Jeff C.
January 23, 2004:
Hello everyone. Quick update on my WLS. I've seen the doctor twice since surgery. The first times was to get my staples removed, 7 days after my surgery. The next time was a follow-up to check my status and scares and to schedule my 1st fill. As of 1/07/2004 I was down 28 pounds (316 to 288) per the scale at the doctors office. He was very impressed with my weight loss, pre fill and all. My incisions are looking good. I'm scheduled for my first fill 1/28/2004 I cant wait, Since my visit to the doctor I've been dealing with emotional domestic issues and I've been eating all the wrong things and regained about 4-5 pounds. As of now I have no restriction and can eat whatever I want, not a good thing. Can't wait for my first fill, I've lose that initial willpower and need help from my band.
Dr. Scott will do my first fill in radiology that way he can make sure my band is well and adjust my band to a proper restriction as I drink the yucky stuff.
As far as the domestic stuff I've make some changes and things are looking up!!!
Actually, since my last visit to the doctor I've made it down to 281 and have been moving between 281 and 285 for a couple of weeks now. My first fill should get me back on track.
In case anyone is wonder what I did to lose my first 30. Basically I stuck to 1200 calories a day and under 60 carbs. I was abole to eat a wide verity of food and not feel deprived and track your intake with FitDay.
See Ya! :->
November 20rd 2003:
Well I'm home and I'm banded. The surgery went better than excepted. I was up and walking within 3 hours and did not experience any major pain. People said I looked and acted as if I hadn’t had surgery at all. Dr. Scott did a grand job and I feel great. I was in the hospital for about a day and a half and everyone was nice and finely. That’s it for now
November 3rd 2003:
Today I went in for Pre-Op testing. I arrived at St Alexius Hospital at 7am ready for whatever. After registration I was sent to the Cardiopulmonary Department. Test: Pulmonary Function Study (It’s a breathing test and the hardest of them all in my book sucking and blowing air through a tube seems simple enough, but I though I was going to pass out at times.) Next was an EKG testing, very simple.
Now I was off to the LAB for blood work. Outside of the needle this was fast and simple. From the blood drawn they will test my TSH, CBC with Differential and Platelets, and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel.
From there off to Radiology: I had Chest X-Rays done. Front and Side views.
After all that which was fast and painless I was off to same day surgery for an interview. The interview was mostly informational getting me ready on what to expect on surgery day and answer any questions I may have. I thought that was nice to know what to except, so I can better plan for it.
It was all over in about 3 hours. I have a appoint with the Dietitian at 2:45.
I meant with the Dietitian at 2:45. It was in a group session with two other people. One lady had to leave, because the session was an 1 hour and 20 minutes and she had to be at work. We were given a packet with information on the best ways to eat, drink, and exercise for the type surgery we were having and a ton of other info. It was some good information. We were also given and a thermal lunch bag which inside it had everything needed to get off to a good start. It include a measuring cup, shaker cup, 16oz drinking cup, food measuring cup, and couple of other things. It was a nice surprise.
Well this is it I’ve complete everything that was required before having surgery. At this time no Butterflies have set in yet. Just going to take it easy and enjoy. Two week will be here before I know it.
October 30th 2003:
Getting close to my Pre-Testing Date. I got a call from the hospital today to answer some pre-registration questions, so I don't spend allot of time with registration when I get there. She also stated they contacted my Insurance Company and verified that everything was set to go. Good News! Well Catch you later, that’s all for now.
October 27th 2003:
Spoke with Lenora first thing. See gave me detailed instructions and my Pre-Op date is she for November 3rd 2003 and my Surgery date is November 19th 2003. Also today I’m starting the process of eating right and drinking plenty of water. My plan is to get as close to if not under 300, before my surgery date of November 19th 2003. My current weight is 316.
October 24th 2003:
(My Birthday) Lenora from Newstart called and left
me a message to call her back she has all the info I need for Surgery Date/Time and Pre-Op testing.
October 23rd 2003:
I spoke with Lenora and she gave me a tentative date of November 19th 2003. She would call me back with a definite date and time and a Pre-Op test date.
October 22nd 2003:
I got to my Doctors appointment with Dr. Scott
about an hour earlier. FYI -- make sure you bring cash or check to pay your co-pay they do not accept credit or debt cards, also be prepared to complete more paperwork. The visit was great. Dr. Scott was very professional and I was surprised to see him in great physical shape. He wanted to make sure I was aware of the process he uses and that this was real surgery and the risk involved. I was very comfortable after leaving. One nice thing I can say, I felt as if I was his only priority at that time, I was not rushed, and I did not feel he had other things to do, which I’m sure he did. After that I spoke Chris of Newstart, she informed me to call Lenora the next day to get a surgery date set.
October 6th 2003:
I called Newstart with the good news. Angie gave her congratulations and connected me with Lenora to Schedule my 1st Doctor visit with Dr. Scott. I also faxed her a copy of my approval letter and called later to verify she got it. My appointment was set for Oct 22nd 2003. Two days before my
birthday 3:00pm, I was asked to get there 30 minutes early.
October 4th, 2003:
Checking my mail and much too my surprised I had a
letter from United Heath Care. Thinking to myself, this could not be it, this is much to fast. I was scared to open it. Oh well here goes! I was APPROVED. That made my day.
<--- Now All I have to do is wait. They told me it could take anywhere from 2-6 weeks for a decision.--->
September 24th 2003:
I called United Health again and they still had
not received my paper a week later. The lady gave me a fax number the paper work can be faxed to. I called Newstart and informed them the paperwork had not reach my insurance company and can they fax it to the number given to me by United Health Care Plan Administrators. Great! Angie, was on the Job she got my papers
faxed A.S.A.P. I called United Health later that day and it was verified they had received my paperwork and it was in the system waiting to be processed.
September 19th 2003:
Verified! Dr. Scott had sighed off on my paperwork
and letter. I was told my paperwork was sent to United Health Care, September 17th 2003. Later that afternoon I called United Health care to follow-up to see if they received my paper work.They had not, try early next week.
September 16th 2003:
I called for a status. As you can see I did not
wait until Wednesday. Great news the letter was completed on
September 11th 2003 and should be reviewed on September 17th 2003
by Dr Scott.
September 11th, 2003:
I called for status and found there was another
process to go through, my paper work had gone to Lenora the person who schedules surgery dates. She had to type my letter of acceptance to my insurance company. She had not completed the letter. Newstart wants the Letter and paperwork to go to and be signed of by Dr Scott at the same time, so I had to wait another
week. Dr Scott only reviews/signs paperwork on his office days, which are Wednesdays.
September 10, 2003:
I called for a status to see if my paperwork
reached Dr Scott. I was asked to call back the next day.
September 4th 2003:
Verified with Chris all my paperwork was in order
and was to go to Dr Scott for review, September 10, 2003.
Wow!!! things are flying. The ladies at Newstart said they have never
seen anyone move through the process, so fast. I was leaving
nothing up to chance.
September 3rd 2003:
I called my PCP and found that my TSH results were
in. I had the results faxed to me and I called Newstart spoke with Jackie and faxed her the results. I called back with in a couple of hours to follow-up that they received my fax. That was it, all my paperwork was in and now it was on to Chris the Newstart Coordinator for review. If all is well it goes to Dr
Scott for review.
September 2nd 2003:
Called Newstart for status. My Psyc Eval was
received and all was positive.
August 29th 2003:
I completed my TSH test with my PCP in the morning
and my Psyc Eval that afternoon. I called Newstart to inform them of my status, so records could be updated and they can look out for the results of my test.
August 28th, 2003:
Newstart insurance verifier verified my insurance.
August 27th, 2003:
I contacted Newstart first thing in the morning
and spoke with Jackie she was awesome, she seem to love her job and was very helpful. I found out that Dr Wagner did not accept insurance at this time and I changed to Dr J Scott, which was great, because he accepted insurance and I found he was part of the network by United Health Care. Also on the same call I found
that Dr Scott required a Psyc Eval and TSH test. I went with the psychiatrist recommended by Newstart for the Psyc Eval. I called the same day and had an appointment scheduled August 29th, 2003. I called my PCP and luckily for me they had an appointment open for the same day of my Psyc Eval in the morning. I dropped off my information packet in person August 28th at 3:35pm with Jackie.
August 26th, 2003:
I went through the Newstart program in St Louis after finding them through a search on Google. I attended a seminar August 26th 2003 7pm at St Alexius hospital given by Dr Wagner. I was sold. That night I
completed all the necessary paper work (Yes I was up Late).
Insurer Info:
United Health Care, PPO
Overall my process for approval went very smooth. I left nothing up to chance. Take note to who you talk to and when on phone conversations. At whatever stage you are in, if someone say it will be completed on a certain date. I would call a day before for a status and the day of and or after the due date to make sure it was complete and put me in contact with the next person and repeat the process. Don't feel guilty about calling too much and don’t assume things are taken care, make sure they are. Also make sure you copy all your paperwork before you mail or drop them of. Remember leave nothing up to chance. You are the boss in the process and it does not hurt to help things alone. Im glad I found Newstart I think they helped the process a great deal. I think insurance companies like too see a support system in place after surgery to help people achieve thier goals. Funny I can call the Newstart office and they know me by voice, because I followed up so much. I hope this help others in their path to the losing side. WLS. JC