Candle

I haven't been approved yet - I just bought a PPO policy with GHI. I'm using Dr Alan Geiss in Syosett. He's the best on LI and accepts GHI. Keep in mind, GHI requires a 6 month superived diet though.

I'm using Dr Geiss as well

Hell yeah it counts! My surgeon has a form my PCP fills out and faxes to them each month. Month #1 was my first visit with my PCP to discuss the band. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I agree. PLEASE FIX THE EDIT FEATURE!!!

I was a little out of it when the doctor was going over the results of my Upper GI but I know she said I have 2 ulcers!! I have to call her on Monday because she gave me a script for Prevacid (sp?) and it isn't covered by my insurance for some reason. Hopefully she can give me something else but I want to get a little more detail about my results as well. She asked if I have been taking a lot of aspirin or any pain reliever lately - which I have been (Ibuprofen). My last 2 periods were really rough and I had a bunch of dental work done lately. My dentist thinks I am clenching and/or grinding my teeth at night too. I've been waking up with really bad headaches lately. Anyone have any experience with this? Are these ulcers going to cause me problems getting banded? I was surprised - I do have occasional heart burn but nothing too bad.

Yeah - no doctors ever believe you - lol. My boyfriend had a vasectomy last year so I know there's no chance. My regular doc just put me on Tricore for high cholesterol, instead of her first choice of RX, because I am of child bearing age. :rolleyes I had my upper GI done today and they required a pregnancy test too. (they put me under but didn't drug test me) Turns out I have 2 ulcers!!!!!

I am using Dr Geiss :fish:

What is a pain pump?

I have my upper GI next week and my sleep study in 2 weeks - I was under the impression that was all I had left to do. My doctor had blood work done for thyroid testing awhile ago. That would suck if they sprung this on me/someone at the last minute - if I didn't know about it there could have been a chance I would fail - lol. Thanks guys - I was just curious. I feel like I'm never going to finish all these pre-op tests and new things seem to keep popping up. (I'm real nervous about having to do more than 1 sleep study)

I had my psyc consult the other day and I said something to her about casually smoking pot. She told me to make sure I didn't smoke anytime near my surgery date because the anesthesiologist will require a drug test. I haven't smoked in awhile and am not worried about it but found it curious because I've never heard any mention of this from anyone else.

That's odd. I also have Anthem BC/BS out of CT and so far they have covered all my pre-op testing. I have an exclusion on my plan ... sounds like you do as well. Did you check to see if you were covered for the band? (I'm switching to a new insurance co before surgery)

My vote is PCOS. I have it and it sucks!! You need to see a endocrinologist.

hehe I was just getting ready to work up the nerve to ask my boss if I could take the time off as SICK time. I never use sick days - I hope she says yes.

Wow! I had no idea there was a difference between parks. I had trouble at Six Flags a few years ago and haven't been to a park since. I was a 22/24 at the time.

I'm right there with you!! Blood work Nutritionist Shrink EKG/ECHO Stress Test Sleep Study 2x Pulmonary dr 2x Consult for Upper GI Upper GI procedure Lap Band dr 3x 6 month supervised diet with PCP 6x I'm up to my neck in $30 co-pays and raising a lot of questions at work. Ugh!!!!

Who do you have for insurance? I am about to switch to GHI. I'm working on the 6 month diet right now. (my BC/BS plan has an exclusion) Get that started with your PCP right away!! I started mine 2 months before my consult w/ Dr Geiss because his office warned me GHI would ask for it. You'll love Dr Giess's staff!!! Have you been to the monthly meeting they have at the Ritz club yet? [i'm in Patchogue]

Dr. Alan Geiss @ Syosset Hospital. He's THE BEST. I'm jumping through all the insurance hoops right now and hope to be banded by August. I'm on the south shore of Long Island.

I'm in month 4 of 6. It really does go by a lot quicker than you think it will. I have had so many appointments for tests and blood work etc etc etc ... it takes about 6 months to get it all done - lol.

I have Anthem but there's an exclusion on my plan. Good luck!

If that fee covers all the pre-op stuff - I'd say it doesn't sound too bad. If not - SHOP AROUND! I've had to pay the shrink $250 + nutritionist $250 + $390 in co-pays ($30 per visit) and they haven't even submitted to insurance yet cuz I'm still working on the sleep study.

You're in my thoughts. Best of luck

I know Dr K only takes CareCredit for financing - did anyone use them? Any idea about their rates and terms?

Is it even worth all the work for ICEBERG? Iceberg lettuce really has no nutritional value. Mmmm salad! This is one of the foods I've been wondering if I will still be able to eat. pineapple and Asparagus too.

LOL!! I know what you mean. Yesterday I went to the pulmonary doc, then she sent me to the hospital to get a chest x-ray. I also went to the nutritionist and to the cardiac doc for an EKG and ECHO. I have to go do the stress test on Sat. Next Mon I am seeing the shrink (and the dentist) and Tues the doc for the upper GI. Plus, I still have to do the sleep study and see the pulmonary doc again to review the results. As well as my regular PCP for 3 more of the 6-consecutive-months I need for the supervised diet. Good grief!!!

Luckily, mine is the same price, so my employer agreed to switch the plan for me but the coverage isn't as good as what I have now. They call it a hospitalization plan. Meaning they cover testing - hospitalization - surgery - etc but not the fee for office visits. I'm trying to get all the pre-op tests done while I still have BC/BS. LOL!