Post op question

Hi..   I'm almost 4 weeks post op from a Lap RNY. I'm still super sore in my rib cage and also two of the incision sites. I'm calling my surgeon tomorrow but has anybody else been sore like this for so long? Nothing is infected, the sites look clean and almost healed. My ribs feel like I've been in a car accident or something.  Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.  Thanks Shari

I had Dr. Chua as well.  Give the office a call. They are there to help you.  Are you moving around?  The gas that is used to "inflate" your stomach can get trapped under the rib cage and be uncomfortable and the only way to get it out is to move around.  Also, if you carry a lot of fat in your stomach, he may have had to be a bit rougher with the tissue just to move it around and perform the surgery.  Either way, let them know.  There are no stupid questions you can ask them.  I know, because I think I asked them all!  Good luck!

I think I met you during one of Dr. Chua's pre-meetings that went over everything.  I have been through the entire process and have been cleared for surgery.  I can't get my insurance to cover it.  I have a BMI of 51.  I am only 34 years old and I have three children and I am on the way to having a heart attack if something in my life doesn't change.  I was denied by Cypress (a self funded program) because of an exclusion. But the exclusion seems to say unless medically necessary.  My husband has Central States insurance and we were denied by them for the same reason.  We have two policies that are outstanding and I can't get coverage.  I appealed with a letter detailing the co-morbidities.  I thought it was good, but they simply denied again.  I want to appeal again and wondering what additional information I can add.  Do you have any suggestions or know where I can turn for insurance help?

First of all, DON'T GIVEUP!  The letter of medical necessity is basically a letter from your Primary Care Physician stating that he/she has seen you for reasons associated with morbid obesity, and he/she is recommending bariatric surgery.  My doctor in Sheboygan is awesome! He went into detail of all my supposed "problems", and even created a couple I didn't know I had!  I also wrote a scathing letter to insurance explaining how this affected my life, including specifics of potential job loss, rashes, physical pains, etc.  In a nut shell, you need to sound like if you don't have surgery tomorrow, you'll surely be dead by Friday.  Then, after it's all sent, I gave the insurance 2 days, then called them at least twice a day to check my status.  They have to log every call, so I'm sure my name was very fresh on their lists!  I believe I have a copy of my letter, so if you want a copy, send me an email of your email address and I can forward it to you for ideas.  My email is [email protected]     Hope this will help!

 Hi  Lois... ......   The office was very nice and sounds as though what I'm experiencing is very normal. I didn't have a huge belly and i had no bleeding during the surgery infact Dr. Chua and July told me I was one of the easiest cases they've done recently. The site that hurts is the spot my gall bladder also came through so they had to go deeper. If it's still real sore in another 1-2 weeks I'll go see them. Have you seen the new office on Loomis? It's beautiful, looks like a 5  star hotel. Thanks for your e-mail. I hope to feel less and less sore everyday. Yes, I'm moving alot and yes i know the gas feeling.  I have yet to dump so that makes me happy. I hope never to : )  P.S You looks great !   Keep up the running I hope to join in next spring. I'm up to 40 mins. on my treadmill everyday.