racha9

My mom is currently going through her 6 month program; May is her third month, and will be meeting with the surgeon after that for her first eval with her.

She was reading in her insurance booklet, and it states that a liver biopsy is required as a pre-op test, along with the normal psych eval, 6mos diet and exercise, etc. Has anyone ever been required this??? They say that it is to determine fatty liver disease. Could they not do an ultrasound? That is what I had done, and they were able to see that my liver was fatty. This just seems like a very invasive, and unecessary test, when there is (I think)an alternate and less invasive way.

Do you think that the surgeon could dispute this if it is indeed required?

__________________
Rachael

Lap RNY 6/6/07
Dr. Raftopoulos - Pittsburgh
Highest/Current/Goal
248/138/118 - updated 4/28/08

"Nothing great is ever acheived without much enduring" - St. Catherine of Sienna

RebeccaNV

Wow, that is really interesting. Who is her insurance provider?

I haven't had GBS but I am considering it due to having diabetes and having been diagnosed with a fatty liver back in Feb. This was diagnosed via ultrasound and increased liver enzymes. I had a liver transplant (in Pittsburgh at Presby) and am now followed by the VA. No one at my local VA suggested a biopsy to confirm diagnosis of the NAFLD (Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) but I think that if I were to go to a transplant or a liver clinic (would have to travel to San Fran for this) they would prolly want to do a stab and jab. I personally don't feel that this is necessary for diagnosis.

How are your mom's liver enzymes? Is she diabetic?

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Liver Transplant Survivor 23+ yrs

racha9

She is newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. I am not aware of any LFT's. They may have been done, but were not shared with her.

Her insurance is Highmark BC/BS PPO

__________________
Rachael

Lap RNY 6/6/07
Dr. Raftopoulos - Pittsburgh
Highest/Current/Goal
248/138/118 - updated 4/28/08

"Nothing great is ever acheived without much enduring" - St. Catherine of Sienna

Amandazon247

HMmm well they did a a liver biopsy on me during my RNY because Dr. Dyer saw a spot he didnt like... and I am a cancer survivor. But all came out well... I cant imagine they would want 2 surgeries. They may take during the RNY or lap band surgery.

__________________
301/289/259/180
3-21/3-31/5-12/goal
Surgery Date 3/31/2008
You can think of a million reasons to hate yourself today.... or you can be original and focus on one reason to love yourself. (manda2008)
N O T O R I O U S MANDABEAR!!

RebeccaNV

I recently read a stat where 83% of type II's have fatty liver disease.

How old is the insurance booklet? Maybe they have changed this practice? Perhaps they will accept an ultrasound scan in place of a biopsy?

__________________
Liver Transplant Survivor 23+ yrs

RebeccaNV

What did the biopsy show and if you don't mind, where was your cancer?

__________________
Liver Transplant Survivor 23+ yrs

Grammy O

I have Wellmark BCBS and there is nothing regarding a liver biopsy requirement.

HMMMMM

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