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Topic: RE: any one had Dr Helbling for surgery
I wish Dr. Schmit treated me the way he treated you. Consider yourself very blessed.
Topic: BariatricTV Episode 21 - Were you the fat friend?
In episode 21 we announce a new segment called “The Freak of the Week", talk a little about being the fat friend and show you a weight loss surgery friendly recipe for The Enormous Eggurrito!
HIGHLIGHTS
- We are starting a new segment called…"A Freak of the Week".
- We want to highlight our viewers even more so submit your photos.
- Answer the questions and tell us why you are a surgically altered freak.
- Weight loss surgery CAN cause a change to certain friendships.
- Post weight loss surgery can be a time when you find out who your real friends are.
- Could it be that we are the “Fat Friend"? What is the Fat Friend?
- Silver lining…you are healthier and happier.
- What is a gigantic egg burrito type thing?
- We show you a great new recipe for eggs.
Come join the freaky fun
www.bariatrictv.com
~lynnda
Topic: RE: any one had Dr Helbling for surgery
I had Dr.Helbling, he was good. Missed reading the ultrasound report that showed I had gallbladder polyps. He ended up telling me my gallbladder looked wonderful after the surgery. Yet my family doc was not happy when she called me @ the hospital to "check in". I guess it seems that the polyps would indicate removal. Not too thrilled with that. Ended up being cared for over the weekend by Dr. Schmidt he was kind and generous.
Thing is the nursing staff was something to be desired. There are two in particular that could take a nice pill. Especially the discharging LPN, what a piece of work she was.
Sorry if thats confusing.
true
Thing is the nursing staff was something to be desired. There are two in particular that could take a nice pill. Especially the discharging LPN, what a piece of work she was.
Sorry if thats confusing.
true
Topic: RE: More Queenie1 up dates.
Wonderful to hear. I had been wondering since I came home from St.Alexius the day that she went in. Sounds like she is doing very well, which I am thrilled to hear.
Thanks for the update.
true
Thanks for the update.
true
Topic: More Queenie1 up dates.
Went up to see her this eve at the hospital.
She has been resting,feeling like throwing up (they gave her something for that) and holding on for the ride!
She should get to go home tomorrow some time and make her trip 100 miles home.
Her spirits seemed ok, past having her inners rearranged and glued shut LOL
She will post when she is feeling up to it
Kelly/tink
She has been resting,feeling like throwing up (they gave her something for that) and holding on for the ride!
She should get to go home tomorrow some time and make her trip 100 miles home.
Her spirits seemed ok, past having her inners rearranged and glued shut LOL
She will post when she is feeling up to it
Kelly/tink
Maintaining! Start weight 257,Current weight 122,Loss of 135# and 114 inches,Size 22-24W now size 4 to 0 (zero),Healthy life=Priceless
www.onetruemedia.com/shared
www.onetruemedia.com/shared
Topic: RE: Anyone with experience having WLS at BMI 37-39
I had a bmi of 39.5 when I had my laproscopic RNY. That being said, I was denied by my insurance twice before pursuing it once again (8-9 months later).
I thought I would get approved due to co-morbidities and family history. I can't say how your insurance is different than mine (I had NDBCBS), but for ME they didn't consider anything family history related. Only things that directly affected me.
The denial letters I received basically said there were the following items that would count as comorbidities:
1. high blood pressure - not controlled by medication (i.e. on meds, but not working)
2. Sleep Apnea - not controlled by CPAP (just a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea wasn't enough)
3. Diabetes
I think those are the ones my letter mentioned. At any rate, right before my information was submitted to insurance, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and on CPAP. After struggling for months with different masks, removing the mask during my sleep without realizing it, and still struggling with sleep issues, my doctor wrote a letter to my insurance indicating that my Sleep Apnea was NOT controlled and that if I were to lose a substantial amount of weight, it would perhaps cure itself. After they received that letter, they approved my surgery.
I am not telling you this to discourage you, just being honest. The biggest thing is to realize that no matter what, you probably have some comorbidities without even realizing it. Your insurance may be different than mine, and keep in mind that they want us to go away. They decline a lot of first requests hoping people will quit trying (at least that has been my experience).
Good luck to you. This is the hardest fight I've had to put up, but well worth it.
I thought I would get approved due to co-morbidities and family history. I can't say how your insurance is different than mine (I had NDBCBS), but for ME they didn't consider anything family history related. Only things that directly affected me.
