Tiffykins

I didn't even bother asking the staff. I requested a consult with the surgeon then I asked all the tough questions. My surgeon had not performed a lot of band to vsg, but had quite a few band to RNY and flat out band removals so I was confident in his skills. I really went with personal testimony, and then called different offices in several different states and contacted a couple of surgeons in Mexico in the event of insurance had not come through for me. I contacted surgeons specifically in Dallas, TX because I have family in the area. There aren't any great revision surgeons in Florida, so I knew I would have to go where I felt I would be best taken care of. I would share those same concerns, and I hope they get back with you. I would say a 5-7 business day turn around on emails is more than realistic, and if you don't get answers then move onto another surgeon/office.. COE means diddly squat most cases. My band surgeon had COE yet violated every HIPPA law with my med records, got his partnership stripped and title of "director of bariatrics" with the hospital stripped from him shortly after I left his practice and filed complaints about his practices.

Second opinions are always fabulous. In no way would allow a surgeon that wasn't confident in a surgery type to operate on me. Funny thing is that the stats that are out, can not and do not lie. The stats and long term research information on gastrectomies for stomach cancer and ulcers are all conclusive with showing minimal long term complications. While DS is the most effective long term, it's also a very extensive surgery with a whole slew of long term complications, and insane Vitamin and fat intake requirement. But, the sleeve is and has been showing long term results, it's the reason it became a stand along procedure to begin with. I know you are frustrated and disheartened, but if you really want surgery, then pursue it with another surgeon that is more confident in his skill level and existing patient results.

If you click on your screen name at the top corner where it says "Signed in as_________" a drop down menu will appear. Click on MY CONTENT, and every post, topic, reply you've either started or replied to will be listed.

I've never heard of having to wait for MRI after VSG, and had several MRIs after my knee surgeries to check the healing, and placement of titanium screws. I agree that I'd find a new neuro doc, and a new MRI facility. They seem uninformed, and extremely unprofessional. I hope you can get it straightened out soon ! ! !

Coffee(for my program) is discouraged only because of it's diuretic effect. Once I was around 6 weeks out, I could have coffee because I was able to get in my 64+ ounces of clear fluids and hydration was not so challenging. I don't drink Starbucks because we have a little locally-owned coffee house here that I frequent because I like to support our small businesses. And, just to let you know, the whole sipping, and taking tiny drinks is not forever. I drink like a normal person now without issue, and have been for about a year. I also drink about 20-30 ounces of coffee on any given with full fat creamer. I do not(have never) used fat free or sugar free creamers. I do keep my coffee in an insulated coffee mug, but that's because I drink so much at one time, and if I use a regular cup, I'm hitting the microwave when it cools off.

I've had 5 friends now go through the process here at our MTF, and it takes about 6-8 weeks to get all the appointments scheduled and completed. A surgery date has always happened within 2 months here so not big wait compared to others. It depends on how many surgeons they have available to perform the sleeve. We had 2, then went down to 1, then back up to 2 so it kind of depends on each specific location and how back logged they are on bariatrics. Here is a MTF locator link for you to try, that way you don't have to try to hunt down numbers. http://www.tricare.mil/MTF/

To the original poster: 1st step is to get a referral to a MTF that performs the sleeve (you might have to call around to see which ones offer it) 2nd step was an informational seminar, fill out some paperwork 3rd step they call for a consult with the surgeon 4th step was nutrition and psych consult 5th step was another consult with surgeon and to set a date labs were pulled, chest xray, ekg, you might have to have a sleep study or stress test based on your own medical history Every program is different but this was the steps that our program has set up

Can you share how you got it covered with a civilian???? If you read my post correctly I specifically state that it is indeed covered at MTFs, but not with civilians. Because every document, every rep, every customer advocate, every other surgeon and insurance coordinator I've talked to in 4 different states, Tri-West, Tricare south (Humana, and the region I'm in), and Tricare north all deny with a civilian. So, since I'm wrong, and you've had it covered with a civilian, please share how you managed to get it covered with Prime with a civilian surgeon. I'd like to get further information, how you out of the 100s of others that I've spoken with that have been denied, had a Congressional compliant denied, yet you were approved with a civilian surgeon. Not sure if you didn't read my reply thoroughly, or but, you might want to reread what I posted. I see a civilian PCM, and all my referrals get kicked to civilians so I honestly went through the wringer just to get a referral to on base provider because our system works a little different when we see civilians on base. We get to see off base providers because we are at a small base with tons of retirees, and appointments are very difficult to get in a timely manner. Plus, we do not live on base (9miles from the front gate), but we still get to see civis for everything. I had my revision performed at a MTF and it was covered 100%.

