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My PS had to submit as well & as far as I know, for any surgery the surgeon needs to be the one submitting. However, info from your bariatric dr will be helpful to your PS to get approval. You will need to show weight loss & how long you have kept the weight loss, which is best shown by your bariatric dr that followed you close since surgery. As far as I know, lipo would not be covered by any insurance, bcuz insurance will only pay for what is "medically necessary" ..... I was approved for breast reduction/lift and the panniculectomy (tummy skin removal). Your PS may or may not charge you extra for the "tuck" part of the TT (which is the muscle repair, buck muscle repair is not really medically necessary). I had my port changed to a low profile port at the time of my TT & BR/BL & didn't have to pay for the "tuck" part. Submit for everything you want & see what is approved.....all they can say is no! Good luck!

Although I'm all preop'd & ready to go, it looks like Tricare will not cover the sleeve with an off base provider. Our MTF is just getting the bariatric practice up and running so It looks like my surgery will happen there. Today is the first time I'm meeting w the surgeon. Wish me luck !!!

Thanks, Betsy! Yes, the doctor said that we are playing catch up now because he had to unfill the first 2 cc's in that 3rd week. According to him, I am moving along just fine. He is a Bariatric Center of Excellence rated doctor who has personally done well over 700 lap band surgeries alone, not sure how many gastric bypass surgeries in addition to that. He is definitely experienced in this. I agree that I would prefer a more conservative approach than some of the other doctors that I have read about on here that seem to be way too aggressive. I think that would definitely have more propensity to cause complications resulting in PBing and unfills, etc. Betsy, I admire your resolve and self discipline when it comes to your diet. Unfortunately for me, I cannot be that strict with myself all the time. If I do so, then eventually I will have a complete meltdown and cram any and everything I can find into my mouth! I do much better to allow myself a little here and there so I don't feel so deprived over all. But you are right, whatever works for you! Thanks for your input! It is much appreciated! I hope to one day be working on maintenance like you too!

I was BMI of 35.1 and denied by BC/BS the first time through. Then I assembled an appeal package, very much like your initial request. I went to all my docs, pediatrist, gastrointerologist, GYN, GP, and asked each for a letter of support. Then I wrote 2 letters of my own and attached them to the package and sent it to the bariatric doctor. By this time my BMI was 36.7 since I figured I would have to eat my way to approval. He submitted the appeal and it was approved. Best of luck to you. Sounds like you are on the right track.

I'm into Syntrax Nectar 23g protein, 90 calories, great flavors like fuzzy navel,lemonade stand,caribbean cooller. Contact company & tell them you are a bariatric patient& they will send you samples for $9.99. I'm 4!/2 months out from surgery& I still drink after fills & after exercising.

Thanks for the update Georgia! Renewed so glad to hear all is well!!! Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Big healing hugs to you!!! :thumbup::smile:

Hey Renewed, Congratulations my fellow Oct PS buddy. WOHOO 8 pounds must be the magic number this month. I haven't been online much as Dr has me on strict bed rest becasue of one icky spot hes keeping a close eye on. He told me to not stress, but I m . thats just me. OK will chat later, remember the drugs our your friend right now. Congratulations again.~

YAY, you're home!! Me and DS have been at his cousins fishing birthday party since lunch. I was going to give you a call if I didn't see a post from you. When I woke up this morning, my first thought was "I wonder how Renewed is doing", lol. I still can't believe how good you sounded on the phone yesterday. You rock!! Take it easy and try to get some good rest (if that's possible, lol). Call me if you don't feel up to posting and I'll update everyone. And ditto on the bestest band buddy....you're the best!!!!

had been thinking of you renewed. saw your post on another thread & knew you were going to be up & running - well not literally. take care of yourself - "running" and us cheering you on will be there when you return!!! happy healing!!!

The Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimates that 18 million adults in the U.S. qualify for weight-loss surgery, but only about 1 percent actually do it. The length of recovery and cost concerns are the main reasons more people don't have such procedures. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty is a non-surgical weight loss procedure that is commonly referred to as ESG and also known as the incisionless gastric sleeve or the accordion procedure. Instead of incisions, stapling and removing parts of the stomach, a tiny camera and tools go down a patient's throat with a needle and thread. Specialized tools mark out guidelines in the stomach, sutures are placed in triangular patterns and the area is cinched together. Stomach size is reduced by 70 to 80 percent. ESG works by reducing the space inside your stomach and by slowing down the rate at which food empties from your stomach. Unlike the band, sleeve, and bypass, however, which are surgical procedures, the ESG procedure is non-surgical. Access to the stomach is gained not through incisions in the abdomen but endoscopically, i.e. through the mouth. Like the surgical procedures, the ESG is performed under general anesthesia, and it takes about 1 hour to complete. A device called the 'Overstitch' is inserted into the stomach and reduces the stomach capacity from the inside by stitching the stomach together with a series of approximately 6 stitches. https://www.healthierweight.co.uk/non-surgical-gastric-sleeve/esg-or-gastric-sleeve/ https://www.mooremetabolics.com/weight-loss/endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty/ http://bmiclinic.com.au/endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty/

