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R. S. Charlotte, NC, USA Already had Weight Loss Surger - BMI: 26.6 Surgery Type: Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass Member ID: S1123174937 Surgeon: Roc Bauman, M.D. |
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  I am married with 3 small children. My husband is also having WLS surgery. My Cute Kids   Matthew (6 mos) Rebecca (2 1/2 yrs) & Rosie (4 yrs old)  8/24/05---I guess that this will be my first (of many, hopefully) journal entries. I have had my inital examination with Dr. Roc, completed my psych eval, provided my 5 yr weight history, met with the nutritionist, had my Pap smear & H-Pylori test. I am just awaiting my pre-surgical physical with my PCP and the upper GI. Those are scheduled for 9/27/05/ I know that is a while to wait, but I can't have surgery yet anyway. My hubby is having Lap. RNY on 9/6/05--only 12 more days!! Once he has is strength back and is able to lift small children it will be my turn. I am hoping for the Friday before Thanksgiving. BCBS was very quick to approve hubby (less than 24 hrs) and I anticipate the same. I know, I know, I am attempting to micro-manage every aspect of this surgery, mostly so I can plan my work schedule. I guess we'll have to see how that works out for me. 9/4/05---Well, George (hubby) is having his surgery in two days. I know that he is getting very anxious. I think that some of the excitement has worn off as he prepares himself for the reality of how difficult the next few weeks will be. I am very excited for him, and for myself too. Even though my surgery is not yet scheduled, I feel that his beginning is my new beginning too. Tonight we take clothed before pictures. I think that niether of us will likely post them until there are some after comparisons. 9/6/05 George's surgery date. These are before pictures of me weighing in at a hefty 253 (barf!)    9/9/05---Well, George is home from the hospital, post-RNY surgery. He is doing really well. He has some gas pains and gets the occasional "stitch" in his side. I am so relieved that he came through surgery without any complications. I must say, from my perspective as a spouse, Dr. Roc Bauman was great. Also, the hospital staff at NorthEast MEdical Center was excellent. I had a baby a few months ago at the New Womens' Center at Presbyterian--and I thought that care was top notch. The folks at North East blew me away! They were so attentive and nice. Now I sit and wait for my physical with my PCP and the labs (that PCP must order). Everything else is done. Hopefully by the end of September, I will be ready for Insurance approval. Until then, though, I will try to drop some tonnage as I watch my incredible shrinking hubby. 9/29/05--Well all of my pre-op testing has been completed. I met with my PCP on Tues so that he could perform a physical and write the Comprehensive History and Physical report required by my surgeon. They also took about 900 vials of blood (really only about 8) to test my thyroid function, enzymes, iron, etc. . . I have a really nasty bruise on my arm from where the tech forgot she was at work and though that she was running a torture chamber. I also had my upper GI done today (yuck). Now I wait for the reports to get to Dr. Roc, so that he can send out for insurance approval. The Radiologist said the upper GI report would be faxed in 1-2 days. My PCP's nurse said it generally takes him a few weeks to get his reports out, but I have already sent a fax asking them to expedite it if possible. I will probably call and pester them next week too! I am very optimistic that by October 15th, I will have insurance approval and a surgery date. I am still shooting for the week before Thanksgiving. On the hubby front, George is 3 weeks out and has lost a little over 25 lbs. It has been creeping off this week--only about 1/2 lb every few days, but this mornign he had a 1 1/2 lb loss so hopefully things are picking back up. I told him that Dr. Roc had better get a move on with scheduling my surgery or George was going to pass me in the weight dept. He replied that it would violate his rule of dating, never to date a woman who weighs more than him. I reminded him that it was a good thing we weren't dating. Anyways, back to work. 10/13/05--Well, I have a surgery date. November 18, 2005. Just as I had hoped, the Friday before Thanksgiving. No gobble gobbble for me this year. I am so sick of being fat though. I have gotten to the point where I don't really even enjoy all the food I am shoving in my face anymore. I am really ready for this surgery and the beginning of the rest of my life. I am going to try to drop a few pounds between now and then--I've got 5 weeks from tomorrow. I'll keep everybody posted. 