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Topic: So where do you go for a GI doc??
Does anyone here have a recomendation for a GI doc that deals with WLS patients?
Topic: BariatricTV - Episode 6 is up
On episode 6, we answer a few questions about vitamins, discuss WLS Puberty, and recommend a product that will help smooth out the lumps after weight loss.
Come check it out and join the fun
www.bariatrictv.com
~lynnda
Topic: RE: Looking for a good surgeon
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
You're very welcome, Janet. Here's the web site for my surgeon (Dr. Berger) and his partner. http://www.flagstaffmedicalcenter.com/OurServices/BariatricS urgicalWeightLoss/Our_team You can search the site and review the hospital in Flagstaff as well as the schedule of informational sessions that require attendence should you opt for surgery with Dr. Berger. Also, there is a patient info area that has to be completed upon your first visit with the Dr. A heads up, I'm thinking that most surgeons require the information packet be completed so if you are truly interested in WLS I would suggest you pull up the packet and start completing it... there are all kinds of questions about your health and your past history at attempted weight loss. Also, Dr. Berger required a five year history of my general physician visits in order to show my weight trend. Having the five year history allowed me to avoid the six month "diet" pre-surgery.
As for the VSG and your insurance.... a bit of info that may help you deal with your insurance: My insurance carrier would not authorize the VSG unless it was coupled with the by-pass. The Dr. had to write a letter to the insurance company that he was going to perform the VSG and after I had dropped some of the excess weight he would then perform a by-pass on me in order to get the rest of the weight off. I have no intention of having by-pass surgery (I have an extensive health history and the by-pass is something my oncologist said NO WAY on). This is basically circumventing the insurance company but it gets the VSG covered.
Good luck and, again, if I can be of any help please let me know.
Katherine
As for the VSG and your insurance.... a bit of info that may help you deal with your insurance: My insurance carrier would not authorize the VSG unless it was coupled with the by-pass. The Dr. had to write a letter to the insurance company that he was going to perform the VSG and after I had dropped some of the excess weight he would then perform a by-pass on me in order to get the rest of the weight off. I have no intention of having by-pass surgery (I have an extensive health history and the by-pass is something my oncologist said NO WAY on). This is basically circumventing the insurance company but it gets the VSG covered.
Good luck and, again, if I can be of any help please let me know.
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: RE: Looking for a good surgeon
Janet,
I had my wls done in Houston,Tx. by a Dr. Wongsa he no longer does this however if you search him you will find the name of the Dr. that does it in his place.
I asked ????? and all the paper work they done for me and than less 120 days I had wls.
If I can be of any help let me know.
Marilyn
I had my wls done in Houston,Tx. by a Dr. Wongsa he no longer does this however if you search him you will find the name of the Dr. that does it in his place.
I asked ????? and all the paper work they done for me and than less 120 days I had wls.
If I can be of any help let me know.
Marilyn
Topic: RE: Looking for a good surgeon
Thank you Katherine for your reply. I haven't called any surgeon yet, but I'm gathering all the information and getting questions ready for when i do. I know my insurance will cover the bypass and lap band, but I really don't want either of those procedures due to the complication of them. My sister had a bypass 6 years ago and didn't do to well with it. She lost weight, but has had lots of problems. I'm going to push for the VSG even though I know it will probably be denied the first time I try.
Does your surgeon have a website?
Does your surgeon have a website?
Topic: RE: Looking for a good surgeon
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Janet, welcome to the forum. My two cents concerning a surgeon.... I did a lot of on line research as I was looking for a surgeon who was, not only on top of the latest surgeries, I wanted a surgeon who had experience with VSG on someone who was a cancer survivor. For me it was a case of being in the right place at the right time.... I found a wonderful team of surgeons in Flagstaff, AZ. I went to information sessions, spoke one on one with the surgeon, had my oncologist check him out and give me the stamp of approval, spoke with several of his past patients and I spoke with his office staff. I also visited the hospital to make sure it was up to my standards (I admit, I'm picky when it comes to health care). I had surgery May 29, 2008 and I could not be happier. The care I received before surgery was just as wonderful as the care I have received since surgery. I was an "out-of-towner" to the Flagstaff area so my surgeons staff bent over backwards in getting me scheduled for all the test and office visits in a timely manner. My insurance put up a bit of a fight on covering the VSG surgery but, again, the staff worked very hard in getting everything approved. I spent two nights in the hospital and had excellent care. Today I am down 95 pounds and have a new life that is full of energy!
