TnT

Aw! I'm interested! I'm going to the Summa support groups (I was just sleeved a week ago!) I would love to meet up with you two! I live in Copley and would love to meet up with some others who are going through the same thing I am. I have amazing support from family and friends, but sometimes I just feel like they don't get it! Let me know!

I have my first consultation with Dr. Zografakis this week! Would LOVE to talk to you about your experience with Summa! (I'm in Newcomerstown Ohio, about an hour south of Akron)

EXCITED FOR YOU! (AND A WEE BIT JEALOUS!! LOL)

If you don't mind me asking...how long ago did your journey to surgery start? (from first consultation until now?)

I know what the Aetna plan says here, but I am just not sure what it means exactly. My BMI definitely qualifies me, what has me scratching my head is the part about a six month Dr. supervised diet/exercise plan or a 3 month multidisciplanary program....what??

So, if you have Aetna, what did you do? How long did it take to get approval? Thanks!

I didn't tell them a gosh darned thing. I took vacation time, not sick time, for my surgery, and if anybody notices I'm eating less when we go out to lunch, I just say I'm on a diet, which is true.

This would be ideal, but the small amount of vacation time I get will be used for testing, pre-op...and we don't get sick time.

I work in a very small (and very gossipy) office. I know I will need to tell them something but I'm not sure what yet...and I have no idea how long I will be out.

So far, I'm thinking of telling them that I am having "some issues with my stomach" and that I may need surgery/may need part of my stomach removed. If they ask what it is I will simply say that I am really not comfortable talking about it in detail right now...and hope that will be sufficient.

Thoughts? What have you guys told your employer/coworkers?

My consultation was at Akron General Hosp. and I first spoke with the surgeon and we talked about my weight history (prior to my appt. they sent me a packet to complete) then I explained why I wanted the sleeve not the RNY. I spoke with his nutrionist, his head nurse and the insurance coordinator in which we discussed if my insurance would cover the sleeve and what was the critieria. So the whole thing was about 4 hrs. I hope this helps.

I am going to Akron too!! Dr. Zografakis. I attended the seminar on 7/22. I would love to know, in more detail, what to expect! Did ask questions, take notes, etc.?

Would you mind sharing why you chose sleeve over RNY? I too prefer sleeve.

Thanks!

I went to a seminar about a month ago and my first consultation is this week! What should I expect from the consultation? What did you do at your first consultation? Thanks!!

I called my insurance first and found out that it was covered. I then found a surgeon that interested me and went to a seminar (VERY informative) and now am scheduled for my first consultation with him on the 19th.

My husband and I (both hoping to be sleeved in the coming months) have desk jobs...so how long should we realistically expect to be off work? I know some people say just a couple of days, some people say weeks.

What's a "real" amount of time to plan to be off?

Thanks!

I keep reading that there is extensive testing before surgery to make sure that you can have the surgery...what kind of tests? I assume blood pressure, etc...but can't find any place on line that tells me all of them.

Also, I have some pretty substantial swelling in my lower legs that my doctor attributes to my weight. I take lasix for it, but it doesn't do much...is this going to be an issue for my surgery?

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Dan out of Akron Ohio?

Looks like Aetna does not considering VSG "inverstigational" any more. Good for you! I would choose a surgeon and they can guide you through all the steps. Some give you all the info you need at the surgical consult visit, and you are responsible to get the required tests done. Looks like you will need to meet with a nutritionist (mine is in my surgeon's office) for a required time (mine is 3 months).

Have you checked you BMI's? That's the second step. If you don't meet the 40 or 35 (with comorbidities) then you aren't going to be approved.

My BMI is well above the requirement...:blushing:

So, chose a surgeon and they will guide me through the rest of the steps? My husband and I both want to get sleeved. I don't know if we should try to do it at the same time or if he should wait a bit after me...and how long after me? I can't imagine still cooking for him while I'm strictly on liquids and softs...

I called today and found out that Bariatric surgery IS covered, subject to precertification. Not sure what that means exactly, but Yay!! I got the ball rolling!

I was referred to this information and also was given a phone number to call for precertification. I was told that we are covered for 85% of the cost of surgery until our ded. and out of pocket is met, then it's 100%. Ded. is 250.00 and out of pocket is 2500.00, I think. (per individual)

So, now I just figure out what the heck all of that info means and move forward!

I plan to call my insurance company today to find out if VSG is covered....what exactly do I need to ask? I'm nervous and excited at the same time to find out. Don't know what I'll do if they tell me it's not covered....

Any help?? Thanks!!

What should someone with a high BMI (55, 60, 65) expect? Will surgery or recovery be tougher? How long of a recovery time before going back to work? How long for wounds to heal? From what I see, it appears that those with a higher BMI are losing weight at a more rapid pace and/or shedding more pounds total....is that correct?

Thanks for your answers! )

I'm a newbie. My husband and I are both hoping to be sleeved fairly soon...we just aren't sure how to get the ball rolling! We live in rural Ohio so it's not like we have a bariatric center around the corner.

Do we see our family doctor first for a referral?

Do we contact a bariatric surgeon in a near by city?

Do we contact our insurance carrier (Aetna) first to see if it's even covered?

Should we both have it done at the same time? If not, how long in between?

We aren't even sure how long the process is from right now to a surgery date.

ANY advise you can offer would be awesome! Thanks in advance!