I don't know if you have this information, its the bariatric policy for Wellcare https://www.wellcare.com/WCAssets/corporate/assets/ccg/hs_ccg_bariatric_eng_10_2014.pdf Hopefully it will help answer some of your questions. Best of Luck

Never been to one of their sites, but maybe check their terms and conditions -- if they're smart, they'll say that people who have had bariatric surgery can't participate. If they don't, well... that's their own fault, I guess.

congratulations on your quitting smoking. The issue with smoking and this surgery has to do with the liability/risk a physician is taking with someone who is getting "elecftive" surgery. Most surgeons prefer not to add an additionalrisk of a smoker to the already risk of being obese. It is the patient who needs to decide that this is one more step towards being healthy. If someone is deciding to address obesity with something as radical as bariatric surgery it doesn't make sense that they would continue to smoke which is an even higher risk for other health problems. (vascular issues, respiratory issues and cancer). This is a big committment and it should be a healthy committment for a healthier lifestyle across the board. Which includes smoking cessation. I was a smoker 35 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made to quit. Congratulations on an excellent choice towards a healthier you.

I have anthem as well and I'm required to do the 6 months. This is the final month....they will submit this week!!! I love Team Bariatrics....very easy to work with.

Today I spent hours going through the binder of information given to me by the bariatric team. I am one of those super organized, Type A personalities, so it was necessary for my peace of mind to have dividers and tabs and plastic sheaths for the important papers. Kinda crazy, I suppose, but that's me! Next I went through all my diabetic magazines and clipped the yummiest sounding recipes. :-) So far on this journey toward surgery-- 1. I established the insurance requirements (a complicated story I may share at another time) and got the preliminary clearance. That was a relief! 2. I discussed my desire with my personal physician, a fabulous doctor and man I respect greatly who has been my GP since moving to KY 3 years ago. His approval and support was not a deal breaker, necessarily, as I was 80-90% sure surgery was my best course, but it was important to me for him to be on board. It was a relief when he not only didn't disagree but also confirmed the positive reports I had read about the local surgeon and bariatric program. 3. I (and my husband) attended the informational seminar offered by the Bariatric Weight Loss Program here in my home town. The surgeon was at the meeting, as well as others on the team, and the info was very thorough. So far nothing to give me pause! I filled out the request form, then waited.... 4. The wait wasn't too long. Gayle, the program coordinator, called me about a week later to set up my first appointment with the surgeon Dr. Farrell. 5. August 4 was my appointment with Dr. Farrell. Before meeting him I also had brief meetings with the dietician and again with Gayle. A binder containing detailed information about the pre-approval process and appointments, the surgery itself and surgery prep, diet pre- and post-op, possible complications, exercise, recipes, and much more. VERY thorough! I even got a few samples of protein powder and shakes. 6. August 11 was my appointment with a cardiologist for "surgical clearance." I had seen this doctor just over a year ago, before my diagnosis of sleep apnea, to rule out any cardiac issues. Nothing had shown up at that time, and as a prior patient I was able to get in to see him quickly. Unfortunately, I have been very sick with bronchiolitis and possible pneumonia, on strong cough medicine and steroids. The latter (I'm convinced) is why my heart rate was high, and of course my chest wasn't as clear as it should have been. For this reason the doctor recommended a follow up ECHO and treadmill test to be sure all was well before surgery. As an RN, I could not argue the logic even if it adds more to the process. Better safe than sorry! 7. Gayle called the next day to give me dates for all the various appointments: Psych Eval, Support Group meetings, endoscopy, Nutritional Eval, Exercise Eval, and a Healthy Lifestyle Class. These, along with the cardio followup, are scheduled over the next month, beginning tomorrow. No set surgery date as yet. The initial estimate was early November, but it seems to me mid to late October makes more sense. My birthday is on October 26, and while it doesn't sound like too much fun to spend one's birthday in the hospital, in pain, and unable to eat at least a small piece of cake, I am willing to make the sacrifice if it means getting the rest of my better-health-and-skinnier-life started! I'm ready!

