Search the Community
Showing results for 'renew bariatrics'.
Found 17,501 results
-
Necessity for Gallbladder removal
MyLapGotBigger posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am not sure if this is the correct forum to ask this question, but I recently went to my surgeon to schedule my surgery and mentioned that I have gallstones. I was told by one of the nurses during the pre-surgery classes I took that if the surgeon felt it necessary, he could do the laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the lapband surgery. However, my surgeon told me to have this procedure before the lapband surgery and after about 3 weeks to have the lapband surgery. He said that they could do both procedures, if necessary, if the patient was having the bariatric bypass surgery. Now, i have to wait until May to have my lapband surgery. This is due to schedule issues on both of our parts. Has anyone heard of this need to have 2 separate surgeries? -
Can anyone offer input on Dr. Jose Rodriguez &/or BeLiteWeight?
Okiebon posted a topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I'm planning to have the Mini Gastric Bypass in March in either Tijuana or Juarez. I'm now researching, looking for the best surgeon to perform my procedure. I like what I've seen and read about Dr. Jose Rodriguez (BeLiteWeight is his US coordinator). He works out of a full service hospital (Hospital Angeles in Tijuana and Star Medica in Juarez). Patients spend their entire stay in the hospital, not in a hotel. He's a US Certified Bariatric Surgeon and has studied in the US and Europe. He has a long list of other credentials on the BLW website, and they seem to be excellent. I'd love to hear any input on either Dr. Rodriguez or BeLiteWeight (good or bad). Has anyone dealt with BeLiteWeight or had Dr. Rodriguez do their surgery? What was your experience like? Another strong candidate is Dr. Juan Corvala with Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. I'm still in the researching surgeons phase so I'm open to suggestions. Can you recommend any other bariatric surgeons in Tijuana or Juarez? -
Surgery Without Aftercare
traveler60 replied to Proud2BMe's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I had surgery in Mexico October 30th and everything went great. I followed up once with my PCP when I got back. I did choose to see a nutritionist with the local bariatric surgery program and have found it to be very helpful. It is worth the cost to me. Since this is my new life a hundred dollars every 6-8 weeks on top of the surgery cost is well worth it, especially since I am saving way more than that on the cost of food. -
I'm Looking for a doctor in NJ
Patriciann replied to lljpaisley's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Hi, I live down the shore as well. I had my surgery in Montclair's Mountainside Hospital in October 2007 by Dr. Karl Strom. He and his associates and office are TERRIFIC. They have great monthly meetings, a terrific dietitian and Dr. Strom has done tons of bariatric surgery (no pun intended.) I highly recommend him. Please e mail me if you need more info. I'm at exit 80 (only Jersey people understand that, lol. It's secret code.) -
Most Doctors do not put obesity/bariatric surgery as a reason on the sick note. Most put abdominal or gastric surgery. Just ask your hsopital doctor or GP and they will do this for you.
-
Need Sample of Letter of Medical Necessity for Medicare.
Maya314 replied to pitter's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I actually found this template somewhere on the web and added a few things to it for my own... What I did for mine was take it to my Dr already typed in and all my Dr did was put it on their letterhead. Good luck! DATE To whom it may concern; I am writing this letter on behalf of my patient XXXXXX DOB XX/XX/XXXX. XXXXXXXX is XXXX tall and weighs XXXXlbs. and a BMI of XX.X with a diagnosis of morbid obesity (278.01). XXXXX has been excessively overweight for most of his/her adolescent and all of his/her adult life and having attempted and been unsuccessful at many different methods of weight loss, would certainly benefit from some sort of bariatric surgery. In addition to morbid obesity, XXXXX also suffers from the following co-morbid conditions, (These are a few that would qualify you) sleep Apnea (780.57), GERD (530.81), Shortness of breath (786.05), Stress Incontinence (625.6), Back Pain (724.2), Knee Pain (716.98), and has a positive family history of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. XXXXX has tried many method of weight loss including a physician administered diet and diet pills in XXXX with an approximate weight loss of XXlbs only having to gain the weight back plus more. XXXX is limited due to his/her co morbidities in the ability to exercise however is currently (walking approximately XX miles per day) (Or is a member of XXXX fitness club) with a weight loss of XXlbs. I feel that XXXXX would benefit greatly from the Lap Band Procedure (43770) as a tool to help lose the excess weight and lessen the co-morbidities and regain a more healthful life. Sincerely, -
As much as I love my band, I have to say that it's a fickle mistress. It can take several fills to achieve optimal restriction, and then as you lose weight and the fat surrounding your inner organs (including your stomach) shrinks, your band will feel looser so you'll need more fill. Also, restriction can be affected by the time of day, the climate, medications, allergies, hormones, and the position of Mars in the sky. You'll feel more restriction when you're making healthy food choices of SOLID foods, less restriction when you're choosing to eat soft and slider foods (some of which are healthy, like yogurt, but a lot of them are high-calorie and nutrient-poor, like ice cream and potato chips). We're all sick of dieting by the time we have WLS, but in a sense success with the band does involve dieting. Your band can't make good food choices for you, it can't make you exercise, it can't make you say no to trigger foods. That's all up to you. I'm over 4 years post op, 2 lbs. below my goal weight, with excellent restriction, and I still have to work on all of that in order to maintain my weight loss. It's a lifetime project. Finally I have to say: just because you can eat anything or overeat doesn't mean you should. Overeating can indeed stretch your pouch and/or esophagus and it can indeed cause your band to slip. Nowadays self-control seems to be a no-no word, but portion control is up to you, at least until you learn your soft stops. Your band won't ring a bell or flash some lights when it's time for you to stop eating. You have to eat slowly and pay close attention to how you feel as you eat. Soft stops are usually subtle - a hiccup, a sneeze, a sigh, a burp, an urge to clear your throat. If you eat through that kind of signal, looking for your pre-op sense of satiety (what I call "Thanksgiving dinner Full"), you'll go on struggling indefinitely. Success with the band is a lot of work. Although it's possible that you've stretched your pouch, only an upper GI study can prove that. If you go on overeating, it'll just make the situation worse. So I suggest that you make yourself do the evil D word (diet) for a week, pay very close attention to your satiety signals, keep a food log including the times of your meals or Snacks so you can get a handle on how long your satiety lasts, and only then go back to your bariatric surgeon to discuss another fill. Jean
-
well, I just looked at my benefits online and it doesn't look like it will cover it. *&&*^%$:regular_smile: My main benefits page says it is excluded, even for medical reasons. HOWEVER, there was another resource for United Heatlh Resources that provides some sort of assistance (not sure to what extent) with bariatric treatments. Anyone had any experience with this? Going to call my GP tomorrow and see what she says I should do.
-
any1 use duodenal switch code 43845 or open code 43843 to get sleeve approved?
NY Lou posted a topic in Insurance & Financing
hi everyone. i think i originally posted this in the wrong forum, so ill post it here now. i know alot of insurance companies dont cover the sleeve. my insurance company doesnt appear to have the new 2010 code 43775 for the sleeve in their system, but they do cover the duodenal switch code 43845, which is basically the sleeve with a bypass. has anyone here gotten the sleeve done by getting approved for the ds and then only having their dr do the first part of the ds, which is only the sleeve? im curious if getting only the sleeve done this way would work to get the insurance company to pay for it or even if the dr would be willing to do only the first part of the ds? also, there is another bariatric open code 43843 that my insurance covers and that code specifically states "gastric restrictive procedure, without gastric bypass, other than vertical banded gastroplasty". has anyone been approved for a sleeve using this open code? any comments/replies would be appreciated. thanks in advance. -
Hi Shelly-- I have Dr. Lusco too--and I just love him!! I can't say enough about him and about that whole group of people in the bariatric program. Debbie and Lana at the hospital are wonderful if you have any questions about insurance and Debbie has had the surgery herself so she can tell you about her experience. Kirk Evans, the exercise physiologist, is great to give you a kick in the pants to get you moving after surgery. I highly recommend participating in the exercise program--I even stayed on for 6 months after my free 6 weeks was up to make sure I developed good habits. Now I'm at the YMCA but I plan on going back to visit and might even go back to work out. Kirk is terrific about answering questions if you need help with your fitness goals!! Let me know if you have any questions and good luck to you!! :tt1:)
-
Hello everyone this is my first entry . I am 37 years old and am considering having the lap banding procedure done. I have a health problem known as vasa vagel syncope and I was wondering if any of you may have this condition as well ? My concern is the location of the band and the compression that is there around the stomach and I was wondering if this procedure may make this worse or better for me . I have talked with Dr. Oldham and Dr. Weiss from the Bluegrass Bariatrics and they tell me that they are unsure of the side effects for me and suggested that I post on a chat room to see if anyone else can share their experiences with me . Please help if you can . Thanks!!!!!!!
-
Midwest Bariatric Clinic in Neenah, WI
TatorTot posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I know this is a long shot but I am looking for anyone in the Appleton, WI area that has had surgery or thinking about it. I have been told that the two surgeons here know their stuff. I did go to a meeting to meet them but of course they are always going to put out the best of themselves......lol. -
I am in the process as well. I had my first consult with the surgeon August 5th and my first weigh in was August 11th. My surgeon's bariatric program is 4-6 months long. Since Tricare Standard does not specify how many months u need for the medically supervised diet/weigh-ins, I am going with 4 months. I have read on other threads that some people sent in previous medically supervised diet/weigh-ins to the insurance and they were approved. Others only did a month or two and were approved. Good luck with your journey!
