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Your surgeon's insurance coordinator is going to be the most important person who can help you with this process. He or she should be familiar with all the major local insurance carriers, know their requirements, and know exactly how to tailor your insurance submission for the best chances of acceptance. That is the person who will put everything together and actually make the submission. As far as I know, things like personal letters only come into play if you have been denied and are appealing the denial. I never even saw my insurance submission, so I can't send you anything helpful there. I had a sit-down meeting with my insurance coordinator at my intake visit and we went over all my requirements in detail and set up a time-table for getting everything in. When it was all in, she submitted everything and I was approved in under 24 hours. So when you do have your appointment with your bariatric team, make sure you ask lots of questions about how they manage the approval process and what you need to do in order to have a successful submission package. Meet with the insurance coordinator if possible. I guess that's my best advice. Good luck to you!

I started my process Last July and was very quick in providing EVERYTHING my insurance co. asked for. My surgery is tomorrow. I was approved (this time) quickly, at least I think so. I would advise anyone thinking about this to NOT expect anything in less than a year. I'm afraid a lot insurance companies use the taking forever tactic to try to discourage you and for you to quit trying. But dont! If you follow the rules and are in the guidelines for the surgery it will happen. It will be worth it. I started trying to get any type of bariatric surgery in 2003. Have been denied up until now.

I'm not the young studs like you guys are i'm 61 in September but I never in a million years thought that the excess skin would look like this. I think I look terrible without cloths on. But there is no way in the world I will invest the kind of money you have to do to get rid of it. My good friend across the street from me works for a surgeon who specializes in bariatric skin removal procedures. Maybe I can get her to throw me a bone huh?

Every office is going to be different but asking any questions you can think of is the best thing. Even if it's an embarrassing one ask it because I'm sure they've heard worse.....lol Also do research on the Internet to come up with questions, maybe about something you don't understand. My office required me to go to 3 pre op bariatric support groups. Very very informational ! You also can ask a ton of questions there too and no one is there judging you. Good luck too you and this wonderful journey!!

I take the Bariatric Fusion also. My surgeon suggested 2 in the am and 2 in the pm. I like the berry flavor. They are so much better than the Celebrate ones I was taking before.

Hey!! I started my journey in October of last year! Thinking the day would never come! And I got the call today just to verify hospital stay ect. I am getting very excited , nervous , a million diff emotions in one the closer it gets! I'm really nervous about the post op first cpl weeks and how my new stomach will be! Started looking around in the bariatric choice website for vitamins and diff shakes ect. Expensive but good protein! I'm so excited to have found another Bostonian and same day sleever!!!! ????

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WRcaSIMxfYg Forever-ever? I'm all for following the surgeons plan to the "t" but I would have to question what nutrition training/scientific studies have led him/her to conclude that bariatric patients should abstain from fresh fruit and whole grains forever.

