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I had planned on going to Dr (Don't want specifics) and there are many reasons I changed my mind. I researched and can only tell you the facts of what I found out and why I changed my mind. My experience was so great, I believe everyone deserves the treatment I received (best treatment in any hospital EVER). I researched other Dr's but these were the 2 I went back and forth with. I decided that close to the Border was easy in and easy out lol,a nd I was right:) Here is a list of why I changed my mind! #1 Its a small hospital and not a walk in clinic as Dr x has his place in a strip mall and I want to be in a actual hospital. #2 Dr x does 8-14 surgeries a day, My Dr does usually 2 but up to 4. I didn't just want to be a number! #3 My husband came with me and we had our own private room where he stayed with me, Dr x had recovery rooms holding up to 4 patients. I loved my privacy and getting rested the first 2 days with total care for everything I asked for. #4Dr x sends you directly to a hotel to share with (I'm not sure how many beds) but you do have to share, they leave the IV in and transport you every day back to the Walk in Clinic to check you, I personally wanted my own room and stayed in it 2 nights without being moved around, or bothered by another patient. #5 Dr x only staples when he does the VSG, My Dr staples and also sutures to ensure no leaks. I know all have their downfall, but my Dr is 100% no leaks, and just a wonderful surgeon. #6 If you want a private room you must pay yourself, my Dr gives you a private room at a 4-5 star hotel. If your husband (or anyone goes with you they have to pay for an extra room anyways) #7 On the 3rd day I wanted to see the city as I was feeling better and they provide a free shuttle to take you shopping, and bring you what you need, I loved it! #8 As I got back to my hotel it was around 8:30 pm and my Dr came to the hotel to check on me, I thought he was great. #9 I was so well tended to, I wish I could tell it to the world, my Dr is $4500 and with so many more perks now, I figure you save $400, and if you bring someone $800. #10 My Dr is Board Certified, and Dr x is not. In fact my trained Dr x when they studies for Bariatrics! Please feel free to respond, and I also have a FB group that has 350 members from ALL Dr's and if you would like to join please give me your email address and I will be glad to add you. Sorry so long, but you asked lol. You can also feel free to call me if you like, but let me know you are from Verticle Sleeve Talk. Congrats on your decision and good luck PS I choose not to use names, I don't think any Dr's are "bad" Dr's, just different and with different styles for sure. I have friends on my FB who have went to all Dr's! Pics are 21 days out If interested in any Dr's in Mexico contact me as there is alot of information in my Facebook group about several different Dr's:)

Bottom line is why ask real estate questions on a Bariatric site ?? When I read my forum i want to educate myself with Bariatric questions , not read real estate , there is a place for that . My sleeve is very successful partly because all of the information I have read on this Bariatric app. When I read my timeline I read everything that's how I learn . I do not enjoy reading real estate questions it's a waste of my time . It's not a attitude, it's an option . Shame on you for not redirecting the question to an appropriate forum [emoji57]

I found the psych evaluation to be pretty weak. They want to get an idea of who you are, and make sure that #1, you're not suicidal, where weight loss surgery will push you off the deep end. And then they want to get an idea of your food issues; how you eat, when, why, etc. At the end of my session, she said that I was an excellent candidate for the gastric bypass. Because I tend to graze throughout the day, bypass seemed to be a better choice. With the band, they want you to have only three meals a day. Though her recommendation was bypass, she said that I would also be okay with the band, and she wouldn't absolutely say that it wasn't an option.....if that's the way I wanted to go. I'm guessing that all psych evaluations run a little differently, but that's how mine went. I would say that most ALL of us run to food out of boredom, emotion, etc., and the shrinks expect to hear it. But they will advise you on lifestyle changes, and what it will take on your part to work with the band. We all didn't get here because we simply love food & eat only when we are hungry. I would find it difficult to believe that any bariatric surgeon, or his staff, would think otherwise. But it's up to us to work on our heads, getting any and all support we need along the way. Good luck!

I met with the surgeon....a little surprised at the amount of appointments/tests we have to get done......but it all makes sense......the appointment went well He says I shouldn't have any problems getting it approved as my BMI is above 40. And I was wondering....... Are there folks who have bariatric surgery as a covered procedure, with a BMI over 40, where the insurance denied the procedure? Many thanks!

