Lisa's Hope

I'm just a little confused. How can she have a lap band if she already had the gastric by-pass? Are they going to reverse the whole by-pass procedure and then put a band on her stomach? Seems dangerous to me. I actually talked to my surgeon who said he absolutely would not reverse the gastric by-pass. Too risky. I do hope the best for her though. I'm just praying my sleeve works and I never have to have the gastric by-pass.

I love reading stories like this. I hope one day this will be my story. I'm working on getting my sleeve. I am self pay and it's not easy. Insurance has an exclusion and will not pay. JUST MY luck. Just got back from the seminar tonight but all my paperwork is in and all I need now is my referral letter from my PCP and my Physc eval which I have an appointment on the 17th. How did your surgery go? Did you have much pain or any complications? You look amazing! You are an inspiration to us who haven't crossed over to the losers bench yet.

Hi Norman, I actually just got back from meeting Dr. Follwell. I really liked him alot. I did ask him what size "bougie" he uses and he said he did not use one but uses a tube to size the sleeve to be exact to a 38fr bougie. I was hoping it would be a least a 40 but he did say he wouldn't go any smaller because people have more complications if they go smaller than that. I know they size from 28fr to 42fr. I'm one step closer to surgery. Only, I was surprised tonight that the price they quoted me as self-pay last week was actually not correct but 1,300.00 higher. That was devastating to me. My insurance has an exclusion and won't pay. Just makes me livid that some get it for free and I will be exhausting all my savings for this and risking complications that I won't be able to pay for if somthing happens. I just hope and pray I don't have any.

Thank you so much for replying. I've heard some good things about Dr. Follwell. I will be attending the seminar tonight and after I have my physc eval on the 17, I should be able to get my appointment with Dr. Follwell and hopefully my surgery date will be in May. I'm self pay due to the exclusion in my insurance. Can you tell me about your experience with Dr. Follwell? I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I do know that someone told me he had no leaks or deaths so far. I guess I'm more worried about the complications that may arise after surgery since I'm a self - pay patient. Thanks again. Everytime I get a good reply about him I feel much better.

I know this isn't a laughing matter but this made me chuckle...

Smileygirl, I hope you feel better soon. I have not yet had my surgery and pray that I don't have a bad recovery. I hate you are having such a hard time.

Hi Stephanie, I too am going to have surgery in St. Louis in a few months. If you don't mind me asking, who was your surgeon? I'm curious because i'm scared to death! LOL I would love to hear your story. Which hospital did you go to? I've been looking for St. Louis Sleevers on the forum but you guys are far and few between. Any info you can give me I would greatly appreciate.

Congratulations!!!!!! You look amazing. I can't wait to be on the other side!!

Hi Amy, I'm an insurance biller and you are correct. You should only have to pay the 50 percent of the approved charges that the hospital accepts from the insurance company providing the hospital is an in network provider. Good luck! My insurance doesn't pay anything

WOW! That is very expensive for Sleeve surgery. I'm a self-pay patient because my insurance WILL NOT cover anything to do with WLS. Makes me livid especially with the monthly premium my husbands employer has to pay for it. My surgery cost which includes everything, pre op testing, hospital stay up to two days, and post op visits with the surgeon for 1 year is 16,620.00. I will be having my surgery in St. Louis Des Peres Hospital which is a bariatric "center of excellence" hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. I wouldn't have ever been able to afford it if the hospital bill was 130,000. Maybe it depends on what part of the country you live.

Congratulations on your surgery date! I'm still in the process. The only question I can answer for you is that an EKG last around 10 seconds. It takes about 5 minutes or so to put the electrodes on they they run the EKG for 10 seconds. That's it! I wish I could answer more of your questions but I've yet to have the surgery. GOOD luck with your surgery. I hope to have my date by the end of April.

Glad you are doing well...

You look amazing! I'm new to this forum and haven't had my sleeve yet. I'm a little scared I have to say. Seeing your results is truly an inspiration! Good luck on the Voice!!

WOW... good luck! I pray that you have a very easy surgery and recovery! God Bless!

Thank you! You do look great! I hope to someday be where you are!

Thank you so much Norman. You've really helped to ease my mind. I really don't know anything about either hosptial. Just happen to choose Des Peres. I really hope they are as nice as you say the staff at St. Alexis was. I still have a way to go before I get my surgery date. I'm looking forward to meeting Dr. Follwell.

Did you have the sleeve? I'm really scared. I'm just beginning this journey and trying to find out as much info as I can. I haven't seen too many people on this site that has used Dr. Follwell. Thank you for letting me know he exceeded your expectations. I hope my surgery will go well. If you had the sleeve do you know what size bougie he uses for this surgery. I've heard that the larger example:40 fr is better because you lower your risks for complications. Thanks again!

Sounds as if you are having a terrible time. So sorry! Praying for a speedy recovery and that you will better soon.

I can't wait to be on the other side. I just got started. I see you are in Arkansas. I'm in Missouri not far from you in Cape Girardeau, MO. I just started my journey. Hope to have a surgery date in a few months. I'm soooo scared. I keep going back and forth about having it. I'm consumed. LOL Can't sleep or anything. I need this so badly! I've been overweight off and on most of my life. Lose only to gain it right back. Sometimes up to 100 pounds... GOOD luck on your journey!! Can't wait to say I'm 4 days out. How was the surgery? Much pain?

This is amazing!!! Congratulations. I love hearing stories like yours. I'm so optimistic about my surgery that i'm sure is a few months away. Thanks for the info. I'm going to follow this post so I can keep this.

Good Luck Chitowngirl! I know you are excited. I just started my journey. I know it won't take me as long as it has you because I am self pay. My insurance has an exclusion in the policy for WLS. Bummer. I know I have no other choice but to pay for it. I've been over weight since I was 8, Lost and was a normal weight from 14 to 23 then gained it all back... lost more... gained it back... so on. Will say a prayer for you to do well! God Bless...

So good that you are doing so well!! I can't wait until I'm where you are! Congratulations. I will continue to read your post to see how you are doing.

HAHAHA..... TOO funny!!

I can't wait to feel FREE and not imprisioned in my own body.

I am familiar with Dr. Wagner. I actually started this journey back in 2008 and he was the one I had my appointment with at that time but thyroid issues prevented me from having the surgery. I know that Dr. Follwell and Dr. Wagner practice at St. Alexis Hospital. Dr. Follwell performs surgery at Des Peres Hospital as well. That is where I will be having my surgery if all goes as planned. My insurance will not pay. I'm so bummed about that! I can't understand why some insurances will pay and others will not. My husbands employer pays a hugh premium for us every month. Well, Good luck again. I wish you the best!! Let us know how it goes. I would love to follow your story.