HapiCat

Would you change surgeons pre surgery if: You discovered a surgeon locally (10 min drive) instead of across your state (3 hour drive) if there were no additional expenses and they would accept your info from Dr you have surgery scheduled with?? I found out my surgery date today 12/30 but it requires 2 more trips across, another $500 program fee and the local Dr is a center of excellence as well and likely will accept everything and do surgery within same time frame. I see pro's being - Dr is 10 mins away I CAN attend bi-monthly support groups locally Fills will be local No hotel bills Help!?!:confused:

Hi all! I'm Cat in Estero, FL. I just got my surgery date December 30th. I've had my psych and nutritional consults as welll as met my surgeon (Dr. Larson, JFK Medical Center, Lake Worth FL) I will be starting my pre-op diet soon to get that liver shrunk. They suggested two weeks prior but I am gonna start sooner as I am anxious.

Yeah!!! Congrats to you too!!! Cat :scared2::confused:

I had mine a week ago and was told she wasn't there to disqualify me but to ensure my treatment was a success and make recommedations as deemed ness. Basic battery of self, soical and family history questions. Talked about surgery expectations and goals. I have chronic depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. My surgery was approved today!!! Hope that was helpful - Cat

:confused: Insurance was submitted on 11/10/09 and they got the approval today! Surgery is set for 12/30/09!! :scared2:

Ronda - I am too waiting for an approval from UHC (Medicare replacement) I got the yes we cover it on the procedure now theyt are sending in the paperwork on me as the actual patient. Fingers crossed for you!!!

Awesome thanks!!!!

The "program fee" covers all post-op visits with the psychologist, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Support groups are free but across my state so I need to find one in my local area.

Thanks Amy! I found a couple websites with a variety of different drink options. I am now on a search for freebies I dont want to invest in something that is BLAH:thumbdown: Are you on day two of post or pre-op?

Thanks Amanda! Wow just a wee over a week!!! Congrats how are you feeling? I will def try the frozen cup trick. Years ago Nestle had a diet beverage like slim fast and I could tolerate that if ice ice ice cold.

I have a medicare replacement policy through United Healthcare. Upon coverage verification I was required to go to a Bariatric Center of Excellence, have a nutritional and psychological consult prior to submission of the request for surgery. ($334 for those two visits combined not covered because there is no DSM-IV coding) My total out of pocket is $1,080 which is the $334 (mentioned before), $500 program fee and I believe a fill or two.

I am about to begin my pre-op diet and have tried and loathed in the past protien drinks. Mainly the thick gritty texture and "masked" infant formula taste. What is your fav protien drink? Thanks - Cat

Thank you! I am prepping for my pre-surgery dieting as I type. :biggrin:

I am waiting for my date too and have gone down to 4-5 cigs a day from 2 packs over the past 2 months. I just started taking out a few from a pack at first to make my packs smaller, played the wait a half hour game (upon urge to smoke make yourself wait a 1/2 hour try to distract) I tried the gum but it was to much nicotine for me and I just got a script for nicotrol inhaler. I've used that in the past and quit. I hope you are succesful and get a date soon.

Hello! I'm Cat from Estero, FL in the process of setting up banding surgery. I've had my required nutritional and psycological consults and am awaiting insurance approval and my date. :tongue2: