WalkOnWaking

Best: Surgeon that listens and has a sense of humor. Laughter IS the best medicine. Worst: Anesthesiologist who didn't speak to me once before putting me under (and I was terrified - a little bedside manner would have been nice). Hearing "she's awake enough, let's yank her tube," and feeling unknown hands jerk my chin upward and pull the trach tube out. Not a word to me about what was happening, you are ok, you are in recovery, the surgery is over. Not a single word. Being lied to by pre-op prep nurse, saying I could wear the disposable underwear and pad (that she provided to me) during surgery, since I was NOT having a catheter put in. Being transferred from the gurney to my hospital bed to totally freak out to learn I'm no longer wearing the disposable underwear provided and am sitting in a pool of blood (menstrual cycle). First injection of pain medication delivered via IV port by a nurse who was watching the clock instead of what she was doing. Despite my protests that something was wrong, was extremely painful, she still kept pushing it in. Finding out 5 minutes later, as my bicep is swelled to 2 or 3x its size that she blew out my IV. Pain medicine sub-q does not work like an IV administration would have (far different dose would have been needed). Having to wait 4 more hours for another dose of pain medication when the 1st dose was not administered correctly. First liquid meal in the hospital was a 32oz cup of Diet 7up with 8 grams of Protein powder mixed in it. Really? Carbonation AND 32oz to chug? (Surgeon okayed my husband providing me with a Premier Protein shake from home).

Dropping below 35 BMI will not negate approval, at least with policies I have read. It was the start of the process to gain approval (usually 3 or 6 months supervised medical weight loss attempt).

Once the surgeon files the claim, the insurance company will pay him the agreed upon fee. This is done monthly. They will also recoup the fee you paid to the surgeon (subtracting it out of the total payment) and will reimburse you. If you file the claim, it can start the investigation into why the surgeon did not do the correct and legal thing per his contract.

On my surgery day, I didn't get weighed until I asked to be weighed. I wanted to know for my own information, what I was starting with. So me in my hospital gown, little footies, and hat they gave me walked across the preop area to officially weigh in. I used to work with a BCBS to help providers resolve claim denials when they filed incorrectly. An in - network provider (hospital, surgeon, lab, anesthesiologist, physical therapist, etc) must file the claim with the insurance. MUST. No options. And no way the hospital can decide that they won't submit because they think it won't be covered. As an example, a plastic surgeon is in-network with the insurance. Doesn't mean all procedures he or she does is covered. But they still have to file the claim. Say I was in a car accident and needed plastic surgery to fix skin around my eye. Covered. Same procedure but due to me wanting an "eye lift" is not covered. The first medically necessary and the 2nd cosmetic.

I'm sorry to hear your surgeon is not a good partner in your success. Mine asks me to call his office and if after hours, he is paged. I have had to call him 2x since surgery and each time he called me back within 5 minutes. I too had that feeling but only with some foods, specifically tuna or chicken. Moist is easier but no matter what I did, it felt stuck, like I swallowed a rock. It resolved after a few weeks for me. My surgeon's instructions were to go back to liquids for another week. Obviously if you are having this issue with Soup, that may not work for you.

I would add: and Walk Walk Walk!

I agree with walking, and swimming if you have a place to do so. I weighed at my highest 365 and was able to lose (over the course of a bit over a year) 150 of that with walking and swimming alone (my condo had a heated pool so even in the winter, it was warm enough to swim - getting in and out was a bit chilly!). Once I became insulin dependent, I could no longer lose weight, which is why after sitting in the 200 to 250 range for over 6 years I decided WLS was the only way to continue the weight loss. If you have a gym membership, most offer personal trainer sessions (free or for a fee for members). They would be a good source of information on what you can physically do safely and how to increase your flexibility and stamina.

I don't see how the facility or surgeon can make the decision for the insurance carrier on if something is covered or not. This surgery requires pre-certification. Either you were approved or denied. The providers don't decide this!

If the facility and surgeon are in-network with your insurance, they must submit the claims. Its in their contract with the insurance company.

Ok, I only check my weight on Thursdays, but found a victory despite the lack of scale movement. Before surgery I was wearing Womens size 22 slacks. When I hit my stall at 5 weeks after losing 31.6 pounds, I could squeeze into a size 16. Not sure I could sit down comfortably, but could button up and zip the fly. Today I grabbed what I thought was the size 18 and went to run some errands. Once I got back home, I started folding and hanging up the latest load of laundry. In the basket: the size 18. I quickly checked what I was wearing, and it was the size 16! Comfortable. Not too tight when looking in the mirror at my hiney. SCORE!

