Anyone else doing the slim time pre-op ....

On 03/04/2020 at 08:17, Bezy said:

Super interesting on the insurance flying you around! Isn’t it amazing the random differences in health insurance!

I saw Gorjala, apparently my endo (a woman I very much trust) brought him to town (don’t know the back story) and thinks a lot of him. She also likes Lin and the two at John’s Creek (the latter is far too far!). I agree though, overall the requirements are not on the bad side (he doesn’t require a sleep apnea test for everyone which is good and is flexible for those driving in (me me me LOL - it’s a long way across metro Atlanta anywhere near rush hour).

sounds as if I might be near the same diet - my BMI is 35 (well rounded up). I am 5’7” (truthfully 5 7.5) and 222 (although their scale weighed me in boots etc at 236?! so assume they took some off that, still wow!). Because I had so much weight loss before and got a Tummy Tuck, I also have very little stomach (they took 11 lbs of skin during thatm egads). Honestly, I just pray it means they won’t pump a lot of gas is me as during my hysterectomy that was the bad part!

What section of FL? My sister is in Orlando (doc there) but leaving for CO soon, family also in Sarasota and we cruise out of there often (Tampa next).

I actually was shocked with the insurance, it’s not through our regular health plan, its like an add-on that my husbands company has. Every procedure they cover is based on The Dr’s recommendation and not insurance guidelines. The only requirement is our deductible has to be met. It’s really a nice benefit.

I was supposed to see Dr. Gorjala but he only sees patients on certain days. I was nervous about Dr. Lytle but ended up completely at ease. A little back story, I did not want the surgery, but all of my local doctors said I needed it. My BMI was only 32 I weighed 188 and am 5’0” and had been on weight watchers after a botched hysterectomy. I had gotten up to 201. I developed a large incisional hernia and no one would fix it until I was down to my ideal weight and weight watchers and gym was not doing it fast enough. My regular insurance would not cover it because my BMI was to low, I was only borderline diabetic, and no cardiac issues or high blood pressure. I was going to file a complaint with the health insurance and our insurance advocate told me about the program. Dr. Lytle reviewed my medical records and had to convince me that my local Drs were right and that I needed to have this surgery to get the hernia fixed. I just met with a local surgeon for the hernia, through the same program and found out how bad things really are, but because I had the surgery I can be fixed. All of my large and small intestines are outside of where they are supposed to be and I have no stomach wall so they need to rebuild it. I will lose my belly button.

I live in Central Florida half way between Daytona and Orlando. My next surgery will be in Orlando at ORMC. Atlanta is huge and I do not miss driving around there. Thankfully we were staying in Sandy Springs around the corner from the hospital. We did travel to Centennial Park when we were there for consult. The traffic is horrible there so I can understand your concern. Lol. I want to wish you luck with everything. It sounds like you have been through a lot yourself. I know everyone at Bariatric Innovations will take great care of you! The trip was well worth it. I wanted Dr. Lytle to fix my hernia also and he agreed to do it, but I needed to consult with a local surgeon first. If it wasn’t so far I would have gone with Dr Lytle but because of the seriousness of the hernia I decided to go with a local surgeon to avoid all the traveling.

3 minutes ago, Deegirl31 said:

I actually was shocked with the insurance, it’s not through our regular health plan, its like an add-on that my husbands company has. Every procedure they cover is based on The Dr’s recommendation and not insurance guidelines. The only requirement is our deductible has to be met. It’s really a nice benefit.

I was supposed to see Dr. Gorjala but he only sees patients on certain days. I was nervous about Dr. Lytle but ended up completely at ease. A little back story, I did not want the surgery, but all of my local doctors said I needed it. My BMI was only 32 I weighed 188 and am 5’0” and had been on weight watchers after a botched hysterectomy. I had gotten up to 201. I developed a large incisional hernia and no one would fix it until I was down to my ideal weight and weight watchers and gym was not doing it fast enough. My regular insurance would not cover it because my BMI was to low, I was only borderline diabetic, and no cardiac issues or high blood pressure. I was going to file a complaint with the health insurance and our insurance advocate told me about the program. Dr. Lytle reviewed my medical records and had to convince me that my local Drs were right and that I needed to have this surgery to get the hernia fixed. I just met with a local surgeon for the hernia, through the same program and found out how bad things really are, but because I had the surgery I can be fixed. All of my large and small intestines are outside of where they are supposed to be and I have no stomach wall so they need to rebuild it. I will lose my belly button.

