kweenbee

Everyone thank you very much for your advice. It has been very helpful. I haven't called the insurance company yet because the papers were sent today(Friday) instead of Wed. The reason being the bariatric office didn't have the clearance from my PCP. I was on the phone with my PCP immediately and kept calling everyone so this would get taken care of. So they are submitting the forms today! Yeah!!

I talked to the insurance lady at my bariatric office today. Tomorrow (Wednesday) she will be submitting the paper work to the insurance company. I am getting closer and so excited. I have to have two surgeries one on my esophagus and the vertical sleeve. My Doctor is going to try to do both of them together. He will do the esophagus first and if all goes well than he will do the sleeve. I really, really need prayers that he can do both at the same time. If for some reason he can't I will have to wait 8 weeks after the esophagus is done to do the sleeve. I have a question she said I could start calling the insurance company after they are submitted on Wednesday. Did you contact your insurance company and how often? Thanks so much everyone!!

I really appreciate your honestly and I am so sorry you are suffering like this. I know the acid reflux is a terrible thing. I am now on an antibiotic because I had a spell of the acid reflex a few nights ago and some of the 'stuff' got in my lungs and I now have an infection. Thank you so much for being real with me. This does give me something to really consider. I wish I could give you a hug and tell you in time things will get better. When did you have your surgery and who was the Dr. if you don't mind me asking. I will be praying for you.

I had my 1st appointment in March 2012. So I have been on this journey for six months. I did my upper GI May 3, 2012. They found that I have stenosis of the esophagus (narrowing in the lower part of my esophagus). Than I had to do a Esophagael Monometry (they put a tube in your nose and run it down into the esophagus while you are awake). Than my Endoscopy Doctor got the results he sent the result to a friend at the Mayo Clinic to get his opinion. I talked with my Endoscopy Dr. a few day ago and he told me the diagnosis is Achalasia. Than he said I cannot have the weight loss surgery because of the risk. I immediately looked up Achalasia on several websites. They list several symptoms. I do not have any of the symptoms that are listed. example: food does not stick in my esophagus, no diffiiculty swallowing, no heavy sensation in chest after eating. No pain that mimics heart pain. No weight loss. This diagnosis does not fit me. I have never had any problems with any of these symptoms. If I had not done the upper GI we would have never known I have the stenosis. I feel I have had this since birth. The websites did say some causes are since birth. I have called the Dr. back and left a message with his assistant about not having any of these symptoms. I am very upset and worried. For the last 6 months I have prepared for this WLS. It is the 1st thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of before going to sleep.You know what I mean, I have read and study, gone to lots of appointments and meeting, etc. Any advise would be greatly appreciated! I really want and need to have the sleeve done! Please say prayers for me.

Dear mztialady I am sorry that your surgery has been delayed because of your labs. I will say a prayer for you. I started my journey in March and I still don't have insurance approval and a surgery date. Hopefully it all comes together soon. Thank you so much for writing me. Please let me know when you get your surgery date and I will do the same!

I am pre-op, I haven't taken the journey yet. So I can't offer much. But I will be praying for you! I feel the steroid will help a lot. Just hang on you will be feeling better soon. We are all praying for you!

I am so excited for you. By the time you read this your surgery will be over. I will say a prayer for you right now. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. Please let us know how you are doing. I don't have my surgery date yet. I am thinking it will be in September. Take it easy and take good care of yourself!

Hi my name is Shawn (female). My Dr. is Dr. Pokameni. I am pre-op, I am getting closer each day to my surgery date. I am hoping my date will be in September. I read your post and I feel so much better reading about the hospital experience. I am very excited. I have not been to a support meeting yet. I will do that in the near future. I am meeting with the Dietitian on the 26 of July. I am having problems with my esophagus and that is making things go slower. Next week I have to have a tube put in my nose and ran down my esophagus while I am awake! I will do that that on the 19th. I will be so glad when that is done and I get my results. I've already had an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I have had an apptmt. every week since March!

I am so happy for you! When I read Medicare/Medicaid is now covering the sleeve I was soooo thrilled! Now I have to take care of some things before we can process the paper work, but I think I am getting closer each day. I hope!

July 23rd is an important day for me too. It is my twins birthday. I hope everything works out for you and you get to have your surgery on the 23rd. I will say a prayer for you.

I just wanted to say when I had by endoscopy and colonoscopy I didn't feel anything. With my 1st colonoscopy I felt all of it, that was 11 yrs ago. They are now using a different medication to put you out. My problem was when I woke up, I was very nauseated and was vomiting. I should have told the Dr. before the procedure that I was a vomiter, but I forgot. Than the Dr. would have given me something for it before I woke up. So my point is if you are a vomiter let them know!! 8~) I hope this helps someone!

I had the Upper GI and there was a problem. So I had the endoscopy/colonoscopy. The problem is my esophagus is narrowed near the stomach. While the Dr. was doing the endoscopy he stretched my narrowed esophagus. I still have to have another test where they put a tube through my nose and down into my esophagus while I am awake! I do that on the 19th of July.

Yes I have a little anxiety of course, sometimes I am so excited and than I might be a little nervous. But nothing major. I am 56 yrs. old and I know what I want and I am very ready. My problem is I am disabled with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS) and Fibromyalgia. So I am on several different meds. I am sure that it will all work out, I hope!! Thank you for replying!

Hi I am also a young 56 and wanting to start living my new life. Please let us know how your surgery went. By the time you read this you will be done with your surgery and on you way! Congratulations to you!

Hi I am new here, but I have been on the journey since March 2012. Everything is moving so slow. My insurance tells me they will cover the vertical sleeve if it is a medical necessary. The Insurance Lady at my Doctor's office is being to by the insurance that they go by Medicare guidelines and the VSG is not covered. Is anyone else going thru this? I am also frustrated with the Psychologist I saw. She feels I need follow ups with another Physchologist because of my medication and because of anixiety. Now that will take more time. I thought this process would take 3 months..... I would really appreciate input on this, thank you so much!