New with Questions

AmandaDay
on 4/22/09 3:14 pm - Colorado Springs, CO
First just wanted to say hello and congratulations on everyone's journey. I am new to this site and have thought about WLS for a long time now and have finally decided to take the fist steps! I do have a few questions if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.
1. has anyone has WLS in Colorado Springs? I am thinking about Dr, Nagy, or Dr. Fisher. any suggestions?
2. I have called the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator and scheduled my classes, is there anything else I should be doing? I am not getting many answers when it comes to the correct process to do this.
Thank you in advance for your help!
carlak
on 4/22/09 10:08 pm - Bradenton, FL
Amanda,
You are doing the right thing. Go to a seminar first, or better yet call your insurance and see if they even cover WLS.
You are on the right road to a new you!!!!!
I had my surgery 7 yearsago and lost about 145 pounds.
Carla
image hosting site

Pat A.
on 4/22/09 11:15 pm - Ewing, KY
Good morning, Amanda.......There are so many nice people on this board that have had WLS.  I'm sure they will be checking in soon.  I'm from the Littleton area.  I had my RNY on 08/11/08 and I've lost 112 lbs now, still working on it.  I think each doc has a different routine that they have us to follow.  So, you will soon see from those gals.  Good luck to you in your journey, it's a wonderful way to a new life.
Pat A

 

      
ravengrrl
on 4/23/09 1:43 am - Thornton, CO
Well, my experience with Dr. Georgescu has been pretty good.  I went to the Introduction to Weight Loss Surgery Seminar he does at North Suburban and his office put together a folder of informatioin as well as a flow chart type thing that lists the steps to getting surgery.  I would start out by calling your insurance provider to be sure they cover Weight Loss Surgery and what their requirements are for getting it (some require a 6 month supervised diet).  That way you know ahead of time and aren't dissapointed. 

Then, find out from the nurse coordinator what you can be doing now to prepare for surgery.  I have scheduled most of my pre-op tests, surgery orientation class, and surgical consult. 

I am starting to cut things out like caffeine and sugar as well as starting to look into vitamins and protein shakes.  The more things you investigate and cut out before surgery, the easier things will be post op.  Who wants to spend time and money figuring out which protein mix you like or dealing with caffeine withdrawal after you've had surgery?

If you feel you aren't getting the answers you need from your doctor's office or if they are reluctant to answer your questions, I'd look for another doctor.

Kristen

http://theincredibleshrinkingfattie.wordpress.com/ H/W: 375, S/W: 300, C/W: 285



suzette50
on 4/23/09 1:51 am - Colorado Springs, CO
I had surgery with Dr. Scott Fisher on 8-12-08. Fran is the head lady and leads the seminar on RNY or lapband.Please feel free to contact me and we can chat.
suzette50

                                         ONWARD   &    DOWNWARD
                                                        Suzette50                      
                                                                                                                                                      

ScorpioMama77
on 4/24/09 5:58 am - Pueblo, CO
Have you decided on which type of surgery you want?

When I was looking into RNY, I was leaning toward either Dr. Snyder in Denver or Dr. Chae at Lone Tree (right outside of Denver.)  They both have great reviews and have performed numerous RNY procedures.  I know there are docs in the Springs, but I was able to find more info on those two surgeons.  If I hadn't researched further & decided that the Duodenal Switch surgery would work better for me, I would have gone with one of them. 

The correct process will depend largely on your insurance company.  You'll need to find out what your policy covers regarding WLS.  Are there specific exclusions?  Will you need a referral from your PCP?  Will you have to get a letter of medical necessity?  Will it need to be from your PCP or your surgeon?  Will you have to provide a 5-year history of obesity or do a medically supervised diet or documentation of previous non-surgical treatment?  Different companies have different requirements.

Once you get those specifics, I would research carefully which type of surgery you want.  There are forums here on several different kinds.  There are options other than just RNY or LapBand, which are the two most common.  Look at things like dietary needs post-op, the kind of changes you'll have to make in your eating habits, long-term success rates, average excess weight loss, etc.  Once you decide which surgery would work best for you, browse through the surgeons page & check out reviews.  Once you pick one, call their office & find out what they require for a new patient.  Most will send you paperwork to fill out and schedule you for a consult.

Ask a ton of questions & make sure you're well educated about the surgery itself and the kinds of lifestyle changes you'll have to make.

Best of luck to you!
huskerfan85
on 4/26/09 10:30 am - Colorado Springs, CO
Amanda, I ABSOULTLEY LOVE  Dr. Nagy. He has a great bedside manner, and will bend over backwards to make sure you understand.  He did my WLS, and in December took out my gall bladder.  He made me spend the night in the hospital, but wrote it up so that I was only charged out patient prices for the gall bladder...He is super, if you want more information, feel free to PM Me.!!!  good luck
Gayle  6'2" 

AmandaDay
on 4/28/09 12:40 pm - Colorado Springs, CO
Thank you all for your replies, I am feeling better about having surgery after talking to many of you.
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