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Pre-Op Lab Work
BeanieandRosie'smom replied to Territravel's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
TerriTravel, As I said, I did my band in Mexico (and will do the same with the sleeve). I actually contacted a bariatric surgery center in my area and they accept business from people who have surgery elsewhere. My doctor told me that they'd be stupid not to because of the number of people who go to Mexico or wherever to do their surgeries. They have a fabulous psychiatrist there who has had weight loss surgery. My insurance covers 80% of my visits with her (so odd since I have that specific weight loss clause!) It also covers consults with a nurse at the weight loss center. I would check into it---the counseling has been the best thing I ever did in relation to the band. (HATE the band!) Best of luck to you! Erika -
Hi. I will answer what I can. 1. I don't drink coffee, but I do drink tea. I had to change to decaf because of reflux, but that has not been a problem. I could have it pre and post op. 2. My sleeve was my 12th surgery, and was the least painful of all. I was on pain meds for two days, and that was it. There was some discomfort to be sure, but tolerable. By the end of the first week I was bored. Think of the surgery this way: They give you a nice nap, and when you wake up you have a new lease on life and are free to re-invent yourself. The spot that hurt the most was the largest incision (which by any standard was still a small incision which they closed with surgical glue and a steri-strip). That is the one they took the remnant of my big ol' stomach through. I slept in my lift recliner for a couple of nights so that I would not pull on it getting in and out of bed. I did not have the shoulder gas pain that some people get. 3. I was allowed to do all the walking I could tolerate, but was told not to lift anything more than five pounds for six weeks. I am retired but I know that if I were still working, the fatigue and recovery from serious surgery would have flattened me. Coming off of ten days of liquids pre-op and 2 1/2 weeks of full lliquids post-op left me pretty much wiped out. When I started soft foods, I started to feel much more alert and mobile. 4. I took waaaaay too much stuff to the hospital for a two day stay. You can bring pretty much what you want to entertain yourself, but I mostly slept off the anesthetic. Don't take anything you will miss if it is stolen. 5. food... I am blessed to have a Mediterranean chef in the house, but if my food prep was entirely up to me on a lazy day, I would be batch cooking in the crock pot. The more you prepare your own food, the more control you have over it's content. Unless you are totally unteachable, this is a good time to learn how to cook from scratch. You can go a long way with a Foreman grill. Grilled meats are easy. Canned veggies are better than no veggies. There is not much work to boiling eggs or cutting off a piece of cheese. Since fruit is the peach and not peach pie, there is zero prep there. 6. Reading material.....if you mean concerning learning about bariatric surgery and recovery, look under the Resources tab at the top of this page. Congratulations on the decision you have made, and I wish you the best.
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Hi my name is Tim and I'm new to the site. I'm really beside myself whether to go for surgery or not. Well in a nut shell. At my heaviest I weighed 365 pounds. I have tried many diets and fitness programs in the past. A few years back I dropped to about 273 pounds. Then I went back up to about 343. Last year my wife began her journey with the bariatric sleeve. At the same time I began a medical weight loss program.. I did good for awhile and dropped down to 285 pounds. in the last two months I stopped losing and gained 10 pounds. I have a bariatric information session appointment on 10/6. My wife said I shouldn't do it, I guess basically she misses eating a lot. coming from an Italian back ground it is a little tough. however she looks awesome. She lost 125 so far. should I do it? I think I is a good move, basically I can handle intense workouts. my problem is that I just don't know when to stop eating. even with healthy food I eat in excess.
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Yes, thank you for sharing your experience. I'm so sorry you went through all of that. My first two pregnancies I threw up around the clock for 40 weeks and it was miserable. I am concerned about the nutrients for the baby and weight gain. I have an appointment with my bariatric surgeon next week to talk about my specific situation. Were hit able to eat enough before you got pregnant and then it stopped? Or were you not getting enough yet even before getting pregnant?
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Starting my final attempt
Frustr8 replied to insideout2018's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So we might be looking at November for a surgery date? You are not the only one, somebody started a November 2018 forum thread. so there are at least one or two on Bariatric Pal. I'll look and see if I can find it in a minute. In the meantime, in between times you have all of us as friends. We have all kinds of people, gay, straight, bi- the world contains them- we are a small micro of the world .But each and everyone of us will try to help if we can. We have had our sorrows but we've had victories too. That's just how l8fe is. -
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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Not on dialysis SandiJ but I just wanted to say hello, and wish you the best. Hope that you find the answers you need! My sleeve was done outpatient in a great hospital, and I was home in 8 hours. I think you need to consult with the finest Bariatric surgeon you can find.
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I began seriously considering bariatric surgery in January2011. My husband and I went to an informational meeting with the surgeon I was considering using. Initially I was thinking lap-band but after this meeting, I quickly changed to vertical sleeve gastrectomy because you won't lose as much "excess" weight with the band as you will with the sleeve. Also, there is no foreign object (band) left in your body. So, the decision was made to do vertical sleeve. My husband was skeptical until we attended the meeting. Afterwards he was convinced and very supportive. My surgeon's office, Dr. Richard Shimer, sent the request to my insurance company (United Healthcare) to see if it would be covered. I did not have any co-morbidities and my BMI was 35.7 therefore they denied coverage. I appealed it but lstt again!! I knew I wanted to have the sleeve whether my insurance paid for it or not.... All pre-op testing was complete and my surgery was scheduled for 4/25/11. I was so excited but not nervous at all! I am now I am 11 days post op today and have lost 14.5 pounds as of today. I've never lost 14 pounds in my life!!! I am thrilled. I am feeling a little more comfortable in my clothes that were too tight before surgery. I am on full liquids. I am wondering at the point, how many meals are you having each day? I have read 3 per day and 6 per day. a little confused
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Most plans want you to have any bariatric procedure at a center of excellence, that being said - many will pay up to $10,000 (according to my policy) for travel and accommodation for such a surgery. You may want to check into that option. I have UHC and had to change surgeons because my first surgeon was NOT affiliated with a COE and there was no way I was trying to get this done without insurance - so new surgeon and correct hospital = no pay for me!
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My bcbs of al just renewed on January 1st, I have contacted them and they cover 100% in a center for excellence facility with no deductible or co pays! My question is, do they have any rules as far as having a 6 month supervised diet or anything like that. I have not received my 2013 policy book yet and never thought to ask before. All they told me was cover 100% in center for excellence or 80% in network. I need prior approval and doctor will need to get a pre determination. Not sure what that means. Any info is appreciated!
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Do you think people are just being nice?
Bandista replied to Djmohr's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Congratulations on such a big turn-around -- what a great thing to have that acknowledgement from your doctor. I think it's really important for surgeons in non-bariatric fields to understand as much as possible about the positive results which can be achieved through WLS. The whole goal weight thing seems like a guesing game to me. When I started out at 252 I had a goal weight of 148 for a total loss of just over a hundred pounds. As I have dropped sizes I realize that would be way too thin for me. I like my curves. I know I'm not finished losing weight because I still have a little jelly belly. But like you I am wearing size tens, which seems like an absolute miracle to me. I guess we will know when we get there? Meanwhile, enjoy the process.... -
Hi All! Finally have a surgery date for 11/25, the day after Thanksgiving! I know I am prepared for this new journey! I have really been getting my mind and body prepared as best that I could. For anyone who went through the process or are going through the process, any advice? Anything to buy before hand? Bring to the hospital? Do in the weeks after? Thank you all so much! Also anybody have a date close to mine or the same date? Anyone in Boston who has been through the process?? I would love to meet other bariatric patients in the area.   Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App
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my surgery with Dr Illan in Tiajuana
WeighDownSouth replied to sherry24184's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I'm curious. Did Baja Bariatrics set you up with drivers, hotel etc? -
Where should I start?
MrsAnders replied to babygotback's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I would start with your physician also. My doctor and I discussed WLS and referred me to a bariatric surgeon in my area. Even after I had my referral I researched the surgeon and read a lot of reviews to make sure he was a good one. This isn't something I would trust to just anyone. -
Are other elective surgeries covered by your insurance before three years are up? If so, you may have an ADA claim. If not, you may still have a claim or you may be sunk, but talk to your rep. My husband has worked for a regional medical center for 20+ years. When he started, antidepressants, anxiety meds, bipolar meds, biofeedback, counseling, and all other mental health measures were not covered by insurance. Now they are, but it took a bunch of people complaining about discrimination and looking at legal action to get it changed. Even with our hospital's relatively liberal outlook on bariatric surgery, the insurance company dragged its feet for so long on approving my surgery that I'd nearly given up, as had the bariatric nurse in charge of the program. But they came through and I hope yours will, too. Enlist the aid of your primary care physician- if she recommends the surgery to improve secondary weight-related problems, it might help. My doctor really went to bat for me on this, god bless her. You aren't a monster. You are cute as a litter of kittens. Your nephew is a monster, however much you love him. I put up with "funny fat girl jokes" from my family for far too long to ever be patient with this kind of "teasing" again. He's either being deliberately cruel, in which case he needs to be told to shut up once and for all, or he's very young and/or dense and should be taught not to make personal remarks. My sympathy to you.
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Psychological Evaluation (NY)/PCP
Mhy12784 replied to Maryvsg87's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It's normal to need cardiovascular and pulmonary clearance for bariatric surgery, has nothing to do with your insurance. Every bariatric patient where I work needs medical cardiac pulmonary psych nutrition clearances for surgery. I would say that's relatively standard And remember the risks for cardiac and pulmonary problems with being obese is a large part of why insurance companies cover bariatric surgery to begin with. -
According to my insurance card that I am looking at, I have the same insurance as you, and I keep getting refused for bariatric surgery, because they claim it is excluded. I am totally confused now!!!!
