sheelk

I eat lox, herring, gefilte fish (my staple food - quick and easy to take one piece out of the jar) -- all of these are fish and have lots of Protein. Sorry, I haven't tried bagels yet -- I just don't eat bread. I was banded on 7/30 and have lost almost 30 pounds. I just remembered -- I also eat brisket and kashe -- homemade chicken soup with fine noodles. Sheila

I am over 60 and was banded on July 30th and in the hospital on my 67th birthday on July 31st. So far, I have lost about 25 pounds, and have had two fills. I have had NO problems at all. Sheila

Many thanks for all your help. If I read this information correctly, all I need to do is give the doctor's office the HCPCS code of S2083 and the CPT code of 90772. Is that correct? Do they use both codes at the same time?

Many thanks for your help. I will try to digest this information and feed it to the staff at my doctor's office. For your information, I had my lapband surgery last Monday and I am doing great. Have an appointment for a check-up next Monday. I am really excited to see "the incredibly shrinking me". Sheila

Cruise booked for 11/24 Hope it is not too soon. Want to be able to eat some real food. Should enjoy buying new clothes and bathing suit for cruise. Sheila

Cruise booked for 11/14 Hope I haven't made a mistake. I want to be able to eat a little bit - hopefully I will be able to. By then I should have lost enough weight to require new clothes, bathsuit, etc. What fun it will be going shopping. Sheila

I know from reading some posts that I should have chapstick, book or magazine to read, pillow for car to pad the seatbelt. I have already purchased Gas-X strips. What other suggestions do you have? I will be in the hospital over night. Thanks

LAP BAND -- that is. DRUMROLL, PLEASE............................ I will be banded on 7/30th. I am very excited about that. It has taken about four months of seminars, doctor's appointments, psychologist, dietitian, visiting support groups, etc., and now I am finally ready. I start a seven-day liquid diet tomorrow and then surgery on 7/30. I will stay in the hospital over night and go home the next day. After that -- I am ready to start the beginning of my new life -- and that day is my birthday. What a coincidence. I am from the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. So if there are any "neighbors" out there, let me know. Keep in touch, Sheila

Hi Deb - thanks for taking the time to research the information for me. I will copy your post and talk to the office staff at my doctor's office regarding the code S2083. You say: "Take a look at this site,,it give s a Medicare HPCPS code for the fill (see page 24 at teh very bottom) Adjustment of gastric band diameter – use the HCPCS code S2083" but you did not give me the site. Perhaps if I could copy that page, then I would have more ammunition when I present the info to the doctor's office. Again, many thanks -- and have a great weekend Sheila

Deb - thanks for the help. To clarify the question: I am told that the fills will always be done in the x-ray department of the hospital and will be paid for by Medicare (because there is a cpt code for the hospital to use.) What I am being told by my doctor's office is that there is no code for the doctor to use to file his claim with Medicare. It makes no sense to me and I am trying to find out the real story. If your doctor's office has such a code and uses it, could you please find out what it is - or, in the alternative - get me their phone number so I can talk directly to the insurance person in that office. For your information, someone on another message board posted that they think Medicare is in the process of correcting this, but I don't know if it has done that yet. It seems very strange to me that Medicare would pay for the entire procedure (hospital, doctors, anesthesia, etc - and require you to stay in the hospital overnight) and then not pay the doctor for doing fills. Any help you can get me would be greatly appreciated. Sheila

Do you live in SC - where? Would like to keep in touch. You can reply to komishe@sccoast.net

I have a surgery date with Dr. Balder on July 30th. I live near the Conway Hospital. Do you want to keep in touch. If so, send me your phone number on komishe@sccoast.net and I will call you. Thanks, Sheila

Do you know when this new code went into effect? Is it for the doctor's portion of the fill procedure? My doctor told me that the hospital charge for using x-ray was covered but his fee was not. HOW NEW IS THIS?? Many thanks Sheila

My surgery will be on July 30th - HOORAY -- When I saw the doctor I was told that insurance (Medicare) will pay the hospital fee for having fills in the x-ray department, but that there is no insurance code for the doctor's fee for the fill. Therefore, I must pay the doctor his $175 fee for each fill before it is done. Does anyone have any more information about this? Do anyone know if there is an insurance code for the doctor's portion of the fill procedure. What is being done in your part of the country???? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks Sheila