Sandy Johnson

OMG! I'm so sorry to hear this! I hate it when insurance companies resort to a play on words, like in this case, to deny a claim! It's just NOT fair! Hang in there jsm, it WILL happen for you!

Keep the faith! Just want to point out that it's a good sign that your doctor is supportive. Hopefully he will go to bat for you and do a peer to peer for you! Keeping my fingers crossed!

JSM, Your appeal date may not be out the window! Try to appeal the decision NOW! Write a letter and send it overnight mail (with a return receipt) stating your reasons. Quote their own statement of "performed either as a stand-alone restrictive procedure, OR as a first stage procedure of a planned biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch for patients with a BMI exceeding 50" It is possible to get a decision within a few days. Mention in your letter that you have a surgery date scheduled. It's worth a try!

If you live near or will be in the Sacramento, CA area, your are invited to a Free Seminar! Weight Loss Success is Obtainable! Meet us in person and find out about the affordable option of Medical Tourism. No Insurance? Under Insured? Mexico is the Answer! FREE SEMINAR: Thursday October 1st @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Marriott Courtyard Sacramento, Airport Natomas 2101 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833 Call 877-765-THIN (8446) or 916-683-2808 www.aLighterMe.com www.Marriott.com/sacch

Dr. Alvarez is the sleeve pioneer in Mexico. He has done more sleeves than any other Mexican surgeon to date. Sandy Johnston Patient Care Coordinator aLighterMe.com MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com Sandy@aLighterMe.com 877-765-THIN (8446)

The theory is that over sewing causes the tiniest of pin holes which can cause contamination of stomach contents in the abdominal cavity. Some surgeons don't believe this and some do. It depends on who you talk to. It is true that most of the U.S. Centers of excellence do NOT over sew, but glue over the staples instead. That technique is the latest and becoming popular. My surgeon does not over sew, but some in Mexico do. Sandy Johnston Patient Care Coordinator aLighterMe.com MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com 877-765-THIN (8446) www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com

Now that this thread has been unlocked I would like to respond to the above post. It may be your opinion that the Allergan Lap Band is the worst band on the market, however many surgeons disagree. I believe that ?your surgeon? also offers the Allergan band. The fact is that only the Allergan band and the Johnson and Johnson bands are FDA approved. We only offer those 2 bands to patients residing in the U.S. Nobody, to my knowledge has ever claimed that Dr. Almanza has never had a complication. If any surgeon claims never to have ever had a complication, they are either very, very inexperienced or they are lying. And every surgeon that has done more than 300 or 400 bypasses and sleeves has had at least 1 leak. If they claim not, they are lying also! You cannot and have NEVER provided ANY documentation to prove or support ANY of your claims. The facility is certified in Mexico is a hospital. I never said it was certified in the U.S. The facility that ?your surgeon? uses has not been certified in the U.S. either. I posted the facilities certification document. It is not a ?small older home that was converted? as you claim. It is a new building. I don?t know where you?re getting your information. Or should I say your propaganda! It does have emergency equipment and ICU equipment. It does not have a blood bank, however there is access to blood that can be acquired within minutes (the same amount of time it would take to order the blood from a hospital department and have it brought up to the OR). Please do not post incorrect information that you know to be untrue. You are not helping anyone that is researching their surgery options. You are only manipulating and trying to make people believe that you are some kind of expert with inside information, yet you claim not to be working with any doctor. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, however most people are responsible enough to at least have something to base their opinion on. You simply state your opinion as fact without even the slightest bit of evidence to back it up. Everyone should do their own research mainly by corresponding with people that have had FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE rather than listen to those that post hearsay and opinions with no basis. I wish everyone the very best in their weight loss journey!

Staple line disruption happens only when the stomach is still attached, such as with the old VBG and the old technique of the RNY bypass. In the RNY they now cut and detach the stomach and in the VSG (sleeve) the stomach is detached and removed, thus staple disruption cannot occur. It depends on who you talk to whether or not over sewing the staple line is a good thing or not. Many surgeons believe over sewing leads to a higher risk of leaks. Most surgeons in the U.S. do not over sew. Sandy Johnston Patient Care Coordinator MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com 800-935-6710

Elizabeth, Let?s not pretend that you and I don't know what has been going on, what has been said and how people have been treated. I have my own opinions as to how an administrator should conduct herself on a support forum. As you well know, I have previously PM'ed you and some of the others with regards to how people have been treated and incorrect information that has been posted. I have already spoken with Alex, at great length; I suggest you do the same. Until then, if you want to say anything further to me, I suggest you take it to PM so others on this board don't have to be a part of this nonsense and can get on with support and sharing. I will continue to share documentation to support information that I believe is important and refute untruths that have been posted, but I will not engage in a ridiculous juvenile battle with you on a public forum. If you truly want to say something to me or ask me anything, you would have already done so the last time we PM'ed. As I have stated to you in the past, you don't have to believe anything I or anyone says, however I find it strange that you refuse to look at actual documentation. If you are ready to correspond now, I will be happy to speak to you via telephone or PM. Thank you, Sandy Johnston www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com sandy@aLighterMe.com 800-935-6710 626-737-8711

Norma, I appreciate your point and your opinion. No one says you have to believe a word I say. That is completely up to you. You are correct that this was my first post on this board. This topic has been rehashed over and over again on lap band talk. I cross posted here because this board is a spin off to that board and is moderated, owned and administrated by the same people and there has been far too much inaccurate information disseminated. In defense of myself, I will however state that at least I tell people who I am. MANY times people on the internet are not who they say they are. There is no way to tell if ANYONE is truly who they say they are on the internet. I am a coordinator and also a weight loss surgery patient. If you are the least bit interested in my personal weight loss journey story, you can find it on the lap band talk board. I am sorry for the confusion and I do wish everyone the best in their own journey. Sandy Johnston Patient Care Coordinator 800-935-6710 626-737-8711 www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com