puurdypatty

:sad:HELLO ALL, I AM SORRY IF THERE IS A THREAD ON THIS ALREADY, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ONE. SO HERE'S MY STORY. I AM 2 MONTHS POST-OP, HAVE HAD TWO FILLS. LAST FILL WAS ON THURSDAY THE 9TH OF APRIL, WAS TOLD MY PORT SEEMS TO HAVE FLIPPED ON IT'S SIDE. SHE THEN SAYS I MIGHT NEED A REVISION. I AM DREADING ANOTHER SURGERY. CAN ANYONE SHARE THEIR STORY ON THIS WITH ME? THANKS A BUNCH!

Well i guess i can say i am not too worried about how soon i will be having sex. we can go a month without! haha!!

I considered Dr. Oliak but because I'm insured through Blue Cross, he charged a $4,000 "education fee". Instead I've decided upon Dr. Ninh Nguyen at University of California at Irvine. I've heard very good things about Dr. Oliak so don't worry!! He did bypass on a friend of mine one year ago and she's down 100 pounds!!

:eek:What!! This is the second time I hear about a $4000 out of pocket exepense. I am going to make this a point when I meet with his PAC on Dec 18th.

I did ask Melanie in an email, but she didn't respond with an answer...Hmmmm:sneaky:

Happy Thanksgiving! Dr. Oliak is doing my surgery on December 1st. Wish me luck keeping my mind on Monday rather than feasting today!

:wink_smile:Speaking of surgery!

:thumbup:First off good luck!! I wish you a speady recovery and great outcomes!

:thumbup: Second- what time time is your surgery scheduled for?

:wink2: Anyone else what time was yours at?

How exciting for you. Congrats! And good luck.

THANKS! How are you doing?

Happy Thanksgiving! Dr. Oliak is doing my surgery on December 1st. Wish me luck keeping my mind on Monday rather than feasting today!

Hello and a Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! Keep us updated! I meet Alison PAC on Dec 18th.

p/s did you have to pay an out of pocket cash cost?

I feel great I have lost a total of 25 pounds, however i am beggining to feel extremelly hungry and I guess because I have healed I do not feel much restriction I get full much sooner than before however I am hungry all the time hopefully this will change once I have my first fill, I am supposed to have on 12-02.:grouphug:

:grouphug: darn being or feeling hungry sucks!!!! yah the fill should definately help! good thing everything healed properly!

p/s :thumbup:I got the insurance approval! I am looking at sometime in Jan!

:thumbup:my journey so far-from the time i inquired to seeing my pcp, going to dr. Oliak's seminar, seeing the psych, and meeting with the dietician it's been a month. I am 5 days into waiting for pacificare to approve me meeting with dr. Oliak (surgeon). :grouphug:

got approved!!! Pre-op dec 18th.

Yes, I absolutely know what you mean! It is so surreal to actually be moving toward being a size that I used to be! The meeting with the nutritionist went really well today and now being that much closer to getting to Onederland! I can't wait to see how soon my date would be. One of my goals is to go skydiving, go cycling with my husband and to go to an amusement park wuithout trying to make sure the ride will accomodate me! I love roller coasters and it would be great to just get on without any anxiety. Congrats on your progress, I hope that by this time next year we have met or are very near our goals!

So, what did you mean by Dr Oliaks out of pocket cash cost? I am not aware of this. I have contacted Melanie at Dr Oliaks office to ask her about this. I was under the impression, that my insurance would cover all medicall nessecary cost. Uh oh! Well, talk to you soon!

i will be going to dr. oliak for my surgery. i did the seminar about a week and a half ago im waiting for my insurance approval....how has the process been going so far now that its been a month?

I am also, waiting for the insurance approval ( it has been two weeks) I am thinking I will have the procedure in Jan. Depending on Oliaks waiting list. What insurance do you have?

Hey Congratulations to you! I found out that my 1st choice does work with my insurance, Oliak seems to be a great doctor but I really could afford his out of pocket cash cost, to be honest. I have my 1st appt with Owens 12-5, my nutrition is today and I have my psych eval yesterday, they said I should have a date in January, maybe e will be there the same day! I am so excited, are you nervous at all?

Maybe we will! I am actually over the nervous feeling ( for now) I have been wanting to do this for a long time but, my nerves kept me from it. So, my feelings now are more like COME ON LET'S GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD! You know what I mean? Once you start the process you want it to speed up, so you can start seeing results. I look forward to hearing about your progress in this lengthy process.

All I can say is what has been said before. Only you know if you should, and if you can tolerate it. Although, there are complications there are also pros!

Being insecure

Hiding/ignoring old friends

Avenue/Lane Bryant ( damn fat clothes is expensive)

Rashes

Always fixing my pants when I get up

Not fitting into chairs at restaurants,amusement parks or even friends cars etc.

Everyone staring at me

Heartburn

Grocery bill

No energy.............................

Hey Congrats to you:thumbup:, I just faxed my patient info form to Dr. Oliak. I was going to go with another doctor but he was NPAR (Milton Owens):thumbup:, so I decided to go with Oliak as he is PAR, experienced, seems prefered by many patients. I am going to the next seminar:blush:. Hopefully all goes smoothly. I have Anthem PPO. Both doctors seem great, I wonder how long it will take to get a surgery date? Excited and nervous at the same time.

HOWDY! Dr Oliaks office sent the surgery approval on MOnday, so I am pretty darn excited it is getting very close. I hear oliak has a 3 month wait, especially with holidays and stuff. I hope in Jan I am banded! Let me know how things go with you and your process. I would appreciate it!

THANKS A BUNCH YOU FOLKS! I love this site. I have read some really valuable information.

:thumbup:My journey so far-From the time I inquired to seeing my PCP, going to Dr. Oliak's seminar, seeing the Psych, and meeting with the dietician it's been a month. I am 5 days into waiting for PacifiCare to approve me meeting with Dr. Oliak (surgeon). :thumbup:

You should start by talking to your Primary Care Physician. He/she will have all the answers you need. Also, depending on where u live there are free no obligation informational seminars.

Thanks a bunch for responding. I should be having mine done at Chapman, as my PCP is Dr. Ronald Daoud. How long was your total wait from the point of seminar to the actual surgery date?

I am waiting for the referral to see the surgeon/consultation. I have already attended the seminar and seen the psych and dietician. I hope they work fast!

Thank you for posting this. I live in SO Cal, and have Pacificare HMO.

My BMI is 56, and asthmatic. Hope they approve me!

Hello everyone,

Has anyone been banded/ going to be banded by Dr. Oliak? I have chosen him to band me.:eek:

Hello all,

:eek: Just wondering who you have chosen to perfrom surgery, or which surgeon performed on you?

Hello and congrats on the approval! I have me the dietician and psych as well, both have approved. I am now to wait for the referral for the surgeon visit. I have chosen Dr. David Oliak, who are you going with? I chose him and actually had to switch PCP ( I am thankful for he is a great doctor) because I have an HMO. Which insurance do u have? Keep us updated!