sylhaven

I am also scheduled with Dr. Schram in November. How did your experience go?

I live in Michigan and many folks from Canada come down for the surgery here. I have heard several say the Ohip covered the surgery. You may also want to check out youtube. I have found many helpful vids there from folks who have been banded.

Barix Clinics has a group in Ypsilanti. You might also try Henry Ford Wyandotte- I know they have a bariatric program, don't know about a group.

BrendaFrancis, Yes, I decided. I met with Dr. Schram at Barix and really liked him. I am now completing my 6 month "supervised diet" requirement (3 more to go). Psych eval all done. Melissa

So far I have seen Dr. Popalowski at Barix in Ypsi and Dr. Taylor at ABMI in Warren. I like Dr. P better, but think Dr. T has more experience with lap. surgery. But- the office staff at Barix is definitely more on top of things. The office staff at ABMI can't keep things straight. I am meeting with Dr. Schram next week (Barix-Ypsi). I guess it just bothers me that they are not a center of excellence. So- I haven't decided. Port Huron is too far (2 hours) from me so they are not really an option. Plus, it is unfortunate, but those couple of high profile lap band deaths from that hosptial make me nervous (I know death is risk no matter where).. Sometimes I think I am likely overthinking the whole thing. melissa

In the time it takes me to log my 6 months of supervised dieting, I have decided to lose as much weight as I can reasonably (and safely) lose. I believe being smaller when I have the surgery can only help me. To this end, I am planning on using shakes as a Meal Replacement for at least 2 of my meals, having veggies like celery or fruit for each of 2 Snacks and one lean meal per day. I plan on staying under 1000 calories per day. This will be HARD. It would be great if anyone else out there has this kind of plan for the 6 month wait. I would love to connect with you. Writing down my intention is a good first step I guess. The pre-surgery diet train is now boarding. Jump aboard!!! Melissa (official railroad engineer)

I met with Dr. Taylor at ABMI (formally at CORI) last week. He works with Dr. Wood in Madison Heights. He seemed nice enough, but I have not been impressed with the response of the office to my calls. Also- the forms were outdated (e.g. had me sign consent form that said I agreed to have lap band when they only use the Realize band). I actually live near Toledo and will be meeting with Dr. Pop... at Barix in Ypsilanti tomorrow. I have not checked into Henry Ford. I used to work there and don't want my former coworkers to be able to see my records. Ypsilanti is closer and the office has been wonderful-- but they do not use the Realize band- lap band only. I had been told the Realize band was better but I didn't see the new AP band. So my comparison was only the Realize versus the old band at Taylor's office. Any suggestions- anyone go through Barix?

Just FYI My surgeon informed me yesterday that Medicare is going to stop covering fills. He said that generally the rest of the insurance compaines follow what Medicare does- so he anticipates that in this year or early next year all fills will be out of pocket. I work in healthcare myself and do know the trend to follow Medicare to be true. The cost of fills (usually between $150-250) may need to be considered by those who are planning to get the band.

Thanks for the encouragment! Melissa

My surgeon changed from the old band to the realize band only. He passed around both during our group meeting yesterday. The realize band has a smaller, lower profile port and a wider band. The band is softer and completey encircled. He said that it is a low pressure band- meaning that it puts less pressure on the stomach= less slipage, less erosion. He also notes that it allows for more comfortable eating in terms of meats and other similar textures. The trials indicate that the weight loss is the same between the bands. The port has an attachment system to lock into place= less port flips, less trama at the port site. The old ports had to be sewn into place. Hope this helps

I met with the surgeon yesterday. He said I am the "ideal" canidate for the lab band (BMI=40). He also said that the research indicates that most will lose 30-50% of their excess weight with the band. I want to lose 120 pounds and he said the only way to do that would be to get a gastric bypass. I was really hopeful bout the band- not to keen on the getting chopped up bypass. So- I opted for the band. I know that my insurance requires 6 months of "supervised" weight loss. I already did this with LA weight loss. The problem is LA weight loss sold to Pure Weight Loss which went out of business- as in door locked, phone disconnected- can't get me records closed :sad_smile: I plan on trying to lose at least 30-40 pounds pre-surgery (during my 6 month wait). He said if I can do that- I will be able to reach my eventual goal with the band. I would love to connect with others trying to lose weight pre-surgery. I sure could use the support.

I live in Michigan and have BCBS PPO. In my area, all centers that perform this type of surgery have you attend a 4-5 hour apt. that includes a group meeting with the dietician, lab work, and a talk to the group by the surgeon. Following this, the surgeon meets with you individually.

Hi Detroitdame, I am in Temperance. I am meeting with Dr. Taylor (ABMI- Harper Hospital) on Thursday. I am just beginning this process (again). I too will be submitting to BCBS so we should definitely talk and compare notes!! Melissa:rolleyes2:

In my continuing investigation (pre-surgery) I came across this website- - The Mini Gastric Bypass It talks about eventually (10 years out from banding) most everyone will have had to have another surgery. It also shows a film of someone having the band taken out and a mini gastric bypass done. She had to have the band removed because of the scar tissue that developed after several years on her stomach and the fact that the tube grew into her liver. I am terrified. I want to think this is just this MDs site trying to get new patients but... I need to hear from those of you who have had the band for many years (10 or so) to know what the long-term consequences are. As I am 36, I am likely to have the band for 40 years or so. Please advise, Melissa

I have been considering lap band surgery for many years. In 2006, I got as far as the pre-apt with the surgeon before I chickened out. I guess I just buy into the same biases as others- that I should be able to do it without surgery-. While I haven't gained any weight since then, I haven't lost any either. My BMI is 41. I have insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries (so can't have children). At 36 years old, it seems like banding is the only way this is going to work. So-- I am back in the process. I have an apt. on the 10th for the 4 hour info meeting that you have to attend followed by an apt with the surgeon. My insurance pays for the procedure at 100% (minus my 10.00 copay) so that is a real plus for me. I still have to get together the 6 months of "medically supervised weight loss"- so it will likely be Sept before I can have the surgery. I keep going back and forth- I worry most about 1) the port being obvious to others, 2) scarring, 3) complications, and 4) skin aprons post. I am hoping #4 will not be an issue for me as I lost 70 pounds in 6 1/2 months before and had no sagging (but that was in 2002). I am now the same weight I was when I started that 70 pound loss. Anyway, I am reading the forum and building up my courage. I would be pleased to chat with any and all. Thanks, Melissa