10/31/05--Happy Halloween. I have been struggling a bit lately. I have been torn between wanting to eat all of my favorite things,and wanting to drop some weight before surgery. Then as the days started going by, I began to worry that I have gained a few pounds (about 5) since I saw my surgeon in August. I have to go for my pre-op orders on 11/4/05 and I am worried that he will either be mad or not want to do the surgery. Finally, three days ago, I got on the stick and have been doing Atkins since then. I guess that I got to the point of no return and realized that if I went another day without Atkins, there would be no possible way to drop 5 lbs before that visit. Halloween was hard tonight. We hosted the neighborhood pre-trick or treat party, and there were lots of yummy treats. I didn't partake though. I also just had my first real incident of being ashamed about my weight to the point of not wanting to participate in activities. I was asked to help with a phone-a-thon for the annual fund at my former high school. I agreed, but then learned that a girl from my class who was always very thin (even anorexic for a few years) would also be there at the same time. I began freaking out and almost didn't go, because I didn't want her to see how fat I've gotten. I haven't seen her in over 10 years. I went and she didn't show up, but nevertheless, it sucked. I am ready for this surgery. It is all really starting to feel real now as the date quickly approaches. 11/6/05--Only 12 more days. I am so excited ( and anxious, scared, elated, ready, not ready . . .the list goes on). I had my final pre-op visit w/ Dr. B on Friday. I was down 1.8 lb for a whopping total weight of 251.2. I had a little party this weekend as sort of a last hoorah, but am now back on Atkins until surgery. I am hoping to lose a few more pounds before surgery. I am really excited about post-op. I can't wait until 5 or 6 weeks from now, when I have dropped some weight. George is officially 2 months out today and down just under 50 lbs. 11/11/05--Okay, one week from now and my surgery will be over with. I can't wait. I am definately having anxiety about the surgery, and just want it to be over with, so that I know that I am safe and alive on the other side. I have decided to start liquids tomorrow, even though Dr. B doesn't require it. I have been telling myself all week that I would do low carb and drop another 5lbs prior to surgery, but I just haven't been able to do it. I need to get mentally prepared for this surgery and stop letting my anxiety/excitement/apprehension get it the way. Fortunately I haven't been suffering from "last supper syndrome" all week, but I have wanted to eat "normal" foods all week and not diet. I am also at a point where I am uncomfortable with my weight. I feel that I have been inflated and I am really looking forward to a few weeks from now, when the weightloss is underway. 11/16/05--Only two more days (actually less than that now--only about 36 more hours). I guess that I am getting scared. More than scared though, I feel almost frozen, like a deer in headlights. I can't really think about surgery too much because it gets overwhelming. Also, I have been busting my rear at work this week to ensure that everything is completed prior to my surgery. I was hoping for a little relaxation at home this week, but nope. My hubby threw out his back on Tusday, so I have been pulling not just my weight, but his around the house too--getting no help with the kids. Plus he is so absorbed in his own back pain drama, that it seems to have escaped him that I might need some support in these final pre-op days. As you can tell, I am a bit miffed. I know he can't help that his back hurts, but I am irritated nonetheless. I suppose my stress is manifesting itself as agitation. I do appreciate the kind messages I have been receiving all week from the OH community. I just hope that I have the strength to make through the next 48 hours. 11/17/05--'twas the night before surgery and all through the house . . .I have been crying all night. I am really scared, Mostly knowing that I will be going in alive tomorrow and there is a possibility ( albeit a small one) that I may not survive the surgery. I just cried as I rocked the little baby to sleep tonight. I just haven't had enough time with my children yet, and I am not ready to leave them. I really do wish that I had a valium or something for tonight. I am all ready though. I have drank the phospho soda (yuck!!!!!!), taken my nexium and antibiotic, and showered with hibiclens. Now all that is left is to try to get a good night sleep. I am bit concerned that the phospho soda isn't working. I took it a 4:00 pm per my doc's instrucitons and it is now 9:30 & I have had only two poops. I definitely don't feel as if my bowels have been emptied or cleansed. I followed all instructions, so I certainly hope that my bowels are sufficiently prepped, because I'd hate to have my surgery rescheduled. It isn't until noon tomorrow though, so Maybe my body will just require overnight action for full cleansing. I know that this train of thought is a bit odd, but I do not want to go through this again, so every possible "problem" is a concern right now. Well, I will post next as a loser. By the way, my official pre-surgery weight on my scale was 255.5 ( mine runs about 1.8 lbs heavier than Dr. B's. Ciao. 11/21/05--I am now a loser. My surgery went well without any complications on 11/18/05. Dr. Bauman did the Lap RNY with the silstic band. Per my husband, the surgery itself took about 2 hrs 45 minutes. I was advised that adding the silastic band increases surgery time by about 20 minutes. I was absolutely miserable upon waking up in the recovery room. My throat was incredible swollen from the tube that was used, and my back was in excruciating pain. No abdominal pain though. The back pain and throat pain swelling persisted through most of the first day post-op. The hospital bed did not help at all with the back, because it was so uncomfortable. The first night I was heavily sedated with Morphine, but still felt like I was up every hour. The second night I did not sleep a wink. I got up about 4 times to walk and go to the potty. Also, I was permitted to drink the Ensure and water on the day after surgery. The ice water felt so good on my throat. The Ensure went down ok, but I fund it incredbibly difficult to drink 1 oz each hour--Dr. B said not to worry so much about drinking the ensure that day after surgery, since I was still hooked to an IV. Second day post-op (11/20) my throat started to feel a bit better and the back pain was no longer excruciating. However, I was up walking and standing almost the entire day as I could not get comfortable in the bed or chair. Dr. B discharged me at about 11:30. After he wrote the discharge orders, the nurse came in and took out my J drain. I can honestly say that the removal of the drain was by far the grossest feeling I have ever experienced. It hurt a little, but man did it feel wierd. Just a note for any pre-ops about the constant blood pressure taking at the hospital. They used a cuff around my forearm rather than up around my upper arm. Also a machine took the readings. This was highly inaccurate. I have never had high blood pressure before, but the machine kept reading high (ex. 197/110) I kept telling the nurse that the readings seemed high. Finally they called Dr. B, and he ordered them to manually take my blood pressure because the readings were so out of wack. Wouldn't you know that the manual readings were 112/66 which is where my blood pressure normally runs. My advise would be to let them know if your readings seem off, and ask the nurse to do a manual blood pressure read. I am home now and slept like a baby in my own bed. My back pain is almost completely gone. My entire body is a little stiff though. I think it's because I have been guarding my movements for fear of hurting something or opening my staples. I have been on the treadmill twice alread (once yesterday and once this morning), as Dr. B requires 25 minutes of walking 2xday. I do feel better the more I am moving around. Also, I got on the scale this morning and am down 5.5 lbs. Well I am going to take a shower here in a little bit. I'll update again later. 255.5/250/140 11/22/05-- Yesterday was a good day. I did my 50 minutes of walking and got in 70 oz of fluid and 75 grms of protein. Here is what I did to get in all the protein: I only make 2oz at a time b/c that is all I can drink per hour, but certainly you could make it in an 8oz serving. 2oz skim milk = 2grms protein 1/4 scoop Nectar cappaccino=5 1/2 grms protein 1/4 scoop Chocolate protein = 5 1/2 grms protein Each scoop of protein that I am using has 23 grms of protein Also, I have made 2oz skim milk 1/4 scoop bananna protein (also 23 grms a scoop) 1/4 scoop chocolate protein Each of these mini shakes has 13 grms of protein 5 a day =65 grms of protein. Also, I made some chicken broth with 1/2 scoop unflavored unjury for another 10grms of protein. I did make about 1 cup chicken broth and ate it out of a bowl with a spoon over about 1 hr time. As for fluid, I drank three 20 oz bottles of water ( mixed w/ 1/2 tube of crystal light orange sunrise each) the plain water tasted gross for some reason. I also ate 1 sugarfree popsicle and the broth mentioned above. 