Question:
How do you get your surgeon to do other procedures along with Open RNY?

Has anyone else had any luck getting your surgeon to do additional surgery in combination with Open RNY? I would like my gall bladder removed rather than waiting til there is a huge problem. I also want adomiplasty cause my stomach hangs so low now and is so heavy. If I am able to lose the 270lbs I need to, it will be past my knees. Why wait when there is a problem already? I would love to know if anyone has been succesful and how you did it. Ann in TX, 3/7/03 BTC in Wylie [email protected]    — Ann B. (posted on March 4, 2003)

March 3, 2003
My Dr used to take the gall bladder out during the RnY, but they found out that it really lengthened the hospital stay and the associated pain. So they now ultra sound teh gall preop and if it is problematic they will monitor it but still will not take it out during surgery. They address it at a later time. (wheather to treat with meds like actigal, or remove it). <P> Make sure your insurance will pay to have multipul procedures done at once. I know my insurance will cover the main procedure 100% but if there is to be another procedure done at the same time, they will only cover the secondary surger at 50%. That sounds odd I know but it is in my handbook.
   — Pookie B.

March 3, 2003
Some surgeons will take out the gallbladder with WLS, and some won't. Mine said Blue Choice Option would'nt pay for it. I knew with my luck I'd have to have it out later. Sure enough 10 months later I had to have another surgery. Sure hope you can get yours out with WLS.
   — Danmark

March 4, 2003
Ann, Drs want to wait until you have lost most all your excess weight before doing TT. I think if it were that easy to get rid of excess belly, we could all just go in today and get it ALL removed. There are a TON of blood vessels in all our excess tissue. Better to wait until it is all just skin hanging there Good luck. =o) ---------------- Ann, Most (if not all)insurances pay for additional procedures at a decreased rate (%) Hospitals and Drs know this, so they will just list the most pricy surgery 1st. That way they get the 75% or 50% less fee on the cheaper procedure.
   — Lori A.

March 4, 2003
my surgeon automatically pulls the gall bladder when he does the RNY, fixes any hernias that are severe enough to warrant it and will consider doing a panni if the hang is bad. A good reason to leave the panni though (which we decided to do) is it gives you a stronger case later to get insurance to pay for its complete removal after weight-loss. If you have it removed now and end up with a saggy tummy later but not severe enough for your insurances requirements then you are stuck.
   — [Deactivated Member]