I am new, will be going to first seminar 1/5/05
I am new to this but have been considering this for over two years. I will be going to my first seminar in January. I have just seen my pcp this week, he wants me to see a nutritionist and might try diet pills next month. All of this is necessary so that I can have 6 months of documentation. Has everyone else gone down this same road. I would like to know exactly what happens after surgery
Well, after surgery you hurt, the degree depends on whther you had open or laproscopic and your own personal tolerance to pain. The pain is not unbearable nor does it last forever. In my case, I then cried a little bit as I fought head hunger and then I found a good remedy for battling hunger in your mind:exercise.
And by time you no longer hurt and you're mentally doing better, well then folks start complimenting you on how good you look and ask you how in the world did you lose so much weight. I had open RNY ten weeks ago this coming Tuesday and I am sure my path isn't cookie cutter to everyone elses, but thought I'd throw my 2 cents worht in.
Make sure during your 6 month physician diet your PCP docuemnts it well.
Best of luck to you and keep this site in your favorites as its a wonderful tool for research and support.
Kelly
383/363.5/303/165
I work for the insurance company I have coverage through and I still had to appeal my case to get my surgery paid for. What my surgeon's office didn't tell me was you need to be weighed a minimum of every month and the physician needs to make a note to the effect that you have come in for weight management, what type of diet you are following (1800 calorie ADA, 1200 calorie, etc), and other management tips such as diet pills, exercising (make sure they document what, how often, and how long), and it would look good if they sent you to a dieticien early in the diet. If you have all that you shouldn't have problems.
Good luck.
Kelly
GINA...
First and foremost, "congratulations" on making what I think will be a lifechanging decision! I am replying to you as I just went to my seminar here in Knoxville back in November. I was totally impressed with Dr. Campbell who is just now putting together the WLS program at St. Mary's Medical Center here in Knoxville. My PCP is 100% behind me. My psychological exam is scheduled for mid-January and I expect my first in-office consultation with Dr. Campbell (surgeon) around that time as well.
I am also replying to your posting because, like you, I have JOHN DEERE HEALTH, SELECT (POS) and soon I will be requesting approval for surgery as well. I have heard only good things about them as long as you meet the criteria. I have been on a medically supervised diet with my PCP for nearly three years......with very little success! And for the last 2 years, I have even done the diet and exercise with PRESCRIPTION DIET PILLS that are so controlled by the state, I have to see my PCP every month for a written refill. They are not allowed to be refilled without written authorization...and then only for one month at a time. This has all been documented in my medical records. So, I feel pretty good about getting approved. My PCP and the surgeon's office say that JOHN DEERE are among the best. In fact, the only negative I have seen on here about them was from a person who was denied for not doing six months of medically supervised diet within the last year.
When I called the insurance about the criteria, they seemed to be pretty forthcoming. My surgeon's office says they are very informed and trained at "fighting" with the insurance companies if necessary. So, I am going to relax and let them deal with it. I would ask that question of your surgeon at the seminar....I did. Ask them what their dealings with John Deere have been like and are they skilled at dealing with demands of insurance companies. Most of these surgeon's offices are excellent at this and the patient need only to relax and let them handle it.
congratulations again,
Joe P
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