tennessee1031

As of 1/1/10 Tricare now covers the procedure- new cpt code- 43775. Ha! I gave the code to the docs office, they had never heard of it and used it on a patient that was closer to surgery than me and it was approved! It's been submitted for me and the status is still pending, but I'm checking 2 or 3 times a day to see that "A" for approved!! Such good news:)

Hi everyone!! I have Aetna as primary and Tricare as secondary and neither will pay. Does anyone have an cost information for any doctors/pay plans etc.. in TN or surrounding area? One doctor in M'Boro quoted me in the 19k range- yikes!! Thanks in advance:)

Dr Westmooreland is a center of excellence doctor. They may have went up in costs but if u tell Dr Westmoreland I sent u he will honor the $12k price. Just go to the seminar and he will get u skd at the Shelbyville hospital which is a new facility and I enjoyed my 1 night stay very much. Typically u can go home the same day though. I would not have gone any other way. He is an excellent Christian man and I think he's one of the best. quote name='NtvTxn' timestamp='1306718349' post='157117'] More experienced? More experience than who? My surgeon is a center of excellence guy....I paid 12k - I happen to think you get what you pay for some times. I had absolutely zero complications. I had basically zero pain from day one except when I coughed or rolled over in bed at night. I reached goal in just under five months. I may be nuts, but it sure seems like this fella you're crowing about has people on here advertising for him. My doctors name is listed below with my stats, but I'm not shouting his name from the roof tops - his reputation speaks for itself....I'm not his walking, talking ad. I'll talk to someone about him if asked or if the thread is about surgeons or someone needs the name of one in Dallas....I also name two others that I know of that are top notch. God knows my physician is not the only one who can do wls safely and isn't the only one who can do a bang up job! Just sayin'

After surgery my doc told my husband and I that my surgery was a little tricky. He said my spleen was attached to my stomach and he had to unattach it which caused a little bleeding but he got it to stop. This really scared me. I was wondering if anyone else had this issue?

I have been dieting my WHOLE life. I once went from 285lbs (my highest weight) to 158lbs by way of low carb dieting. I've been successful many times only to regain the weight plus some. I see so many people getting frustrated over stalls; not losing weight for weeks. Sometimes the scales just need to be put away. So many times I would weigh in and see no movement for days, then weigh in the next and see 5lbs gone overnight. I know this can be frustrating but our bodies are ARE responding! I knew I was losing because my clothes were fitting differently. I don't know why this happens, but it ALWAYs happens to me when dieting and I know it's disheartning when you put forth all the effort and see the numbers staying the same. I say, put the scales in the closet. I just wanted to share my experience:)

I've heard many of you reference slimes?? Huh? Can someone please explain.

It looks like I'll have to pay out of pocket for my surgery since as of right now, my primary carrier (Aetna) nor my secondary (Tricare) cover the procedure. It'll probably come to pass that either or both will start to cover the procedure soon but I'm not holding my breath. I, like many could easily say "I don't have the money" and put off the surgery and put off my health at the same time. I guess this means a trip to the credit union to borrow the money to get the procedure done. My question is this: Does anyone know if we pay out of pocket and later the insurance covers VSG, is reimbursement ever possible? Thanks in advance:))) Kimberly

Hi all- I know I posted this in a similar posting but I'm miserable and praying someone has any other answers... I had the VSG on 2/4. I have 6 incision sites. In between 2 of them I have a HORRIBLE burning, tugging sensation coming from the inside. The only way I can walk is to hold my stomach. I cannot stand the gravity, it feels like someone is taking a blow torch to separate my insides. I went to see my doc and he said it's probably nerve pain that will heal with time. I can't bend over, situate myself, walk or anything without excrusiating pain. I'm getting very depressed because of this and I'm hoping someone can please tell me they've been through this and I'll be fine. Add'l details: The area isn't holding any heat and I have no fever.

This is the thing- Assuming my credit union adds the cash to my credit line, I will be having my surgery 1/8. I'm sooo excited. The easiest thing would be to go alone because my DH and I have a 7 month old baby and we don't want to leave our son with family for that long. Would it be feasible or practical for them to come with me and stay at the hotel at night and just visit me during the day? I also could bring my 14 yr old daughter with me (she'd probably love it) Or.. I can go alone. For those of you that have been there, which would be the best thing to do?? I know alot of it is personal preference but yall know way more than I do. What do yall think? Anyone here that will be having the surgery then as well??

I was sleeved 2/4. I can eat a little more than before. I never stuff myself, but is this normal? I guess I'm just paranoid about my tummy going back to its normal size.

I want to hear it ALL FACTS-No hear say- Good, bad, ugly and pretty. Knowing that crap happens here, there etc. I'd like to know where... Just my opinion.

I know what you mean. Hang in there. The first month you send healing and getting used to your new tummy. I'm praying you get through this part as easy as possible!

ZERO REGRETS!!! Good luck:)

Thank you so much!

I was sleeved 2/4 and I still do protein shakes even though I can eat real food. I can only eat a very small portion and I'm scared I won't get in all my protein and food just doesn't appeal to me. So I feel your pain:)

Going from 300 to 600 is not going to cause *gain*. Like Tiffy said, a t*rd can weigh that much. Don't over think it. Progress with come. Don't be so dependent on the scale. Good luck!!

Just so you know you're not alone, I was sore 7-12 days out. The muscle healing near one incision site gave me a fit. You'll be fine to return to work though. Just no lifting:)

I don't understand. What does how tall or short you are have to do with weightloss or how much you can eat? I do a 4oz protein shake...slowly and I'm really satisfied with 2 (I'm 5'3). I was reading on another forum that someone that was 6ft tall could eat 2 pieces of pizza comfortably- self pay- I would be upset. I don't see why someone would want to eat that junk early out or for that matter try to push themselves past the comfy satisfied spot, but to each his own I guess. But I don't get what your height has to do with it. Can someone explain? Thanks!

Hi Dybarra and welcome! I'm almost 3 weeks out and I've still been on mushies from the fear. I just now put about 3 oz of chicken in the blender, put in in a soup bowl with a piece of cheese on top and viola!. Last night I tried eating a VERY small piece of chicken and was very full before I could finish it. I know I didn't get enough protein in to even count so I'm all about the protein shakes and now...puree chicken:) We'll get used to it in time.

You bring the pork rinds and jerky and I'll bring the beer! LMBO Tiffy!

I forgot to say that I'm 16 days post op and have lost 17 lbs with zero nausea:)

My doctor said he uses 38 on everyone. He said he has found less nausea and less overall problems using a 38 I guess he used to use smaller I'm assuming. At first I thought I felt hunder pangs which turned out to be stomach acid. Now I take prilosec and I am NEVER hungry. I have to remind myself to eat. My gherlin went in the trash for sure!