MEDICAID & DR. BELLOWS

HI ALL,

I AM NEW NOT ONLY TO THIS FORUM BUT ON MY JOURNEY TO A NEW HEALTHIER ME. I HAVE HAD MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH MY PHYSICIAN *****FERRED ME TO DR. BELLOWS OFFICE FOR THE LAP-BAND PROCEDURE. I HAVE A VISIT SCHEDULED WITH VANESSA LANDRY ON JANUARY 10TH. I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD EXPECT AS FAR AS MY FIRST VISIT WITH VANESSA AND ALSO HOW THE MEDICAID APPLICATION PROCESS AND APPROVAL WORKS. THANKS FOR ANY ANSWERS!

Hey, I'm having surgery on March 21 through Dr. Bellows. I have some news for you.... he doesnt do lap band, he does VSG only .. reason for this is... the band isnt very succesful, it has had many many problems. Are you on Medicaid?... if so I can help you sort through alot of the red tape.
louisianawench

Yes, I have Medicaid. I would appreciate any help that you can give me! Thank you.

Ok first off is a referral from your pcp. Not just any referral. It has to state that you have been on a weight lose plan. Low calorie for 6 months are longer or belonged to weigh****chers, atkins or any other weight lose plan or clinic. Have copies of your last 6 months to a year pcp office visits notes, you can get these copies from your pcp. Fact is with medicaid you have to have evidence. Also do you have athritis, sleep apnea, hypertension or any other disease that is weight related... if so make sure it is included on the referral and include documentation. On your first visit at Bellows's office you will meet two wonderful people they are Shiela and Vanessa. These nurses will tell you what has to be completed before you can apply for approval from medicaid. PLEASE listen to them, they are very knowledgable. If they tell you that you have to drop x amount of pounds.... DO IT!!!....
My journey was a visit to a Psychiatrist, a sleep study, a Nutritionist, a Physical therapist and my final visit will be to a Cardiologist for pre-op clearance. I think all of Bellows's patients basically go through same regime.
From your first visit till time of surgery is about 8 months sometimes a little longer, some may view this as a long wait but in reality it a VERY GOOD thing. First off, being overweight means your liver is bigger than normal. If your liver is to big, NO SURGERY.... You have alot of time to work on reducing its size. Do this by cutting down on sugar and carbs and loading up on high protien foods. High protien shakes help out alot with this issue. Also start walking alot, this will help reduce any blood clots after surgery. If there is anything else I can help you with... just ask.
louisianawench

 Hi.  I see you are a patients of Dr. Bellows with Medicaid.  I have the same situation.  You are further along than me though.  I spoke to Vanessa on Friday and she was suppose to submit everything to Medicaid today for me.  (Fingers crossed that she actually did it.) She said they have a few cancellations in March and that if I am approved in time, I may get to take on of those spots.  How long did it take you to hear back from Medicaid?  My first visit to Dr. Bellow's office was on August 2!  This is a long process but I know it is worth the wait.  I am just anxious!!  I am so ready to be skinny!

 Did you ever get your letter with preop appointment yet? I did not recieve mine yet!

Thanks! That helped me to know what to expect. I recently got a new pcp *****ferred me to dr.bellows, but they are new so I don't have the last six months worth of visits with them. I don't think that I have any of those medical problems, but my pcp will be doing test to figure that out for me on wednesday. Thank you for your help so far!

I don't have medicaid but I had a patient that went to Dr Bellows and got the sleeve. She had medicaid she said it took about a month from the time she applied for vsg for medicaid to approve it. Well I work on the med surg floor at tulane on 5 east which is where Dr Bellows patients usually go after surgery. I hope to see the new sleeved you soon!

Than you both very much. I just wanted to come and update, when the office scheduled me my appointment I somehow ended up with the wrong information and was scheduled to see Vanessa on a day that she was not there, so my new appointment is on February 28th. A minor setback, however I am being very patient as this is somethng that I want so so bad! Again, thanks to all for the support I feel very at home on this site!

My pre-op apt is feb 28 at 1:00 I also have
pre-admit appt on that same day a little earlier
at 10:00 am