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Mississippi Gastric Sleevers?



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Thank you Benisa for that input. I hate to hear that you had such a rough time with them but it also helps me to hear these kind of things. If and when I get to have the surgery, if the insurance goofs up, my husband will handle them. He is my "bulldog" for this kind of stuff and if we were to get a bill like you got, oh lordy I feel for the insurance people that have to deal with him. I left another voicemail yesterday, Wednesday so I am again hoping to hear something "positive" today from Angie. Did you ever speak with the office manager at all during that time? If so did it help? Trying to be patient as possible but if I don't get some results will start looking elsewhere for a new doctor to use.

Like I said, it is always the ins. fault when you talk to the Dr. office and the Dr. fault when you talk to the ins. Everyone want to pass the buck to someone else.

My husband works at the new Toyota plant in Blue Springs. I was the first bariatric case Tupelo had had from there. They blamed all the trouble on trying to learn the ins and outs of the new company/ins. It was an utter nightmare. All I have to say is, you better know your ins. benefits like the back of your hand. Have copies of it, names and numbers of people you speak with at the ins., dates that you make calls and submit papers. I can't tell you how many times I had to have the ins. company call the Dr. office and say, "YES we do cover that" or "NO we do not require that." I had a round about the center of excellence, weight management visits, deductible. I was put on a hold status with the ins. because of unreceived/lost paper work. Then after I got all of that fixed (I did ALL of the leg work MYSELF) and resubmitted, I still was denied. After deeper inspection, I found it was because there were still some papers missing. I ended up submitting documents from; A former PCP, current PCP, chiropractor, cardiology, GI, bariatric and phycologist before they had everything that they wanted. I went door to door and talked to each one of them and collected the info myself. When you give it to the ins. coordinator, make them make copies. Keep everything! You may just need them again if they end up MIA like mine did. And keep everything showing where you have paid anything. I had to pay the bariatric clinic my $750 out of pocket up front before they would schedule my surgery. That is my max out of pocket. The thing about that is, they took my money, but didn't yet have a claim to file. So other claims were coming through my insurance and being only paid in part. When I told the ins. What was going on, they said they had no right to that money until the day of the surgery. I had to have the ins. Call and demand a refund to pay the other bills that came through first. The bariatric clinic was going to be paid 100% because of the order their claim was filed in. It has just been an utter nightmare and I'm still not sure it is completely over. You just have to be prepared to kick and scream and get down right mean if you have to. This is your health. To all of them, you are just another face and another dollar.

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My sister and I wi be sleeves by dr.king on may 18th!! The staff has been very nice to us.i have insurance and she is self pay. But we've had a great experience and are soo excited!

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I am from Northeast MS (Pontotoc) & just joined this forum today. I have been to the informational seminar @ NMMC Bariatric Center & have an upcoming appt with Dr Pinson. Anybody else with Acclain insurance been sleeved? Just courious how long the approval process took.

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How are you MS ladies doing? I'm in Biloxi' date=' scheduled for surgery on April 9th with Dr. Avara out of Ocean Springs. I see it's been a few months since anyone posted on this thread. Anyone still around?

Sent from my iPad using VST[/quote']

How are you doing? Dr Avara is my doctor too. My surgery is October 26 , that's Friday! I live in Hattiesburg. I'd love to hear how you've been doing since your surgery.

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How are you doing? Dr Avara is my doctor too. My surgery is October 26 ' date=' that's Friday! I live in Hattiesburg. I'd love to hear how you've been doing since your surgery.[/quote']

Doing fantastic! I'm down almost 75 lbs since per-surgery diet. Off of all meds except Protonix for reflux, in the gym 3-4 days a week doing Water aerobics, strength training and now spinning! Went from a 22/24/2X to current 10/12/M, still would like to lose another 30-50 lbs. Currently on vacation at Disney World where I can't stop jumping for joy at how good I feel! I love Dr. Avara, good luck with your surgery! I know you'll do great!

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North Ms here...Sleeved 6/15/12 in Cancun, "self-pay" down 52 lbs.

Feeling great, no problems during surgery or since!

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It is so nice to see people from ms I'm in ocean springs. I had my surgery sept 11 down 45 pounds. My doc is Avara and love him he is wonderful. The only thing I had problem with is second and third week I couldn't keep food down. liquids I did great now I'm on this kick of crackers and lemon Water. I don't throw up like I was but I do some time when it don't agree. Now I'm having issues with my hair falling out. I have 110 to go and pray I make it that far. Some time I feel as though the weight will never come off. I get tired really easy now days after work I want go walk but I'm to tired to do anything. So that I have to figure out cause I want to walk. I hope everyone is doing good and I hope to hear from some one.

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I am scheduling with Dr Pinson in Tupelo for next month. Anyone out there who has used him or can comment? Also, for all of you who have had this procedure, is there anything you wish you had known before-hand or anything you would change or do differently? So excited and appreciative of any suggestions!

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Congrats! How are you doing so far?

So far so good. I'm officially on my 2nd phase and just happy to at least get to drink a Protein shake!!!! The pain is very minimal and I'm already down 13.3 pounds!

MahoganySlim

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Hey I'm so excited to see others from my area!!! I live in Madison however I was sleeved 4 days ago 4/7/16 in mobile, AL due to my insurance being in BCBS Of AL... So far so good I'm excited to meet new ppl going through the same thing as I in my area! Congrats and good luck to you all

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Hello, anyone a year out from their surgery in Mississippi?

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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