FLORIDA - Fill Centers USA 866-345-5872 Please call to find out. Locations in Miami, Tampa, St. Pete, Cross City www.fillcentersusa.com FLORIDA - St. Augustine/ Dr. Robert Marema 904-819-5861 Please call to find out. (Not Confirmed Yet) US Bariatric - St. Augustine - 300 Health Park Blvd, Ste. # 5002, St. Augustine, FL 32086 FLORIDA - Pensacola/ Dr. Jeffrey Lord 850-416-1628 850-416-1515 fax $400 for new patients $115 after that Sacred Heart Hospital, 5151 N. 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32584 FLORIDA – Pensacola/ Dr. John David Nye 850-444-4741 $365 office visit $150 for fills Yes Fluoro Baptist Hospital. Possible Insurance will pay for office visit (one time pay). FLORIDA - Duval - Volusia - Jacksonville area/ Dr. Abbas Shariat 904-246-9464 450 for the first one and $250 thereafter. Yes FLORIDA - Tampa area/ Tiffany Jesse 727-584-7666 $400 per fill (Dr. Fee) Hospital charges $350 $400 per fill in office First fill is done with fluoro (subsequent fills can be done w/o) (NEAR TAMPA) 2039 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, FL 33774 http://www.shedthepounds.com FLORIDA - Tampa/ Sandel’s Health Care Center 813-635-9611 $200 for first fill $125/ fill after $75 extra for fluoro Also fills J&J Bands Sandel’s Health Care Center, 7750 Palm River Rd., Tampa, FL 33619 FLORIDA - Dr. Murr & Dr. Galitin 813-844-7473 Tampa, FL FLORIDA - Kissimmee (Celebration)/ Dr. Keith Kim 407-303-4504 Please call to find out. Bariatric Center at Celebration Health - 400 Celebration Pl., Ste. # A310, Celebration, FL 34747 FLORIDA - Orlando/ Dr. Beltre 407-830-6868 Please call to find out. NO Mexico PATIENTS...685 Palm Springs Dr., Ste. #1E, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 (in Palm Springs Medical Center). Www.wbweightlosssurgery.com FLORIDA - Hollywood area/ Dr. Thomas Bass 954-966-8559 $250 consult, $250 each fill, $250 monthly membership fee for 12 months until u are an established patient 1150 N. 35th #575, Hollywood, FL 33021 FLORIDA - Sandy Anderson, RN/ BSN 941-206-2111 Initial Visit $450 (includes pt. visit, consult, fill) Fills after that $150 Office consult $75 Fills w/ x-ray $450 (includes hospital fees) Surgical Obesity Solutions 3161 Harbor Blvd, Suite D, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 sandy@surgicalobesitysolutions.net FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Nestor Delacruz-Munoz 305-856-4385 Please call to find out. (Not Confirmed Yet) Surgical Weight Loss Institute - 3659 S. Miami Ave, Ste. #5002, Miami, FL 33133 FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Alejandro Hernandez-Cano & Dr. Ponbo 305-446-3636 $100 consults, $300 fills w/ fluoro 55 West 3rd Street, Hialeah, FL 33010 FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Brian Dunkin & Dr. Robert Bailey 305-243-2424 $800-$1500 for fills @ hospital 1475 NW 12th Ave. Ste #4023, Miami, FL 33136 Price depends on cc’s of Fluid. Price quoted is thru Insurance, call for info on self pay. FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Juan Fleites 305-856-3212 Call for current price. 3661 South Miami Ave., Ste # 205, Miami, FL 33133 FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Lourdes Pelaez 305-670-4134 or 305-670-0311 Call for current price. 7400 N. Kendall Dr., Ste # 403, Miami, FL 33156 FLORIDA - Miami/ Dr. Eddie Gomez 305-285-5090 $300.00 no fluoro Advanced Surgical Associates, 3661 S. Miami Ave, Ste. #301, Miami, FL 33133 FLORIDA - Coral Gables/ Dr. Moises Jacobs 305-669-2388 $200 fills (no fluoro) Laparoscopic Center of So. Florida 1150 Campo Sano Ave. Ste # 300, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (in Miami) FLORIDA - Weston/ Dr. Raul Rosenthal & Dr. Samual Szomstein 954-659-5228 or 954-659-5239 $250-$450 consult fee (depends on lab tests, etc) $250-$500 for fills Cleveland Clinic 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd, Weston, FL 33331 (near Davie, FL) FLORIDA - Ft. Lauderdale/ Dr. David Diaz, Dr. Michael Perez, Dr. Ravindra Mailapur & Dr. Robert Marema 954-351-1589 or 954-351-7770 $175 office visits, $250 fills (no fluoro) $150 for fluoro (if needed) U.S. Bariatrics 4800 NE 20th Terrace Ste # 303, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308 Speak to Elba Ext. #109 FLORIDA - Atlantis area/ Dr. Kenneth A. Larson 561-439-1500 $125 fill (no fluoro) $150 Consult every fill includes a consult $275 total Near JFK Hospital 142 JFK Dr., Atlantis, FL 33462 (in Palm Beach County, near Boynton Beach) Will ONLY do fills on INAMED lapbands. FLORIDA - Tallahassee/ Dr. Jeffrey Crooms 850-877-6212 $75 (please call to see what this includes or if there are any other charges) Please call. 1405 Centerville Rd., Ste #4400, Tallahassee, FL 32308 NEAR ATLANTA, GEORGIA FLORIDA - Melbourne 321-951-7074 call for a physician 321-725-4500 main ofc $300 no fluoroscopy Allergan Band ONLY! Kathy.Blair@MIMA.com 200 E. Sheridan Rd., Melbourne, FL 32901

