former_vbg

Thanks, yeah I just called Aetna a short while ago and they told me if the Dr. is IN NETWORK, they are NOT ALLOWED to charge this fee- PERIOD. I asked the Rep what I am supposed to do if the Dr. office insists I pay the fee and she said they would initiate a conference call to find out what is going on. As for the Dr.'s "suffering" for people that back out, I'm sorry I have little sympathy for them. They make ALOT of money and if they don't have a better screening process- then its on them. We are all adults and capable of making decisions for our own best interests. Although, the self-pay route I can see some reasons for a non-refundable deposit.

Yes I do actually. This is coming from Dr. Stanley Hoehn's office (Shawnee Mission Medical Ctr). So what did you end up doing? Did you decide on a surgeon?

Well, mine is a revision and so I know what this is all about. I understand what you are saying, but I'm sorry I don't think its reasonable. What's next? Dr. offices have a set amount of appointments for consults, and surgery time. It just seems unethical to try and bypass the insurance company charges. I still am having a difficult time with the fact that they sign contracts with the insurance companies with their various charges- period. End of Story. Yeah I know, if I don't like it- find another surgeon. I'm just disappointed because he was checking out so far...

Yeah we will see. Just wanting to see what others thought. I do have a $700 yearly maximum out of pocket and I expect to pay that towards the surgery, but to me if they are contracted with an insurance company for their services I didn't think they were allowed to charge additional fees. That's the whole point of the negotiated rates. Going to verify with the surgeon's office, but also call my ins. company too. I expected to pay my $30 co-pay for the consult, but that's it until I made the decision to move forward.

I don't know, but it does say that it is required at the first consult visit- period. So, I could pay that $ and then not like the surgeon and pay $500 for a 15 min consult? I don't think so. I will verify with their office but their letter seems pretty clear.

Ok, I just got the revision packet from the surgeon's office I have been considering for my revision surgery. Overall, the packet is pretty standard, asks all the standard stuff for your background- but on the first page it states that there is a non-refundable $500 fee to cover costs NOT COVERED by insurance. They say it is to pay for them to submit the insurance approval, post-op (support group) and misc. fees. I'm sorry, but even though this Dr. is FACS, ASMBS and I have check his state licensing board (no negative remarks), and has lots of people who have talked well of him. I don't know if this is a new fee to recoup costs that he doesn't get from the negotiated rates from the ins. companies, but it doesn't sit well with me. Anyone ever heard of this?

Do you have a close relationship with one or more of the Deacons at your church that you could confide your situation to? Perhaps see what they think about maybe doing some fundraisers knowing that it may take some time to raise the money particularly in this economy? I know that might seem difficult to think about, but I'm not sure what else to suggest.

Good point. I would never do that, but appreciate the comment. I'm very thrifty by nature and even if the other person is paying, that's not my style.

Thank you for your input. I wasn't suggesting to not ever tell someone, but I'm not inclined to share that kind of information on the first or second date I guess. I believe honesty is a huge thing as well, and you are right it is a new way of living- but I just don't want the focus to be on me for THOSE reasons. When the time is right, I would share and I'm ok at that point that if they can't handle it- to head our separate ways. I would want them to understand and respect my lifestyle choices to support my goals for healthier living.

Well, initial dates are usually best for a lunch or dinner. If things don't go well, it's not committing to a long period of time. After that though, yeah non-food related activities of course.

I'm glad someone re-activated this thread. I would agree with it not being fair to give someone a chance when you get thin that wouldn't when you were heavy. But, I will say its not always that easy. When I had my first surgery and I was really starting to see a different and thinner me, I was in a situation through a mutual friendship a guy who was quite overweight, probably about #100. He was as sweet as they come, and I could tell he was just enamored with me- but I pretty much gave him the cold shoulder. If I'm honest, I was scared to date someone heavier at that time because I was afraid of being involved with someone that was living a lifestyle that might put me back in my old world. It wasn't fair to him, it really wasn't. Now, talking about the professional world. I know I projected much more confidence and overall was just a happier person and I saw huge differences in career opportunities at that time. I spoke with more confidence, willing to take more risks and step forward with my ideas not worrying about whether someone will be looking at how fat I was verses how good my ideas were. That being said, I do understand about being resentful of being treated differently when you are thin verses overweight. It isn't fair - it just isn't. I guess we are all human and I just hope that when I have my revision done that I will be able to remember these things and give the compassion to others regardless of their size. Everyone has a skinny person inside, its just a lot harder for some to show it than others (me included).

I haven't had my revision yet, so I can't offer any specific advise- am sure others on here will be able to do so. I do have a couple of questions though. Did you self-pay? Did you have the Sleeve? Do you know what size sleeve he used? Did your surgeon discuss what the post-op care/ plan would be prior to the surgery? I guess I would be concerned that your surgeon is not showing an active interest / or the lack of follow up. When was your surgery?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is the GPS the same thing as the sleeve with plication?

