JT2002TJ

I honestly do not think the OP was meaning to be insulting, and I can see how it can be taken so. The OP was getting backed into a corner by some pre-judging members here. Rather than being supportive and having a discussion it turned into holier-than-thou bashing. I know you were trying to be helpful (and I'm NOT including you in that group that was attacking the OP).
To others in this thread, the way medical marijuana laws are changing throughout the country are a sign of the medical benefits, with minimal to no side effects. I am not one who uses it, but working in the medical industry I can see where it is FAR better of a solution than many other prescribed medications with side effects which harm organs, and are physically addictive.
This forum is about sharing of information, helping others through their journey and being a wealth of knowledge. If we turn people away, it is more than just mean, it may contribute to the issues that got us all here in the first place. Do you want to be responsible for someone quitting? How do we all feel about people judging us about our weight? Those of you being insulting, have done the same thing to the OP except used weed in place of food...
OP - you have gotten some good advice here, be honest with your surgeon. I hope you do not have an issue.

Good luck! Wishing you a smooth surgery and speedy recovery!

How far away are you from being vested?
I personally am not a fan of removing money out of a retirement fund. I'm ok with taking a loan against it (I did that when I bought my first home), but you want to do everything you can to leave the money there. It is one of the few avenues where you will average 8% or more interest.
For me, I know if I removed the money, I wouldn't replace it on top of continuing to add money. This can set you back years.

How far away are you from being vested?
I personally am not a fan of removing money out of a retirement fund. I'm ok with taking a loan against it (I did that when I bought my first home), but you want to do everything you can to leave the money there. It is one of the few avenues where you will average 8% or more interest.
For me, I know if I removed the money, I wouldn't replace it on top of continuing to add money. This can set you back years.

Why did your insurance say they aren't paying? It seems from this forum that there are a percentage of people who are denied and still get insurance to pay via the appeals process.
I'm assuming that it isn't an exclusion, and you were denied after they sent the paperwork.

That is weird. I thought the sleeve was always an inpatient thing, as they need to test for leaks. This is new to me.

I wish the same success we have had on the OP. Everyone should have a good experience, especially since this is a BIG money maker for the surgical groups.
I am happy, and am potentially about 6 weeks away from surgery (as long as everything goes smooth). Can't wait to do this after 6 months of prerequisites.
Sorry you and your family had such a bad experience, teeth and dentist office. I agree the surgeon probably has no idea. My surgical group is part of Winthrop Hospital (a major NY hospital), so the point you brought up of writing a letter to a corporate office may actually make sense if the OP's group is also part of (or affiliated with) a corporate group or hospital.
I would say letters to local offices are probably filtered through staff, but they may be forced to respond by law to patient complaints at hospitals (New York State Department Of Health NYSDOH requires hospitals to respond).

I was going to suggest the above, but in my experience we don't get to see the surgeon without a paid visit. Even with a paid visit, you have to have a good reason as their schedules are booked up. For me, I saw my surgeon during the initial group seminar and the next time was during the initial office visit (where my insurance requirements, the surgical group requirements were provided, and a conversation to decide which WLS was best for me). I have my final structured (sixth) diet weigh in tomorrow (8/25/2017) and I will not see the surgeon until right before the surgery after my final insurance approval (this will be the second one-on-one meeting with my surgeon).
I have had a stellar experience with my group, including email responses from my nurse coordinator within 24 hours (often within an hour).
If you have a patient portal, sometimes you can reach the surgeon this way, but even this way it is often routed through the office/clinical staff and may not actually reach the surgeon.

The first time the Surgeon's office said they wouldn't make a call to my insurance company, would be the last time they got a cent of my money.
It is normal for Surgeons to have additional requirements to make sure the surgery goes smooth, but weight history is typically not one of them. Most surgeons I know are against the hoops to do with weight the insurance companies require (3 months, 6 months, years...). They would like to make the decision about patient's weights themselves (they as in the medical team, hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist,...).
Remember, they are a business, this is an elective process, where their business is by patients choosing to visit them. They are about to make $25k+ from you (copayments + insurance payments).
I suggest going somewhere else. I'm not sure where you live, but if it is near a big city, bariatric surgery groups are everywhere.

Yeah, doesn't make sense. And even if you talk to the surgeon about the office staff (basically go around the staff), it will just create tension.
I would suggest calling and speaking with the office manager, after you found a new surgical group, and explain why you left the group. Hopefully this will help someone else in the future.

The first time the Surgeon's office said they wouldn't make a call to my insurance company, would be the last time they got a cent of my money.
It is normal for Surgeons to have additional requirements to make sure the surgery goes smooth, but weight history is typically not one of them. Most surgeons I know are against the hoops to do with weight the insurance companies require (3 months, 6 months, years...). They would like to make the decision about patient's weights themselves (they as in the medical team, hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist,...).
Remember, they are a business, this is an elective process, where their business is by patients choosing to visit them. They are about to make $25k+ from you (copayments + insurance payments).
I suggest going somewhere else. I'm not sure where you live, but if it is near a big city, bariatric surgery groups are everywhere.

