Recent Posts
Topic: Support Group - MetroWest/Franklin 495 area??
There was some talk in the past about getting a group together but it fizzled! We all know how important support is (both pre-op and post-op).
Seems that the existing groups are western Mass, north and south of Boston etc.
If anyone out there is interested in becoming part of a "local" group, I would be more than happy to host at my home in Franklin or maybe we could find a central location for all who are interested.
This is NOT a hospital/medical group, just US supporting eachother, discussing challenges, obstacles, struggles, and of course successes etc.
I look forward to hearing from ya's!!!
Seems that the existing groups are western Mass, north and south of Boston etc.
If anyone out there is interested in becoming part of a "local" group, I would be more than happy to host at my home in Franklin or maybe we could find a central location for all who are interested.
This is NOT a hospital/medical group, just US supporting eachother, discussing challenges, obstacles, struggles, and of course successes etc.
I look forward to hearing from ya's!!!
Topic: RE: Surgery Brigham& Women
Had my lap band done in 07....He then strictly by coincidence did emergency G.I. surgery on my mother on July 4Th 2010. I love Eileen his administrative assistant. The hospital is very very good. I am a nurse at Children's next door. I was hospitalized there 2 times this year with aspiration pneumonia. The first time for 4 days. I am having a revision from the lap band to a VSG on 4/6. At the moment the head of the barriatric surgical department at Children's is studying under Lautz. OK I hope this helps
Sean 
YOU CANNOT GIVE SOMEONE HELP........YOU CAN OFFER HELP, IT IS UP TO THE OTHER PERSON TO ACCEPT OR REJECT IT !!!
YOU CANNOT GIVE SOMEONE HELP........YOU CAN OFFER HELP, IT IS UP TO THE OTHER PERSON TO ACCEPT OR REJECT IT !!!
Topic: RE: Surgery Brigham& Women
I had Dr. Lautz surgery 4/26/10 I have lost 95% of my excess body weight and I owe it all to him!! he is a miracle!! you will do great!!
Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross
Good idea. I'll get a note from the orthopedic surgeon about NSAIDS, and I think I'll ask the dr who did my gyn surgeries if she'll write something about scar tissue and the fact that she did two open surgeries after I'd already had two c-sections. That's got to count for something in the potential risk department. My primary care physician doesn't know I've gone this far yet, unless he's reading the reports that should be filtering back to him. I doubt it. Maybe a letter from him too. Of course this means more appts but it'll be worth the effort if I manage to get approved with the first application. Time to start making a list of everyone I have to call tomorrow, lol.
(deactivated member)
on 1/21/12 10:48 pm - east falmouth, MA
on 1/21/12 10:48 pm - east falmouth, MA
Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross
yep ...nsaids... they are OUT for both band and RNY...
Your doc may ask you to go with celebrex and see how that works.. ( which has OTHER side effects too, like all drugs...) It doesn't take much to convince a doctor tylenol is not the same as advil... but you need to say it anyway.
GEt letter from the doctor that diagnosed your arthritis and recommends advil...
I wish I could have had the sleeve too.. because I live in a lot of pain and all i can take is tylenol and just live with it now...
The sleeve will be front line soon I think... I t just makes more sence than a plastic band... ( but then we get into the LOBBYISt angle... )
Good luck and give it another pass... then another and another,... It seems like forever now.. but your efforts will pay off eventually if you do not give up.
In spite of my pain... the RNY I had a few years back was by far the best decision I vever made... Wish sleeve was an option... but still worth it.
Your doc may ask you to go with celebrex and see how that works.. ( which has OTHER side effects too, like all drugs...) It doesn't take much to convince a doctor tylenol is not the same as advil... but you need to say it anyway.
GEt letter from the doctor that diagnosed your arthritis and recommends advil...
I wish I could have had the sleeve too.. because I live in a lot of pain and all i can take is tylenol and just live with it now...
The sleeve will be front line soon I think... I t just makes more sence than a plastic band... ( but then we get into the LOBBYISt angle... )
Good luck and give it another pass... then another and another,... It seems like forever now.. but your efforts will pay off eventually if you do not give up.