I sent you a PM with my email, and YES I would love to correspond with you. Good to hear from a local Sleever (or soon to be).

Thanks guys, and I'm glad you posted Tiffkins. I knew you had a revision also, but couldn't remember the details. So, Tiffkins question for you as you seem so knowledgeable about the different surgeries. I'm really leaning towards the Sleeve, but I feel I really need to understand the other options out there but scooping information up from this website and that website and on and on is getting overwhelming and still not really giving me a really good way to understand what my best option would be. I understand speaking with a Bariatric surgeon is a good start, and I will do that as soon as I finish a couple of their hurdles- but a concern I have is that that surgeon typically will specialize in certain procedures which is fine- but then I'm still not going to have all the facts on all the different WL procedures. I'm considering calling my PCP tomorrow and see if he might be any help with helping me digest the information- but as a GP, I'm not sure that's going to yield me the results I want either. I just don't want to hop on the latest fad because its popular right now and then regret it later. Keep the comments coming.

As I'm trying to research and learn as much about the Sleeve as possible, bouge sizes, pre and post op challenges, etc, it seems that at least from this site that there are a lot of people on here who have had the lap band and going for the sleeve or have already gone the route of the sleeve. I guess where I'm going with this is that I understand the WLS is only a tool, etc... And, so I'm curious for those that had previous WL surgeries (lap band or whatever), what was it that made you feel the surgery didn't work. Yeah, probably weight gain- but how much of maybe could it have been not following a a better lifestyle (food choices and exercise). I realize some may have had medical complications, but other than that what do you feel was the cause for your 1st surgeries failure? Second, do you worry that long term you may experience similar challenges or weight gain? I am asking this only because having had the VBG back in 1998, I think back to what led me to where I am today. To be honest, I felt I did fairly well after the surgery even though I never lost the last 40# or so. I started with a weight of around 305# and got down to about 170# in about a years time. I was not referred to a nutritionist nor were there any support groups (surgery was too new at the time here) and so while I knew I needed to make some major lifestyle changes, it just wasn't permanent. I'm now at about 240# and have bounced up and down over the years- just can't ever get it to stay off much less gain back more. It became worse with job losses/ high stress job a few years ago (triggers for me)... So, it leads me to wondering, somewhat concerned about having this happen again. Yes, it means making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle change- but it obviously wasn't permanent or I wouldn't be here considering a revision. I ask myself now that I'm a little older if I am more mature (was 26 then), and now armed with more knowledge, access to support groups, etc if that will be enough. Ultimately, it is a personal choice- I get that. Just wanted to hear from others if they had concerns going into a revision if they wondered if they might end up where they were "x" months post-op from their 1st surgery. Thanks for anyone's feedback.

That's good! Thank you! Great ideas everyone!

Thanks for the comments so far. I like the soup idea. I consider myself a pretty good catch, have a good career and am halfway done with my MBA, have a lot of varied interests. But I know my weight affects my confidence with dating.

I haven't had the surgery yet, but things are rolling right along- so I am certain it is just around the corner. That being said, I was curious for the single ladies out there how you handled dating. First, if you go out to dinner particularly at the early stages and obviously you can't eat very much- how do you explain that to the guy? I'm not one to share personal information (especially something like that) unless its with close friends or family- so to me I'm not inclined to tell them I had WLS- just too early. Anyone had any experiences they care to share? How they handled it?

I do the depo shot, thank God for that! No periods, just a shot once every 3 months... I was horrible at remembering to take the pills anyways.

Wow, no caffeine for 3 to 6 mths post-op? I have been a die hard Mt. Dew drinker myself. I did manage to cut any regular soda out of my life for good a year ago, but only because I found Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry. I normally do not like diet sodas, they don't usually taste good. But the Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry doesn't take like diet at all. Did your surgeon say why caffeine wasn't allowed post-op for that amount of time? Just curious.

sleeping with the blow dryer on, among other things http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/woman-sleeps-with-blow-dryer/p9cjwqa?rel=msn Eating tissue paper like its candy--yuck! http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/kesha-eats-toilet-paper/pn4pz1l?rel=msn

Ok, kick me out for being in the "guys" room, but I have an answer to your question. Spanx sells both men AND women compression clothing. www.spanx.com Good luck! and Congrats on your weight loss!

I spoke to a Penny (customer service Rep) today, had some more specific questions on my financial responsibilities, and also asked her where I could find information on the requirements for qualifying for this surgery. I thought I would share this here in case anyone else might have an interest/ need. http://www.aetna.com/healthcare-professionals/policies-guidelines/medical_clinical_policy_bulletins.html Then, just type in the type of procedure you want information on. Type in Obesity Surgery and it will come up. You can also type in Gastric Sleeve and it will bring up pretty much the same search information. Hope this helps others. It read a little confusing to me. I get the jist of it, but there are a few things I'm not quite clear on. We'll just have to see. I'll bring this with me when I get to see the surgeon....