Is there anyone on here from Nebraska? I live in Gretna and go to the UNMC (Omaha) support group meetings the first monday of the month. Would love "meet" someone here from anywhere in Nebraska?

Hi!

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I found info on the medicaid coverage and it says it has to be from a "center of excellence" and the only one of those I can find in NE is in Scottsbluff. Quite a distance for me, but even my hubby agrees if we have to drive that far we will. I'm so tired of being tired and in pain.

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Don't give up! Call around to the other clinics closer to you! The "center of excellence" designation is a rather new thing to WLS & each surgeon has to apply -- and for a fee. It may be that the other clinics have applied for, but not yet been approved as one. That was the case here in VA when I was making my final choice. Since you're still in the research process, there's still time for approval to come in before your surgery -- and for a clinic you're interested in to apply for approval. So, if I were you, I'd call & ask about each clinic's status (and their intentions) in that process. If you wish to, you can read more about the designation here: www.surgicalreview.org

Actually I was at a support group last night and found out that there is another place that is 'a center of excellence' now in NE so I will be talking to my doc about it. The young lady said that Creighton University hospital is now one. If it is true that is awesome because it is only about 2 1/2 to 3 hours from me instead of about 6 hours away. MUCH nicer travel time. Thanks for your info, I will check there as well. Laurie

Grandmasson,

Creighton is where I got my band. That is where Dr McBride is. You can call Sue at 402-559-5508 and talk to her. She is also the person to talk to about getting a packet that you need to fill out and bring to a meeting on the third Monday of every month. You are also going to need copies of the last 2 years of your medical records. If you need any more info, let me know.

I have medicare, is he considered a center of excellence? I have to see my regular doctor first to be able to be referred to another doctor via medicare. If anyone here has gone through medicare / medicaid can you tell me if it was REQUIRED for you to see a nutritionist for 6 months? I know that medicare / caid doesn't cover it and there is no way I can afford it. I'm wondering how after 14 years of dieting I can get over this hump. Thanks! Laurie

I hope that all works out for you Laurie. I gave you the wrong information, Dr McBride (she) is at UMNC, but my surgery was at Creighton. I looked and couldn't find on their website if they are a center of excellence. I hope you get your answers soon. You are who this surgery is for. People who have tried and failed to loss on their own, and now have health problems because of yo-yo dieting. I wish you the best of luck.

Thought I would say hi to all, I am in the southwest corner of the state close to the Kansas and Colorado borders. I have not had surgery yet, I have my insurance approvial and am putting my deposit together right now to secure my date. I will be going to Scottsbluff for the surgery. Happy May Day to all.

Welcome Farmmom.

It's nice to see someone else from Nebraska here. Keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions we are all here for ya. Good luck.

Hi Huskers,

I will be a self pay and am considering Mexico at some point. Has anyone had surgery elsewhere and got fills in NE?

PS. If you wish to share what you paid locally I would appreciate any and all information.

Thanks

LMM:help:

Imm,

My insurance covered it (all but 20%) I just stared getting the bills and so far out of pocket has been about 1800. You might want to call and find out if local dr will fill ya if you go to Mexico for the surgery.

Good Luck

Hi All, I really, I promise, didn't drop off the face of the earth...it just tried eating me up! LOL Whew, I'm so glad that May is about over....I HATE May! We had three kids with birthdays, two of my broter's and one nephew, add to that a high school graduation and college registration and I"m pooped!

I talked to my doc and he said after some other tests (had to check my thyroid and blood glucose and am having a sleep study done) because of servere tiredness (I can't seem to sleep more than a couple to four hours at a time and want to take naps every couple of hours during the day, it is really hard to get things done!). The thyroid and blood glucose are fine. I do the sleep study on Tuesday night and then it is a 4 to 7 day wait to see the results of that. THEN he told me that all I have to do is give him the name of the doc I want to see and he will get it all set up for me! He also took down all the info on the diets I have been on and said he will do anything and everything to help me get the band! WOOOHOOOOOO!

I'm hoping that the info I was told is correct, if so, Creighton (and Dr. McBride) will be a center of excellency as of June 1st. I will be contacting them ASAP to find out. I found that my deceased sis in laws mom would also like to have the band done and we had planned to do it together, but last week I found out that they discovered a heart condition that will require her to have a pace maker put in, so now I'm no sure if she will be a candidate for the band. Does anyone know???? i was looking forward to having a "band" partner for the trips back and forth and for support locally.

Any news from anyone on what's up :drum:. OHHHHHHHHH, yeah, the new grandbaby is a little boy, he has had his due date moved up to August 12th. We are sooooo excited (and he won't be spoiled one little bit! LOL)

Hugs!

Laurie

Hi Huskers,

I will be a self pay and am considering Mexico at some point. Has anyone had surgery elsewhere and got fills in NE?

PS. If you wish to share what you paid locally I would appreciate any and all information.

Thanks

LMM:help:

I had surgery in Mexico, and also have had two fills there. I have not explored whether a doctor in Nebr. would be willing to fill me. I also worry about the cost of a fill here in Omaha. With flouro, I have heard of very high fees.

Hello all!!

Just thought I would say hi. I was hoping to have surgery by Dr. McBride but it looks like I will be denied.

So is it normal that Dr. McBride does not see you until you have been approved? I'm wondering if the lack of an accurate medical history contributed to the denial?

Good luck to you all!

Sunbunnie,

It's true, Dr McBride will not see you until you have insurance approval. I switched insurances and called them to find out what they needed. I then faxed everything over to the new insurance myself. I wanted to make sure that everything was done quickly.

Have you been to the talk that Dr McBride gives about the different surgeries that they do yet? Or have you been to the support group meeting that is the first Monday of the month at 6:00? I know that the July meeting will be about plastic surgery after wls., but Sue, the nurse who does all the paperwork for approval will be there and you can talk to her about what you might need for approval.

I'm confused. :cry I thought that the doctor's office was the one that contacted the insurance to help you get ok'd? :help: I am planning on going to one of the meetings in Omaha in August (depends when grandson arrives) to get going. I have my GP's approval, so next is the required informational meeting, then the doctor meeting. I know that I was told that I had to bring the last 2 yrs. medical records with me to the meeting. Soooo.....could someone go into more details? :confused: I'm not looking at Dr. McBride, so is this common for all docs or do they do their own thing regarding when they see you and such?

thanks!

Laurie

Just stopping in to say hi to everyone. I did get surgery done on June 19th at Scottsbluff and am down 19# so far!! I can not believe how much better I feel already being down the small fraction of weight I am so far. Don't get me wrong the 19# is a major step but I forget how soon you start to feel better when the weight comes off. And just knowing that this time is not going to be the yo-yo of loosing and then gaining yet again is such a great feeling. Changing not just the bad habits but my outlook on life is wonderful. :whoo: