Recent Posts
Topic: Tried Some Tuna Fish For Dinner Tonight....
.....And paid the price.
Details here.
If you want, I can partially quote the post. No problem at all.
Topic: plastic surgeons
Does anyone recommend any one surgeon in the Colorado Springs area for the skin reduction surgery? This doctor needs to be able to accept insurance as well. I did visit with one, but he does not bill out insurance. Thanks!
Topic: RE: support groups in Pueblo or Colorado Springs
This is the website for the Penrose WLS support group. I don't think it is updated very often but there is contact info on it. Also, you can contact Fran and she can tell you the schedule. If you need her number, send me a PM and I will send it to you.
http://groups.msn.com/PenroseHospitalWLSSupportGroup
Topic: support groups in Pueblo or Colorado Springs
Can anyone tell me if there are support group meetings in Pueblo or Colorado Springs, and when? Thank you.
Topic: RE: Moving to Greeley
My daughter lived in Greeley for 4 years. Stay away from the Greeley Mall area it is not such a good area.
Not sure of the good areas. I would contact a realator or a rental agency and see where the good areas are. CArla formerly of Centennial Colorado now a transplant to Bradenton Florida
Topic: RE: New with LOTS of questions!!
Now I'll make my attempt to answer your questions (Hopefully these are still in time).
1). It took nearly a year because I'm on Medicaid & Medicare (Medicare primary) and when I first called CBSI, they were in the process of becoming a Medicare approved bariatric clinic at the time.
2). No. In fact, Dr. Metz told me all they needed to do was submit some paperwork and *VOILA!* - Instant approval.
3). It took a few months. But most of that was gathering information from my other two doctors at Rose (One of which is my PCP).
4). Nope.
5). I saw just about the whole crew. I'm not sure who you're going through (You never mentioned that in your post), but if you go through CBSI at PSL, you WILL get the proverbial "red carpet" treatment as they'll make sure you see the whole crew (Or at least those who are there at the time).
6). I did lose a little weight just before surgery but I figured the best way to keep it off was to undergo the surgery anyway.
Hope this helps.....
Cheers
On February 10, 2008 at 8:41 AM Pacific Time, HaloEcho wrote:
I've recently made an appt for a consult to have lap band surgery, and have been trying to do as much research as I can before that appt (3/7/08) so that I can go in with informed questions. Also, I don't want to find out a bunch of new info that day and start questioning whether or not I want to do this. For example, I read that you should avoid carbonated drinks after surgery, and for a major Dt. Coke addict that was a bit of a shock. But at this point there is very little I wouldn't give up to get rid of this weight, so I know it would be worth it. Anyway, I've been reviewing messages for some time tonight, and have many questions for those of you who have had the surgery or are close. I would love to hear from anybody who can answer one, some, or all of my Q's. Thanks in advance!!
1.) How long did it take you to get in for a consult?
2.) Were you denied by insurance, and if so why or how did you resolve it?
3.) How long was it between your first consult and the actual surgery? (this one I've really been wondering about)
4.) Was there anything that happened after the surgery that you weren't expecting?
5.) What was the process between the first consult, and the surgery itself (like psych testing, having to go through a diet program, what/how long is the pre-op diet, etc.)?
6.) Did you lose any weight between the initial consult and your surgery, and did that affect anything about your surgery?
I know this is a lot of questions, but in my control-freak mind I would like to know exactly how things may go so that I can be a bit more prepared for it. I know that everyone is different, so I don't expect anyone to be able to guarantee how my process might work. But to tell you how uninformed I am, I got on this board today thinking that if my first consult is on March 7th, and I qualify by the surgeon's and insurance co's guidelines, maybe I could get in for surgery by the end of March when I have a week off work. Uuummm, that hardly seems like it's very realistic based on the length of time most people waited. So I thought I would just ask and try to get a handle on what the norm is.
Thanks so much for reading this, and helping me on this journey. I appreciate all your support, and am so happy to have found this site.