The denial letters I received basically said there were the following items that would count as comorbidities:
1. high blood pressure - not controlled by medication (i.e. on meds, but not working)
2. Sleep Apnea - not controlled by CPAP (just a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea wasn't enough)
3. Diabetes
I think those are the ones my letter mentioned. At any rate, right before my information was submitted to insurance, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and on CPAP. After struggling for months with different masks, removing the mask during my sleep without realizing it, and still struggling with sleep issues, my doctor wrote a letter to my insurance indicating that my Sleep Apnea was NOT controlled and that if I were to lose a substantial amount of weight, it would perhaps cure itself. After they received that letter, they approved my surgery.
I am not telling you this to discourage you, just being honest. The biggest thing is to realize that no matter what, you probably have some comorbidities without even realizing it. Your insurance may be different than mine, and keep in mind that they want us to go away. They decline a lot of first requests hoping people will quit trying (at least that has been my experience).
Good luck to you. This is the hardest fight I've had to put up, but well worth it.
Lori
248/137/140
Lap RNY 7/2/07
To the world you are just one person, but to one person you are the world.
Topic: RE: Anyone with experience having WLS at BMI 37-39
Anything worth having is worth fighting for.
I will not try and sell you one surgery over the next, that is not why I am here. I know for me a big factor was what will be covered under my insurance. I didn't want a huge out of pocket mess. I went with RNY because that is what was right for ME.
Every surgery has it's rick factors, we just deal with it as we do any part of life.
The rule of thumb I have always been told was... 100 pounds over weight with a history of co morbs. or more co morbs that over run the wight part. Go for it and try. You sound like your getting all your ducks in a row, good job!
Kelly/tink
I will not try and sell you one surgery over the next, that is not why I am here. I know for me a big factor was what will be covered under my insurance. I didn't want a huge out of pocket mess. I went with RNY because that is what was right for ME.
Every surgery has it's rick factors, we just deal with it as we do any part of life.
The rule of thumb I have always been told was... 100 pounds over weight with a history of co morbs. or more co morbs that over run the wight part. Go for it and try. You sound like your getting all your ducks in a row, good job!
Kelly/tink
Maintaining! Start weight 257,Current weight 122,Loss of 135# and 114 inches,Size 22-24W now size 4 to 0 (zero),Healthy life=Priceless
www.onetruemedia.com/shared
www.onetruemedia.com/shared
Topic: RE: Anyone with experience having WLS at BMI 37-39
with a BMI in the range you're talking about... have you looked into the sleeve? The VSG forum on this site has a wealth of information and sooo many success stories of people with BMI's in your range. My starting BMI was at 49 and I'm doing very well with it. 2 lbs away from goal, and am currently re-assessing some new goals because I CAN do this. I've come so far (98 lbs)... I have no doubt that I can lose another 20 or 30.
Dr. Schmit in Bismarck did mine in July. For me, the sleeve was the best option out there. I didn't want a full blown RNY--the malabsorbtion factor to me was a huge turn off, and being uninsured there was no way I could afford that out of pocket anyway. And I didn't want a lap band, either.... the odds of complications for that were too high for my comfort, not to mention the cost of maintenance after that first year.
The biggest obstacle with the sleeve is that, to my knowledge, BCBS still doesn't cover it. It is considered "investigational" as a weight loss procedure. It does sound like that is changing, though... more people are getting it covered than they were a year ago. It is certainly worth the fight; but if you still have to pay out of pocket for it... basically it's the cost of a decent used car. It's slightly more than what you'd pay out of pocket for a lapband, but with no further maintenance visits down the road it comes out to be a better "bargain". No fills, and it's permanent. I couldn't be more pleased.
Feel free to PM me or read my blog if you are interested in my experience with this particular surgery. Good luck to you.
Dr. Schmit in Bismarck did mine in July. For me, the sleeve was the best option out there. I didn't want a full blown RNY--the malabsorbtion factor to me was a huge turn off, and being uninsured there was no way I could afford that out of pocket anyway. And I didn't want a lap band, either.... the odds of complications for that were too high for my comfort, not to mention the cost of maintenance after that first year.
The biggest obstacle with the sleeve is that, to my knowledge, BCBS still doesn't cover it. It is considered "investigational" as a weight loss procedure. It does sound like that is changing, though... more people are getting it covered than they were a year ago. It is certainly worth the fight; but if you still have to pay out of pocket for it... basically it's the cost of a decent used car. It's slightly more than what you'd pay out of pocket for a lapband, but with no further maintenance visits down the road it comes out to be a better "bargain". No fills, and it's permanent. I couldn't be more pleased.
Feel free to PM me or read my blog if you are interested in my experience with this particular surgery. Good luck to you.
Topic: RE: Happy St.Patty's Day
I love it! This one is soooo cute...
My grandma is Irish so of course, I just have to pass this one on!
Thanks Tink....
My grandma is Irish so of course, I just have to pass this one on!
Thanks Tink....
Amy
if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten
if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten
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