Firebolt, The Doctor that did my lapband surgery in Dec. was an "Internist" all he does now is bariatric surgery but he is well trained for any surgery from his past experience. He's probably 55 - 58 yrs old. After my second surgery he did to flip the port and see why I was having pain in my upper left rib cage, which was from tons of scar tissue and the cord being caught up in it, I felt great. No pain in the left side. I was concerned if we were making the right decisions before the 3rd surgery to just put in another port on the left side and clean up everything inside again. The surgeries are so expensive and they take so much out of you. The new Doctor I am going to (there are two of them together) are "surgeons". I wasn't sure how they would be compared to an "Internist" and fixing the problem. I have to say they were more thorough then the Internist. It's probably has a lot to do with their attitudes and interest in cases like mine that has helped me. They have a great bedside manner and spending all the time I want from them... I just started looking up other Bariatric Doctors in my area. I live in Denver CO and had a reasonable amount of Doctors around that to this surgery to pick from. I searched the internet to find them. They were like 25 miles from me and the hospital they work out of it but it was so worth it for a 2nd opinion. I didn't think they would be able to tell me much more then my "Internist" but I was so WRONG! If your Mom is in a small town, I know she probably wouldn't have enough to pick from. If things don't feel right with her Doctor, it is just to drawn out and painful sometimes to not get that second opinion. My Internist wasn't threatened at all by it and encouraged me to go... Good luck with whatever you and your Mom decides to do. Sorry that is so long... After this current surgery Monday. I have pain in my upper left rib cage again, where they pulled out the drain tubes when I left the hospital on Wed. It feels like someone took a hammer and beat around up there... I'm pretty sure it's from them cleaning out the scar tissue in that area where the cord was bound up. Sometimes that area bothers me more then the huge hole area... :w00t: Is your Mom still packing the hole? I don't know how my husband does it. I'm not sure I could do it to him! :w00t: We are wondering how long this last and closes up. My Doctor said 1 - 2 weeks... I hate to thing about doing this for 2 weeks! Is her drainage from that area too? Is your Mom on antibiotics??? They kept me on Cipro 500 mg twice a day, for 10 days and Levitan (which is almost 6.00 a pill) once a day for 5 days. Does your Mom have a low or high grade fever? That can be a clue too if she has an infection. You usually run a temp. when you are fighting something off... I don't know what test they will run on her... My expensive CT scans never showed infection or problems... I think because I had so much scar tissue (which doesn't come up on CT scans either). The only test that were good for me was the ultra sounds, regular xrays & they did run a good series of xrays the day after surgery to make sure nothing was leaking out of the stomach and he got everything closed off... Has your Mom had the type of xray since surgery??? Sorry this is so long... I'm probably repeating myself and being too long... I've been on the pain medicine a lot today and I take this pill for nausea that really relaxes me and makes me sleep a lot... I love that pill even more then the pain pills! Keep me posted about your Mom. I hope everything goes well today! :thumbup:

Medical professionals : why do you do the work you do? Why did choose to work with Bariatric patients? OMGOSH, the responses have been amazing. From family and personal experiences you learn so much. I met nurse, who attended an Ivy League school, who has been practicing for two years and loves work with people. On two occasions, she grew her hair and donated the hair to organizations that make wigs for children. So, I challenge you in the midst of your discomfort, to focus on people around you - so they see understand that Bariatric patients are individuals who want to live, love, dance in the rain, and focusing on this experience to share with others. Man, could we focus on the bad things but I am focusing on the great things awaiting me on the other side! Thank you Lord!

@@jane13, there are 6 hospitals in my area and only one surgeon that is in bariatrics. The one that doesn't allow outsiders. I'm good though. Thank you again for the help.