11/25/05--Okay, I am one week post op and down 10 lbs (per my scale) since the morning of surgery. I do not feel at all smaller or lighter. I must say, however, that I am surprised at how easy it has been to be on a liquid diet. As you can tell from my above entires, I couldn't do a whole day on liquids pre-op. Now it is pretty easy though. That being said, however, Thanksgiving did suck. I woke up just feeling weepy and getting teary as I laid in bed. What set off this episode? I could smell my Mother-in-Law toasting wheat bread downstairs. I don't even like wheat toast that much, nor can I say that I have ever made it at home, but the smell of food combined with the thought of all of the Thanksgiving goodies was just overwhelming. My personal pity party was breif though,and I felt better after getting on the treadmill. Today all is well. I made a pot of Turkey soup and have been straining out the broth to eat. Yummy! Physically I feel the same as I did pre-op. My incision sites are itchy, but other than that I have no compliants. I even upped the speed on my treadmill walks to 3.0 mph today. It just amazes me that a week ago, I was cut open, rearranged , poked, prodded,and stapled shut, and I feel so good right now. 11/30/05--Okay, I had my "2 week" visit with the nutritionist today adn was moved to pureed foods. I was shocked to learn that this stage of the diet for me would me markedly different than it was for my hubby, who had RNY on 9/6. He was moved from liquids to soft foods (which didn't include any meats). I had the silatic band, so I cannot eat "soft foods" , only pureeds. However, I can eat pureed lean meat, including tuna pureed in the food processor and mixed with a little mayo. Tonight I had some pureed ff refried beans with a bit of ff sour cream and salsa (all pureed together). It went down easy, and suprisingly felt normal. I have also been back at work for three days and am doing fine. I have had a super busy work week so far and am really no more tired than I normally would be. Oh, I almost forgot. I am down 15.5lbs on my scale at home and 12 on the nutritionists scale. 12/11/05--I am now 23 days out and have lost exactly 20lbs on my home scale. This week was pretty crappy in terms of weight loss. I stayed exactly the same weight for 7 days, which is really frustating given that I am following the nutritionsits instructions to a T and have been on the treadmill for 45 min every day. Hopefully the scales will keep moving this week. I thought I'd post some of what I am doing in the way of pureed foods. I have been adding sauces in very small amounts (1/2 tsp) to many of these purees. These sauces are not diet or sf unless otherwise noted. I have had no dumping whatsoever. Here are a few of the things I am eating while on a pureed diet (4 weeks--aargh): Pureed black beans with a little bit of carribbean sauce ( I use Antonny's). Sometimes to the black beans I will add pork tenderloin and puree. Fat free refried beans with ff sour cream and salsa pureed Albacore white tuna from a can pureed then add dried dill seasoning, and a little ff sour cream and light mayo ricotta cheese mixed with garlic, parmesean cheese and a drop of tomato sauce (micro for about 20 secs) white meat rotissere chicken pulled off the bone with a little BBQ sauce pureed. Add a little 2% chedder or mexican cheese blend and micro the entire mixture for 25 secs I boil a boneless chicken breast in mixture of water and low sodium v8 with chili seasoning added to the water. Then I pull the chicken out when cooked, chop up and puree with ff cream cheese a sprinkle more of the chili seasoning (in total I used about 1/3 of the chili seasoning packet for both the boiling and add in at the end). I micro and add a little 2% cheddar. 1/12/06--I know it has been quite a while since Ilast posted. I have now lost 37 lbs. I am six days away from the 2 month mark , and am really hoping to hit -40lbs by then. I am finally starting to notice a difference in how I look. I am now able to eat 2 oz of any protien food in solid form. My favorites right now are shrimp, fresh mozz cheese and sashimi (yellow tail & tuna). Next week I can add an additional ounce to my meals of fruit or veggies. I have been very lucky and have not been sick or dumped yet. I have not tested the waters with anything other than the protein though. I am also exercising 40-60 minutes per day, and on some days, I will add a second workout (strength training). I will post again soon. 255.5/218.5/140 2/15/06--Okay, I know I am lame, and haven't posted in a while. I am now almost 3 months out and have lost 50.5 lbs. I have advanced o the stage where I can eat a full diet, and fortunately, I seem to have a fairly strong stomach. The foods that gaive me problems are eggs and salmon. Neither makes me sick, rather they feel like lead going into my pouch. Some of my staples for when I am on the go are light string cheese (Sargento)and South Beach Granola bars (140 cals/10grms protein). I have been making a lot of homemade soups--chicken w/ mushroom, beef & barley--I make the soups pretty thick and hearty, so there is not much liquid. I also ate salad for the first time last week and it tasted delicious. I even eat sushi on occasion without problems. I also love the genisoy & stacy's soy crisps. They are a good snack with salsa, hummus or just by themselves. I can finally see adifference in myself. All of my clothes are too big. I did buy one new pair of pants in a REGULAR SIZE 16!!!!!I really don't ant to buy anything more until I am under 200 lbs, though (only 5 more to go). I will go shopping in my mother's closet this weekend. MY hubby just had his 5 month anniversary and has lsot 84 lbs. Well, ciao for now! 255.5/205/140(?)  