Hi, new here...
Hi everyone,
I'm new here, been lurking/reading for a while... finally decided to dive in. >nervously<
I am just beginning my journey. I have attended the seminar and have had my first visit with the nurse practitioner at my surgeons office. I was given my 'binder' and all my scripts for the testing. I have not yet done the testing but plan to soon. Kinda bugged out about the stool sample thing. lol Once I figure that part out, I will head over and start the testing.
I am scheduled for my first visit to see my surgeon on Sept. 24. Fortunately for me, I am also scheduled to see the NUT and the Psych the same day. I also need to attend a support group meeting, I hope to have that done before I meet with Dr. B.
I am nervous about starting this journey but excited too. I worry that I may not get approved or that I may run into complications etc, but I am sure that is normal. Anyhow, I am looking to meet some supportive people, ask questions, learn as I go... and take my steps one by one.
If you have BC/BS Personal Choice FLEX PPO I would love to hear how your approval/denial process went etc... I would also love to hear stories from people who have had the same surgeon and the same surgery.
Also, this might seem a bit insignificant but I've been wondering something... I have 4 children and (among other things) the '24 hour pukey tummy bug' usually makes its rounds in our household each year. How do we handle something like that after having this surgery? Is anything any different? I have horrible mental images! >yikes<
Thanks everyone and look forward to taking this walk with you.
~M
I'm new here, been lurking/reading for a while... finally decided to dive in. >nervously<
I am just beginning my journey. I have attended the seminar and have had my first visit with the nurse practitioner at my surgeons office. I was given my 'binder' and all my scripts for the testing. I have not yet done the testing but plan to soon. Kinda bugged out about the stool sample thing. lol Once I figure that part out, I will head over and start the testing.
I am scheduled for my first visit to see my surgeon on Sept. 24. Fortunately for me, I am also scheduled to see the NUT and the Psych the same day. I also need to attend a support group meeting, I hope to have that done before I meet with Dr. B.
I am nervous about starting this journey but excited too. I worry that I may not get approved or that I may run into complications etc, but I am sure that is normal. Anyhow, I am looking to meet some supportive people, ask questions, learn as I go... and take my steps one by one.
If you have BC/BS Personal Choice FLEX PPO I would love to hear how your approval/denial process went etc... I would also love to hear stories from people who have had the same surgeon and the same surgery.
Also, this might seem a bit insignificant but I've been wondering something... I have 4 children and (among other things) the '24 hour pukey tummy bug' usually makes its rounds in our household each year. How do we handle something like that after having this surgery? Is anything any different? I have horrible mental images! >yikes<
Thanks everyone and look forward to taking this walk with you.
~M
Hi and welcome,
I am not sure where you are located in the state, but there is a ton of face to face support in the Southeastern part of the state, as well as the Lehigh Valley area. The Pittsburgh area also had a lot of face to face support.
I have just plain Personal Choice, and I had my surgery three years ago. Not sure what you want to know.
Feel free to ask questions. The PA Forum is the best on the boards.
Trish
I am not sure where you are located in the state, but there is a ton of face to face support in the Southeastern part of the state, as well as the Lehigh Valley area. The Pittsburgh area also had a lot of face to face support.
I have just plain Personal Choice, and I had my surgery three years ago. Not sure what you want to know.
Feel free to ask questions. The PA Forum is the best on the boards.
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Hi Trish,
Thank you for the welcome. :-)
I am in Northwestern Pa.. Lafayette Hill, Montg., County. I have not figured out how to list my area on my profile yet.
My husband called our insurance with the VSG code, 43843, that was given to us during the seminar. I was told by the rep that it was a covered proceedure. I have not yet run into anyone with my insurance who actually had this surgery covered. Just looking to ease my mind a bit. ((I am a worrier and tend to overthink things.)) Lucky me! lol
Thank you for the welcome. :-)
I am in Northwestern Pa.. Lafayette Hill, Montg., County. I have not figured out how to list my area on my profile yet.
My husband called our insurance with the VSG code, 43843, that was given to us during the seminar. I was told by the rep that it was a covered proceedure. I have not yet run into anyone with my insurance who actually had this surgery covered. Just looking to ease my mind a bit. ((I am a worrier and tend to overthink things.)) Lucky me! lol
Welcome!
