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Kentucky, "who's your Doctor"



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Hey there, Dr. Allen did my surgery 3/29/07 and he is great!! Good luck with your surgery. I go see Dr. Allen this Friday for my "fill"!

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I went to St. mary's/ Caritas, and I had Dr. Lusco he was great, and so where the nurses Lana, and Debbie. I got my band when the state had united insurance for teachers, you will have to wait 6 mos with HUmana, and then you will be able to ge tthe surgery from what I hear.

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I had my surgery in February, 2005 by Dr. John Oldham at the Bariatric Center at Georgetown Ky. Dr. Derek Weiss is the other surgeon in their practice. They are a Center of Excellence facility, which is important, and they are great doctors and staff!

I started out at 293 and I have lost around 102 pounds so far. I have about 35 or so more pounds to lose to reach my goal of around 155/160.

I was self pay and don't regret the money spent for a moment. Total was around $17,000 including all the tests and lab work that I had to get.. but that was partially covered by my ins.

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I am starting with Dr Lusco. I am ready to get on the Band wagon!

I am not falling off this wagon...lol

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I am going to a seminar with Dr. Lusco. I have Humana PPO through GE. I am hoping for a smooth ride for approval. I have been overweight all my life. I have done weight watchers three times, south beach diet three times, herbalife as well as try to manage it on my own. I lose then gain back plus more. I now have high BP, cholestrol and low sugar. My lower back hurts along with my joints. I really need to do something because of my health.

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`I wanted Dr. Lusco too but I have Humana PPo also and Dr. Luscos group is NOT in Humana's network so I would have had to pay $4000 up front as well as who knows what after the surgery, I have decided to go with either Dr. Allen or Dr. Geller with the Nortons group. They are in Humanas network and the only thing you pay upfront is $300 for the different tests the insurance requires and also your co pay. I have heard good things about the Norton group, people chime in and let us know what you think about them.

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Kygal, did you ever get an approval from Humana? I still have not heard anything from them.

PA

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PA......I go a seminar Monday night with Dr. Lusco. The office told me that they will get all my information on Monday and I would hear something in about a week which is when I will make an appointment if all is approved.

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Busy,

I received a letter from the company that does the insurance approvals for humana...its called "Active Health." I had it here for three days before I opened it, because I thought it was someone selling a prescription drug program, or something like that. I had no idea what it was. Even wierder, when I called Dr. Olsafka's office, they had not received a copy yet, so I faxed it to them, and they called back the next afternoon with a date. They wanted to de the pre-op the next day, the doctor visist the week after, and the surgery the week after that!

I put it off by one week, to get some things wrapped up at work. Last week I went for the pre-op testing, which took most of the day, and my sugery is 10/3.

A long anwer I know....but look for something from Active Health. I was suprised i did not have to appeal, because I do not have diabetes, or any significant weight related illnesses (yet).

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I have been in this process for over a year (I'm thinking almost 2 yrs). Been denied based on lack of 6 month diet info, submitted the diet info and was told I did not follow the proper procedures and my time limit had expired. Contacted an attorney and submitted an appeal...blah..blah..blah. Two months ago my doctor suggested I come back into his office and we re-submitt the info. The insurance co has paid for the office visit but they have not addressed the request. Guess my "to do list" for today includes contacting my doctor's office and insurance co. Thanks for the info, luck to you on 10/03, I will be checking up on you to get all the details!

PA

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playmate2b

Which doctor did you decide to go with, Dr. Geller or Dr. Allen? I am going to look beyond the St. Mary's group as well. Do you already have a surgery date and if so which hospital are you going to?

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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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