I am new to the foru...

I am new to the forum. I would like some advice on the following things: 1. did anyone use Dr Kole or Dr Schnuknecht (spelling)? I know Dr Kole personally (friend of wife) and am concerned whether I should switch to his partner because of the personal relationship? Thoughts? this is my time-sensitive question. 2. Also, I am gathering information for pre-approval for BCBS. Should I have everything prior to submission (psych eval, nutr. consult., bloodwork)/ 3. Anyone return to work immediately? I have a new job and I don't want to take more than a week off, but I am a community college professor so I will only have to teach a class (sitting down) for 4 hours once each week. thoughts? 4. Complications???? 5. Regrets????????? this is also somewhat time sensitive. 6. Does everyone have plastic surgery and is it usually covered? thank you.

1. I did not use either of those physicians. However, it is my personal opinion that you do not let a surgeon operate on you when you know them. That is a big conflict of interest, I think. 2. It will go much faster with the insurance company if you have everything to submit to them. Be prepared, even after submitting everything to them, to have to give them something more than what you give them. Insurance companies are fun that way, lol. Although, I have BCBS PPO and I had no issues with approval. It took me less than a month. 3. Are you having a lap procedure? My surgery was not done laproscopically and it took me a very long time to recover. However, most people recover in 4 weeks time, sometimes even less than that. It all depends on the patient since each patient recovers differently. I still think that you would be pushing it if you try to go back to work after a week, even if you have to just sit. 4. HA! You don't even want to know. I have had lots of complications. However, I think my issues were rare and not typical of most patients. Let's just put it this way. I have needed 4 additional surgeries to correct my complications. Still, don't let that sway you. I'm just one person. 5. Not a one. Even with all the problems I have had, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. 6. I'm 6 years post-op and have not had any plastic surgery. I was told it would not be covered. That was a while back though so things may have changed. I would like to get my excess skin removed from my stomach, arms, and thighs, but I am waiting until after I have kids. No sense in getting a TT if I am just going to stretch it out again.

thanks. the insight is helpful.

1. I think you should switch because of the personal relationship and I am sure Dr. Kole would understand. Also Dr. S is awesome and comes highly recommended by many people on this board. 2. I went through BCBS (been over 3 yrs though) and I went to the consult first. They should tell you what you will need to do and sometimes they like to refer you to people they work with which in a lot of cases is good especially with the psch. eval. in my opinion. 3. I had my surgery open and wasn't back to work for a month or longer but with laparoscopic surgery I have heard of people being back in a week depending on the job. 4. I had to get scoped and stretched because they made things a little too tight when they did the surgery and food kept getting stuck. 5. I did regret it for several months because I couldn't eat anything but once I got the issue from the last question fixed I was good to go and was thrilled with the results. I do have to say that I think subconsciously I must have felt this surgery would fix my life because being overweight affected every part of my life at the time but when the weight was gone most of the issues I had were still there. It seems like a given that this isn't a "cure all" but you would be surprised at the amount of people that realize this after the fact. 6. I haven't had plastic surgery yet because most of it isn't covered. I know a lot of insurance companies will cover tummy tucks if you meet their requirements but for the most part other PS isn't covered. I hope this helps and good luck. Holly W

thanks

Hi Tiffany, I am one month post op; still not back to work. I had lap RNY. Went thur Hurley; Dr. Wagner. You must feel comfortable with your surgeon. It is good to write a letter to blue cross to send in with all the other paper from your doctor! I wrote why this surgery was for me, the health aspects first, quailty of life second; and why you think it would be sucessful for you. It really helped along my aproval process. I still have not returned to work. I have had several complications. Abbsese of my incision, stricture, and an ulcer that caused dehydration! I am not rushing back to work; have to lift and do a lot of running on my feet. At first I did regret it; more so when complications came. Now I am more postive, and would also do it again in a heartbeat. I don't know about plastic surgery yet. Good luck, Judy R.

thanks. good luck to you for a speedy recovery.

for as often as i have written his name i cant spell it for the life of me....but i had Dr. Schuknecht and he was great. Great guy great surgeon I had an open rny and he did it so fast i barely laid on the table! grin If you are having open, i would not plan to come back within a week. I thought that too and i was sorely (no pun intended) mistaken. There is alot of discomfort (although i did not take pain meds at all once i got home)--like getting up and down from a chair (i rented one of those lift chairs which helped some of the strain) also it is unlikely you are going to ba able to lie down in your own bed..so sleeping is sacrificed to.......and there is alot of stuff to deal with not eating much, trying to get your nutrition in and fluids, unpredicatble changes in bowel patterns, and maybe even a bit of depression. I was a bit on the mentally slow side too after anesthesia (no comments).......so take it for what it is worth....after open rny i was not ready to go back in a week. with regard to plastics--i had tummy and arms done around my two year anniversary (by the great Dr. DiNick!).........still have lower body lift to go.........insurance only paid for the tummy-----i have bcbs ppo. I wish you luck and fast healing.........dont try to overdo-----it is important to really heal well.............r

1) I had Dr. Kole and he is the best! However under your cir****tances, I think I would opt with Dr. S. 2) I have BCBS of MI. I just needed a letter from my PCP and a history of the diets I have been on in the last 3 years. I put mine in an Excel spreadsheet. I including Dates, Starting Weight, Ending Weight, Total Lost, and how long I kept it off. 3) I had Lap RNY and I was out 5 weeks. 4) I developed Bronchitis and a infection in my largest incision cut. 5) NONE 6) I just got approved for a Full Tummy Tuck. My surgery date is in May. So that means, I was approved in under a year and not having lost 100#. The SP just submitted photos.

thanks, that is helpful. I have bcbs of michigan too.