Boy oh boy, I know this one -- the whole taking up of time and space, being "too big" in a way. So, when we were bigger we were taking up less of that kind of space -- offing ourselves? And the getting too personal, feeling judged. I find myself worrying over offending two different people this week. As I come further into my own this will be inevitable, I suppose. If I stand up for myself or elect what I want instead of meeting others' needs first, then there will be times when things don't line up. Yikes, disappointing some one? Well, I disappointed myself for years instead -- no more. And no tamping down those feelings with food so there they are, front and present. It's great that you were able to really tune in and notice that you weren't getting a stop signal -- and that you chose healthy food to eat. As for the Wham Bam Thank You Mam, maybe the doctor felt like he got too personal and he pulled back for some reason of his own -- thoughts of Italy might have swept him away for a moment and he felt uncomfortable. The last two times I saw my Bariatric surgeon I found myself to be quite effusive -- I'm so excited, and being in that setting is a reminder of how far I've come. I think I blow them all away a bit, that I am an unusual person anyway, artist type, etc. Shy but then spurts of Not Shy. I look forward to being in situations where people are not comparing me to what I was like before, seeing me as a size change, etc. I want to be taken as I am. Your posts are wonderful -- yes, lucky us for being on the sidelines.

Congratulations... asking my PCP was the hardest part for me in making the decision as well. In fact she didn't take me serious until I called a month later to find out why the referral had not been sent the bariatric center. It was a long year since I had to battle the insurance company right through until the last appeal. I had my surgery 12/28/11 and it's been the best decision of my life. I wish you the very best. I don't think you'll back out once you get fully inspired and are doing this for all the right reasons.

I would go with the Bariatric Advantage! I think I'm going to stick to those post op! I never thought I would ever like frozen portioned meals like those and I like the variety too! I might try those again down the road for dinner!

As I recall, SlimFast Hi Protein is not really very high protein! It's only about 15 grams. The good quality protein drinks made for bariatric patients have anywhere between 25-40 grms for about the same price. Since we need 80-100 grams a day, and it's hard to get much with just food in a tiny little pouch, I think the bariatric drinks are much healthier and you don't have to use as many. And if you use the powders, much cheaper. Canned RTD's average about 2 dollars/can whereas powders average about 50 cents a serving. I keep RTD's on hand for traveling or a quick drink, but use the powders for daily life. Also, the powders can be 'doctored up' with SF syrups and fruit and give you much more variety than just drinking the same thing every day.

I'm so sorry for your loss and pray for peace and comfort for your family. But it sounds like there were a LOT of extenuating circumstances surrounding your cousin that do not apply to you. And, I can't help thinking that keeping you band-free and possibly fat-for-life, your family would essentially be shortening your life, not prolonging it. Of course, it may take a long time for them to EVER realize that. Don't be discouraged -- I was denied by my insurance provider FOUR times before they finally approved. (HINT: My surgeon requested the ins. co. have someone specializing in bariatrics look at my file....the approval was instantaneous!) I KNOW it has added years onto my life and as the pounds continue to disappear, my life expectancy rises! Hang in there!

Ok just trying to help. I have always paid my bills on time and assumed you would too. Just wanted you to know I did NOT mean to imply that you could get out of paying the bill. Personally I've got cash ready for when the hospital bills me; I had thought I'd be self pay, so I'm kind of in a reverse situation from yours. They didn't make me pay anything up front except my $150 deductible. I'll owe around 1500 when they get around to billing me for it; since they didn't ask me to pay up front for my bariatric surgery, I'd hoped that a similar situation for you might give you time to gather the funds. Sorry if I made it sound like you should not pay; that was never my intention. That's stealing.

Just wondering if there are any other NY Bariatric Group patients on here. I feel we had an excellent pre-op education compared to what I have read on here. Also, I am having my first fill this Thursday and wondered how it works with their practice.

Yes, I think it is possible BUT I do believe it will be an adjustment period. If I were you, I would cut out all bad food options now making the transition easier- minimal sugar, low carbs, nothing fried, etc. seems as though many refuse to let go of things like Diet Coke and struggle fighting the cravings afterwards. I cut Pepsi and Coca-Cola slurpees months ahead and it was the best decision I ever made. On occasions, I do wish to have one in my hand but simply say no because those things were on the list of terrible choices that got me to my highest of 295 pounds. The decisions made now will only help you in the long run. Also, no rush but since you do have time, check out the recipe section and other bariatric recipe sites and build your own cookbook. The same food gets old after awhile Congrats and good luck!!!

