Savedbygrace

HUNTSVILLE OR SURROUNDING AREAS.... This is a reponse to an email I sent to the Bariatric Coordinator at Huntsville Hospital. Please let me if you're intrested so I can reply to her. Hi Wendy! So good to hear from you! Dr. Mailapur is one of Huntsville Hospitals Bariatric surgeons and he does perform gastric band and bypass. It's exciting that you have contacted me in regards to this. Currently our support groups are combined with band and bypass. You are exactly correct...we need to have a support group for bands specifically. We have discussed doing this in the past, however, there may be 1 band out of 50 in attendance at our current evening group meeting and 0 out of 20 for the morning group. We have been waiting until we have more bands present before creating an additional group. It would not be good to have a band group and only 1 person attend. How many individuals do know that could commit to coming to a band specific support group? I can help you with a location for the meeting if you like. Do you think am or pm would be best? Currently our support groups are monthly at the Medical Mall Wellness Center. First Thursday 6pm Third Wednesday 10am Look forward to hearing from you

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a response to my email to the bariatric coordinator at Huntsville Hospital. Can I please get a response from the ones that are willing to attend so I can reply to her. This is exciting!!!! Hi Wendy! So good to hear from you! Dr. Mailapur is one of Huntsville Hospitals Bariatric surgeons and he does perform gastric band and bypass. It's exciting that you have contacted me in regards to this. Currently our support groups are combined with band and bypass. You are exactly correct...we need to have a support group for bands specifically. We have discussed doing this in the past, however, there may be 1 band out of 50 in attendance at our current evening group meeting and 0 out of 20 for the morning group. We have been waiting until we have more bands present before creating an additional group. It would not be good to have a band group and only 1 person attend. How many individuals do know that could commit to coming to a band specific support group? I can help you with a location for the meeting if you like. Do you think am or pm would be best? Currently our support groups are monthly at the Medical Mall Wellness Center. First Thursday 6pm Third Wednesday 10am Look forward to hearing from you

That's me too! I am a sweet freak! But... I have learned to enjoy salad... well my version of a salad haha. I would have NEVER thought I would like it.

CONGRATULATIONS AG!!! I'm excited for you! My date was about a month out from when I schedule it to and it flew by! So take this time to get even more mentally prepared. You'll be on the other side before long! It's great! Hate you didn't make it Shawna. I had never been to a post op meeting before but honestly, I was disappointed that it didn't last long. Other than that, it was good!

I know the feeling! My first episode was by far the WORST!! I decribe it as violent!!! I've had a couple more since then that weren't as bad but it sure does HURT!!!!! You're right.. chew chew chew.

Hey Jason... (or anyone with suggestions ) You know I purchased that bag of matrix protein and I remember you saying that you mix alot of it up and keep in the fridge ready to drink. Tell me... what all do you mix in yours? I heard someone say they add peanut butter but I'm wondering how that will hold up overnight and/or a couple days. I tried it and it wasn't as good to me as the smoothie extreme but it seems to hold me over longer. The directions on the reciepe sheet says add a cup of milk, cup of ice and blend. Well if I do that a day or so ahead... will it still taste ok? As y'all can tell... I'm not much of a cook... that may be what's got me in this situation. haha Any shake ideas?

you know..... VW.. I think I was sitting right beside you! I had a bright yellow tshirt on and jeans... was that you beside me? How ironic! If so, you look alot like a girl I know of in Huntsville and I thought several times about asking you if you were her... Jason and I talked about the fact that you said you were going to be there but neither of us knew your real name and figured you didn't have your screen name on your name tag... if y'all even had to wear them haha. AG - sorry I didnt see you.. I do remember the question about fibromialga (wow Im sure I butchered that) but didn't realize it was you. We'll have to plan a time for us all to meet up so we can introduce ourselves to each other. Jason - It was nice meeting you! I always enjoy putting a face with a name. I emailed this link to Cindy - hopefully we can get more people joining the thread. All in all... was a good day!

Are you talking about the one tomorrow morning at St. Vincents? I have plans to. Long drive and dread that though.

Yes. I emailed Angi but she is out until Monday. I should have more details next week.

My husband went to the seminar with me and he ended up being intrested in it and said Dr. Miles had him about talked into getting it haha... We drive 2 hrs to get there so he didn't mind staying for the meeting.. plus you have to go to at least one before they will schedule the sugery.