Best wishes ! ! ! That's pretty insane considering bypass is far more drastic for weight loss, and almost double the cost as the sleeve procedure. Not to mention the long term complications insurance companies are having to pay for due to RNY complications. I do wish you the best, but before you go under the knife, make sure your insurance company denied you for the correct reasons. Make sure you get a denial letter from your insurance company with that being the reason, and that it isn't something that your surgeon's office isn't making for you.

I've always been on the prescription form of omeprazole (generic for Prilosec). But, I do keep OTC Omeprazole on hand in the event I forget to call in my script on time (there is a 3 day turn around on our RX on base). I've taken the OTC a couple of times, and haven't noticed any changes. The big difference I think between the two is that the OTC version is a tablet, and my RX is a capsule with little beads in it. The side effects are very minimal with long term PPI use. The main concern is Calcium absorption. Since we're on a PPI, we need to take calcium citrate which does not need an acidic environment to be fully absorbed, and utilized in the body properly. I have to take 1000mg Calcium Citrate daily because I get a good chunk of calcium in my daily diet from cheese and yogurt. When I was in the losing stage, I was told to take in 1200-1500mg of citrate per day. The generic form of Prilosec is actually cheaper than the OTC version. For me, it's free because we get RX on base for free with our insurance. If I fill it at Walgreen's a 90 day supply (1 capsule 20mg once daily) is $3.00 with our insurance. I'll keep getting it filled on base #1 because it's free #2 because it gives me an excuse to go to our little military mall and shop LOL.

It's very individualized. I'm 19 months out, and I choose to stay on my prilosec for a couple of reasons. 1) Acid can cause hunger, and I still get zero physical hunger and I don't want it. 2) Reflux sucks, and I'm not willing to deal with it. I never had reflux prior to VSG, and never really allowed myself to suffer with it. I started getting this weird, gnawing twinge around 6-7 weeks post-op, and talked to a few veterans, they confirmed it was probably acid creeping up, and causing the false hunger. I went on Prilosec once daily, and haven't had any issues since. Most VSG patients are on a PPI for 3-6 months. Some are successful at weaning off, some are not. For me, right now, it's just a choice I make to stay on it, and not wean off of it. I am going to reevaluate it next month when I see my PCM, but I can honestly tell you that I'm not willing to deal with hunger. So, if my hunger returns because of acid, I'll be back on it. I know a few that used Gaviscon as needed when weaning off of the PPI to control the rebound acid, and I might try that when/if I decide to go off the Prilosec. For me, the fear of Barrett's esophagus, and having reflux keeps me on the PPI as well. My RX Prilosec states that continued, regular dosing is recommended for full efficacy. If you go a few days in between, it takes time for the drugs to start working again.

Could it be the caffeine additives? It has the guarana blend for energy which is the caffeine stuff to up your heart rate and gives you the energy. Apparently, the caffeine content is equal to a cup of coffee, but could the additives be contributing to your nausea? http://www.livestrong.com/article/70084-one-day-energy-vitamin-side/ Have you tried switching to another product to see if it's the formulation that's causing the nausea? I use Celebrate chewables with zero issues, and before switching to Celebrate I used a GNC chewable with Iron without issue. Congrats on your success thus far, you're doing great ! ! !

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11607-i-have-a-question-about-alcohol/page__p__99986__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry99986 There is another topic with lots of information, and other people's experiences.

yay yay i'm so glad it worked, and your ticker is showing up on all of your posts ! ! !

Nope it's not the same. VSG is NOT a covered procedure with Tricare Prime or Standard. You can however have it performed and covered 100% with a military treatment facility. That probably doesn't make sense, but essentially it's covered if the MTF performs sleeves. If they don't you can not have it done with a civilian, even on a referral. It is not covered, and won't be any time soon. I've fought Tricare for over 2 years now. Between myself, my 4 friends in every region of Tricare, it's not covered by civilians so you have to go to a MTF that performs and offers sleeves. Tricare will not cover it until Medicare fully picks it up. Remember, Tricare is a government ran H M O type insurance. I have had friends file appeals, even one took it all the way to the Congressional complaint level, got denied even at that level. I'm an active duty Air Force wife. And, literally spent the last year and half, writing letters, emails, making phone calls for myself and friends trying to get definitive answers. I've called every region, every possible patient advocacy, etc etc. It's not covered outside MTFs. If your MTF performs it, follow their program and have it there. If you see a civilian PCM, you will not be approved for VSG. I even had one friend in Virginia, jump through every insurance and surgeon requirement hoop, had a pre-cert letter and everything from Tricare. Final paperwork submitted, and DENIED. If you see a civilian PCM, you'll need to get a specific referral to the MTF bariatric program. If you typically get kicked out to civilians, you are looking at RNY(bypass) or banding. That's the only 2 options with civilian surgeons.