Thanks~
*Angel1). It took nearly a year because I'm on Medicaid & Medicare (Medicare primary) and when I first called CBSI, they were in the process of becoming a Medicare approved bariatric clinic at the time.
2). No. In fact, Dr. Metz told me all they needed to do was submit some paperwork and *VOILA!* - Instant approval.
3). It took a few months. But most of that was gathering information from my other two doctors at Rose (One of which is my PCP).
4). Nope.
5). I saw just about the whole crew. I'm not sure who you're going through (You never mentioned that in your post), but if you go through CBSI at PSL, you WILL get the proverbial "red carpet" treatment as they'll make sure you see the whole crew (Or at least those who are there at the time).
6). I did lose a little weight just before surgery but I figured the best way to keep it off was to undergo the surgery anyway.
Hope this helps.....
Cheers
Topic: RE: Surgery at PSL or Dr. Metz??
I too wasn't all that overly impressed with the hospital itself. The left hand almost NEVER knew what the right hand was doing when it came to what meds I need to take and when (They operated on THEIR OWN friggin' schedule rather than mine). 
Classic example of what I mean.....
I have to take a potassium supplement to assist my anti-sezure meds with guarding against seizures as I have Epilepsy and many other ailments as well. Instead of giving me 90 mg. of potassium (Which is what I normally take each night), they gave me something like THREE TO FOUR TIMES that amount. And EVEN THEN I had to have the nurse order it from the pharmacy.
When he finally gave it to me, THE STUFF TASTED LIKE CRAP!!!
The therapists were okay though. Heck, even the OT therapist offered to walk me around. I took her up on the offer and did what I always did there. Just take a short jaunt past the nurses station and back around to my room.
The nurses came fairly quickly whenever I or my roommate needed them, so no problems there. Though when my roommate was hauled off to surgery and never came back, NO ONE bothered to secure his stuff. Fortunately I was there practically the whole time and would've seen anyone trying to take it. I thought the man had died in the OR or something (Not that I really cared or anything, but geez!).
And to top it all off, the railing next to the toilet and bath tub was loose. I told AT LEAST one of the nurses about it. Did they do anything about it? NO! Maybe they need to wait till somebody sues them or something, I dunno.
Rose is MUCH better at handling the distribution of medications than PSL seems to be.
And here's the final clincher....Admin. staff at PSL called me TWICE to get the info. on my meds. and when I take them, yet during my stay what did they do? FOLLOW THEIR OWN FRIGGIN' SCHEDULE!!!
To them and the pharmacy staff, it was TO HELL with the patient's schedule.
Ohh yeah, I too was kept on the clear liquid diet by hospital staff after surgery.
CBSI needs to do a better job in COMMUNICATING to the hospital that we need to be on the pureed diet immediately after surgery just as the guide says. Just a little feedback there guys.
So there you have it. My story of my stay at PSL
On March 6, 2008 at 9:33 AM Pacific Time, kix wrote:
Dr, Brown did my surgery, and I'd recommend him to anyone. I can't imagine Dr. Metz would be any different, although he came on board after I had my surgery.
As for PSL, I wasn't pleased at all with my hospital stay. My nurses were lazy and I had to beg them to help me up so I could start walking after surgery (as Dr. Brown said we should do). They brought me sugared Jello and juice for my first post-op meal.
When I'd push the call button, the nurses wouldn't come to the room, they'd ask via intercom, "What do you need?" A classmate from surgery class had surgery the same day as me and her experience with PSL nurses was as bad.
Not only that, the person who cleaned the rooms didn't clean them in a very sanitary manner. She mopped the bathroom floor first and then the hospital room floor without cleaning the mop or dipping the mop in any cleaning solution. Ugh.
My surgery was uneventful, so after Day 2 of marginal care at PSL, I told Dr. Brown I wanted to go home! He was fine with it, thank goodness.
I've also been a patient at St. Joe's. Yes, the hospital is old and tired, but you won't find better nursing care anywhere. The nurses are responsive and caring, and the support staff also treat patients with dignity and kindness. I will be glad when they build a new St. Joe's!
