Shetaz0028

Hi there,

I am trying to get all of my ducks in a row as early as I can in hopes that mabye I might be able to get the surgery before 2008 ends.

Anyway, I have checked my Tricare Prime directory and found two doctors D. Brams and D. Nepomnayshy that accept the insurance at Lahey. Since Tricare will most likely only authorize 4 visits and do not allow interview visits how do I select which one I go to? AMA statements are basically the same and so forth but, this is just to big to say who ever shows up.

Also, on the Lahey site it states that if you do not quit smoking 2 months before the surgery will not be done. Is this true? I plan on quitting but, wanted to do the weight first.

Thank you

__________________
Mad luv and respect,
Charlie

LAP/RNY 8/20/09



"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
– St. Francis of Assisi

bezobraz

Smoking can cause deadly complications during surgery - anesthesia in particular. So, I guess they are VERY serious. I do not know the specifics of your insurance but check if you it is accepted in Tufts Medical Center. There is a department called an Obesity Consult Center. They have surgeons who deal strictly with bariatric surgeries and they have a system and doctors in place to support you before the surgery and after long and short term. If Tufts is not an option for you, call your insurance and ask them to suggest a similar center. They must know about all of them.

Bariatric surgery is complex and risky and takes a lot of preparation, adjustment and lifetime commitment. Please make sure you understand what exactly will happen before, during and after surgery. Make sure that you have support system in place – first few weeks after surgery can really hard.

I also believe that interviewing doctors is important. You have to be comfortable with him or her. Write down your question on paper before the appointment, so you do not forget anything. It helps to be prepared.

Let us know what you decided. Keep in touch!

Tonya

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313/305/164/180/145
Highes/pre-op/current/Goal/Dream

Surgery: 5/5/2008, 100 lb lost October 27 2008, Wonderland Desember 22 2008

4 months out 232 lb (9/4/2008)
5 months out 221 lb (10/5/2008)
7 months out 200 lb (12/9/2008)
8 months out 198 lb (01/6/2009)
10 months out 186 lb (03/07/2009)
12 months out 179 lb (05/05/2009)
15 months out 168 lb (08/28/2009)

Shetaz0028

Happy Friday Tonya,

GBS is something that I have been researching for 2 years now and I am ready to do whatever it takes. If the doc says I have to quit smoking that's what I'm doing. I planned on doing that anyway I just thought I would do one war at a time ya know.

I just wish the process would hurry up. Because of my location I would not be able to use Tufts. I have to use Lahey but, the two docs. there that accept my insurance seem to be pretty good. I'm tying to find anyone that has had surgery with them and so far no luck. Maybe I'll get a better "feel" when I go to the seminar on Monday.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend

__________________
Mad luv and respect,
Charlie

LAP/RNY 8/20/09



"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
– St. Francis of Assisi

mistymee

check out the doctor reviews over at obesity help.com.. see if anyone has listed those doctors in their reviews.

I'm not sure I understand why Lahey is your only choice, Burlington isn't that far from either Boston, Newton, or Worcester where there are several other choices of hospitals/doctors?

I drove the hour in to Boston to have my surgery..(I lived there until last week when I moved to VT) where I'd chosen to have my surgery at Brigham & Woman's with Dr. Vernon. I can't recommend her enough, she's awesome and her secretary is great too. The hospital did leave much to be desired, but it was all worth it to have her as my surgeon.

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Shetaz0028

Happy Friday Misty,

Thank you so much for the web site. That is just what I was looking for. I know I'm being over the top but, after seeing surgery of this type in China and Japan I'm worried ya know. Anyway, it looks like these two docs. are top notch so I'll wait to see what kind of "feel" I get from them at the seminar.

I have to stay at Lahey because that's what Tricare Prime says I have to do. With the preferred facility so close to the base and my home if I chose to go outside of it I would end up having to pay out of my pocket and wait for them to reimburse me. But, thanks to your great advice (it just oozes from you doesn't it) I'm comfortable now. Now if I could only get on that table....."aaaaaaanticipation is making me crazy" )

__________________
Mad luv and respect,
Charlie

LAP/RNY 8/20/09



"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
– St. Francis of Assisi

bezobraz

Insurances and Pharmaceuticals pretty much rule our world now days. Best of luck! I hope you will meet people at the seminar and will get a better feel for the doctors.

Keep us posted
Tonya

__________________

313/305/164/180/145
Highes/pre-op/current/Goal/Dream

Surgery: 5/5/2008, 100 lb lost October 27 2008, Wonderland Desember 22 2008

4 months out 232 lb (9/4/2008)
5 months out 221 lb (10/5/2008)
7 months out 200 lb (12/9/2008)
8 months out 198 lb (01/6/2009)
10 months out 186 lb (03/07/2009)
12 months out 179 lb (05/05/2009)
15 months out 168 lb (08/28/2009)

mistymee

I'm glad you're feeling better.. I hope any advice I offer is helpful.. I just got so much support here and want to be helpful in return.

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