The first time the Surgeon's office said they wouldn't make a call to my insurance company, would be the last time they got a cent of my money.
It is normal for Surgeons to have additional requirements to make sure the surgery goes smooth, but weight history is typically not one of them. Most surgeons I know are against the hoops to do with weight the insurance companies require (3 months, 6 months, years...). They would like to make the decision about patient's weights themselves (they as in the medical team, hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist,...).
Remember, they are a business, this is an elective process, where their business is by patients choosing to visit them. They are about to make $25k+ from you (copayments + insurance payments).
I suggest going somewhere else. I'm not sure where you live, but if it is near a big city, bariatric surgery groups are everywhere.

I assume mine will be worse then these great healing experiences. I get keloid scars that typically start out raised, but over the years end up flush, but you can still see different pigmentation/constancy.
OP, do you have any other scars? How did they heal? I'm sure it will be similar to other cuts you have had (if you had any).

Awesome news!!! Good luck!

I am not defending the use of drugs, I am defending a person who is being attacked. I am not religious, but I think there are good aspects (teachings), for example:
Just an fyi, medicinal marijuana does not have to be "smoked". It can be inhaled as a vapor, ingested as a pill or food. These ways do not include the harmful effects of the traditional "smoking" way.
I'm still not sure how the traditional way of smoking marijuana is "far worse on the lungs than cigarettes." I would be happy to read any literature you have to support this.
There are plenty of articles on pubmed.gov with double blind placebo controlled studies (from overseas) citing the medical benefits of medicinal marijuana.

Yeah, I'm just assuming she was coming from the side of being backed into a corner and as a result was unintentionally lashing, but I may be wrong.
I just want people to get along and help each other out.
Thanks!

I read that to, and my first reaction was "that ain't gonna sit well." I hear you. Have a great day!

Yeah, I'm just assuming she was coming from the side of being backed into a corner and as a result was unintentionally lashing, but I may be wrong.
I just want people to get along and help each other out.
Thanks!

I am not defending the use of drugs, I am defending a person who is being attacked. I am not religious, but I think there are good aspects (teachings), for example:
Just an fyi, medicinal marijuana does not have to be "smoked". It can be inhaled as a vapor, ingested as a pill or food. These ways do not include the harmful effects of the traditional "smoking" way.
I'm still not sure how the traditional way of smoking marijuana is "far worse on the lungs than cigarettes." I would be happy to read any literature you have to support this.
There are plenty of articles on pubmed.gov with double blind placebo controlled studies (from overseas) citing the medical benefits of medicinal marijuana.

I honestly do not think the OP was meaning to be insulting, and I can see how it can be taken so. The OP was getting backed into a corner by some pre-judging members here. Rather than being supportive and having a discussion it turned into holier-than-thou bashing. I know you were trying to be helpful (and I'm NOT including you in that group that was attacking the OP).
To others in this thread, the way medical marijuana laws are changing throughout the country are a sign of the medical benefits, with minimal to no side effects. I am not one who uses it, but working in the medical industry I can see where it is FAR better of a solution than many other prescribed medications with side effects which harm organs, and are physically addictive.
This forum is about sharing of information, helping others through their journey and being a wealth of knowledge. If we turn people away, it is more than just mean, it may contribute to the issues that got us all here in the first place. Do you want to be responsible for someone quitting? How do we all feel about people judging us about our weight? Those of you being insulting, have done the same thing to the OP except used weed in place of food...
OP - you have gotten some good advice here, be honest with your surgeon. I hope you do not have an issue.

I honestly do not think the OP was meaning to be insulting, and I can see how it can be taken so. The OP was getting backed into a corner by some pre-judging members here. Rather than being supportive and having a discussion it turned into holier-than-thou bashing. I know you were trying to be helpful (and I'm NOT including you in that group that was attacking the OP).
To others in this thread, the way medical marijuana laws are changing throughout the country are a sign of the medical benefits, with minimal to no side effects. I am not one who uses it, but working in the medical industry I can see where it is FAR better of a solution than many other prescribed medications with side effects which harm organs, and are physically addictive.
This forum is about sharing of information, helping others through their journey and being a wealth of knowledge. If we turn people away, it is more than just mean, it may contribute to the issues that got us all here in the first place. Do you want to be responsible for someone quitting? How do we all feel about people judging us about our weight? Those of you being insulting, have done the same thing to the OP except used weed in place of food...
OP - you have gotten some good advice here, be honest with your surgeon. I hope you do not have an issue.

I'm so sorry. Good luck, I can't imagine having to have 2 surgeries so close together.
Will this revision be covered under NHS, without a major wait?

I read that to, and my first reaction was "that ain't gonna sit well." I hear you. Have a great day!

Did you see if your insurance will cover the cost? If you haven't already try out www.insurenutrition.com. I get 4 chocolate Premier Protein boxes (18 shakes in each box) per month at $0 to me through my insurance. I also get Vitamins and other things my dr prescribed.
Insureneutrition sends a list of stuff, your doctor will write prescriptions for whatever they feel you should get.
EDIT: I am in my second month Pre-Op getting deliveries, so my insurance covers it even before surgery.

I do not condone smoking anything, it is an individual decision and not for any one person to judge. People shouldn't throw stones who live in glass houses.