Janet, what ever your choice, please make sure it is, in fact, YOUR choice. There are many wonderful surgeons out there but if you are not comfortable with that individual then I would imagine there will be difficulties. As for your choice to have VSG, it is a relatively new procedure so you may run into some roadblocks with insurance but those roadblocks can be worked around. Please stay in touch and if I can be of any help, please let me know. The very best to you in your journey.
Katherine
Janet, what ever your choice, please make sure it is, in fact, YOUR choice. There are many wonderful surgeons out there but if you are not comfortable with that individual then I would imagine there will be difficulties. As for your choice to have VSG, it is a relatively new procedure so you may run into some roadblocks with insurance but those roadblocks can be worked around. Please stay in touch and if I can be of any help, please let me know. The very best to you in your journey.
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: Looking for a good surgeon
I've been wanting WLS for some time now. I've been putting it off and trying diets only to fail and gain the weight back and more. I'm at the heaviest I've been on my life and I'm miserable so here I am look for help. I live in Jemez Springs and I'm looking for a good surgeon. I would like to have a VSG done.
How did you find your surgeons? Any suggestions would be great....
How did you find your surgeons? Any suggestions would be great....
Topic: BariatricTV - Gobble Gobble
Hey gang -
Episode 5 is up.. The Thanksgiving episode with a yummy recipe for a SF pumpkin pie
www.bariatrictv.com
Episode 5 is up.. The Thanksgiving episode with a yummy recipe for a SF pumpkin pie
www.bariatrictv.com
~lynnda
Topic: RE: Where's your turkey?
I'm waiting for that phone call with the car engine running....
My turkey is in the fridge, finally thawed out. Just the two of us again for the holidays, so not much cooking to do. Besides the turkey, I'm making dressing (stuffed in the bird), potatoes and gravy, rolls and plain green beans. Hmmm, well at least I can eat the turkey and green beans. Oh yes, I'm making a pumpkin fluff type dessert with sf cool whip, a box of sf vanilla pudding and soy milk. I think that's all the ingredients, but have to check the recipe to be sure. Have a Happy Thanksgiving all and those of you that are traveling, be safe and have fun! Kelly
My turkey is in the fridge, finally thawed out. Just the two of us again for the holidays, so not much cooking to do. Besides the turkey, I'm making dressing (stuffed in the bird), potatoes and gravy, rolls and plain green beans. Hmmm, well at least I can eat the turkey and green beans. Oh yes, I'm making a pumpkin fluff type dessert with sf cool whip, a box of sf vanilla pudding and soy milk. I think that's all the ingredients, but have to check the recipe to be sure. Have a Happy Thanksgiving all and those of you that are traveling, be safe and have fun! Kelly
Topic: RE: Where's your turkey?
Happy Thanksgiving Katherine and all!! I get my second fill tomorrow in El Paso (pass the liquid turkey and pureed dressing please : ) )and then off to see my daughter and her family (whoo hoo--holding my grandkids!! yep pee!!) and then to see my son and his family (whoo hoo--holding my grandkids!! yep pee!!) I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!! Oh, yeah and other members of the family...I can't wait to see them all.
Hope you have a blast in Farmington and don't require bail money!! Just point towards Colorado and say "they went that way" and run like your pants are on fire!
Have fun, Debbie
Hope you have a blast in Farmington and don't require bail money!! Just point towards Colorado and say "they went that way" and run like your pants are on fire!
Have fun, Debbie
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