Lap_dancer

Havana is a sign to me!~ You all have no idea how very helpful this is. I love this site!!!

Take pictures of yourself now. A year from now you won't look the same.

I say a visit to the surgeon's office is in order. She is one year post op and I think a checkup is in order with her regular physician as well. (should have annual checkups anyway, why not add a blood chemistry to that?)

:clap2: :clap2: Sending love your way. Congrats on that journey, and for having the power to make a change for YOU. That is courageous.

My BMI is 61. I've had two surgeons tell me I need to get that bad boy number down for my own health's sake and to shrink my liver for the surgery. you will read about detoxing on here. Detox diet to purge your system of the nasty junk in your liver (fatty stuff). I have to do this anyway and I'm self paying and getting my sugery. Appeal that decision but the criteria they may have you under the thumb on. I wouldn't give up because I think the person who told you there was no proof LB was beneficial at your size was full of it and showed what little they did know when they made that comment. (people can be so self serving to their company..anyway) What idiot would say a weight loss surgery would not be beneficial to a very severely obese person????? HELLO! That's like saying the patch won't work for a really super heavy smoker. Check out the BCBS thread on here. I have mega posts from my appeals process. I have a specific exclusion in my contract that does not cover weight loss surgery "no matter what" but I still appealed. Feel free to tap my info posted there.

If I have the surgery on a Tuesday, more than likely would I be able to return to work the following Monday? My job is a sit down job. No lifting, not alot of walking. Anyone?

HIPPA. Thank you for the donation to able this person to become healthy again.

:nervous I am happy for you. Congratulations!!! I just called Dr. Kirshenbaum's office and spoke to Marilyn who is sending me an email with the details for my surgery. I'm feeling really good about this doctor.

I'm currently financing my own surgery. I've given at the alter of information (see Blue Cross Blue Shield thread). I have my own thoughts about doing things for free. There was a time in my life when I had two babies and we were oh so very broke. My thoughts are that if one is financially strapped and disadvantaged, they have Medicaid and for them, Medicaid covers the procedure.

University Community Hospital Tampa Florida Surgical Weightloss Center 813-615-7077 Surgeon and Hospital fee: $16,625.00

LAP-BAND as well as Laparoscopic Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass. At these weight loss seminars presented by John Dietrick, MD, Board Certified Surgeon and member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, you’ll learn what weight loss surgery is, who is a likelycandidate and what it takes to achieve significant loss of excess weight. UCH Surgical Weight Loss Center 3115 East 138th Avenue Tampa, Fl. 33613 University Community Hospital

I am in your area. Here is who I know of so far: Dr. Michael Murr, Tampa General Hospital/University of South Florida Town and Country Weight Loss bariatric., Tampa, 33601 - (813) 329-6098 Palms of Pasadena, 1501 Pasadena Ave St. Petersburg, FL 33707 Surgical Weight Loss Institute 3659 S. Miami Ave. Suite 5002 Miami, FL 33133

ProActive is the best treatment for acne I've ever had the experience of using. It resolved the small outbreak I had, the large outbreaks on the back and face of my son, and my daughter's small outbreak. Steady use of this product by my son for six months resulted in not another spot on his face. This product is the best!

I heard from my company insurance and now I don't feel so bad. My company was denied by BCBC of Florida for adding Gastric surgery to our plan. So I'm now shopping for surgery. ((Transportation/flight is not an issue)) My sister is a flight attendent so I fly for free. I'm looking for experience, travel (meaning I get off the plane and they have a shuttle there), the kind of medical facility we are use to in the U.S., can speak English fluently or has a translator available, and hotel stay. I'd like to be in and out for no more than $10,000 U.S. Fills and post op support are important. I'd love to hear from everyone. Thanks.

Thanks everyone. I have a question about Tiajuana. I'm an east coast girl all my life. I've heard stories about Tiajuana in fact my sister the flight attendant told me that in her trips to California, the airline she works for simply tells them "don't go to Tiajuana". The "rough" areas of Tiajuana are "worse than they were years ago". I have to say this is a concern for me. Anyone also experience a less than stellar surgery environment in Mexico?? I know the Mexican price is good but does it come at a cost?

This is great Tracy. I feel her pain too. i've lost the same 40 pounds three times. It is depressing. But so is being fat which I find is the source of much depression. I think a fill is in order. Work your tools! I would first check on getting that fill because if you are not losing weight, eating whatever you want, something isn't right. Secondly, support group. This is good and a wonderful option in addition to local area support where you can sit face to face and share. Recipes. High protein, liquids...just search on this board. Also if you doctor has a nutritionist, check in with them on your intake and look for gaps. Best of luck to you!

Candle this is great. I will call them tomorrow. I'm hoping to cut my cost down some without all the tests because...I have had them. They are less than six months and all the required information needed. 1.9 with Cap One. Very good. Got a link? Thanks again! &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tracy you're my pal. Maybe one day we can meet!

I am near Tampa. I have seen Tampa General/USF with Dr. M. Calling them tomorrow. I called Palms of Pasadena in St. Pete. They are $15,800 all inclusive. **Dr. Ortiz has sites in the states that he is linking with for fills. There is a center near my home that does the surgery and I would go there for support although they focus on bypass. I still love the people there but they are out of my price range. My husband and I agree that we should proceed with caution when going out of the country. But so many folks here have done so with success, moreso than those who experienced problems. We are going to finance. Anyone know a good surgery finance company? All answers appreciated. Thanks for sharing your experiences. This helps. I don't believe my insurance experience was a bust. I think it acutally opened the eyes up of our insurance committee at my employer's office. They tried, they went to bat for me but even they were denied. So now they know, they understand.

Hi Tracy! I am not faint of heart because nothing will stop me from having this surgery. It would have been NICE but I'm still learning and still enjoying the journey. I know soon I'll be walking without huffing, sitting comfortably and taking long, long, walks with my husband. Still going Eveready style!

:clap2: :clap2: I knew it! And I suspected the other would potentially happen. I can forsee when there will be a six month waiting list. When I had my meeting, the rep from BCBS said that he felt in the near future BCBS would have a change of policy. (so many successes, it's inevitable). Tracy, a big cyber hug to you my friend. Way to go. April is just around the corner.

Go. Go now if you haven't already.

First...WOO HOO:clap2: Second...I have a feeling in the next 12 months BCBS is going to be doing flip flops changing their policies. Trust me.

Keep us posted. I would love to hear how you are doing. I am so envious of where you are at. Post surgery and looking at a highway to a new life.

Congratulations Dana! Way to go. So happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

same here.