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This is my first post on this forum. I just got off the phone with UHC in regards to having Vertical Sleeve. I was approved 8 days after the surgeon's office submitted the paperwork. My insurance requirements 6 month physicians supervised diet. A visit with a bariatric psychologist My surgeon also required the following sleep study A pre-op visit a bariatric dietitian along with a commitment for post-op follow ups Attend a support group meeting. My insurance is a self funded large employer plan administered by UHC . The plan title is Choice Plus PPO.
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Sleep Study?
EliyshevaLovesYahweh replied to MarcyLoo's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a horrible experience. Historically, the sleep study technician is to form some sort of rapport with the patient thus learn sleeping habits in order to offer the right cpap for one's comfort. For example, if one sleeps with mouth open or not, which in my case I don't. So she waltz over to my room with a seemingly darth vader Cpap device and proceeded to place it over my face (without explaining anything to me regarding the apparatus) while I was half asleep. It's funny to me now looking back at my frustration with this device and how I failed the second part of the test and had to do it over. Thanks to my best friend who is a Dr who gave me some great tips on how to overcome the claustrophobic anxiety, I passed the test. The key is to take a deep breath, hold it in, keep your mouth closed and try to breathe in ONLY from your nose once the device is properly placed. Why didn't this tech say this to me? Where do they find these people? lol. Anyway, the wires were an inconvenience, the freaking glue remained in my hair for days...I was only able to remove the glue with an oil treatment. So glad that part of the WLS/journey is over. As it turns out I suffer from sleep apnea - I would have never found out I had sleep apnea if it were not for bariatric clearance. Well, I hope your results come back OK. -
Initial appointments today! Meeting with my Bariatric surgeon at 10:30 am, appointments with the dietician and exercise specialist after!!!! I’m so anxious, excited, nervous. Ready to do this, been waiting a long time. The health issues have piled on as of late and my weight keeps climbing. Starting weight today of 284.2 pounds, height 5’1” and BMI 53.7.
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Aetna Open Access Plus Plan...Anyone??
MacMadame replied to lilbit08's topic in Insurance & Financing
Aetna's bariatric policy is on their web site so you can look up the details. They do pay for lap band if your BMI is over 40 and you go through a 3 or 6 month program. However, your company has to include WLS in their coverage. If your company excludes it, then you are hosed. -
The Six Month Diet Is Officially Over! Waiting For Approval From Uhc
Leleboo replied to Kerinilla's topic in Insurance & Financing
Hi everyone make sure you check with your Bariatric Office. I was told 6 months and I just found out from my Bariatrics Office that the first appointment doesn't count because you haven't been monitored for that month. You actually need to be seen 7 times. -
Hi All, I live in Doha and had the surgery on the 10th. I didnt go to a private hospital, I did it through Hamad hospital in Al Khor. You will be referred to General surgery but the surgeon is a bariatric surgeon and quite skilled. He also treats you as a person and not as a patient and even gives out his mobile number for concerns. I must say the care was first rate and would recommend a consultation with Dr. Hijran to anyone...... oh..... btw, I am north american
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Sarah, I switched from M-Plan to Aetna back in Jan in order to qualify for bariatric surgery. With my plan...I had to either have a 6 month history of physician supervised diet and exercise in my medical records w/in the last 2 yrs...or I could participate in a 3 month pre-surgical regimen of physician suprvised diet, exercixe, dietician support, etc. I did the 3 months...collected medical records for the last 5 yrs...had three letters of recommentation (my PCP, my surgeon and the physician who oversaw my regimen). With all of that and 2 health issues (high BP and sleep apnea) I was approved in 8 business days after submission of my packet. It was a long process...a lot of hoops to jump through...but pretty painless in the end. This is my experience w/Aetna...but what I understand....Aetna has different rules for different policies and riders. I met someone in my pre-op nutrition class that had Aetna and their policy did not cover bariatrics...so she switched to someone else. Long story short...the advice already given is best...call the providers and see what each will cover based on the coverage your employer offers before making a choice. That is what I did...and fortunatelyt for me...my employer's policy w/Aetna covered bariatrics. I hope this helps. Take care and good luck. Bud
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Hello, New to LapBand Talk.com
Rondacw replied to Rondacw's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hello Everyone, I hope that you are all doing well. I'm trying to get back into eating right. I had a couple of bad days of food choices with the holiday weekend. I work at a hospital and everyone brought in food to Celebrate the 4th and of course nothing was healthy. (Funny since we are all in the nursing field and have a bariatric center in the hospital). I am going back to the Dr. on the 15th to have some of my Fluid put back in. I had to have 2ml removed 2 1/2 weeks ago after a bad migrain. I had severe vomiting that put some serious stress on my band to the point I couldn't even drink Water. Feeling much better now. I have actually been more suscessful losing weight since they took some of the fluid out? Has anyone else lost weight after having fluid removed? Once again thanks for the replies and I look forward to talking to everyone. Ronda
