Recent Posts
Well, it's been a little over a year since I posted. Are any of my SW Virginia peeps still out there?
Hi everyone I'm new to the board. I'm in the process of working on my requirements for weightloss surgery using Virginia Medicaid Anthem Health Keepers Plus. I've already met with the surgeon and he said I'm a perfect candidate for the surgery, I have only 1 more appointment with my PCP in August, I've met with pulmonary to conduct a sleep apnea test which should be in the next couple of weeks, and i have my physc evaluation next month. Has anyone been approved with ANTHEM health keepers plus and Virginia Medicaid? if so how long did the approval prices take? Or what was your outcome? Thank you so much.
Hi I am new to this forum. I am going to be having surgery next month- VS and I wanted to know if anyone had surgery with this doctor and at Parham. How did it go- The truth. not just all the reviews I have read. How was the staff, the doctor, how long you had to stay in the hospital. The good the bad and ugly:)
Thank You
The US Military health insurance covers it. Look into civilian military jobs.
Cate K
Northern Neck, VA 5'4" 56 years old
Highest weight 245: 7/1/2015, RNY surgery on October 26th. Had multiple complications and follow up surgeries and stayed in hospital for 24 days. Goal weight is 140.
Well, I'm really slow to reply... a year later!
In any case, paying rent or mortgage is not in the budget. I'm staying put at this point as I've paid off one mortgage and am renting that house out for additional income and living in another house that is also paid for. Other than taxes, insurance and maintenance, I do not have a housing cost.
My biggest money drain right now is my car. I still owe monthly payments of $500 a month for another 3 years, but I'll figure out how to do it even if I have to eventually get a Part time gig at WalMart. I need a reliable vehicle, so not willing to give this one up.
In any case, I did retire early and have figured out that I save a ton of money on clothing, gas, phone, and food by not working. It's not quite enough to make up the difference, but I've also cut way back on my unnecessary purchasing. We go out for a movie perhaps once a year and we don't eat out often at all... an now I eat so much less, I'm a pretty cheap date.
We scaled back a lot of things like the phone service and computer service. Good Will and other thrift stores have done a great job of replacing all my clothing. I only purchase underwear and socks now and get those at the Dollar Store when I need them. As I approach goal, even that cost will go down because I won't be dropping sizes. Maybe one more size down when I get to goal.
I'm basically living in blue jeans and tennis shoes.
Cate K
Northern Neck, VA 5'4" 56 years old
Highest weight 245: 7/1/2015, RNY surgery on October 26th. Had multiple complications and follow up surgeries and stayed in hospital for 24 days. Goal weight is 140.
does anybody know of a great, well educated, experienced reactive hypo specialist? Every specialist, endo I see that is coming with high recommendations doesn't have experience with how severe my RH is and doesn't know what to do.
im only able to eat literally 28 different things, It impacts my life so severely that I'm at the point where I need my surgery reversed, and/or part of my pancrease removed.
Does anybody know of a great endo who specializes in severe RH OR a great BS who is well versed in revision surgeries.. preferably in the Pa/Nj/va/DC/md area.
thank you!
Hello Everyone -
So I was banded in June of 2007....almost 10 years later I weigh almost twice as much as I did when I had the lap band. It wasn't an effective tool. After some soul searching & a life coach, I decided it would be best to pursue gastric bypass surgery. I was set to go & getting appointments out the way. However, I was out of work and on Medicaid. I started a job almost a year ago and unfortunately, they do not offer WLS under their health insurance. I've been still going to my appointments with the faith that next year I will have a new employer that will offer WLS as an option.
I'm reaching out to you all because I don't want to apply to companies that don't offer it under their health insurance plans. I would appreciate if someone would respond by stating which employers you know FOR SURE, that offer WLS under their health coverage options.
Thank you so much....
on 7/26/16 3:46 am
I had my first appointment/consultation with Dr. Osvaldo Anez yesterday in Herndon, VA. I weighed 256.8 at the office yesterday, wearing a 22W dress. I was told my insurance hadn't returned their call all week. The office seemed a small bit disorganized to me? I only encountered the dr and a receptionist. The dr. was soft spoken as I had read, and only told me about the surgery he performs (his specialty, yes.) But I would like to hear from more patients of Dr Anez to hear their specific experiences if possible? THANK YOU!
Yeah I'm working on my 4th month right now. I go to the Sleep Study appt on the 21st. Can't wait. I know I have sleep apnea. I'm doing the RNY and can't wait. Just have to get a handle on the eating right thing. I've been working on my Coke habit. Right now I'm only drinking one a day, but sometimes I wait 2 days. That's awesome since I was drinking 3-4 Big Gulps a day, every day. Eeek! It's hard though, but I'm doing it.
Have you already had surgery? What did you end up getting?
Dr. Salzberg is currently with the Bariatrics dept of Roanoke Carilion Hospital. He's pretty new to the whole thing (10 years or so) and pretty young (late 30's I'd guess). Would like any information about him that I can find. He is going to be the surgeon in the dept that is doing my surgery next year.
TIA
