Thanks ! (was Re: trying to decide)

[Guest guest]

>

The question was asked:

> > want to know; why did you choose the mini?

answered:

>

>Much less time in surgery and under anesthesia (30 minutes, as

>compared to 4-8 hours), super fast recovery time (less than 24

>hours),

>great doctor that is well liked by all his patients (I interviewed 97

>of his patients and *all* of them love him, even the few who had some

>kind of complication).

That is exactly why, after over 9 years of researching different WLS

options, I have decided to start the aproval process. (with fingers crossed

tightly. *chuckle*) The MGB defintely is the one I feel strongly about.

>See the paper Dr. Rutledge prepared for the

>American Society of Bariatric Surgeons (ASBS) conference that's

>coming

>up. Right now, the MGB is the leader in weight loss.

I really enjoyed the paper too. So much, in fact I've printed it up, along

with the patient education manual, and Dr. Rutledge's letter to PCP's from

the www.clos.net website to present to my PCP, when I go to pick up the

oximeter for my overnight oxygen saturation monitoring... to see if further

sleep apnea testing is needed. I'm so glad to have access to this great

info to give my doctor. (I don't think it'll be a problem, since my PCP is

anxious to have me back in the ICU assisting him with procedures. *smile*)

>

> > What about insurance

> > acceptance? I've got Partners. I'm afraid they don't accept WLS.

>

>*IF* there is no specific exemption in your policy that says

>something

>like " we don't cover weight loss surgery, " then the biggest hurdle

>will be to prove that the surgery is " medically necessary. "

>

>You do this on your patient information form, which Dr. R. will be

>sending to your insurance company. You want to show your

>weight is more than 100 pounds over your ideal weight, along with

>*EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE PROBLEM FROM BEING OVERWEIGHT YOU CAN THINK

>OF*

All I can say is, " WOW!! " Since my policy, ODS/Blue Cross PPO, explicitly

states that WLS is not covered I'd totally written it off and raised the

funds to self pay. (Read: robbed my retirement fund and started a

home/internet based business.) This is possibly good news. Thanks for

giving me a bit of hope in this area, .

Thanks again. I really appriciate the confirmation on what I've seen

regarding MGB!!

Walk in Peace;

Jenn (32 y/o, 301#)

Vancouver, WA

Visualizing the other side, where I'm able to go back to hospital work and

have energy to increase my business. (WOOHOO!!)

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