Matthew's First Birthday 3/09/06--Last night George & I watched The Biggest Loser--Military Wives Edition. One of the contestants had gastric bypass 9yrs ago and had regained her weight. It was a real motivator for me & a reminder(even this soon out) that we each must use the WLS tool that we have been given, that there is not a quick fix--even though the weight comes off quickly post-op, and that we are in control of our long-term post op success. I am hopeful that I will be successful long-term and grateful that I have my husband and my OH family for support. I also feel like the monthly support group meetings will help make me accountable to others--not because the Gastonia or SE Charlotte folks will judge me, but rather because I will have to face live humans each month who will notice if I begin to regain weight. Right now I have lost a total of 59 lbs. I am eating what feels to be a "regular" diet. It truely is amazing how easy it has been to cut out breads and refined starches. I just had a wonderful treat for breakfast. I found a granola at the grocery store that has 7gr protein and only 7 gr sugar. I put a little of the granola in a bowl with 2 oz light vanilla yogurt and a sliced up strawberry. Yummy! Well, off to life. 255.5/196.5/140 4/1/06. Somebody asked me to summarize my experience for them, so I thought I'd copy it to my profile . . .I had lap RNY with silastic banding (also known as fobi) on 11.18/05. I will tell you a little bit about the procedure, in case you do not know abut the fobi aspect. The surgery is really the same as the lap RNy in that the stomach is divided into a new small pouch , which is seperated from the old stomach the intstines are then bypassed to the new pouch about halfway down forming the Y limb. The place where the intestine is attached to the new pouch is called the stoma. The fobi portion is where a small ring is placed around the stoma, preventing it from stretching past the size of the ring. Per my doctor, the stoma is one place that is very vulnerable to stretching over time. If the stoma stretches, you pouch can empty much more quickly, which enables you to eat more food at one time, sort of defeating (or at least minimizing) the benefit of having a reduced stomach cpacity. The fobi is not intended to increase the amount of weight lost or the speed with which it is lost. rather it is a tool to prevent regaining weight, ensuring long-term results. I have had a very easy time with both surgery and life after surgery. I started out weighing 255.5 at 5'3. I am 4 1/2 months post-op and have lost 66.5 lbs. I think that I may be losing abit more slowly than others, but my doc & nutritionist think I am on track. I have really had no problem getting in my protein or fluids, and have fortunately not had much problem with eating. I do not drink alcohol or carbonated beverages. Pretty much I drink water and crystal light. I have one protein drink a day (20-30 grms of protein) which helps me meet my daily protein requirements. I am able to eat fish, shrimp, chicken, beef and pork. Eggs are tough for me--they don't make me sick, but they feel like lead in my pouch. I do eat carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, fruit and veggies, but the majority of my food intake is protein.   This is George & I on 4/21/06--He is 7 1/2 months post op and I am 5 months post op. George has lost 110 lbs and I have lost 70 lbs in this picture. 4/29/06--I am 5 1/2 months post-op now and have lost 75lbs. I am doing very well-- I can eat pretty much everything except eggs and salmon, and really feel normal. I have, however, been having dizzy/lightheaded spells lately. They occur when I stand from a seated position or lift my head from looking down or bending over. Both Dr. B & my PCP think that is is postural hypotesnion (low blood pressure associated with changes in posture). My blood pressure has been running around 102/59. The docs don't have any suggestions, and seem to believe that this is just my body's adjustment to the 75lb weight loss. I finally got rid of all of my big clothes--I have bought a few pieces, but am very limited in clothes that fit right now. With 40 1/2 lbs still left to lose, I am not willing to buy more clothes now. I am still struggling with working out as much as I should, but am dilligently working on it. 255.5/180.5/140 6/24/06--Things are going well. My BMI is finally under 30,s o I am not obese anymore! Yeah. My weight loss is very slow right now, though. I am trying to increase my exercise (back to 5 days per week) and I have recently increased my protein and fluid both to about 100(grms /oz) per day. I have 29 lbs left to go until my personal goal. I cannot wait. also, i am currently wearing a size 12 (fits loosely) in all clothing. Below are two recent pictures.   