Donna-mult abdominal surgeries

[Guest guest]

Donna, I to have had multiple abdominal surgeries- Open gallbladder

in 1988, hernia repairs twice, VGB (open) in 1994, and vaginal

hysterectomy in 2000. whew!! My surgeon, Dr Hess, wasnt terribly

concerned. He said he was pleasantly surprised at how easy it all

went despite some adhesions that had to be dealt with.

Dont worry, it wont stop you from getting the DS. Best of luck, Meli

-- In duodenalswitch@y..., " Donna Joostema " <joostema@u...> wrote:

> Cindy,

>

> I'm glad for you that Darryl was polite and helpful, but in my

wildest

> dreams, I could never use those two words

> to describe him, and when I conjur up mental images, well, let's

just say

> there are multiple heads, tails, talons, etc. :-)

>

> I had my visit with my PCP today to begin the ball rolling. I am

fortunate

> in that he stands behind my decision, but

> wants me to see two other doctors for their opinion (I have had

multiple

> adbominal surgeries, and he wants to make

> sure the adhesions aren't an issue). I can respect that, and will

do this,

> knowing that my doctor will help me fight

> Cigna. My insurance HAS approved women to go out of state and have

the lap

> BPD/DS. I figure I'll illicit an attorney

> to help from the beginning to hopefully cut through the insurance

bs. I

> can use all the luck/prayers I can get !! I have

> a feeling I'm in for a bumpy ride.

>

> Bye,

> Donna

>

>

> Donna C. Joostema

>

> (T/L) 444-7949

> WES Build Support

> email: joostema@u...

>

>

>

>

>

Cinloo59@a...

> om To:

duodenalswitch@y...

>

cc:

> 08/09/2001 Subject: Re:

Re: Calling all Dr. Ren Patients!

> 11:15

AM

> Please

respond

>

to

>

duodenalswitch

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi Donna

>

> I have Cigna now and I may have been the bug that got Darryl off and

> running.

> I have been in contact with him on quite a few occasions and he has

always

> been polite and helpful, but the problem seems to be Cigna. It is

not an

> insurance company that gives easily and Darryl has had quite a few

cases

> that

> are still open and going through appeal after appeal. Let's put it

this

> way...he HATES dealing with Cigna and yes, while they do approve a

case

> here

> and there for lap DS's....make no mistake....you are going to be in

for the

>

> fight of your life with them. Darryl told me the same thing....go

to the

> insurance company and get pre certed...no such animal can be done

and he

> knows it....I have opted to try to change my insurance because I

have

> already

> dealt with Cigna in a short time and they are hell on wheels. You

must be

> careful because if you do any tests that are only because of the

surgery

> and

> then you are denied, you will be liable for paying for those tests

out of

> pocket. I have been told by Cigna that they would be happy to pay

for any

> surgery if you want it done open....maybe yes maybe no to

that....but lap

> is

> a different story....It also seem that Cigna out west is more open

to

> approving wls....I'm not sure why that is but here on the east

coast, they

> have their heads in the sand....I wish you luck..

>

> Cindy

>

>

>