3 months out.

I checked my guidelines again to make sure, and we could have watermelon(no seeds, not even the white ones) and cantaloupe on the mushies stage.

I know this will be a tedious task. BUT, you can demand, and I mean demand of an itemized bill WITHOUT and WITH ICD-9 codes. The reason for this is because EVERY HOSPITAL puts fluff in their billing, and one slip of an ICD-9 code, you could be billed for something ludicrous. For example, my mother had a hysterectomy. Well, since she had to pay 20% of the charges, she requested this, and they charged her for a MAMMOGRAM? ? ? Yes, a mammogram, and she told the hospital "Really, you did a mammogram while the doctor was pulling my uterus out of my vagina? Boy, I missed that one." So, my point is, that if you have to pay that portion, get that itemized bill and fight the miscellaneous charges that they can write off. You can fight it. You can get it taken care of. I promise that I realize you might want to invest that time, but if you wanna save some cash, I highly recommend it. I was an insurance agent in Texas. Sold many individual policies for health/life for several years, and you would not believe what my customers saw come in their bills.

Make sure you're taking a true PPI on an empty stomach, if that particular PPI is NOT working, have them switch it. If you're buy OTC, buy a different one. You need to find out what's going on, Barrett's esophagus is nothing to play with and it can lead to esophageal cancer. I'm not trying to sound harsh, but be informed, and make sure you get on a PPI with the proper dosage. Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec and Prevacid are all pretty popular. If you're one of those, ask to see if you take a different one. Some people have to try different PPIs to get relief. If you are not on one of those listed (other than the generic form of Prilosec or Protonix), then you aren't on a true PPI. Zantac and Pepcid are h2 blockers and do not work the same to block the acid production.

There is not a truly simple way to do BUT I can give you the step by step instructions I followed to get mine: Click on your Name at the Top of the Forum A drop down menu should appear. Click MY PROFILE From there, you'll need to click on CHANGE SIGNATURE. NOw, open a New Tab or New web browser window and go to www.tickerfactory.com Make your ticker to your liking with A PIN, so you can edit it later. Once the ticker is made and you are at the "code" page. HIghlight, and COPY the entire bBcode. Come back here to where the Blank signature box is, and PASTE that code into the box. Add whatever other information you'd like, and then hit SAVE CHANGES. It will give you a Preview of your signature, if it's too your liking, it'll show up on your posts. If you don't like it, change it and save it. If these steps do not work, contact the site administrator for further technical assistance. In the future to edit your signature, you can just click on any of your posts that has your signature ticker on it, and you'll need to enter the PIN and edit your weight loss stats. it will auto update if you refresh the web page here.

I'm so glad you have found us, and I think you'll be just as successful with the sleeve as you would be with RNY. I can't imagine waking up with something different, but please know we're here for you, and any questions you might have. . . Stay in touch, and keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

Many congratulations ! ! ! You've done amazingly well, and I know you feel awesome ! ! !

Totally normal, and this too shall pass. I went through it as do a lot of WLS patients. For me, I had to flavor food up big time. Lots of spices/seasonings to make things appealing. It only lasted a couple weeks, and it got better with each passing week.

Weird thing, I haven't ditched the carbs completely. I just 1/2 sandwich with salt/vinegar chips on it LOL. So, I haven't ditched carbs, and I really don't think it's the soda thing since I was drinking caffeine cream soda. I have been able to pinpoint it to my ovulation week. I am much better today emotionally, but I'm still frayed. It's just weird. It's a total catch 22 situation. I want to be pregnant, and that process is long, emotionally and mentally draining me. I would love to go on birth control to help with the moodiness. By definition, I have all of the symptoms of PMDD, but can't go on bc since I want to get pregnant. I just hate the way I feel, and act toward my family. I told my husband last night that I just wanted to crawl in a hole, and be left alone for several days. It's honestly not anything that anyone else is doing. It's all me, and I've talked to my PCM and surgeon. Neither of them want me on medication, I don't want to be on meds. I just want normalcy. I can honestly say that I was not prepared for these emotions. I think there are too many contributing factors to pour out here. Luckily, I'm waiting to get a referral to a counselor here, and I hope I can click with her. I have a lot of stuff that I just don't share publicly. I know I'm extremely outgoing and open, but some things just are buried too deep, and I don't feel like peeling off those band-aids. I appreciate the support. I'm just holding firm to the belief that all will be well, and things will settle down soon. I'm fighting to stay level, but it's not going so well. At the end of my rope, and I've tied the knot to hang on. Just hope nothing comes along to unravel it at this point.