Matthew & Mommy & George & I( I am about 173 lbs here). 5-1-2007 It hasbeen quite a while since I have updated my profile, so I thougt I'd do so. I am now just about 18 months post-op and have lost 105lbs. I have maintained this weight for the past 6 moths (with a 2-3 lb fluctuation). I still owuld like to lose an additional 10-15 lbs, but am very happy with my size. Also, I feel that I live a normal life & I willnever again "go on a diet." In January, I had my first real post-op complication. I had a hernia in the Peterson's space and an associated bowel obstruction. This required an emergency laproscopic surgery to correct. The recovery was actually quite easy--only 24 hrs in the hospital, out of work another two days, and then back to normal (except for the no lifting over 15 lbs for 4 weeks). Even with theis complication, I would have the original surgery again in a heartbeat. Some things that I have learned in the past 6 months . . .Ice cream is the DEVIL and will cause me to dump & feel close to death--milkshakes are the Devil sqaured.. I can eat other sweets without recourse (in limited quantities), and I struggle with this. I hate to exercise & it is truly a struggle to get in my exercise. I can tell if I have gained even a lb wihtout stepping on the scale--same thing if I lose a lb. A good bra is NECESSARY, as my girls have lost all ability to stand up for themselves. I love the warm weather--which has always been uncomfortable to me. I actually like wearing jeans. My new favorite food is Okra and I no longer enjoy steak (I just cn't handle the texture). I cannot eat any leftovers except for soup or it is barfville for me. This surgery has changed my life in so many ways, and I am truly greatful to have had it. My Post-WLS Wish List (Sorry for any that are TMI) 1. Be able to wrap a regular size bath towel all the way around my body. DONE 2. Not be the fat mom when my oldest starts Kindergarten in Fall 2006. DONE 3. Spend more time outside playing with my kids without being overcome by the heat. DONE 4. Be able to wear a pair of jeans from Banana Republic DONE 5. Look better at my 10 year college reunion than I did in college(Fall '06) DONE 6. Have more energy. DONE 7. Be less irritable. DONE 8. Be able to wear cool and funky clothing again--I can't really express my personal style & look good at this size. DONE 9. Not be embarrased to go to the pool. DONE 10. Not have my children ask if there is a baby in my tummy ( I gave birth to my youngest six months ago) DONE 11. Be in better shape at 35 than I was at 25. DONE 12. Start jogging. DONE 13. No more chafing of my inner thighs when I wear a skirt/dress with no tights. DONE 14. Try on a wedding dress and feel & look beautiful in it. (I am already married, but want to look good in a wedding dress, even if it is just in a dressing room) 15. Wear my watch comfortably. DONE 16. No more undies rolling down under my belly. DONE 17. Not have anxiety every time I have to step on a scale at the doctor's office 18. Take a family photo. DONE 19. Fit comfortably in an airplane seat (or at least as comfy as one can be in an airplane seat) DONE 20. Ditto #19 at the theater. DONE 21. Have a visible clavicle.DONE 22. Wear sexy lingere. DONE 23. Live to see my granchildren graduate form high school (obviously a long term goal since my oldest daughter is not quite 4) 24. No more acid reflux. DONE 25. Swing on the playground in the back yard without fear of breaking it. DONE 26. Fit comfortably in a restaurant booth. DONE 27. Walkup more than 2 flights of stairs without feeling winded. DONE 28. Fancy shoes!!!!!!! DONE --Can anybody say 3 1/2 inch heels!  10/07/05 If you'd like your profile spruced up write to one of the HTML Volunteer’s here:   Photos
Surgeon Info: Surgeon: Roc Bauman, M.D. I have met with Dr. Roc a number of times because my husband had surgery with him on 9/6/05. Dr. Bauman is very thorough and very competant. I like that he is cautious and will not take chances. My husband was to have the "optional" silastic band added as a part of his Lap RNY, but Dr. Roc determined during surgery that it would increase his risk due to the presence of excess skin in his stomach. Dr. B did not do the band. I'd rather my surgeon be safe than sorry. Also his staff is very organized and knowledgeable. Dr. Roc has been identified by BCBS as a bariatric surgeon of excellence due to his extensive experience (over 800 surgeries). This designation makes insurence approval with BCBS a piece of cake. Insurer Info: BCBS of NC, Blue Options BCBS was excellent. My Dr's office submitted all required documentation to BCBS on 10/11/05 and I was aproved in less than 48 hours. My surgeon has been designated as a Surgeon of Excellence by BCBS and that may have expedited things. |