Just short of a few days from 5 months since my VSG surgery. So far I have lost 55 lbs. To be honest with you I could have lost more than this by now but my commitment level to exercise and to eating what I should not has not been as it should. I am not ungrateful for loosing 55 lbs, dont get me wrong, but I know i have also eaten crap that if i did not do that I would be at a better weight loss bracket. You really have to be fully committed BEFORE you start this surgery and I only realize it now. I had some misconceptions about the surgery and thought that it would 'carry' me more without the level of personal responsibility and commitment it actually takes. I thought that my appetite would be next to nothing but immediately following the surgery I felt starving. My appetite never really waned but its true that you do fill up quickly - thank God for stomach restriction! I still cant eat most meats and I do not have 'meals' yet per se, I like soups, but I do get calories in by things that are called slider foods. A cookie, some chocolate, some ice cream……..all no nos for weight loss. So while I have lost a lot of weight and look quite different already (2 people I ran into last week actually did not recognize me!) I am doing better in changing my eating habits still compared to what I used to. And my glucose levels are MUCH better but this TAKES WORK! You experience weight loss plateaus,. At 4 months I reached a particular weight band and I have vacillated in the 5 lbs up and 5 lbs down range for 2 months now. Its SO FRUSTRATING! I am able to eat a lot more than before so around 4 months you have to really make an effort to restrict your calorie intake. I brought WAY TOO MUCH stuff before surgery LOL I am a type A person and like to be very organized. I bought too much post surgery medication. I bought lots of bariatric surgery paraphernalia like food measuring devices and things that I have never used once. I did use the waist binder for 2 months and was glad I bought that but not even the GasX strips work. Seriously, I bought so many of them and they don't really work. What works is a nice HOT cup of tea! Gas comes right up. All this bloody GasX strips I have and wayyyyyyyyy too many antacids. I need the antacids but I bought TOO many. I only get acid reflux occasionally. Buy things AS you need them. Don't by bra's in advance anticipating weight loss. Your boobs change shape and cup size. I made that mistake. I am no longer a DD but a D and I bought smaller back sizes at DD and now the cup is too big!

I know that it is usually gas but I have also heard that left shoulder pain can also be a sign of a leak. https://www.princetonhcs.org/care-services/institute-for-surgical-care/the-center-for-bariatric-surgery-and-metabolic-medicine/resources/articles-tips/stomach-pain-after-bariatric-surgery

hello November sleevers!! as som of you know I was sleeved Monday. was relapsed yesterday. The surgery was textbook. I woke in recovery in some pain, more discomfort than anything else. Very sore. I woke up in my room that night with vicious dry mouth. Every time I tried to move it was so uncomfortable. For a brief moment laying in my bed a couple hours after surgery I asked "why did I do this" Then a wonderful nurse realized I was uncomfortable. She got me a cold sponge lolly pop to use on my lips and tongue. That, mixed with painkillers I received I began to change my tune :-) I woke up the day after surgery feeling better. Went for the leak test and passed. I was so happy bout that. Then they removed my catheter (guys worst nightmare) After said catheter was removed life got a whole lot better. Because I passed my leak test I was able to have water and diet juice or decaf coffee and tea. Even ate some yogurt. I was feeling much better at this point. Still sore of course, I mean I just had major surgery. I tried to fight the pain meds and that was my biggest mistake. I don't everyone to think I was excruciating pain, it was more discomfort from the gas pains and Soreness from the incision sites and external drain. Side note : Dr Kim is a brilliant surgeon. I honestly believe she is at the top of her field . My incisions sites look like tiny scratches, they are so clean and are healing incredibly. I want to take another minute to acknowledge her personality and her bedside manner. She made time to see me personally 4 times after surgery. With her hectic scheduled that meant alot. She explained my leak test In detail to me and my mom. She explained that when I woke up it wouldnt be pain so much as a pressure in your chest. Boy was she right! So after Getty some fluids in I started to feel much better. I went for a few walks with a physical therapist that actually made me feel better, to be up and moving. They bring an assortment of bariatric fluids to your room 3 times a day, to see which one you can tolerate. Plain yogurt never tasted so good! The I had my drain taking out after realizing I was healing properly. I was able to take a shower after the

The woman who wrote that article is a food EDITOR, not a medical researcher. Yes, she is also a registered nurse and writes a lot of articles about nutrition and health, but the bottom line is that she is writing from a biased point of view, and particularly one that has never been face to face with the need to lose 100 lbs or more. Take everything with a grain of salt -- that includes opinions in favor of bariatric surgery. At the end of the day, you need to do what is best for you. But don't let one article dissuade you when there is plenty of proof, both on this forum and elsewhere, that the LapBand can have an incredible impact on your life.