-
Did anyone cheat on preop
DillThePill replied to Tboddy's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes, it would be completely unreasonable to tell a drug addict to "stop it" and then send them home with some instructions and a pamphlet for a support group. And they do use prescribed drugs to help addicts wean off of the dangerous, illegal ones. Yes, it's not reasonable to expect a good outcome if you do nothing more than tell a drunk driver to stop. That's why the penalities for drunk driving always include some form of education and monitoring. Yes, it is unreasonable to tell a tobacco addict to stop without giving them the tools to help them. You sound like someone who would argue against bariatric surgery because I should be able to "ACT like an adult" and just eat less. Do you like it when people tell you that? -
Need help finding good Dr. in DFW (Texas) area
gonnabethin replied to ELLYMAY's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
Dr. Cribbins and Dr Hamn in Plano are who Im using and it has been a great experience so far. Cheryl the bariatric coordinator is WONDERFUL!!! -
It also depends in your dr some require Bariatric Vitamins
-
Need help with GOOD protein recipes!
hockeymumzie replied to Barbara's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I mix with water. Been using them for my pre op. I tried Bariatric fusion but the Protein taste is strong to me. Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using RNYTalk -
Am I the only one with Diarrhea?
Miss Mac replied to EclecticWonder's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
At 9 1/2 months out I stll seem to be alternating between diarrhea and constipation - having a hard time finding the balance. So glad I am retired. I cannot imagine going through bariatric surgery and having to go to work, or raise kidlets at home, or having to do both and be expected to pull it together. To those of you in that position: you are my heroes. -
I've been really stressing out the last few weeks. I am on medicaid due to medical necessity (switched from a health and wellness plan). I am up for renewal/recertification this month, and if it wasn't approved, I would lose my insurance as of March 1. I do work part time, and my income is borderline. Long story short, I called them this am to find out I was approved for next month. Now I will be able to keep my 6th nutrition and weigh in appts. It's a relief to know that the last 6 months of work have not been in vain, and I can continue on in my journey.
-
Dallas, Houston, San Antonio Docs??
thinoneday replied to girly.girl's topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I had my surgery in San Antonio with Dr. R. Cavazos and am very happy with the outcome. . .he is a very gentle doctor and answers all questions. . .he is the medical director of NE Baptist Hospital and heads the bariatrics. . . very experienced in all aspects of bariatrics, including the sleeve. . . very professional staff and they don't just drop you once you have the surgery either. . . you follow up with him for the following year after surgery and it's included in the price of $15,500. You have nutrition/exercise class, you get support group, and you can call anytime you need to if you have questions. . . hope this helps, if you want more information PM me and i'll answer any question you have ok? Thanks -
Fear of STRETCHING Sleeve!
JamieLogical replied to Fatdiva14's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
That article is an opinion piece, not a study, and is written by one doctor, hosted on his website full of pop-up ads trying to sell me his books and supplements. Sorry if I have a hard time taking it as gospel. Even he says 40-70 grams a day and more for people who are aggressively exercising or pregnant women. He doesn't specifically mention bariatric patients, but it is a commonly accepted that WLS patients also fall under a category that has a higher protein requirement. He says these groups need 25% more protein than normal, so that would mean 50-88 grams. And this is coming from a guy who is clearly anti-protein! -
During the first few days, I drank a lot of clear protein drinks. They're not thick like shakes, they're more like Crystal Light but fortified with protein. They were helpful because they gave me both hydration and protein. https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatric-predigested-protein-liquid-protein/products/bariatricpal-fruit-drink-15g-protein-concentrate-pink-lemonade
-
Dr. Lily Chang, Virginia Mason Bariatric Group Seattle, WA.
Crcopleycasey posted a topic in Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals
I am having my gastric bypass surgery on Aug. 24. I have been on my pre op diet for almost 2 weeks. Nothing but clear liquid on the day before surgery. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App -
New to site....Intro [emoji41]
Butterflywarrior replied to JustMe40's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Welcome!! I hope the surgery helped your MS. I have autoimmune disease and chronic pain myself and was sleeved just this past November 24th Welcome to bariatric pal -
Standard bougie sizes in the United States range from 32-50F. The bougie size is not the same as stomach size, although it does influence the size of the sleeve. Generally, the smaller the bougie, the smaller the new stomach size, but the same size bougie does not always create the same size stomach. The finished sleeve size is determined by how close the stapler gets to the guide and whether the surgeon oversews the staple line and if so, by how much. While the gastric sleeve is now widely accepted as a primary bariatric procedure, there is not yet unanimous agreement on an ideal bougie size. The decision is trying to find the size that will provide the safest results with the most amount of weight loss. With a smaller bougie size, the smaller the sleeve and greater the restriction, but greater the risk of leak and stricture rate.
