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While it is true that the state/feds can require certain coverages, if the OP was in a situation where such mandates were in place I doubt she would have received the denial to begin with which is why I did not mention this. I know at my place of employment, we do not cross state/federal mandates lightly (no one wants an ugly, unnecessary fine) so rules are built into our system in an attempt to ensure it does not happen.

In all honestly, your problem is with the employer in question not the doctors office. If a procedure is explicitly excluded as a benefit it is because the employer decided this. The truth of the matter is an insurance company only writes policies based on what the employer will cover/pay for. Your doctor's office was helpful in the beginning because you had a health plan that covered the procedure, now that has changed and nothing they do will change such an explicit exclusion, medically necessary or not, if that is how the plan is worded.

I went with the Methodist Bariatric program. They have locations/doctors in several parts of town. I selected Dr. Vadim Sherman in the medical center and he is an excellent surgeon and has a top notch group working for him. Methodist

Wow, you've been through the ringer but you're still here! Congrats on that and may you heal quickly and most importantly, uneventfully!

A question for all, was there any change in the facial hair? Frequency of return, thickness, anything? I have PCOS and while I know the sleeve is not a miracle cure, I was at least hoping there would be some change in the facial hair. Oh and I've tried laser hair removal and electolysis and both only worked short time. The minute I stopped treatment the hair returned to its previous frequency and thickness, quickly with electroylsis and after about a year with the laser. Just my experience, as usual anyone else's could be different.

The liquid, full liquid and puree stages are not easy. There is nothing really to say except you have to suffer through it. I am 12 days out and just started purees. It has been an experience. One day we'll all look back on this and laugh.

I'm on a second floor and has to do stairs from day one. My surgeon had no issues with this except for a concern about the stairs and pain medication use. I will say , go slow! This is not a race and you will be very sore after surgeon, probably more on the right side, and trying to race up the stairs will only cause more pain.

Per my surgeon's request I am taking Lovenoxdaily for 14 days after discharge. It was given to me post op in the hospial as well. I did not have any issues with blood clooting prior to surgery but my doc uses it as a preventative. I will say this, I'm on the generic and the cost was still insane at $107.

I have PCOS and was sleeved on 7/17/12 so cannot answer your questions but I will keep an eye on this forum to see if others have advice.

A little late to the discussion but my surgeon requires no driving for at least a week to ten days after surgeon and requires a patient to be off of all pain medications. Luckily I did not feel the neeed for pain meds after coming home from the hospital and started driving about day 8.

In addition to other items, my surgeon has very strict rules about soda consumption and smoking. I was addicted to both as a major coke addict (several a day) and smoker (1/4 - 1/2 pack a day). Never thought I'd be able to stop either but was doubly worried about the soda. I stopped coke, cold turkey, 2 months prior to surgery and the cigs 1 1/2 month. I did this because my surgeon will not knowingly operate on people that still drink soda and/or smoke. Those are his rules and I respect them. People I have spoken to state that he has very strict pre and post op rules and they are correct but maybe this is how he keeps his complication rates low. I've no idea but I chose him to be my surgeon and feel like it is my duty to follow his rules. There are many WLS docs in my city and if I did not want to tow the line, I could have selected someone else. Do I still crave two of my biggest vices? Hell yes, almost daily but I am trying to make positive health changes for the future. I went so far as to mutilate my stomach in an effort to lose weight so at least I can do all to make it a worthwhile endeavor. Just my .02