Roll call again.... who all is going to the meeting tomorrow?

I don't see any reason why that would be a problem. I didn't have a referral. I just called a local one and scheduled it. They had me fill out a long history form and I noted that I was needing it for surgery clearance. Upon filling out the forms, some of my honest answers were symptoms of sleep apenia so I did have to do the study. Insurance paid for it. I had to doctor note that he was fine with me having the surgery, got that note and faxed it in to Neoami. So ......... yes.. you can go ahead and get that part taken care of.

Hey! I was just thinking about my nutritionist telling me that Huntsville Hospital Wellness Center has a bariatric support group meeting. From what I hear, it's mostly bypass patients but if all of us that are looking for a meeting in Huntsville would go, it would probably equal out. I just called and they have a day and night meeting.. once a month. 1st Thursday of each month - 6pm and also 3rd Wednesday of each month - 10am Anyone intrested in going to the evening one? I can't make the 10am's. I just called back and got the contact info. I'm going to email her and see if I can get more info.

Hey Huntsvillians! I need some suggestions. I need a family doctor in Huntsville. I've been to a few and can't seem to find one that I feel comfortable with. Any suggestions??

Ok y'all! Tell me.... are you at a restriction level where you're not hungry between meals? I'm on fill #4 and have been getting stuck some.. my own fault.. not chewing well enough... and even got stuck on medication twice.. but I get hungry before I think I should. On fill #3 - the first 2 days after it were wonderful! I had to make myself eat.. I would just forget. But it hasn't been that way since. The weight loss has stalled and I'm frustrated. Still walking 2 miles at least 5 days a week. What are y'all eating in a day? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hey Venzwife! Your questions are never a problem!! That's what we are here for. I was full of them before surgery too so ask away. I only had to pay for my copays during the 6 months. I'm sure the doctor coded it as a follow up for other problems I was having at the time too. I lost like 10 pounds during my 6 months but my BMI STILL is not under 40 so I didn't have a problem getting approved even with the loss. I don't figure you'll have a problem with getting approved as long as you follow the guidelines.

Hey AG! How did you get BCBS to reimburse you for the initial consult? I could sure use that money! Did you file it yourself? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I actually used my GYN which is more of a primary care doctor (for me) bc I too have a hard time finding a primary care doctor that I like. Still don't have one as a matter of fact. BCBS states you can't use the surgeon.. which makes sense bc OF COURSE a surgeon would say you need it. I live in Huntsville so I couldn't advise on a Bham pcp. BCBS's policy is here..... https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/policies/final/031.pdf

CONGRATULATIONS CG!! That is WONDERFUL!! Keep up the good work and do what they tell you to!

Welcome to the board! Just like the post above me says ---- yes I forgot who posted it haha-- I would schedule the consult with Dr. Miles asap and get started on the other requirements as you're doing the 6 months for BC. Heads up, the consult is not paid for by insurance so you do have to pay for that. They should go over that in the seminar though. I did my 6 months through my primary phyiscian and a local nutrionist. It can't be done by the surgeon - per BC's guidelines. They do have some set guidelines so it's best to go online and print them out so that you don't do 6 months of the wrong thing. If you need help finding them let me know. Wishing you the best!

Any word on a Lap Band support group in Huntsville??

How long does the meeting last? Seems like it was only 30-45 minutes before as bad as I need it... that's a long way to drive for such a short time.... but then again, I drive 2 hrs for a 10 second fill. HAHA

Anyone going to the support meeting next Saturday? Hopefully gas prices will have gone back down and I'll be able to go for the first time since prebanding. I'm excited as I've got to get remotivated. NO MORE VACATIONS for me!! This past one really got me off track! Who all is going?? Let's make some plans!

Be careful watching some of those videos on youtube. Most of the ones I found that were negative were just advertisement for a surgical practice that recommends a different type surgery. Of course they want you to have a negative impression on the band so you'll consider their procedure. Is that true for the vidoe you're talking about?

Hi! I don't have any experience with IL but I have BC of AL. My suggestion would be to have your doctor make a couple comments in the record stating that you lost/ gained x amount of pounds during that month and that you added more exercise etc... whatever . I am not saying lie about it.. I just mean ask him to document that you came in and what you had changed in that month. Then you should have it covered.