former_vbg

Because Jan could care less about the patients and its obvious she hates her job. IMO

Do you know what size bouge was used? Did he sew over the staple line to tuck your new tummy just a tad more? It sounds like things have gone well for you, congrats! I always wonder when some people post struggles w/their sleeve what size bougie they had. I think most everyone knows this is a tool, but because there are so many different ways the sleeve can be done that some techniques might work better than others.

I'm not really a fan of Donald Trumps show on Sunday nights, but I did watch a few clips tonight and was watching Star Jones more than anything really admiring how she has done so well with her weight loss. I haven't really followed the media stuff on her but was pretty sure she had had some sort of WLS- but didn't know which one. So, I googled her to see what I could find. Not with any big surprise, she had the GB. The reason I'm posting about this is that in this article, she talks about all the very same things everyone else speaks of here with their insecurities, the denial we go through before it takes us to hit bottom and do something. But, then, to go further she talks about the way she has felt even after having lost the weight and the struggles she has had as well. I'm glad that she has been able to stay successful regardless of which surgery she had- but I thought it might be nice for anyone who wished to read her comments because I think she puts what we all feel so gracefully.... http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2007/08/star-jones-weight?currentPage=1

I'm glad you had a good experience, but just an FYI - Wayne is even harder to reach than Jan and does NOT return emails either unless he wants to.

Good luck with that, I wouldn't hold my breath though. Jan won't answer emails she doesn't feel like, and evidently nobody else at the office cares either- including their practice manager. I found their whole office very unprofessional. Jan Langton Bariatric Case Manager (Alpha L-Z) Ofc 913.677.6319 x 225 Fax 913.677.1540 jlangton@kcbariatric.com

I wish that were true. I've been on those before I got tired of the daily pill and went to the depo shot.Thanks though.

Thank you, those are some good tips. I will do some research on the CSA. I do live in the country, and will have to figure out if there are any folks who do local butchering. The ones around me I know just sell their cows at the local auctions which then end up wherever... Thank you!

I am fortunate that I have insurance through my employer and wouldn't have a need for this- but it is good to know that something like this does exist. I went to the link and was rather disappointed though. There is no contact information to apply, no way to find out if a surgeon is on their list, really very lacking in a lot of information I would have expected to see there. How does someone apply if there is no contact information or information on how to apply?

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been to 3 different seminars and it's quite clear that lap bands are a big money maker. They can be done in under 2 hours, plus they get the additional "royalties" from the fills/ unfills for god knows how long.... The surgeons not pushing the band are still pushing the GB, and love the idea of trying to convince their patients that if they don't buy the supplements from them they may not get what their body needs- basically scaring them into buying more expensive supplements they could just as easily buy from GNC or their local CVS.... Whatever happened, "do no harm".... what a croc

Wow, just 2 days of liquids- you are lucky! I hope our snow storm doesn't interfere with getting your surgery.

I did the email thing with Jan and others too, and had the same response as on the phone. What I did find is that he is best suited for first time WLS- not revisions and that is what I need. I had to get my information from outside his office since he has created an office that prevents penetrating that wall so difficult.

Just going to share my experience with Jan and the people at his office. When I originally started searching for a surgeon, I contacted his office first. They led me on a wild goose chase for weeks, actually just over a month to be more precise. Let's just say Jan was LESS than helpful.... being evasive with her answers and to other questions passing me off to their case manager who never would respond to my questions. Try asking them to provide you with an actual number of procedures Dr. Hoehn has done, what his complication rates are, and anything else specific to his practice...... You won't likely get any, or if you do the answers will be quite vague.... Getting answers like "within the national standards" is a non-answer in my book. I know he has many happy patients in the area, but so did my original Dr. from that same hospital and a few years later he was the subject of multiple medical malpractice suits. Just do a google search of Dr. Timothy Sifers and you will see for yourself. My point is anytime an office can't / won't give me direct answers to simple questions that I have a right to know as a possible patient, it's time to move on (for me at least).

I'll bet that's just Dr. Hoehn's fee. Reading the small print probably reveals the true cost.

I have too many chin hairs to tweeze. I just shave my chin which I really hate having to do. A few years ago, I tried going to a place that promised after 8 treatments the hairs would be gone forever- not... I can't even remember what they called it now, it was like electronic impulses from a device they moved over the problem area after applying a gel. A waste of money!

