A few questions from a newbie-

I think I have found out what I need to do to have this surgery.. I have applied for an insurance policy that SHOULD cover it! (It only has exclusions for cosmetic reasons.. and I fit all the other criteria) So wish me luck! I HOPE HOPE HOPE I get approved! Anyway, I called and talked to a couple of surgeons, and one of them mentioned that it was standard procedure to remover the gallbladder. I know he knows what he is doing, but is that REALLY standard? Did you all have yours removed? Also.. I think I am most terrified of waking up with a tube down my throat. Is THAT normal? I have been reading profiles, and some mention having one, some don't. I WANTED Dr Kenneth Jones, but he isn't on the list.. so I am looking at Drs Norwood or Merriman. Anyone have any experiences with them? BAD OR GOOD! I am so nervous and scared.. and excited. I REALLY hope things start working out! TIA!

Kimberly, Are you applying for an individual health ins. policy? Most individual policies won't insure someone that is overweight. I used to work for an ins. company and someone lied about their weight to get an individual policy. She was approved for surgery and had the surgery. Before the ins. co. paid, they found out she lied on her application and did not pay for the surgery. She now is being sued for the cost of the surgery by the doctor and hospital. I think your best bet is to change jobs because group ins. can't refuse to insure you. Good luck! Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04

Lynn- I am applying for an individual policy. I put my correct info on there, so if they do not cover me then I will do something else. My husband has already told me that he would work a second job to get the insurance I need. Unfortunatly we have the same insurance I am applying for, but the city has added an exclusion for WLS. It is the insurance companies policy that they offer the WLS to all policies though... Grr to our work. :-@ All I can do is hope that I get it. What insurance company did you work for? Lisa- Tia= Thanks in advance :-D Thanks for the heads up about Dr Norwood... How scary :-o I hope everyone is doing alright now... Anyone else have any problems with either dr? Advice? What about the gallbladder? Was it removed? Thanks!

One of my aunt's will always have trouble. She keeps getting adhesions on her intestines. They have had to remove several feet of her intestines. She is alot better though now. Lisa

Tia, Dr Jones did mine. Please do not use Dr Norwood. I have had several family that had him to do theirs and they have had nothing but trouble. My aunt almost died. When I woke up, I didn't remember a tube being down my throat. It is normal to have all of those emotions. I wish you the best of luck!

I haven't had my surgery yet but I am using Dr. Merriman and he is wonderful. Haven't heard any thing but good about him.

Thanks and good luck on your surgery!

I am just staring the process o flooking into my insurance for blessings. I have a few other medical problems that would actually get better if I lost about 80 lbs or so. Rhuemetoid arthritis in many of my joints, screws and a box and fusion in my back, lupus, depression, stable menstral cycle, and the list goes on. Gotta wait till Hubby heals from his VSG first though. Don't even want to think of being denied. Just gonna focus on him and getting him up and running. Chow for Now

I didn't have my gallbladder removed and just had it taken out 4 weeks ago. Some doctors take it out because patients have an increased risk of developing stones later. As far as the tube, I had trouble coming out of anesthesia, but don't remember being intubated.

Hi, I'm a newbie as well but there are some insurance companies out there that will insure you if you are overweight. Of course the premiums are much higher. You just have to consider premiums versus procedure costs. Also, and I don't know your financial state but there are banks that will finance the surgery up to ten years. I mean if we can by a new car, what about a new life? Good luck!