I live in Central Florida half way between Daytona and Orlando. My next surgery will be in Orlando at ORMC. Atlanta is huge and I do not miss driving around there. Thankfully we were staying in Sandy Springs around the corner from the hospital. We did travel to Centennial Park when we were there for consult. The traffic is horrible there so I can understand your concern. Lol. I want to wish you luck with everything. It sounds like you have been through a lot yourself. I know everyone at Bariatric Innovations will take great care of you! The trip was well worth it. I wanted Dr. Lytle to fix my hernia also and he agreed to do it, but I needed to consult with a local surgeon first. If it wasn’t so far I would have gone with Dr Lytle but because of the seriousness of the hernia I decided to go with a local surgeon to avoid all the traveling.

Guuuuuurl, that is rough ? I love Atlanta, but I would not want to drive from here to there daily (hubby does). Orlando is thick now too, no safe place (she lives in Winter Park for now). Wave at us in a few weeks as we whip through Tampa (long reach, I know LOL). I am so glad that things are getting fixed for you!

Did you ever have a way to contact Star by phone or email directly? Messaging them through that website doesn’t seem to work at all (In fact I almost didn’t use them because I had filled out the paperwork and kept messaging /emailing them and nobody ever responded).

On 03/04/2020 at 09:05, Bezy said:

Guuuuuurl, that is rough ? I love Atlanta, but I would not want to drive from here to there daily (hubby does). Orlando is thick now too, no safe place (she lives in Winter Park for now). Wave at us in a few weeks as we whip through Tampa (long reach, I know LOL). I am so glad that things are getting fixed for you!

Did you ever have a way to contact Star by phone or email directly? Messaging them through that website doesn’t seem to work at all (In fact I almost didn’t use them because I had filled out the paperwork and kept messaging /emailing them and nobody ever responded).

I do love Atlanta also, same here about the commute though. Lol. Ya I don’t drive in Orlando especially with the I4 Ultimate project, the construction is crazy and confusing! I will surely wave as you come through. Winter Park is beautiful, especially down town. We take the Sunrail sometimes to Winter Park when family comes to visit.

I never use the site. I call them directly and leave a message and the Dr calls back directly or whom ever you are trying to reach there. The nutritionist actually gives you her person cell to text her with any questions or concerns you have regarding weight or diet. I just saw about the gas. Yes, you will have gas and it is painful, I was only in pain for about 2 days that’s it. They do encourage you to walk, walk and walk. That’s what I did and it really helped. I have had ZERO complications since the surgery. Just now dealing with the hernia complications.

42 minutes ago, Deegirl31 said:

I do love Atlanta also, same here about the commute though. Lol. Ya I don’t drive in Orlando especially with the I4 Ultimate project, the construction is crazy and confusing! I will surely wave as you come through. Winter Park is beautiful, especially down town. We take the Sunrail sometimes to Winter Park when family comes to visit.

I never use the site. I call them directly and leave a message and the Dr calls back directly or whom ever you are trying to reach there. The nutritionist actually gives you her person cell to text her with any questions or concerns you have regarding weight or diet. I just saw about the gas. Yes, you will have gas and it is painful, I was only in pain for about 2 days that’s it. They do encourage you to walk, walk and walk. That’s what I did and it really helped. I have had ZERO complications since the surgery. Just now dealing with the hernia complications.

I encourage you to walk because you got no choice, if you try to lay down it’s like the Jolly green giant sit on you ? the nutritionist was super nice. Trying to decide who to do my psych (let’s just say bc of what I do for a living I may have to go out of state or something (those details for a PM ?). My scope (and colonoscopy) is a Friday.