transmformme

Are you nervous to have so much work done at once?

I have a very extensive family history of cancer and I'm BRACA positive so I plan to have them removed and replaced. The insurance covers 100% because of that. They wouldn't cover it otherwise. I'm having wls so that I can not only feel and look better but so that the mastectomy and recon go smoothly. Were you able to find a doctor in Mexico?

Nicholson issued a statement saying these are false but I'm sure that's why they've made all these changes. I'm now needing a new doctor. smh

Were any of you who choose the Nicholson clinic and went he HH/self pay sleeve route able to operate at a Baylor facility or were you told you had no option but to use a standalone surgical hospital? I am self-paying. Do not have bariatric coverage. My deductible and out of pocket have been met. If I have the surgery at Baylor it will all be covered minus the self-pay sleeve portion. If they don't allow the surgery at Baylor I have to pay $2700. I know that seems like such a small amount but I've already paid over $6000 with my deductible and OOP this year.

question was answered.

Was anyone using True Results then transferred to the Nicholson Clinic? I have been working with true results since Jan to have this surgery and I'm starting to feel defeated. I kind of feel like maybe this is a sign that I shouldn't have the surgery or something. Has anyone used Dr. Carlton with the Nicholson Clinic? Did you like him?

How did it go with Dr. Carlton? How did it go with Dr. Carlton?

I have it but my policy has an exclusion.

YES!!! Me, me, me. That's what I did. It was great, much cheaper and it was a huge PRIVATE room. You could walk around easily. I hate sleep studies, all it does is guarantee a horrible night's sleep. But why not ask them to hold off on it post surgery? My sleep changed dramatically when I lost about 20% of my body weight. They wanted it pre surgery to make sure things are "safe". Any more hurdles and I'm going to go to Mexico.

My sleep apnea test was below 10, like 4 I think. I never had any issues, and I still suspicious my snoring cat contributed to the readings. My PCP tried to get me to purchased a cpap, but my pulmunologist who is also a sleep specialist said there was no reason to. My score was too low. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App lol, you think the cat contributed. I'm blaming my toddler and infant for waking me up. lol

At this point I'm ASSuming that it varies by physician whether or not they recommend a cpap or any other form of treatment with mild sa. Recommended at their discretion.

you kick 400+ times a night...wow! I can't even imagine that. I'm glad that they were able to help you figure out what was going on and treat you.

Yes, I agree with you. I am not arguing that point. There are definitely people out here who need and would benefit from the testing.

Whoa. Hold the flames there. It's my opinion yes - because I've worked as a licensed professional in the health care industry for more than thirty years. I know a few things. There is a big difference between asking you to be tested and requiring rental or purchase of equipment. The only way for the undiagnosed population to be diagnosed is to increase the number of people being tested. Obesity alone puts you at higher risk for sleep apnea, and sleep apnea may be a contributor to obesity. It isn't very different from other screening tests, like colonoscopies, EKG's, and blood tests for diabetes. I get that you're pissed about the out of pocket, but to attach a conspiracy theory to it is misinformed. First of all, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have absolutely no emotions towards anything that anyone posts in this thread, that includes you. I do not take personally anything that you have said to me. So there are no flames to hold. No one is arguing that there are people out here who need the test and who benefit from the machines or any other form of related treatment. The fact that you practiced medicine is going to give you a different opinion than most people on any medical related topic. My practicing law gives me a completely different world view than many others and it is my opinion that medical professionals order these tests for people that do not meet criteria for reasons other than the “wellbeing of their patients”. I don’t care what anyone says differently. Especially doctors as they have to believe what they’re doing and saying. Doctors have to cover their asses and do everything they can to keep those insurance rates at bay. At the end of the day its all about those dollar bills. The only qualifying factor for me is being 100 pounds overweight. I do not have any other co-morbidity and my neck size does not meet recommendation. I also only scored a 3 or 4 on that pre-test they give you to see if you qualify to have the sleep test taken. Meaning I don’t have any noticeable sleep issues such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, falling asleep at stop lights or during conversation etc... I actually feel refreshed when I wake up after my 8-9 hours of sleep at night. My father on the other hand was someone who benefited from having the sleep study done and ended up with severe sleep apnea. The test was more than worth it for him. I am not pissed about my out-of-pocket expenses. The reason being, 1. I knew what my contract was with the insurance company when I signed up and 2. I know that receiving medical treatment for things like this (anything considered cosmetic) will cost me a large sum of money. The cost of "treatment" is only a side effect of my reason for being pissed about my particular situation. So that was a null statement. I am pissed because they told me I have “mild SA” then tried to push me into 1 very specific treatment option as if I wasn’t going to question them. As with cancer, they tell us that chemo and radiation is the only option we have if we want to survive when there are other approaches that can be taken. Of course, spending 100K plus on that route of treatment will always be the better option. But I digress. There is nothing ignorant or misinformed about my opinion as it is just that, an opinion. I have family members who are medical professionals and I also work with people who a currently practicing medicine. Their personal opinions aren’t too far off. Anyway, this post isn't a political debate. It is my personal opinion on the medical professionals I am working with as well as my personal opinion on the level of care I am receiving to date.

