11/02/2009 2nd Attempt/Revision - Surgical Consult

Jan 02, 2010

On Friday 10/30 I called and scheduled a consultation with my surgeon, on Monday 11/2 I found myself in his office. It was weird at first - I got so sad because my entire Lap-Band experience was all coming back to me. Of course he remembered me so he was very compassionate as we started to talk and I shed a few tears. One of the first things that he said was that I was not able to get a new Lap-Band. When I had my band removed he performed a "partial gastrectomy" basically removing a small part of my stomach that was sutured up over my band holding it in place. This was really a non-issue since I knew I didn't want a new band anyway. Having a 2nd chance at this, I am pursuing a more aggressive form of wls. Knowing wls is only covered once in a life time thru BCBS, I feel blessed to have a second chance. My band slipping was not a preventable occurrence (rather than me just not losing weight) so I will be covered. 
 
Going into the appointment I really wanted to talk with him about VSG, well ironically before I even said it, he suggested I research it. When I told him I already had and that I was most comfortable with this procedure we went over it step by step. He also said this procedure will not be approved without an appeal which I knew and I'm completely willing to do so in the long run I'll have the best result!

Dr. Robinson requires his patients lose 10% of their body weight prior to surgery and the standard insurance requirements of a nutritionist and psychiatrist appointment. I'm fine with losing 10%... I have to get my head in the game and NOT go in the wrong direction and gain weight. I've got to train my brain to eat less and make better decisions between now and the day I have my surgery.

Oh I also have to have an upper GI so he can check out my anatomy since having my band out and my partial gastrectomy.

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