I told my mother a few days before surgery. "Just thought I would let you know, I am having a bariatric surgery this Friday. Not looking for any dialog on this, but I know you would be upset if I told you about it after." She had no choice but to accept it. If she were more extreme, as it may appear to be in your case, I probably would have waited and told her the first time I saw her, which would have been 3 months later with significant loss. She would have had no option but to see the results and be happy for me. Sounds like you are in a no win situation. Get yelled at for having the surgery or get yelled at for not telling her about the surgery. Any way you look at it, you're going to get yelled at, so, I would prefer post-surgery b!tch session.

I had a gastroplasty back in 2001. I have since regained all the weight, plus more, that I lost. It was a dismal failure but that was the only option back then. Is there anyone here that has had a previous surgery and then a sleeve? I guess I'm wondering if its even possible to have this surgery with the previous one in there.

Thanks a lot for the advise, I will keep that in mind. I took the Bariatric Advantage Protein shake, it actually tastes pretty good and I was not hungry at all.

Hi my name is Roxanne and I live in Los Angeles CA. This is my first time posting. Just wondering if anyone is from the area and being treated by L.A. Bariatrics? I've already completed my visit with the Nut and Psych eval. They seem very helpful at the office but just wondering if anyone else has had an experience with them. Thanks

My understanding is true results is more of a referral service they probably had to send it out to the surgeons office for clearance, I believe(could be wrong) they use Peachtree Bariatrics in Atlanta.

Me either. Just told to do strictly 5 shakes a day. I bought my shakes from the doctor called "bariatric advantage"! Not bad!

petag21, I know this won't help you over the weekend, but on Monday morning, I want you to go and get your insurance card, then go to your telephone and call your insurance company. Tell them you want to have adjustable gastric banding done and ask if they have a special procedures case manager who takes care of the bariatric cases that you can speak with. If not, then speak to whoever can help you figure out if they cover it and if so, what the requirements are. Have a pen and a pad of paper handy, write down the name of every person you speak to and note the date and time. Make notes of what they say. Most big companies have case managers that deal exclusively with special procedures like this. If not, then with the codes below, you should be able to get somewhere with the rep you talk to. The codes to ask if they are covered are: laparoscopic surgical adjustable band:Procedure code 43770; diagnosis code 278.01 Once you have found out from them if they cover it and what the requirements are, ask them to snail mail (and email if they can) you a copy of those requirements.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Has anyone gone to Bailey Bariatrics in Owasso, Ok for their lap band surgery? If so, what was your experience? Thanks...

I was sleeved this year March 2015. I am suffering horribly with Gastroparesis. The meds Protonix and Reglan are not working for me. I am to the point where nothing is staying down. I received four bags of saline so far for dehydration. I see my surgeon and gastronologist this Tuesday and am hoping there is some resolution other than a feeding tube. The bariatric nurse said the cases she has seen it goes away if you acquired GP PO which is my case. Any information would be very helpful. I hope you found a resolution to your situation.

I had the sleeve done 6/29/15... I also work at a bariatric sugary center and know the majority of the hold up is the insurance. Not many want to cover and the ones that do ask for a lot of information and clearances.

I'm just in the beginning stages of trying to get insurance to cover LB can anyone tell me if they have HealthSmart which was formerly NTHN? There is an exclusion for bariatric surgery but because of my health probs I'm hoping to get past this. We have already received the 1st denial letter and all of my drs are busy writing letters to help me. I'm just curious to see if anyone has gotten this insurance company to pay and approve.......... I appreciate any help anyone can send my way on advice of this hard situation...... I was so ready yesterday to get this procedure and begin with my new year............:nervous

Your right, you should discuss this with your bariatric staff. Does Stevia affect you, since its a natural sweetener?

All my Vitamins and Protein shakes were delivered to me today. These are the brands that I decided to use. I bought the variety pack of Premier Protein Shakes which include the flavors chocolate. Strawberries and cream, and vanilla I also ordered Premier's Mixed berries smoothies in a 4 pack. The vitamins I decided to use are Bariatric Advantage Multi Ea, and Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy bites in the caramel flavor which came highly recommended by Kaiser. Also, The Blender Bottle, and Isopure liquid Protein in the flavors Grape Frost, and Fruit Punch which is not pictured. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk