Archive for June, 2009

Weight Reduction – A Man’s Point of View

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Obesity affects men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Since the benefits of large-volume weight loss are most often discussed from a woman’s point of view or targeted specifically towards women, we wanted to touch on how the LAP-BAND® procedure can improve health and happiness for men, as well.

In their many years of performing state-of-the-art weight loss procedures, the team at Lap Band Rockies has helped countless men reach their weight loss goals.  Here they share the following observations regarding men and how they view the comprehensive weight loss procedure experience:

  • In general, men are more interested in resolution of co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain) rather than the appearance benefits.  Looking good is still important but not usually the primary goal of our male patients.
  • Our male LAP-BAND® recipients are often very keen on the financial sense the procedure provides. When you look at our past patients and read through the success stories, it is clear that the procedure is a smart financial decision. Recent statistics show that the LAP-BAND® procedure can essentially pay for itself within 14 months (assuming $9950 is the cost). Our patients enjoy saving money on food, co-pays on medicines, doctor visits, ER visits, hospitalizations, etc. And, the fact that third-party financing is available makes this procedure affordable.
  • Men appreciate the fact that weight loss can help them build confidence and feel more comfortable in social situations. One patient in particular remarked how differently he is treated at work now then when he was overweight. He said that before there were very few people who would give him the time of day and now that he has lost the weight, even though his personality has not changed, he is treated with more respect. In another instance, a patient had a hard time finding a date until he had lost weight which he felt made him more approachable and more willing to engage the opposite sex.
  • Many of our patients appreciate the fact that they become more mobile and active after surgery. A number of our male patients have described the after effects of LAP-BAND® as “getting their life back.”

Discover how weight loss surgery can help you in so many wonderful ways. If you have questions about LAP-BAND and you would like to find out if you are a good LAP-BAND® candidate, set up a consultation with Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum today at Lap Band Rockies.

 

—Lindsey Kesel, Bariatric Surgery Consultant

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Will Your Insurance Cover LAP-BAND® Surgery?

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

The benefits of LAP-BAND® sound incredible. You are extremely interested in the possibilities this procedure could hold for your health and your future, but there is one unanswered question standing in your way: Will your insurance help cover the cost of LAP-BAND® surgery?

For many individuals, LAP-BAND® is covered under their insurance policies. Because weight loss procedures like LAP-BAND® and gastric bypass have become so popular in recent years, most major policies will address the topic in their contracts.

At Lap Band Rockies, we do not work with insurance in our office. However, we can offer you some tips to see if their insurance covers the surgery. When you connect with your health insurance representative, you can ask the following questions to get the coverage information you need.

1. Is weight loss surgery an exclusion on my plan?

 If the answer is yes they will know that they have to pay out-of-pocket for the surgery.

2. Is pre-authorization required for CPT code 43770 for outpatient surgery?

If the insurance company says no then ask the next question below. This question is where many people get confused. Insurance companies may tell you that no pre-auth is required for that CPT code but they don’t tell you if there is a pre-determination phase. That’s where the insurance catch is. I know it happened to me.

3. Is there a pre-determination phase?

If so get a copy of the criteria and see if you can meet the criteria. If you do not meet the criteria then you know that your only other option is to pay out-of-pocket. A lot of the time we get these patients back even if it’s several months later.

Guidelines regarding weight loss procedures like LAP-BAND® should be detailed in your Explanation of Benefits. Check in both the “Covered” and “Not Covered” sections to find an answer. If there is coverage available, there may be stipulations, for instance a condition of obesity must be proven, or the procedure must be deemed “medically necessary” by your primary care physician or LAP-BAND® surgeon. In some cases, insurance providers will offer partial coverage, considering the procedure both a health improvement and a cosmetic enhancement.

In general, many providers will use the candidacy requirements set forth by the National Institutes of Health which states that weight loss surgery may be medically necessary for people who have a body mass index of 40 or greater, or have a BMI of at least 35 with co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension. An insurance company may require you to provide proof that previous weight loss attempts have been unsuccessful.

You may need to have signed document from your physician explaining why LAP-BAND® is medically necessary. In the case of coverage denial, there may be an opportunity to appeal and try again for authorization. If you discover that insurance coverage for LAP-BAND® is not feasible, you always have the option of obtaining third-party financing in order to delay payment.

Find out if LAP-BAND® is covered under your current insurance policy. Then contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum  at Lap Band Rockies today to set up a personal consultation and speak with one of our coordinators about your benefits and payment options. 

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Effective Protein Intake After LAP-BAND®

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

Protein Concerns

After LAP-BAND® surgery, it is very important that patients commit to a balanced nutritional intake that includes ample protein. As people eat a smaller amount of food, we don’t want the quantity of protein to be an overriding concern with meal planning. Since most of us enjoy mixed meals of some meat, vegetables, whole grains and fruit, the amount of protein eaten may be relatively small. One way to assure that enough protein is eaten is to take the protein supplements we recommend.

