Who'sThere

How did you feel about Dr. Watson's bedside manner? What I have heard about this is why I didn't opt to see him. How was his staff? Did it take you long to get an appointment with him? What is his program fee? I'd like any information you're willing to provide.

That "rule" is balogna. The doctor who literally wrote the book on PCOS (Dr. Samuel Thatcher) is the partner to the fella I went to for intfertility. Their practice is called C.A.R.S. (Center for Applied Reproductive Science). I took several rounds of Clomid (and even a breast cancer drug that starts with an L--can't remember the name--that helps with fertility with PCOS) with them. My weight was never an issue, and I weighed over 250 at 5'3". I wasn't successful, but at least they tried. A couple of years before that I did conceive on my own after losing 100 pounds and gaining back 50. I weighed around 220 when I conceived, but I miscarried at 7.5 weeks. My gyn. says that that weight may be my body's "happy weight." I'm hoping to get banded and see that weight again. At that weight I was still obese, but I felt better than ever..even better than I did at 173. I am at an all-time high at 277, but I hope that will change soon. I would actually like to get down to a "normal" weight, but my first goal will be to get to 220. Heck, even under 250 would be great! I'll take baby steps.

I have UHC, and I believe mine will be covered. I called and all the insurance lady would tell me over the phone is that my policy does cover bariatric surgery when deemed medically necessary and that I would need a letter stating the medical necessity from my physician. She wouldn't tell me any other requirements. I'm not assuming that there aren't any other requirements just because she didn't mention them. She may have just not mentioned them to me specifically. I'd say the requirements may vary from person to person. Excarolinagirl, do you still have to pay the $150 if your insurance covers it? I'm taking it that you do since you mentioned that you have insurance. That is something that I didn't expect. My insurance is really good, and I've never had to pay anything more than $50 to go to the ER. Even when I had my gallbladder removed, I only had to pay $50 for the whole surgery and hospital stay and everything. I'm in grad. school so money is tight right now, but I'll do what I have to do. I am ready to get on with this.

Well, I don't think I have any co-morbities (unless high cholesterol counts) but my BMI is like 49, so I doubt he would turn me down. I suppose you never know though. Keep me posted, and I will too.

If I do, I don't know it yet. I called today, and I got voicemail. I left a message but it was already close to 4:30, so maybe they'll call me Monday. All my info. has been faxed to them for over a week now. I'm getting anxious, and I really want to hear something NOW! I'm really ready to get all this started.

It's so funny you posted this. I went out with the girls on Friday. I planned to make very good food choices, but instead I ordered a loaded baked potato with my grilled chicken. I told them I would eat it while I could. I know that after the band, I might be able to eat that, but it would probably not be the best choice since I will be supposed to eat protein and veggies before carbs. I enjoyed myself, but I didn't go overboard, and I feel okay about that.

I didn't hear from the nurse today about an appointment date. I'm starting to get frustrated. Should it really take three days to schedule my first appointment? Is this par for the course? I will certainly post when I hear something. I'm probably just being impatient. I just so want to get on with it.

Well, my nurse faxed my stuff to Kappa/Kramer in Kingsport on Thursday, and she's waiting to hear back from them with a consult date for me. I'm excited to finally meet with a surgeon. Does anyone know if these guys only do surgeries on certain days of the week or anything like that? I know it's probably premature to start thinking about that, but I am just thinking about how many days I will be out of work (which varies, I know). A perfect scenario for me would be to have it on a Thursday and go back to work on Monday or Tuesday. I'm optomisic that everything will go well. If not, I'll wait until it goes wrong to face it! :girl_hug:

I am in Rogersville. It would depend on how close you are and if our schedules were compatible, but I wouldn't mind a workout partner or even just someone to share the experience with. I am a teacher, and I'm in grad school, so I don't have a lot of free time, but we can see what we can do. Where are you from?

Okay...here's what I've done so far. I went to my family doctor. He said I was a great candidate and suggested surgeons. He also said I would need some labs done before I met with the surgeon. I got my labs done, and my thyroid was out of whack. I've been on meds, and now my thyroid is under control (with medicine). I just got those results back today. I only talked to the nurse, and she sounded a little confused, but I reminded her of what he said. My questions are these: Are there any other tests that I should have done BEFORE meeting with the surgeon? Who schedules the appointment with the surgeon, me or my family doctor? I know a lot of this depends on insurance. I have Heritage Select with United Healthcare. If anyone has any ideas, please post. Thanks!

I have UHC, and all they would tell me on the phone was that I needed a letter of medical necessity from my doctor. Surely that's not ALL they need. I do know that my insurance DOES cover bariatric surgery "if you qualify." I just don't know what all that will entail.

