and is trying everything she can. She told me that she was going to look into certain plans like AFLAC, etc. that may have some sort of ryder or to see whatever she could do to help me. That is my suggestion to you. You can also go ahead and let the surgeon submit the request, and if it doesn't work, have his office send it in again - That would be considered an "appeal". You could call your insurance company and hassle them to death, but I don't know far that would get you, either. I'm half tempted to do it, myself. Either way - I IDENTIFY WITH YOU. I completely get what you're going through right now and it's hearbreaking ... Write down everything about this surgery and what it means to you to get it done. You should include any medical issues that have been a problem with your weight, and talk about the money you have spent on doctor's visits, etc. due to your weight issues. Explain that this would take care of so many of those issues, and that while it may be a large sum to look at now, in the long run, you will be healthier and they will be able to stop paying out the money they've been spending on medicines, dr visits, etc. Hope this helps...If you find a way to get it covered, let me know. Thanks, Krystle
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Post Op/Pre-Fill Eating and Nutrition
MISS.SUSAN replied to goodguy2k's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
my doc gave me a list, first 3 days after surgery = liquid diet days 4-7 full liquid days 8-10 = puree days 11-14 minced week 3 soft week 4 bariatric regular not a whole lot to choose from on the list, everything is fat free, sugar free, and you got the Protein first cottage cheese, mashed pototes, pureed meats, pureed veggies, sf yogurts, cream of wheat, oatmeal, then on week 4 you can pretty much eat anything just cut into tiny pieces, some things like raw veggies, tough fruit and hot peppers are to be avoided for like 6 months hope that helps good luck -
Fluids, fluids, and more fluids
Macy6 replied to clmsntgrgrl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was thankful to hear that my bariatric office keeps hydration on hand. If its during the week we can go there and they will hydrate us and send us on our way. -
Let me just say this! I did the same thing.... stumbled across the app when I was looking for bariatric apps for my Iphone. It has been the best thing in the WORLD for me! I am CONSTANTLY reading if I am awake! LOL There are so many nice people that are here to support us, educate us, and sometimes just listen to our rants! This is a wonderful place to make friends, and know there will always be someone here that understands where we are and what we are going thru!! Hope to keep in touch and read more about ya!
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Hello This is my first post here on the forum. I am here at a friends recommendation. (Another fellow officer who has had the "sleeve" and now lost 95lbs). Currently I am 6'4" and 320lbs and have tried all sorts of diets and drugs but the weight comes right back. Its nice to be recognized as the BIG GUY in uniform but now its getting to the point of people looking at me differently. I can see that as I have gotten older (now 39) they look at me and under estimate me, and thats not the way its been. Now for my health, family, job and most importantly my pride....today I am calling my primary physician and getting referred to a bariatric surgeon that does the vertical sleeve. If anyone who reads this knows the name of a good vertical sleeve surgeon in the Indianapolis area please reply. Also looking to get involved in helping others and support groups around the area if anyone knows how to guide me there also. I will post -- my beginning and journey pictures so please stay tuned -- TODAY IS THE DAY I AM CHANGING MY LIFE! Mark
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I received a fill at one of the national fill centers in January 2010. My band tightened up overnight to the point where I could not swallow my own saliva. Of course it was the weekend, so after several hours of vomiting, I went to a local hospital emergency room for treatment. When I explained to the ER physician that I had my lap band placed in Mexico, he called the ER physician that was on call for bariatrics. The ER physician returned to my room and stated that the physician on call said to tell me that, since I had the band put on in Mexico - to take my little "problem" to Mexico. I was released from the ER without being treated. Has anyone experienced this? If so, how did you handle it?
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In Ohio. Self pay or Mexico? Anyone self pay at Ohio State University Bariatric?
srs82781 replied to chickadee73's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
After being denied by my insurance I too decided l go to Mexico since out of pocket in Mexico was so much cheaper then the states. I had surgery with dr Garcia in February at hospital MI (wish Florence was an option then, it sounds nice) I was so pleased with my experience, that If I had to do it again I would still choose Mexico. The thought of only being in the hospital one night in the states when you are there for 2 nights in Mexico then an extra 1 or two in the hotel where doctors are checking in on you, To me that made all the difference in my recovery. I loved all the ready for a change staff and dr Garcia and his entire team! I found telling surgeons in the states before you leave they will deny you aftercare because they want you to stay and have it here. When I got home, I already had a two week check up set up with my primary care doctor just in case. I did call around to numerous surgeons saying I had the sleeve and needed post op care in the area. They were willing to see me when needed. (I already had the surgery they couldn't change my mind at that point) I have decided to just continue to see my PCP since she has numerous bariatric patients and understands much about the procedure and what is required post op. I saw her 2wks post op to check on my incisions and to address some heartburn issues I was having, then saw her at 3 mos. I go back every 3 months for a year. Good luck with your decision, and I will give my 100% recommendation for dr Garcia if you choose to go. -
I have mcclaren Medicaid in Michigan. I've tried every avenue I can to switch doctors and its just not working. I know the Bariatric surgeons here are amazing and willing to do whatever it takes to help me but, Medicaid requires a referral.
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Hi LegalLady- I got my referral from my primary care doctor on December 24. I went to the Bariatric program seminar January 24 where they gave me all of my requirements and I was off and running through required weight loss, sleep study, psych, and my 2 week lovely pre-op ;-)etc. Since it is a military facility, I am sure my process to longer than many sleevers do. 2 days it is!! Hard to believe. I am looking forward to donating lots of clothes very soon!
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I have Medicare, you have to jump thru hoops with them just like regular insurance. They require the 6 month diet, bariatric center of excellence and so on. My husband's insurance doesn't have any requirements, so I am not even going to use my Medicare.
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DFW area bariatric center giving away a free Lapband surgery
btrieger posted a topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
NewHope Bariatrics DFW I am in no way associated with that site. I am just passing it on. -
After 5 years of fear & negligence, MUST re-engage but don't know how!!??
crystal525 replied to only1ruben's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
After a quick search I found these--just google bariatric and Virginia Beach. Bariatric Physicians Licensed in | VA Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss) Doctors in Norfolk, Virginia I love my dr. -- he's in Northern VA. We're only a 3 hr drive away if you can't find one closer! Again...jump back on the bandwagon and start logging foods. Get to the doc as soon as you can. -
Three years ago this time I was in the operating room and my friendship with Leonida, my band, was starting. During the first year I lost 52 kilos, which is something between 100 and 110 lbs, if I am not wrong.. During the second year I started losing part of my strong motivation and,by the end of the second year and the beginning of the third, I had gained back 10 kilos. Bariatric Pal is helping me come back on track, your approach to weight loss connected to wls is a bit different and many of the suggestions I have read here are becoming part of my life and behaviour. Thanks to all of you!!!