You have all kinds of support here. Even though I had tons of family support it was me who was telling myself I would fail this time because I had in the past. I second guessed myself right up until the second they sedated me on the way to surgery. But guess what, I didn't fail and you won't either, because this time there will be something different to help you succeed, and that is your bariatric surgery. This will provide you with a powerful tool to succeed. You will have built-in portion control, which is something no other weightloss program has been able to give you. You will start to see that weight coming off which in turn will inspire you to continue to follow your program and keep succeeding. You will start to have that self image and confidence improve, and soon you will be able to do anything you set your mind to. Have confidence in yourself because you will succeed. The first step is showing up for surgery despite how scared you are you may fail. We are here to back you up. Good luck!!!

Hey I just saw this on another board!!!! New Center of Excellence in Kansas!!! Original Post by Carolanne S at 5:19 PM CST on 02/05/2007 SOMEWHERE IN..., KS Shawnee Mission Medical Center was approved as of 1/24/07 as a center of excellence. That will allow medicare patients to have bariatric surgery in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The only question is wheather a surgeon associated with SMMC will perform surgery. I attended a seminar from Dr Hoehn and Dr Hitchcock and they were sort of reluctant to do medicare patients if SMMC were to become a COE due to the reimbursments from medicare. Its all about the money!

Thanks everyone. Just saw the dr. She said probably gastritis or stomach bug. My CT just showed sludge. I had a slightly elevated WBC that could be stress related. They offered to call my bariatric surgeon but I refused. I will call when they open. I have developed bad GERD in the past month. I'm sure now they will want another endoscopy after last night. They said it was a possibility before this all happened. Well I have been up for 24 hrs now, time to go to nefb

Well I officially handed in my bariatric paperwork and medical records today! Woohoo! That was a lot of information to gather. Now starts the wait for the office to call and schedule my appointment with the nurse, NUT, and psyche appt. I think the waiting will be even harder than gathering all that information! Anyone else just getting started?

Yes GA Medicaid will cover it. 100 pecrent if you meet the qualifications. You have to find a bariatric center that they approve, do 6 month diet with a nutritionist, a sleep apnea and a psychological exam.

Haha. My license has been renewed so many times that I actually finally weigh about what it says on my license: 180. Which was a lie: I'm sure I actually weighted around 200. But you can bet I never once heard anyone say "Man you have gained weight since you got that license"!! Lynda

Over all I am very impressed with BMI. I really like Dr. Cottam and feel really good about him doing my surgery. He demonstrated caring and spent more time with me than I would have anticipated. He was eager to answer questions. I arrived in the morning with about eight other patients. There was a quick tutorial on bariatric surgery. We were each then separated out into our own room. I met with a dietician, exercise therapist, psychologist, a medical office assistant, the financial lady and Dr. Cottam. I had a metabolic rate test and a H Pylori test. I also had pre-op blood work done so I had been fasting since midnight. This (my very first time even stepping foot into his office) was on June 6th. The appointment took about 2.5 hours. I really like Dr. Cottam, I didn't get the best vibes from the finance lady, she seemed a bit skeptical about my qualifying and just wasn't very friendly. I needed a physical and a letter from my primary physician stating I was healthy enough for surgery. My paperwork was submitted to insurance about two weeks after my appointment and took about 9 days. I am now doing a two week pre-op diet of clears and protein shakes, I am scheduled for surgery on the 24 of July. The whole process was very smooth and went much quicker than I anticipated. I am very excited, yet nervous for the weeks to come. I hope all goes well for you and that you will have a similar experience regardless of who you choose. I know having an in network provider really makes a difference.

The only one that had that effect on me was bariatric advantage. I actually use one a week to keep me regular. Lots of fiber in that baby lol. Maybe you could switch them up, see if a different one has a different affect or try mixing it with milk maybe add a blended banana or some applesauce?

Does anyone from the Boise area have any idea if the St Lukes Bariatric doctors have certain days they do surgeries and certain days they are in clinic? I am wondering if Dr Valentine has a schedule. I will be having surgery the end of May and was hoping that I could have it on a Monday or Tuesday, but someone told me that certain doctors have certain days they schedule surgeries on and that my doctor usually does them on Thursdays and Fridays

He does the sleeve. His Bariatric team is wonderful and his skills are great with the DaVinci robot. However he is not a nice person. Very judgmental post op and downright rude. He is the reason I had a leak. He has had me in tears in his office. Just yesterday I had my one year check up and he made my cry. Accused me of using my fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis as an excuse to not lose weight and even went as far as to say "your fibro is bad because you're still fat, we've had no other patients complain." If you'd like further info feel free to message me.