REPEAT - How to Make the BIG Choice...
This is just my $.02....
1. Research, research, research. Years ago, we had to rely upon our doctors, medical pubs and the library for information. Now there's the internet. If you are too lazy to Google "weight loss surgery", you are NOT ready for surgery.
2. Take a good look at your insurance. Look for exclusions, look for the infamous "cut once" clause. Coming on OH and questioning members about THEIR insurance so that you can compare notes is IMHO lazy. Carriers are different....get a copy of your Plan of Summary Benefits.
3. You may have dieted your entire life but unless it's not on paper your insurance company could care less. A medically supervised diet is just that - one that your PCP has monitored. If you need 2-3, do it and get it over with. There's a reason for this. If you can't follow a six month diet, how are you going to adapt to post op regimen?
4. My insurance only covered RNY and LapBand. As a widow, there was no EXTRA anything laying around that would allow me the luxury of me getting the surgery that I TRULY wanted - VSG. If you have insurance that covers ALL procedures, I beg you to take a look at ALL PROCEDURES. Look at your comorbidities and your lifestyle.
5. Check out the Revision and Regret Forums. Lots of info there. Also check out the complications and death boards. Death and health issues can happen.
6. Check out your surgeon. Don't bother looking at their profiles on OH. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our surgeon early out. You need to dig deeper - check your state medical boards....really easy to Google.
7. Vitamins, labs, protein and water. For life. period.
8. Surgery War threads. Read them. Yeah, some members are against other surgeries and so what? They are entitled to their opinion. But LISTEN to their stories. Especially the revisionists who are trying to weigh in to save you money and more importantly your quality of life. Take what you NEED and leave the other crap behind.
9. Pick a surgical program that has excellent aftercare and follow-up. WTH??? Why are so many newbies asking basic questions that would have been answered by early research or a class? Can we say KFC bowl? Pureed steak two weeks after RNY?
Prepare.
Research.
Educate.
Live.
1. Research, research, research. Years ago, we had to rely upon our doctors, medical pubs and the library for information. Now there's the internet. If you are too lazy to Google "weight loss surgery", you are NOT ready for surgery.
2. Take a good look at your insurance. Look for exclusions, look for the infamous "cut once" clause. Coming on OH and questioning members about THEIR insurance so that you can compare notes is IMHO lazy. Carriers are different....get a copy of your Plan of Summary Benefits.
3. You may have dieted your entire life but unless it's not on paper your insurance company could care less. A medically supervised diet is just that - one that your PCP has monitored. If you need 2-3, do it and get it over with. There's a reason for this. If you can't follow a six month diet, how are you going to adapt to post op regimen?
4. My insurance only covered RNY and LapBand. As a widow, there was no EXTRA anything laying around that would allow me the luxury of me getting the surgery that I TRULY wanted - VSG. If you have insurance that covers ALL procedures, I beg you to take a look at ALL PROCEDURES. Look at your comorbidities and your lifestyle.
5. Check out the Revision and Regret Forums. Lots of info there. Also check out the complications and death boards. Death and health issues can happen.
6. Check out your surgeon. Don't bother looking at their profiles on OH. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our surgeon early out. You need to dig deeper - check your state medical boards....really easy to Google.
7. Vitamins, labs, protein and water. For life. period.
8. Surgery War threads. Read them. Yeah, some members are against other surgeries and so what? They are entitled to their opinion. But LISTEN to their stories. Especially the revisionists who are trying to weigh in to save you money and more importantly your quality of life. Take what you NEED and leave the other crap behind.
9. Pick a surgical program that has excellent aftercare and follow-up. WTH??? Why are so many newbies asking basic questions that would have been answered by early research or a class? Can we say KFC bowl? Pureed steak two weeks after RNY?
Prepare.
Research.
Educate.
Live.
**Weight loss since June 08**
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