Another friend had her surgery with Dr. Chae at Sky Ridge, and she loves him to death. Sky Ridge is a brand new hospital, but I have heard different opinions as far as nursing care. I can't speak to it personally, though.
Kix
Classic example of what I mean.....
I have to take a potassium supplement to assist my anti-sezure meds with guarding against seizures as I have Epilepsy and many other ailments as well. Instead of giving me 90 mg. of potassium (Which is what I normally take each night), they gave me something like THREE TO FOUR TIMES that amount. And EVEN THEN I had to have the nurse order it from the pharmacy.
When he finally gave it to me, THE STUFF TASTED LIKE CRAP!!!
The therapists were okay though. Heck, even the OT therapist offered to walk me around. I took her up on the offer and did what I always did there. Just take a short jaunt past the nurses station and back around to my room.
The nurses came fairly quickly whenever I or my roommate needed them, so no problems there. Though when my roommate was hauled off to surgery and never came back, NO ONE bothered to secure his stuff. Fortunately I was there practically the whole time and would've seen anyone trying to take it. I thought the man had died in the OR or something (Not that I really cared or anything, but geez!).
And to top it all off, the railing next to the toilet and bath tub was loose. I told AT LEAST one of the nurses about it. Did they do anything about it? NO! Maybe they need to wait till somebody sues them or something, I dunno.
Rose is MUCH better at handling the distribution of medications than PSL seems to be.
And here's the final clincher....Admin. staff at PSL called me TWICE to get the info. on my meds. and when I take them, yet during my stay what did they do? FOLLOW THEIR OWN FRIGGIN' SCHEDULE!!!
To them and the pharmacy staff, it was TO HELL with the patient's schedule.
Ohh yeah, I too was kept on the clear liquid diet by hospital staff after surgery.
CBSI needs to do a better job in COMMUNICATING to the hospital that we need to be on the pureed diet immediately after surgery just as the guide says. Just a little feedback there guys.
So there you have it. My story of my stay at PSL
Topic: RE: Surgery at PSL or Dr. Metz??
You must've been there at the same time I was Susan as my lap band surgery was also March 6th.
March 6th @ 7:30 AM (5:30 AM arrival in AM Admissions).
Talk about a small world.....
Cheers
On February 19, 2008 at 6:56 PM Pacific Time, BellaLuna wrote:
Hi Angel,
I've had an initial consultation with Dr. Metz, and after that consultation, I scheduled surgery for March 6. Dr. Metz is young, but he seems very competent, and his training is tops. I chose him because he has some experience in the gastric sleeve (VSG) which is the surgery I wanted. I debated about also seeing another more experienced surgeon, but after meeting Dr. Metz, I felt confident in his abilities, so I canceled my other appointment.
Oh...and if you send him an e-mail....he answers it!
So, I guess you saw him today? What did you think? What kind of surgery are you having?
SusanMarch 6th @ 7:30 AM (5:30 AM arrival in AM Admissions).
Talk about a small world.....
Cheers
Topic: RE: Surgery at PSL or Dr. Metz??
Dr. Metz is Dr. Brown's partner. In fact, THE ONLY time I've ever met Dr. Brown was the day I checked out of the hospital (Dr. Metz performed my surgery though I'm sure Dr. Brown was somewhere in the same OR).
Hope this helps & isn't too late....
Cheers
On February 18, 2008 at 9:38 AM Pacific Time, HaloEcho wrote:
Just wondering if anybody had their WLS at Presbyterian/St. Lukes? I have an appt w/Dr. Metz for next Tues, and though I've heard good things about PSL and Dr. Brown, I don't know anything about Dr. Metz. I also have an appt w/Dr. Chae down by Skyridge, but it's not until 3/7. I see some people on here have had him and really liked him & his staff. Anybody want to share their opinion??
Thanks~
*AngelHope this helps & isn't too late....
Cheers
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