yes, none is covered by my insurance. The sleep test was covered but I have the meet the deductible so $450 for the sleep test and $1000+ for the CPAP. WLS itself I have to pay out of pocket. I'm going the HH route though so its only about $5000

Bufflehead, wth! That is EXACTLY what I am talking about. It should be illegal.

My insurance does not cover any of this testing or the surgery. I have an exclusion. I completely agree with you. Obesity should be covered by all policies no matter what state you live in or where you work etc. just like cancer and diabetes.

Exactly! I'm not buying it. Waste of money. If people really need one (like my father who has severe SA) then I think they should purchase it and start living a healthy more restful life.

I'm glad that it helped you out and that you're sleeping better. If people need it then they should get it but it should be up to the individual whether or not they have the test done etc... It is your opinion that it isn't a "scam" to get us to spend thousands of dollars on these tests and materials. I think differently. I am not going to buy this machine when I have a mild case of SA that will resolve once I drop the pounds needed. period

I already sent a nice email to the physician and assistant. I'm waiting for them to reply. Yes the sleep clinic said I wake up 1-5 times a night. Well, I drink a gallon of Water a day, have a 2 year old and 6 month of both of which do not sleep throughout the night, how do they know that I am not waking up because of them? The study was done at home. I just found online that you can rent the machine for pretty cheap (which is what I would do as a last resort), but I am so pissed at all of these loops they make you jump through. Insane. My insurance does not cover any weight loss surgery, so all of this is out of pocket. Waste of $450 IMO

I was required to have the sleep study done in order to have this surgery like many other people. I am pissed because I knew they were going to find a reason to have me purchase this expensive cpap machine. I do not have any issues sleeping. No snoring, waking up etc... yet I have mild sleep apnea (wake up 1-5 times a night). needless to say I am not happy. I would really like for someone (preferably the doctors) to explain to me why out of the many areas of medicine they're one of the only I've heard pushing this study. I am having a double mastectomy and reconstruction done late 2016/2017. None of those physicians even mentioned a sleep study and sleep issues with respect to anesthesia…so it makes me really wonder. The surgeries I am preparing for are longer and more detailed than this one, so why wouldn’t they require all of these tests too? Has anyone else had to deal with this and not want to purchase the machine? Did you just say f-it and go to Mexico? lol

That's why it pays to do your own research and become knowledgeable before doing something like this. Open any reputable literature addressing post-op diet and it tells you in plain English what you should and shouldn't be eating/doing. I don't know everything but the things you're mentioning are common sense. They're things people should already know before they have this surgery. JMO LOL. Again, thanks for your opinion/tips.

GREAT! I am very happy for you and your wl success. I am the exact same way. I need to be in control as much as possible when it comes to my heath and care. I was planning to navigate through my family doctor, personal trainer and nutritionist to help take care of me after surgery. I don't want to have to rely on Nicholson and his staff to "handle" me. I'm hoping that I can have this taken care of by the end of June or early July. fingers crossed. Thank you!

I didn't take your comment or anyone else's offensively as this is the internet, all of this is public and you can't post to a public forum expecting people to stay on topic and/or not to give their "2 cents". lol I'm just saying, this is a group of adults (hopefully) lets not assume that everyone is ignorant with respect to what is going on and what we are choosing to do to our bodies. I'm sorry your friend failed. Maybe she will start to do the things she needs to do to take care of herself. Either way, that's her choice. You're friend and I are in completely different categories. The nutrition counseling I have had was unrelated to wls, the 45 pounds I've lost over the past 4 months or so is completely due to clean eating and exercise. Again, this surgery is an added tool for me. I am aware of what I need to do after surgery as I have been reading up and studying this topic for well over 3 years now. I also have close friends who have had this procedure done. I can reach out to them if I have any personal questions. Furthermore, if I feel like I need more resources, they're available to me. This is why I didn't come to the forum asking questions about nutrition, exercise, loose skin or other related topics. Again, thank you for the advice as it was very much appreciated.

@@Thucydides thank you! you're response is what I was looking for. 3 months isn't too bad. How was his office staff with following up? I am having a hard time getting them to follow up with me, but if they want or need something, I'm called/emailed several times a week. Kind of annoying. How was your after surgery experience with him?