I know there are others who have had Bonnani as their surgeon...of course at the moment I can't remember who..but I'm sure they will poke in and say hello!
As far as the stomach bug thing is concerned...well I am one who cannot vomit since surgery. No matter if it is illness related or eating to fast or eating something I shouldn't have (which you would think wouldn't be an issue but I will confess is at times....) no matter what the cause...I don't vomit and yes there are times I wish I could....because sometimes the overwhelming feeling of nausea is worse than actually throwing up!
However...some have been able to vomit without issues since day one - so my "problem" may not be what you experience.
Can't wait to learn more about you!
Pam
I know there are others who have had Bonnani as their surgeon...of course at the moment I can't remember who..but I'm sure they will poke in and say hello!
As far as the stomach bug thing is concerned...well I am one who cannot vomit since surgery. No matter if it is illness related or eating to fast or eating something I shouldn't have (which you would think wouldn't be an issue but I will confess is at times....) no matter what the cause...I don't vomit and yes there are times I wish I could....because sometimes the overwhelming feeling of nausea is worse than actually throwing up!
However...some have been able to vomit without issues since day one - so my "problem" may not be what you experience.
Can't wait to learn more about you!
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Hi Pam, Thank you for the welcome! :-)
I would very much love to meet people who have had Dr. B! I hope they do peek in! He was at the seminar and seemed like a real nice guy.
I am not a vomit-er by nature. I try to hold back at all cost even if I feel like dying, so I am a little weary of that part. I just wasn't sure how the tummy bug or other seasonal illnesses would affect the new tummy.
I would very much love to meet people who have had Dr. B! I hope they do peek in! He was at the seminar and seemed like a real nice guy.
I am not a vomit-er by nature. I try to hold back at all cost even if I feel like dying, so I am a little weary of that part. I just wasn't sure how the tummy bug or other seasonal illnesses would affect the new tummy.
Hi M,
Welcome to the PA Forum of OH, you will get all the online support you need from the many people who post here, though most of us have had RNY and not the VSG procedure, so you might want to check out that board as well, though I've no familiarity with it, but I believe the journey is basically similar enough, though from my understanding, you will be able to eat more things then we supposedly can and I think there is more vitamins involved with your procedure.
Anyway, we are glad to have you and not sure exactly where you are located, but there are plenty of support groups that meet on the Eastern side of PA and a some, like Liz' cooking support group, are done in homes and she is further west (I think). . .
Not having the same insurance or procedure, I am not familiar with that part of things, sure someone will be able to share that portion with you.
It's an exciting, though sometimes frustrating journey, but I have not heard anyone say they would not be willing to do it again!
Best wishes as you proceed on this journey towards healthier and hopefully, more fulfilling life!
Laureen
Welcome to the PA Forum of OH, you will get all the online support you need from the many people who post here, though most of us have had RNY and not the VSG procedure, so you might want to check out that board as well, though I've no familiarity with it, but I believe the journey is basically similar enough, though from my understanding, you will be able to eat more things then we supposedly can and I think there is more vitamins involved with your procedure.
Anyway, we are glad to have you and not sure exactly where you are located, but there are plenty of support groups that meet on the Eastern side of PA and a some, like Liz' cooking support group, are done in homes and she is further west (I think). . .
Not having the same insurance or procedure, I am not familiar with that part of things, sure someone will be able to share that portion with you.
It's an exciting, though sometimes frustrating journey, but I have not heard anyone say they would not be willing to do it again!
Best wishes as you proceed on this journey towards healthier and hopefully, more fulfilling life!
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
Hi Laureen, (very pretty name by the way). Thank you for the wonderful welcome!
I am in northwestern Pa., in Lafayette Hill.
I have chosen the VSG because I have a chromosomal blood disorder which requires me to take daily aspirin (small baby dose) as well as a large dose of folic acid daily. I am very concerned about the intestinal rerouting/ absorption issues for these reasons but I plan to discuss all this with Dr. B when I see him.
I look forward to meeting more people!
I am in northwestern Pa., in Lafayette Hill.
I have chosen the VSG because I have a chromosomal blood disorder which requires me to take daily aspirin (small baby dose) as well as a large dose of folic acid daily. I am very concerned about the intestinal rerouting/ absorption issues for these reasons but I plan to discuss all this with Dr. B when I see him.
I look forward to meeting more people!
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