*oops...pressure or

I am just at the beginning stages of preparing to get banded. I had my blood workup and found that my thyroid is out of whack. So, the doctor put me on Synthroid for two months. I went back for my recheck and weighed while I was there. I am at my all time highest weight ever. I am 5'3" (almost) and weigh 276.8lbs. I know that my BMI is high enough, but I don't have any comorbidities that I know of. I don't have high blood pressureor diabetes. (Does high cholesterol or insulin resistance count?) Anyway...I was thinking thinking that I would like to do something while I wait to jump through all the hoops, but I don't want to lose some weight and have my insurance company say, "See, you can do it on your own." I know that I can lose weight. I lost 100 lbs. on LA weightloss once; I just can't keep it off. So, should I give Weight Watchers another dance, or should I just hold on until I can get the hoops jumped? I don't want to remain as fat as I am, but I also don't want to be denied. Any advice you can give would be great. Thanks in advance.

I'd love to know how it goes. I am waiting on bloodwork before I get the appointment with the surgeon.

I see it now. Thanks...that's neat to see.

Maybe I don't know what to look for, but I don't see a picture or a link here.

Thanks to all. I knew I would get some answers on here. My husband called today (he's home after knee surgery) and they said I do not have to fast. I will go after work tomorrow. However, the script is only for TSH. I'll have to ask about T3 and T4. I don't recall ever having those done, and I just check my results from my last "big" work up, and they weren't on there. Thanks again.

I need to have my thyroid rechecked, but I have a hard time getting to the doctor before work. Does anyone know if this is a test that requires fasting, or can it be done anytime? If I could go after work, that would be great. I can't call the doctor during work to find out. I'm a teacher and I have meetings during my planning time for the next several days. By the time I get back into town (work out of town) his office is closed. Thanks in advance for help with this question.

I have United Healthcare. I am hoping to get surgery approval. My question for others with UHC is if the surgery is covered, are the fills covered? If not, how much should I expect to pay for these? I have the HMO, so all of my normal doctor visits and such are on a co-pay system. For example, for maternity, it costs $100 for the hospital stay and $15 for the first OB/GYN visit...that's it. I think it is pretty good insurance, so I'm hoping everything will be covered. I would appreciate hearing about anyone elses experiences with UHC or similar insurance plans. Thanks in advance.

I am very sorry to hear about you denial from UH. I also have UH and will be going through this process soon myself. However, I would be surprised if PCOS was considered a co-morbidity. Many PCOS patients are obese, but PCOS is not caused by obesity. There are folks with PCOS that are not overweight. Since you do have PCOS you are at a higher risk for many co-morbidities that go along with obesity. High blood pressure, diabetes, or insulin resistance (kinda like Pre-diabetes) are just a couple. As others have suggested, I would look into ANYTHING that might be considered a co-morbid condition. Good luck!

I LOVE the French Vanilla (Optima). I especially love it with frozen strawberries. I mix it with one of those hand-held drink blenders. Wowza! It's just like a strawberry milkshake.

Lalaredd, good luck with your big day tomorrow! Thoughts and prayers...Amy

Thanks, guys! Plain, you were the exact same height and weight as my husband is now. (He went to the Dr. today, so that is his exact official weight.) It will be interesting to see your progress. Do good, I'll be watching.:wink2:

I have read some things that are no-no's after one gets the band. I will list those that I have heard about. If there are comments on these, please let me know. Also, what else is a no-no that I don't know about? Thanks in advance!:wink2: 1. Soda 2. Beer (no problem...can't stand it anyway) 3. Rice 4. Straws--although some say okay to this 5. Pasta P.S. Also please add anything that is not a food/drink. Is there any activity that you can't do anymore? (I'm sure there will be plenty of new activities to make up for these.)

I'm from Rogersville (about an hour east of you). I don't think there are many people on here from our end of the state, at least not that I have noticed. I am also just starting my journey, but I haven't been to any meetings, groups, or seminars. I have done all of my research online and am getting all of my support on here as well (with the exception of my family who are also supportive.) I think a meeting might be nice, but I'm sure I'd have to drive to K'ville or Johnson City to go to one, so I probably won't. As for your love of food and not knowing about giving that up, I am having some of the same thoughts. I read that you can't have Pasta post-op, and when we ate at the Olive Garden this week, I thought to myself, "Can I really go without this for the rest of my life?" I think that is a natural part of the process. We would be unrealistic if we thought we could do this without mourning some of the things we love from what will be our "former" lives. I think we will be able to have most things "in moderation" with is certainly going to be a new concept to me. I too love food, so moderation is really going to be a new word to my vocabulary, but I'm sure it will be worth it. I have a co-worker who had RnY, and she says, "Nothing tastes as good as this (being thin) feels." I certainly hope I can have that attitude. Good luck in all your efforts. I'd love to hear how your meeting goes tonight. Take Care!