Band patients must have at least 60-70 grams of protein per day whether it be with food or protein supplements. Fish, chicken and beans are very high in protein

How Protein Supplements Can Help

A protein supplement with 15-20 grams of protein in less than 175 calories per serving is an excellent balance between meeting the high protein needs and still limiting total calories. 
We have always recommended taking 2-3 of these supplements a day to assure that patients get the 60 grams a day of protein that they need to maintain their protein health.

Occasionally we hear of patients who have skin and hair changes — and our first concern is always that they are not getting the protein they need from their diet and supplements. I often remind our LAP-BAND® patients that we want all of their weight loss to be fat and that we want to spare their protein/muscle to keep them healthy and strong. One added benefit to the protein supplements is that many of them are very tasty and most patients use them to control their appetites and limit their need for between-meal eating. 


If you would like to learn more about effective nutrition after LAP-BAND® surgery, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum  at Lap Band Rockies for an in-depth weight loss surgery consultation.

—Paula Peirce, PhD

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How LAP-BAND® May Help People With Hypertension

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

The LAP-BAND® surgery offers countless benefits above and beyond its main goal of large volume weight loss. Because obesity is linked to more than 30 potentially serious health problems, it makes sense that once LAP-BAND® patients drop pounds, they see results in the form of improvements in these related health problems.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one health issue that can be positively affected after the LAP-BAND® procedure. A common condition in severely overweight individuals, hypertension can endanger healthy arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you currently suffer from hypertension, your doctor has most likely filled you in on all of the ways this condition can threaten your health.

Hope for People With Hypertension

The American Association for the Treatment of Clinical Obesity reports that a weight loss of just 10 percent of body weight can improve obesity-related medical problems like hypertension. It has been suggested by several sources that nearly 80 percent of patients with hypertension are able to stop their blood-pressure reducing medication routines after having the LAP-BAND® surgery. Your experienced LAP-BAND® surgeon will present some statistics and detail how this procedure has helped many patients beat hypertension.

A Healthier Future After LAP-BAND®

LAP-BAND® has also been shown to improve other potentially life-threatening conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Remember that obesity is a major risk factor for heart attack, and that weight loss can dramatically reduce your risks. Other conditions that can improve? Asthma, arthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, metabolic conditions, and circulatory disorders.

LAP-BAND® can help patients lose weight immediately, with gradual loss of pounds over several years. Often, LAP-BAND® patients will see improvement of conditions like hypertension in a matter of months. The immense enhancement in quality of life and health status are priceless benefits that can encourage longevity and happiness.

Find out how the popular LAP-BAND® procedure can improve overall health and enjoyment of life. To discuss the benefits of LAP-BAND® and your weight-loss goals, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today.

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Medication Restrictions After LAP-BAND® Surgery

Monday, June 1st, 2009

LAP-BAND® is a medical weight-loss procedure that can be a highly effective method for helping morbidly obese people lose a significant percentage of their body weight. It does, however, come with a lot of responsibility on the part of the patient. LAP-BAND® recipients must commit to doing the post-operative health maintenance required to achieve and maintain results, including diet and fitness regimens, as well as respecting the medication restrictions that are recommended. You should also be committed to staying in touch with your LAP-BAND® surgeon and undergoing regular assessments to ensure you are staying on track and heading down the right road to meet your weight-loss goals.

There is a delicate balance of nutrition and exercise that is needed to keep your body as healthy as possible, to keep all systems running optimally. Your diet plan will be carefully structured to ensure you are getting the ideal vitamin and mineral requirements. A daily multi-vitamin and calcium supplement may be required, depending on your personal food choices.

If you currently take prescription medication, your physician will need to approve all post-operative medications first. However, the form of medication may need to change. After LAP-BAND®, you may take mediations that are chewable or in liquid form.  Capsules (the kind that pull apart and the powder or little beads fall out) can be taken whole.  All pills need to be crushed or dissolved before consumption to avoid getting stuck. You will be instructed to take multi-vitamins and calcium (calcium carbonate which are Tums) . There are some drugs, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers like Ibuprofen) and diuretics (fluid pills), that should be avoided to prevent stomach irritation. NSAIDS can induce ulcers, and diuretics can cause dangerous potassium deficiencies. Each recommendation is individually-based — some patients may be able to take these medications.

In general, the vast majority of medications are acceptable and can continue to be taken after surgery. Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, may actually be able to forego previous medications associated with these conditions when and if their health status improves due to weight loss. In fact, a number of our LAP-BAND® patients have been able to stop taking certain pills once their hypertension, diabetes, or other problems saw improvement. Remember that all medications must be reported and cleared by your physician first.

To learn more about the LAP-BAND® procedure and what is involved in the follow-up care, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies today. Our experienced, professional team will get you set up with a personal evaluation and provide you will all of the important details on this popular weight-loss option. 

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