Char_in_Md

Hi my name is Charlotte or Char and obviously I am in Maryland! LOL I had my VSG done on 2/11/09 by Dr. Andrew Averbach. I have lost a little over 55 pounds so far, 45 pounds to go for the surgeons goal and 55 pounds to go for my goal! Looking forward to getting to know you all.

this surgery is for a work related injury....I am still in my first stages for my wls...how is your surgery recovery going?

hiya....i have 4 children...4 grandchildren....i am just starting my journey...almost have the book of paperwork the doctor wants before scheduling the appt filled out, it is going slowly due to just having hand surgery on monday...thank you!

how did you all find your psychologist? Is this something that the surgeon's office helps you find or do you need to find one on your own? thanks!

I just got my paperwork to fill out from the doctor I want to use and I am going for the bariatric seminar they require on July 7th..I am at the beginning and excited! Yippee!

So I am ready to contact the surgeon my PCP recommends but I have a worker's comp surgery coming up on june 9th, my partner has surgery in sept. or october for a torn rotator cuff...and we have 6 cats and a dog that need to be taken care, two of the cats have to take medication, including shots every day, so at least one of us has to be functional...so just when am I supposed to be able to schedule the surgery my PCP wants me to have??

I think I found someone... Alex Gandsas, M.D. of sinai hospital....thank you all!

I also have the PPO...dr. singh huh...will have to find this doctor...thanks!

of course! and thank you! two of my children live on the outskirts of seattle with my ex...

to help me make this huge decision and be my friend, and I will be your friend too...and help anyway I can...

Okay, so I am starting to go to a new PCP, he has been doing my pre-ops for worker's comp case, and when I mentioned that my former PCP mentioned me getting a lap band, he said, you should have the sleeve gastrectomy, aslo he is going to get me the info on a doctor who does breast reductions...yippee! So my question is, what is the advantage or disadvantage of having the sleeve gastectomy over a lap band? :w00t:

thank you, a little bit far for me, but if I can't find one a little closer, I will definitely call him! I tried to do some research on the carefirst website but have no idea what type of doctor to look for...I am closer to baltimore...

can anyone recommend any surgeons in network for BCBS in md? thanks so much!

thanks...I have just contact my insurance company to find out which doctor's are in network...also, I am scheduled for a preop for tomorrow for hand surgery for a workers comp injury so I may ask this doctor if he can recommend any doctors....thanks!

I just received an email from the doctor that my PCP told me to go see saying he was out of network for my insurance but that he does see BC/BS patients....this is what he said partially... "Initially you will need to pay $212 for the consultation and then pay before surgery: $5500 for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery; $3488 for Laparoscopic Lap-Band or Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; $7500 for laparoscopic duodenal switch with BPD. BC/BS will then reimburse you by sending you a check to your home that is based on your benefits after you file the consult fee and then the surgeons fee's (again the hospital and anesthesia fees are covered if they approve you for surgery). (one example is: 80% paid out of network fees after a $200 a year deductible and $50 copay up to a maximum of $1500 out of your pocket and then the plan pays the rest of the customary charge)." does this sound reasonable?