I am driving myself crazy!!!

Hi there I am starting to drive myself crazy, I am 3 months into my medically supervised diet  I am on OHP and they require you to be on the health plan for 6 months before they will approve surgery.  Anyway, I thought I would totally go Rny with Dr Tersigne and I have been waiting for them to become a ccenter of excellence in Medicare/caid standards.  Here of late I have been seriously considering wether I should do the DS.  I am not really hop to going to OHSU just because my mom had terrable service there.  Mainly the nurses.  They were so busy that she was throwing up and no one came.  I had a feeling to call her and she was crying and had puke everywhere.  I hung up with her and then called the nurses station by phone and asked them why in the hell is my mom being ignored???  They finally got to her   My mom had colon cancer and she had a long painfull surgery.  Anyway, I am so afraid of the same kind of treatment.   I am also unsure if Medicare covers the DS.  So I still have research to complete.  I leave messages with them with my home and cell phone and they take a few days to call me and it is always when I am out and they never call my cell!!!  Frustrating.  I just dont know what to do.  I was excited about Tersigne because he doesnt make you do a sleep study and a few other tests that others make you do.  It doesnt make since to me to do a sleep study if you dont have problems sleeping.  I amnot sure what I am asking other that I need help on who to call and what to do next.  I live in Bend so going to seminars everywhere is expensive gas wise and childcare wise.   Thanks again for just letting me ramble Chris

I had my DS at OHSU and received very good nursing care.  I would go back there again.

Sleep studies are important to experienced WL surgeons because they want to ensure that those who are diagnosed with sleep apnea are being treated.  Plus, surgeons do not want complications due to undiagnosed sleep apnea.  My own surgeon wants to ensure that those who use CPAP/BiPAP machines are compliant with them; otherwise, he will not perform the surgery. Dr. T is taking chances of possible respiratory complications because of undiagnosed sleep apnea. Medicare covers the following: - BPD/DS aka DS (Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch) (lap and open) - RNY (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) (lap and open) - AGB aka Lap-Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding) (lap only)

Each procedure must be performed in Medicare-approved (as in Center of Excellence) facilities.  For a listing of them, click on this link: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.as p#TopOfPage

Medicare does not cover the following: - VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) (lap and open) - VBG (Vertical Gastric Banding) - AGB aka Lap-Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding) (open only) - Gastric Balloon - Intestinal Bypass

Source: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewncd.asp?ncd_id=100.1&ncd_vers ion=2&basket=ncd%3A100%2E1%3A2%3ABariatric+Surgery+for+Treat ment+of+Morbid+Obesity The fact that Medicare covers DS does not necessarily mean that the state Medicaid would cover it.  I did notice that OHP covers only RNY and lap-band but not DS.

Vicki, Thankyou so much for taking so much time and detail for me!!!  I am feeling a bit helpless and just really needing someone to point me in the right directions.  I have read your profile and have been keeping tabs on you and was starting to worry about you so I was very relieved to see your post yesterday.  Isnt it great that we are able to support and pray for and worry about people that we dont know but yet feel so protective over?? I am pretty sure OHP doesnt cover the DS.  I have applied for Soc Sec due to a severe knee injury and some other problems.  Also Dr Tersigne treats all of his patients as if they have sleep apnea during surgery and after.  Most obese people have it and so I think he just plays it safe in treating everyone as if they have it.  I personally dont think I have it but I guess alot of people think that but if I have done my research, sleep apnea resolves pretty quickly for most people after surgery.  I could be wrong though.  I am going to check out your websites and get moving on this.  I just really wish I could do this locally instead of driving.  Gas prices are so high and I drive a vehicle that only gets about 15 miles to gallon.  It just stinks and isnt getting any better.  Again vicki thanks for replying.  I know that you are sore.  Actually how sore are you???  I am curious.  Is it super painfull??  Are you still on Pain meds??  What pain meds do you have to take??  I actually already take about 4 vicodin a day due to chronic pain and Fibro.  so I am curious as to what is given after surgery because vicodin probably wouldnt work for me.  I am so happy for you that you have gotten your sugery and you are on your way to a new healthy happy skinny life.  I cant wait  I am 5ft 10 and 285.  I hate being this weight!!! Take care, Chris

Hi Chris, I had RNY at OHSU with Dr. Deveney as my surgeon on 11/28/07.  The nurses at the hospital were WONDERFUL.  I had absolutely no complaints.  I also had virtually no pain.  Surgery on Wednesday morning, home on Friday afternoon, and stopped ALL pain meds on Sunday.  The only reason I took them that long was because the Dr. recommended it. I hope you are able to work out all the problems with the insurance.  I know it can be very frustrating.  I would really recommend a sleep study however.  My surgeon told me that it is imperative for the surgeons to know if the patient has sleep apnea at all because they can die during surgery if they do, and the surgery team doesn't know about it.  I had to take my cpap machine with me to the hospital and use it there, but had no problems at all.  Best of luck to you, and keep on with your journey.  Sharon