Question:
I am looking for someone who is fighting UHC and DR. Alverdy in Chicago?

My Vanessa Hamilton I am being seen by Dr. Alverdy for rny. He only does the lap surgery. I have United Health Care Select Pos Plus. I am looking for the person who is fighting with the insurance company to stop them from only approving open rny surgery. I am in the same situation. Of course Dr. Alverdy is taking the stand against them to force them to approve his procedure. I would like help to find out what progress has been made. I am also hoping to keep in touch with you so we can offer support to one another. I have psuedo tumor cerebri and to get some relief from this I have a lumbar shunt. This tube in my spine is now causing great pain in both legs and lower back. I am taking vicodin,motrin, and neurontin for pain. I am on disabilty from work and can only stand to go out of the house 1x a week. You can probably understand how vital this surgery is to me. My pcp and neurosurgeon both agree that psuedotumor can be cured with weight loss. I am at home all day and would like nothing more than to irritate someone with phone calls and letters to get this matter resolved. I can be reached at [email protected] Hope to hear from you soon    — Vanessa H. (posted on April 6, 2001)

July 10, 2001
Are you totally opposed to having the Open RNY or is there other circumstances as to why you can't have the Open RNY? I have talked with a lot of people who have had both surgeries and have done a lot of research and find that other than recovery time, the LAP is not necessarily better. My surgeon refuses to do the LAP because it is a riskier surgery and many times, depending on other related health issues such as gall bladder disease, they would have to open you up anyway. In the research I've done, the only real benefit is recovery time. I too have PTC and am having Open RNY to avoid having surgeries for brain shunts and anymore lumbar punctures. If your insurance will pay for the Open RNY, it may be more beneficial in the long run. You may save your sight and alleviate the pain. My mother went blind from diabetes and as a witness to that, I tell you I would do anything to avoid it. In my research, I have found that some states, until recently Florida was one of them, will not approve LAP RNY because of the risks involved. A smaller cut does not always mean its safer, especially for an obese person. If anyone else has PTC and weight loss surgery has helped, please let me know by e-mailing me at "[email protected]."
   — Lori W.