I have not spoken to this friend further about the surgery or the wonderful "side effects" I have experienced (no more meds necessary for blood pressure or diabetes). Not sure how long I will need to check my blood sugar levels, but I still get a thrill seeing a reading of normal instead of having to calculate what amount of short term insulin to inject. I still get some lows due to low caloric intake and walking or riding my new recumbent bike (Xmas present to me and must be peddled if watching any TV hehe).

Still stalled. Uggg.

I would ask the surgeon for recommendations on that. As a side note, my psoriasis has cleared up a LOT since my surgery. Not cured by any means, but my skin is much less reactive and I've needed no treatments at all.

Mine seems to be doing better but still not normal.

I looked up what the tests are that they had me take. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 and the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic test. And answers filled out on one of those scantron sheets from school days. Every office does their own thing. I know a lady who took only an online questionnaire and that was enough to satisfy the insurance and surgeon's office. I would have preferred to do just the last 20 minutes face to face!

Mine really was 4 hours. Talking to the shrink at the end took about 20 minutes. The longest portion of the visit for me was a list of 800+ questions on a multiple choice test booklet. Felt like the SAT test from high school (length of test not type of questions)! But nothing stressful. Was the psych office's way of making sure I knew what to expect and could and would comply with lifestyle changes needed to make the tool work the best.

I didn't get to be overweight overnight. I do need to just let this pass and keep at it. I just did the numbers, I'm only 1 pound off the 1/3 point between my starting weight and final goal. That makes me !!!

@@shriner37, thanks for the reply. I lost so much so quickly, and was afraid it was too much, too soon. Hit 30 pounds lost at day 34. Now day 43 and 31.6 lost. That I'm off all medications (was on two insulins and BP medication) is a Godsend.

I only do a weigh-in once a week (my doc's recommendation to all patients). My scale keeps the last 30 readings in memory so I've actually weighed in every morning but don't look until Thursday mornings. Up and down 1/2 pound. I guess better than gaining and gaining? Trying to talk hubby into a small bike that has free weights a neighbor is selling for $75. I have a gym membership but seldom get to go it with my work schedule right now. I love my treadmill though, and walk with my dog several times a day. Today did a 4 mile walk to and from a nearby gas station. In the past, would go in and buy some crap I shouldn't buy. Now I just check the Redbox for something to watch and perhaps buy a bottled Water to split with the dog. Today no water (brought my own for the dog hehe).

Not really a question, but more a frustrated happening. Reached my ONEderland goal on Dec 22 and lost only 2 more pounds since then. Been sitting at 197.x for over a week now. Seriously thinking of going back on Clear liquids for a week. Good or bad idea? And uping my exercise. I have no hunger or cravings. Getting in my fluids easily. Still 3 Protein shakes a day (90 grams protein and 15 carbs total for all 3). Don't drink with my one meal (baked or broiled skinless boneless chicken and carrots or green beans). Can I say Grrrrrrrrrrrr??

How did you get approved before they psych evaluation? I guess every plan is different, but I thought they all required that. The evaluation I had was a few hours long. It consisted of multiple choice questions (hundreds of them!), followed by an interview with the psychologist. He asked me what I understood about the surgery, asked why I thought it was the right thing for me to do, what my expectations were, etc. In the end he said I was well adjusted and understood what would be required of me, and felt I would comply with the post-operative lifestyle changes. Easy, just be honest.

Ok...am I the only one disappointed that there was no nekkid, only topless? Hahahaha!

I altered a comfy tshirt to wear at the hospital (snaps along under the arm and along the side seams). This allowed me to wear my own top and not that hospital gown incase I had to have an IV (didn't have IV fluids, only 'ports' left in to administer meds). Then my own undergarments and comfy sweat pants. Brought my own robe but never needed it. For me, I loved wearing my own clothing. Felt more 'me' and less 'patient' while there, more in control. My hubby was with me, as the room had a couch he could sleep on. But as others said, he didn't need to be there. I was in the room about 430pm and was walking by 530. No one helped me, but hubby was afraid I would fall so walked with me. I was able to change out of the gown and into my own clothes, able to use the restroom myself, etc. Energy level was low. I was mentally ready to go but had no stamina. I wanted to walk a lap around the floor but couldn't. I mentioned this to the nurse and she put out chairs every 5 rooms in the hall. I plopped in one if I wanted to rest, then off to walk again. Was a great idea she had, and several of us used the 'breaks' to keep on walking. I was in a lot of pain the first 24 hours. Maybe 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. But after that, maybe a 2. More 'uncomfortable' than pain.

I think I slept in my reclining chair for 2 days once home!

I had a leak test done 24 hours after surgery and was allowed nothing by mouth until 36 hours. I guess everyone does it differently.