Ohhh, the list of questions to ask could be a mile long. I compiled a list of questions that I tailored based on what I could find out about the Dr. and/or program in advance of talking with them. Even though you are wanting a sleeve, the dsfacts.com site has a great list of questions you might want to look at. Yes, it is for having the DS- but there are LOTS of other questions there that could just as easily apply to any Dr performing a weight loss procedure. One thing I would want to know is what size bouge are they using? I would be looking for them to say between a 32 to 34, but not more than 36. That's just me, but from my research that seems to be the ones who experience the best results post-op. Good luck! http://www.dsfacts.com/Questions-To-Ask-Your-Surgeon.html

Thanks TIffkins, I'll look in the recipe section. I don't know honestly how tofu and such tastes but may give it a try. I'll check that out, thanks for responding!

Not yet, but that is on my list to do. I'm not sure about Soy, may try it- but it never has sounded very appealing to eat/ drink. May have to see what improvements have been made in the taste.

I have been a meat eater all my life and while I have been aware there are some abusive practices in our "factory farms", I must be honest that I have largely put it out of my mind until a friend sent me a video that has me really re-thinking my choices in food buying/ eating. I don't think I could ever totally give up meat, but I would really like to look seriously at ways to not support these abusive factory farms. I am just finishing up the insurance hurdles now, and hope to be setting a date for surgery soon- but this has me wondering how I could get the right dense Protein going vegan. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Note: some of the footage is extremely graphic!

Wow.... that is an intense couple of days. It sounds like it is going to work out, but I hear ya, like you are supposed to be happy you wouldn't have to pay the full $xxxx.... whatever.... I am a little surprised to hear your insurance has any benefit for travel for out of town. I kind of doubt Aetna has that, but heck its worth asking as my surgery will be out of state. Keep the faith!

You should be able to find this out directly from your insurance carrier either on their website or calling their customer service. Also, your Dr.'s office should be able to help you with this too. I recommend that you find this out before you submit for a pre-certification, otherwise you will likely have to go through a lengthy appeal process if you haven't met all of their requirements ahead of time. Appeals can work, but it usually delays things. Just a couple of suggestions.

Glad you are on your way to getting your revision! Just curious if there is anything specific about your past WLS that makes you more interested in the Sleeve plication over just the sleeve? Just wondering.

I'm definitely interested as I will be having surgery out of state. What part of the city are you guys? I'm southern KC, actually live 30 min south of Overland Park. I bet we might get a local library to let us use one of their rooms. Just a thought.

I can so relate to the fears and issues over family / friends not being supportive. When I had my VBG 13 years ago, I only told about 2 or 3 friends, no family members- none, nadda, zip and to this day they do not know I had the surgery. They just figured I lost a bunch of weight the "old fashioned way". I'm SOOOOO glad I didn't because it would make it even harder going into having a revision knowing they would be even more judgmental this time. I favor more of my father's side of the family, although both my parents have weight issues as well as one of my brothers. I won't be telling anyone at work and it goes without saying, no family will be told either. I have only told 3 of my closest friends, people I felt pretty certain they would be supportive or at least willing to listen to me without being judgmental. Even when I go for short term disability from work, my boss will likely try to get me to tell him- but all he will get is that I am having surgery to fix a past surgery that has been causing some complications". That's all he needs to know, if that even. But, to avoid being completely rude and cause an uncomfortable conversation by just flat out saying I won't say, this will be my approach. You have made a sincere attempt to include your family. You have done what you can do and now the rest is up to them to meet you in the middle on this. Like the others have said, this is about YOU- not about THEM. Just keep focused on the goal and you will be fine. The others will have to figure out how to deal with their own insecurities on their own time.

You might ask him about how many Sleeves he has done, where he got his training. Then, personally I would want to know what size bougie he uses. Size 32 to 36 seems to be the standard from everything I have researched. I'm going through the insurance hurdles now and the surgeon I am using uses 32.

That's the one that does TONS of t.v. advertisements isn't he? And, I think almost every night at like 2AM he has the same 30 minutes with the same people who are singing the glory of the lapband perhaps? When is your surgery? Are you having the Sleeve or the lapband?