Gound it at bariatric pantry fr $18.99 thanks

I spent a lot of time shopping and reading labels before and after surgery. I made a notebook of food ideas/recipes. Pinterest is great for Bariatric surgery recipes. I still buy low fat low sugar yogurt and cottage cheese, tuna, smoked salmon for my husband. I opt for low fat chicken broth to cook with. I still choose the low fat soups for emergency. I love the ease of rotisserie chicken for chicken salad, etc. Three years post op I am now drinking protein shakes once a day to jumpstart some weight loss. The best advice I have is to just choose foods which are healthy for you, and I am now on a journey to leave processed food out of our diet. I think of the years I got fat eating Lean Cuisine and WW meals daily. Never again. Good luck!

Hi I am a teacher too :bored:. I am in S. Florida and our insurance does not require a 6 month supervised diet so I made my pcp and nutritionist appointment in Feb, psych appt in March, and pre op in May, and was approved May 29th just in time for summer..I hope everything goes smoothly for you. I got a good surgery day with summer vacation and all. I know some teachers who came to work right after other bariatric procedures and I do not know how they were able to do it!

"The Emotional First Aid Kit: a Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery" by Cynthia Alexander

Hello, I am contemplating gastric sleeve. I will really appreciate if folks who have actually gone through the operation can suggest names of surgeons with whom they had had good experience. Or which institutions are considered centers of Bariatric Surgery Excellence. Will greatly appreciate.

I know about that one. I am talking about having speakers (bariatric surgeons, plastic surgeons, etc.) and clothing exchanges... Perhaps a biggest loser contest, before and after boards, etc. All sorts of fun stuff. I have the means to secure speakers, and sponsors, and a place for fills. Just need to get a general idea of who would be interested.

@chanti...I have read on some posts that there is a bariatric surgeon in red deer but the waiting list is very long and the cost is like double or something like that then Tijuana so and somewhere I read that the procedure in Toronto is like 22,000. :/

You lost 55 pounds in six weeks (down 125 pounds total) and you’re questioning your decision? That’s an amazing weight loss already! Remember, the less you weigh, the slower the weight comes off. I definitely understand being obsessed with the scale but I encourage you to focus on NSVs also. And think about long-term goals. I know it’s going to take me about a year to lose 115 pounds, so I am taking it day by day. I recommend working with a bariatric therapist or seeking behavioral strategies from Overeaters Anonymous or a mindful eating program to learn to stop eating when full. It can be really tough especially when you love the food you’re eating. But, this is a journey and a battle and we have so many resources to help us. Good luck!

I have the same reaction to Tylenol 3 and Tylenol 4 - my bariatric surgeon chalks it up to an increased sensitivity to Tylenol. What about straight hydrocodone or oxycodone, or even dilaudid or morphine? I'm not sure what the culprit in Tramadol is, as I take it PRN for herniated discs and a shoulder injury and have had no issues with it. Does it help to "sandwich" pills in some cheese or yogurt? Take a bite of the food and swallow, take the pill, then take another bite. I did that in the past while taking anti-depressants, since they can cause minor stomach irritation and I have had problems with ulcers (TWO emergency perforations; and two ulcers in between - I have bi-annual EGDs to keep track of them, and am on lifetime prescriptions of Protonix and Carafate).

Can't answer on the hematoma question, but I will tell you that I had NONE of what you are describing! My surgeon used staples which, although totally uncomfortable, kept me totally together for the first week until he removed them. Yes, I would be freaked too--and I think I would be making a call to the Bariatric Center tomorrow to get the information you're looking for! Good luck to you... :welldoneclap: