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What Did Your United Healthcare Cover?
Hevans replied to DreamsOfSkinny's topic in Insurance & Financing
So I don't understand. I am in the appeal process but uhc does cover bariatric surgery on my plan and they paid for all my preop labs, sleep study, pft, and consults, but have denied the actual surgery. I am left with thousands of oop costs( my ded is 800 and then coins). I don't understand how they would pay preop services but not the surgery? Any tips on the appeal process with them? Thanks -
Anyone out there cycling? Help please...
msmedi8tor replied to msmedi8tor's topic in Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Forum
Thank you all for your wonderful advice and thoughts. It always helps me to hear what another bariatric patient is going through, or when they have found something that works. It's encouraging. All the best to those of you about to have surgery. I can only speak for myself, but even with the issues I've had, I have no regrets and would do it again. I am going to try the advice, see what works best for me. Even though I've had my band over six years, every day is a new day as far as what I can intake. I know hydration is key. So I have learned to go with the flow. My non bariatric cyclists friends tell me they feel what I experienced was heat exhaustion..not sure I can do anything about that during the summer months, and I'm sure not going to stop biking. Bike on!! -
Great new job with lousy health BCBS of AL insurance policy - no bariatric surgery coverage?
catwoman7 replied to SkinnyKathy's topic in Insurance & Financing
not all policies cover it. I had to change insurance companies to get it (fortunately, my employer had several options), but I had to go with the most expensive policy they offered. I stayed on it for two years, I think (in case there were issues...), and then switched back to my original policy. Five years later, of course. all of their policies covered it...oh well... anyway, it's not an issue with BCBS. It's an issue with your employer. Most insurance companies actually DO have a bariatric surgery rider, but employers can pick and choose which things they want to include in the particular policies they offer to their employees. I was told by our HR dept that it was pretty expensive to include bariatric surgery coverage, so they only covered it in their most expensive (to the employee, that is...) policy. -
Lifestyle changing new food discoveries
Sheribear68 replied to Sheribear68's topic in Food and Nutrition
Okay so even though it’s a bajillion degrees outside today, I made the “ramen” again for lunch. What I do is take a packet of the bariatric cream of chicken soup and add a scoop of beef bone broth. I run 8oz water though my Keurig then stir in some little torn up pieces of seaweed snacks (the wasabi flavor is full of awesomeness). Then I take my angel hair tofu, rinse in a colander form 30-60 seconds, throw in a bowl and microwave for about a minute. I don’t care if it’s wet because I’m gonna throw it into the broth anyway. I also added a dollop of wasabi (not pictured) into the cup to give it some pep. All in all, I’m only able to eat about half at a time, so it serves me 2 meals during my eating window. Each half gives me 14gm protein, 90 calories, 5 gm carbs. -
Great new job with lousy health BCBS of AL insurance policy - no bariatric surgery coverage?
catwoman7 replied to SkinnyKathy's topic in Insurance & Financing
in my case, my new insurance policy (which DID cover bariatric surgery) accepted the six-month supervised diet that I did under my former policy. -
My soon to be ex changed insurance
Mania replied to rebeccamat135's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Ummmmm. United Healthcare does cover Bariatric surgery. It depends on what your employer (if through work) elected to have covered. My experience with UHC has been top notch and they covered everything but about $500-700 of deductibles. -
My soon to be ex changed insurance
MillieBug replied to rebeccamat135's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
First, make sure bariatric surgery is covered with the new company. While you're on the phone with them, you can ask them for surgeons in your area. I strongly suggest you create an account on your carrier's website and search through there. If it helps at all, Cigna covers but United Healthcare does not. Also, I wish you the best of luck in your search for a new provider! -
Can I cut (instead of chew) my chewable multivitamin?
ThatGirl2121 replied to AngelaZ's topic in Protein, Vitamins, and Supplements
The Bariatric Advantage ones are horrible. Try BariMelts Multivitamin, Dissolvable Bariatric Vitamins, In smooth Fruit Flavor. -
Is anyone required to go to therapy weekly by your surgeon?
KristenLe replied to TanairyVSG's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I would try and see if you benefit from it. I went biweekly while I am pre-surgery and actually got a lot out of it. It was a psychologist from my Bariatric Program who worked with my on eating issues (emotional eating, mindless eating). She gave me tools I feel will help me be successful post-op. My guess is that your surgeon has a concern and it's best to address it. -
So do I have to get vitamins that are bariatric or can I just get a they otc Sent from my SM-A215U using BariatricPal mobile app
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What was the moment/day you decided on WLS?
Sigh replied to longhaul68's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Ive fought my weight all my life- sometimes healthy, but most of the time overweight, so dieting wasn’t new it me, BUT after covid and hitting peri/menopause, the weight came to stay. I was miserable- joint pain, pre-diabetic- and couldn’t lose weight no matter what - even on my usual low carb/keto path. Tried metformin—ugh, Tried contrave- Wellbutrin/naltroxene combo— sicker than a dog and scared of messing with my mental health. HRT was causing the weight to climb- and in november had hysterectomy - and by February hit my highest weigh of 195, Called and got a local Bariatric surgeon consult. Went in and discussed it- decided on VSG. I was NOT going to hit 200 - none of my clothes fit and everything hurt. Found out the process could be months log- so I got on internet and had Mexico- flights, surgeon and two days off work booked and planned for the next month. It cost me about as much as out of pocket would have cost me in the states and i was able to lose weight before surgery- where if id stayed in states, i could have been denied if i lost anything (MX requirement was BMI of 30, states was 35 and comorbitities, i think) I was READY-and was NOT in the mood to wait. So decided Feb 3, and surgery March 3. So glad i did it! -
Bad habits before and after WLS
BabySpoons replied to omrhsn's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Bad habits Before... holding in burps and gas because it wasn't ladylike. To my discomfort. After... letting it loose to ease my discomfort. Before...wearing all black to disguise my size. After...wearing all black because I think it's chic. Before... picking up fast food every Friday night. After....picking up fast food every Friday night. (Bariatric friendly) -
At a loss, looking for support
Frustr8 replied to mjrinere's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Considered a Go Fund Me Page for myself, don't think it meets Alex' s criteria so quickly trashed the idea. Bariatric Pal and being a member,means more to,me. Besides my problems may cure themselves. -
When I went for my psych evaluate Tues that there is a support meeting held monthly at the Valdosta Bariatric office. Good to know, cause I hadn't been informed of that yet.
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If you have fainted, you should have been in the E R already. Since your doctor appears to be associated with Lennox Hospital in NY City, I will assume that you have a bariatric team that you can contact. If you are feelng so physically weak and emotionally hopeless so early out, I would suggest that you take advantage of their expertise. They should have advised you that bariatric surgery can wipe you out physically and mentally and should have left you some means of reaching out to them Please be pro-active and trust in their knowledge. At eight days I was on purees and at two weeks I started soft foods such as the scrambled eggas and tuna that you mentioned. Maybe they would at least let you start pudding or applesauce...something like that. What's done is done, and as you have aleady seen, your sleeve is working even though this part of the process is unpleasant and inconvenient. Barring complications, it just gets easier from here. The worst is already over. The best way to avoid those complications is to get those fluids and Proteins in, and let your team know you are in distress. I hope that they can give you the boost you need to hang in there. Hugs from Miss Mac in Chicago.
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The adjustable gastric band (Lap-Band or Realize Band) is not all that new any more. The Lap-Band has been approved for use in the USA since 2001, the Realize Band since 2007, and other brands of bands have been used in the rest of the world since the 1980's. I had a band slip (resolved with a complete unfill) and a port flip (corrected with surgery), but I loved my band. You're correct that band surgery is reversible, though I wouldn't recommend doing that unless it was to treat a complication. Just because it's reversible doesn't mean that the band is easy to remove. RNY (gastric bypass) is also reversible, though not easily. VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) is not reversible, and only the "switch" part of DS (duodenal switch) is reversible. Good luck with your decision. It's good that you're doing research. I suggest thatyou carefully weigh what other bariatric patients and a bariatric surgeon tell you, and pick the procedure that feels right for you, to meet your weight loss needs and your post-op lifestyle. Jean
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Advice Please!! Thinking about changing surgeons!!
ashleyc posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have been seeing preparing to have surgery and have completed all my insurance requirements.... I want to have surgery as soon as possible! My surgeon is requiring me to have a sleep study done and then IF (you know they will) they say I have sleep apnea they are going to make me sleep with the cpap for 14 nights straight before being cleared for surgery.... WELL there is another center of excellence bariatric surgery place here that DOES NOT require a sleep study that my friend works at and I could possibly have surgery with him within 2 weeks.... I am seriously thinking about switching surgeons... What would you do?? -
Day 1 of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet
StephanieM posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Today starts the first day of my two-week preop liquid diet. I can only have four protein shakes per day and can only use bariatric advantage. Bariatric advantage protein is so gross! I am gagging it down. This afternoon I got the worst headache and felt nauseous. How my going to do this for two weeks? When does this get easier? -
Dr. Koppman & Dr. Marema in St. Augustine
outside*looking*in posted a topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Hi - Has anyone been banded by these doctors in St. Augustine. They are supposed to be a great group (US Bariatrics) but I have not been able to find any chats going about them. I am curious to hear from thier patients. I have been to the seminar. I have also been to the support nutrition group for Dr. Cywes (by accident, thought I was attending the seminar but got it wrong - though it was a great experience:thumbup:) I will be self-pay. Would love to hear from you. Thanks -
A lot has happened in a year. The Valdosta Bariatric clinic is now at Choice Family Medicine. Just happens to be at the office of my primary care manager Dr. Richard Rickman's office. Jody Young is there (Awesome!) and Dan Ayers, I didn't know him from last year, but he's been great to work with so far as well. They work with more than one surgeon, so if you go, there are options. I was initially going to see Dr. Michael Baptista in JAX but had a paperwork hangup between their office and Tri-Care and since I had already had an approval last year for surgery with Dr. Cywes, Jody has been working this closely. Now I'm approved to go with Dr. Christopher Smith in Albany (Tifton). There is a support goup meeting held at the office each month, although I haven't made it to one yet, I definately will be.
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Weight on Drivers License
frust8 replied to Sleeved36's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I think I always told them I was 250, I'm really over 300, should pull mine out and recheck, I don't remember what I put down last December when I renewed. FYI my state (Ohio) requires your height and weight on hunting and fishing licenses. I know because when I worked at WallyWorld I was cross-trained in Sporting Goods and sold many. One guy asked me one day why Ohio wants his height and weight on his license? Told him the only thing I could figure was if somebody shot him it would make it easier to identify the body.[emoji14] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app -
I love bariatric pal already, so many support people! Thank you everyone and Merry Christmas!
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Well here's an update! I had a plastic surgery consult today. The surgeon (who works very closely with my bariatric surgeon) told me not to lose any more weight. I kinda thought that's what was happening. She said a lot of very helpful things. Showed me how my body will change. Some science and some clinical experience and some anecdotal. I like her. So she wants me to up my calories again. Over 1800. A lot has to do with how active I am and that my metabolic rate will triple to heal from the plastic surgery. She said I will lose a minimum of five pounds from the surgery. So now I will put effort into maintaining. Thank you for the feedback.
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I am posting here to bump the thread up and hopefully get more responses. I'm having a terrible time with this as well. I did so much research pre op, and was happy with what I bought (or so I thought). I ended up with Bariatric Advantage Sublingual Vitamin B12, Celebrate Calcium PLUS 500, and Celebrate Vitamins Multivitamin Chewable. The B12 isn't bad. It's cherry flavored, and doesn't make me nauseous. The multivitamin is ok flavor-wise, but it does make me nauseous. And the calcium is just awful. They are huge, and I'm supposed to take 3 a day. I'm lucky if I can get one down. They make me so sick to my stomach. And that's even when I make a point to take them on a full stomach. I would love to hear what other people are taking!
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New with tons of questions/concerns
overweightny posted a topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I have been dealing with my weight problem pretty much my entire life. I am a 30 year old man. I have been on this diet and that diet. Some with success and some not. I am currently at 476lbs and am starting to get physical problems. I want to beat this before it beats me. So I have taken the first step and told my physician I am considering the lapband. I have not had my appointment yet with the Bariatric office. I recently found this site and have been reading. I am already feeling scared and apprehensive. Lots of negative reading and horror stuff. Q1- Can anyone that has had the ideal surgery and success give me an overview of what to expect? Q2- What are the rules? What will I never be able to eat? What will I never be able to do? Q3- Do you have any regrets? Q4- What is the financial impact after the surgery? Groceries, supplements, etc.? Thanks to whomever answers. I need to do something life changing before there is no life left and anything is going to be scary. Thanks