In spite of my pain... the RNY I had a few years back was by far the best decision I vever made... Wish sleeve was an option... but still worth it.
Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! 
I forgot about the NSAID angle--I have grade 4 arthritis in both patellas and need my NSAIDS. Or something that works as well. One more angle to include in the insurance paperwork.
Thank you!
I forgot about the NSAID angle--I have grade 4 arthritis in both patellas and need my NSAIDS. Or something that works as well. One more angle to include in the insurance paperwork.
Thank you!
(deactivated member)
on 1/21/12 9:58 pm - east falmouth, MA
on 1/21/12 9:58 pm - east falmouth, MA
Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross
We got approved yesterday.
Heres the history, we were approved for RNY or band last summer.
Explained to the surgeon desire for sleeve instead and got letters from other doctors recommending that..( my husband has had dual knee replacement and MUST take advil to function well enough to exercise and stay healthy... big good reason)
were rejected first pass at that. the review board voted 3 to 2 so lost that time.
Went back to surgeon to push.. ( december) he pushed harder and wrote a stronger letter to the review board ) and we got it!
Notable that he was impressed that my hubby had managed to loose a few pounds since last appointment .. thus is trying hard enough.
he has Chaghal ( spellcheck? ) at Newton Wellesley Hospital... they have so far been great.. And theit insurance maven is very responsive.
So... first line rny or band was approved immediately upon submission
Appeal for sleeve was denied 3 to 2
Stronger appeal and persistence and commitment paid off with approval....
Best of luck My friend!
Heres the history, we were approved for RNY or band last summer.
Explained to the surgeon desire for sleeve instead and got letters from other doctors recommending that..( my husband has had dual knee replacement and MUST take advil to function well enough to exercise and stay healthy... big good reason)
were rejected first pass at that. the review board voted 3 to 2 so lost that time.
Went back to surgeon to push.. ( december) he pushed harder and wrote a stronger letter to the review board ) and we got it!
Notable that he was impressed that my hubby had managed to loose a few pounds since last appointment .. thus is trying hard enough.
he has Chaghal ( spellcheck? ) at Newton Wellesley Hospital... they have so far been great.. And theit insurance maven is very responsive.
So... first line rny or band was approved immediately upon submission
Appeal for sleeve was denied 3 to 2
Stronger appeal and persistence and commitment paid off with approval....
Best of luck My friend!
Topic: RE: vsg , sleeve in Mass with Blue Cross
Any luck yet? I'm hoping to have a sleeve and am working toward it as if it's a done deal. My surgeon said he's done sleeves on four patients who have BCBS (like me). They're having trouble getting BCBS to actually pay though. I'm visualizing an approval because of all the scar tissue in my lower abdomen from previous gyn surgeries. Don't want to be messing around with that. And with Medicare reviewing the sleeve in February...if they decide to approve then private healthcare will have to follow at some point. I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed, anyway. My next appt is 2/15 and that's when we choose which surgery and submit the insurance application. I wonder if that's when it gets scheduled too. It's so close! And yet so far...
Topic: RE: Anyone on here from or close to Fall River???
I'm from the north end of Fall River near Meridian St. I just went for my consult on Tuesday with DR. Pecquex at St. Elizabeth's in Brighton. she was Amazing,!! Pm me if you'd like to chat...
God Bless,
Michael
God Bless,
Michael
hw 500 sw 462 cw 383
Topic: RE: Anyone on here from or close to Fall River???
Hello i am post op from my RNY 4 yrs this Sept 2nd..I live in Lakeville,Ma...I'm here for anyone that wants to chat 
or maybe when the weather gets a little warmer we can walk..or maybe meet at the Taunton Galliria and walk..any takers..My name is Des..I lost 90 pounds and have kept 80 
off trying to get the other 10 pound gain off now
..lol its always a battle.. Hugs..
Des
Hello i am post op from my RNY 4 yrs this Sept 2nd..I live in Lakeville,Ma...I'm here for anyone that wants to chat or maybe when the weather gets a little warmer we can walk..or maybe meet at the Taunton Galliria and walk..any takers..My name is Des..I lost 90 pounds and have kept 80 off trying to get the other 10 pound gain off now..lol its always a battle.. Hugs..Des Most Active
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