Obesity Surgery WP Blog

For those of you who work in a doctors office or an insurance setting PLEASE
HELP!!! I have been approved for part of my Plastic Surgery. I have been
approved for approval code #15831. Can anyone tell me what the medicare
approved usual & customary amount is? My doctor that I am dealing with does not
deal with insurance so I cannot get this from them and my insurance co. tells me
to call my doctor and medicare tells me to call my insurance co. HELP
Stacey

I am 4 weeks post op and all foods make me sick to my stomach! When
does this feeling go away? Even when I don’t eat I usually feel sick
to my stomach and I have to force myself to eat anything! When will
I feel “normal” again?
[Moderator’s note: Members are reminded to bring questions about unusual
symptoms or problems to their doctor!]

Hi ..I just thought I would update ..I had my surgery 9/12 at
Westchester Medical in Valhalla NY By Dr. Kaul..Surgery went
beautifully and while he was in he took care of two hernias.I have
had no problems ..I feel great and have already lost 20 pounds ..that
sounds like alot but that is what the scale says and it is the same
scale that wouldn’t move before surgery.I do find it difficult to get
all the water but I am trying ..sometimes I feel like I am floating
away…I also find that when I take my vitamins I am very full and
uncomfortable for alittle while..I think I shall space them out a bit
from no on..I do find myself thinking about food..I would suppose
that is normal since it has been such a big part of my life for so
long .I pick up a craft or go to the computer and the thougts pass.I
don’t post often but I do lurk every day..this is the only support I
have had through my entire journey and without it I am not sure if I
could have stayed focused through all the doctor visits and all the
(more…)

Those of you that eat Atkins Advantage bars… have you found a cheap place
online to get them? Walmart has them for around $1.90 a bar and the flavors are
limited… boxes are just under $9.00 but they only have 1-2 flavors. I am
looking to buy a large quantity of them.. several boxes of 15. Know of any
places online with coupons that will average them out to $1.50 a bar or
less?????
thanks!!
Heather
ourkidsmom@…
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Lost time is never found.
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I took measurements the day before surgery on 8/20 and as of today
9/21 I have lost a total of 33 inches I can’t believe it
the scale as of last wednesday said 22 lbs . And today I even went
out for the first time alone, I just got in my car and drove. It
feels so good to feel like yourself again.
Thanks to everyone who sent me a kind word and said a special prayer
for me
I can’t wait until I’m able to exercise Maybe the doctor will give me
the OK at my next appointment in 6 weeks.
Barbara

I had to go last week to have an endoscopy (excuse if it is wrong spelling).
I am 5 months out and since about month 2 was having a bunch of trouble
eating anything except liquids. Even scrambled eggs bothered me. I threw up
almost every meal, felt sick most of the time and had little energy. This is
what
bothers me and I want you be aware of. I kept calling the program
coordinator (RN) the doctor’s office getting the RN telling them what was
happening and
kept being blown off, that is normal bla bla bla. I have lost 100 lbs in 3
1/2 months and felt so tired all the time. When It was finally time for my
check up the only time I had been to see the doctor since the first of June I
found out that my opening was more than half closed off, I have a 7 inch hernia,
which is why I still have a basketball stomach. He moved his schedule around
to get me in for a stretching 2 days later. I think he was very concerned. I
tell you all of this because I am not sure the doctor every got any of the
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Chris,
I had lots of morbid thoughts too. I don’t see how you CAN’T. You KNOW how
you are doing as an obese person, you ARE still alive, but you also KNOW
that their are risks with this surgery. I was worried about a leak because I
think even with a GREAT surgeon a leak is a significant risk. BUT, I also
felt like my risk of dying was MUCH greater if I did nothing than if I had
WLS. That, in the end was what pushed me over the edge. I DID write a
letter to my family. I wanted them to know that I had the surgery because I
was choosing to LIVE, not trying to die…and then, I prayed A LOT…It was
the best decision I ever made for myself!
Best of luck to you.
Nancy

Hello, I need some input. I have researched WLS for almost a year,
read a lot about it in books and on the web, and just yesterday told
my Dr. I wanted RYGB. He had mentioned it to me before but I hadn’t
made a decision yet. Anyway yesterday he said he would “get the ball
rolling” and dictate a letter, I assume to my insurance company. But
my question is, now how long do I have to wait, and how many hoops
must I jump through? Is it worth the trouble? He said I will have
to have a nutritional assessment, a psychiatric evaluation, go to
three classes, and maybe more things. So how long until I see the
surgeon, and how long until the actual surgery? I can’t be more sure
that I want this, I have heavily researched it for so long. But is
there anything I can do to speed things up? I can’t wait eons for
this surgery ebcause my health depends on it.
FYI, I am 25 y/o, BMI is 50. I have IDDM, asthma, depression, high
cholesterol, hypothyroidism, joint problems, neck and back pain,
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Yet another question about calcium and iron!!
I’ve noticed that a lot of multiple vitamins (ie. Centrum, One a Day, some
prenatal..) have calcium and iron in them. and I was told they cancell each
other out. My dilema would then be I’d have to take my multi, cal, and iron 3
different times!! Boy what a hassle. Up until now I have an iron free child
multi, but I figure since I am now 6 months out, I should take an adult multi.
I realize there are iron free multis out there, but not at Sam’s Club where
they are very reasonable prices.
Could it be that there isn’t enough iron or cal in them to make a different
anyway? I don’t know, I have heard so many people taking Centrum.
Thanks.
Janet A.
Lap RNY, April 9, 2003
231/160/130
Dr. Pehrsson

I have been taking lithium for years and am thirsty most of the
time. I drink large quantities of fluids throughout the day and
night. Can someone tell me if they have had this side effect and
what happens after surgery?