is the day! I am very nervous! My
friends and family and I spent the whole weekend eating
BBQ! We have to leave at 3:00 am in order to be in St.
Louis by 6:30. No sleep for me tonight. Just about the
time I would fall asleep I’ll be getting up! I guess
tomorrow is my new birthday! 
Linda
I met someone today who has a friend who was
turned down in Louisiana for the surgery. What is the
name of that lawyer who helps people get approved?? I
think he lives in California. Any info?? Please email
with any you may have!Thanks!!<br><br>~Angela
I’d like to speak to others who had their stomach done also
hi, im am so glad i have found this site. i am
set for surgery on sept 29th, and i know i will need
someone to talk to who knows what im going through.
<br><br>i read some of the previous postings, and thought i
would share a bit about my journey. i began in january
of 2000, and by the time i went through all the
psych testing, and getting my medical history, it was
april before i even got to meet with the surgeon. from
there, i applied to the insurance company (this was a
total nitemare). at the end of may i was denied, and
appealed it. i just found out last week that they
overturned it, and it was approved. so, i just wanna say to
those of you out there with the denials. dont give
up……keep on the insurance company and appeal as many times
as it takes. good luck.<br><br>tina
hi i live in arkansas and i’m having surgery on
oct the 18th..by dr john baker in little rock.<br>i’m
sure i’ll have many questions afterwards..<br>i think
this is a great club…i’m glad there are people you
can turn to who have been there…i live in a small
town and it’s hard to find others who are in the same
situation
Hi all, I got denied yesterday! 
I remember
reading at some point about a web site or a lawyer that
will help. Does anyone know who this is??? My
insurance co lost my paperwork 4 times!!! I let my surgeon
schedule my surgery date and go thru all the preadmit
stuff, that now it looks like I will have to pay for-so
they say! I don’t think so!! I didn’t know better
about the surgeon. Apparently 200 extra pounds and
sleep apnea don’t make me sick enough for
surgery!?!?<br>Thanks in advance for any help! Marla
I will be having Open-RNY with Dr. Schreiber in Cleveland, Ohio at St. Vincent
Charity Hospital on October 24, 2000!!!!! Yippy!!!!<br>Please keep me and my
family in your prayers!!!!!
My problem is this- I work for a small hospital
and as long as I have surgery or anything done at
that hospital insurance will pay. If I go outside of
that hospital it only pays 70%. My question is - has
anyone had to ask there doctor to do the surgery at
another hospital? and how well did that go over with the
doctor. I don’t make very much money and there is no
surgeons at my hospital who will do wls. I have a
appointment for the 23rd of this month with a doctor - but
I’m scared to death to ask him to come to my hospital
for the surgery. Any suggestions???
My surgery date has been moved to September 6th.
They wanted to make it August 28, but, I felt I needed
more time rather than less. Still not very far off!
Lets hope I don’t get bumped again! Linda
Has anyone been told they cannot have carbonated
drinks post-op? I was told by a nurse at a support group
that carbonated drinks were out after surgery. My
surgeon says they are ok. I am addicted to Diet Coke and
was curious as to whether or not I need to give it
up. I had planned to stop drinking it, but, now am
curious as to whether I can have pop occasionally. Also,
I am a big gulper of drinks! I have been practicing
sipping! Do straws work? Or are straws a bad idea? Help!
Linda