Hi everyone, I was so excited when I heard about this site. But right now I'm kinda of disappointed. It doesnt seem there is anyone on here from Michigan anymore... Hmmm....

Well, If anyone reads this I hope to hear from you soon! I'm pre-op and excited to hear about anyone's experiences! I hope you write!

Thanks!!!!!

I have not heard anything on Dr. Bhesiana. I swear I saw a few postings on LBT by some of his patients, but I can't find them now :scared: . I decided I was going to pursue the LapBand WLS option on Oct. 10, 2005. Attended Dr. Pleatman's seminar on Oct. 11 and made my final decison that I was going to have the surgery. Made an appointments w/Pleatman and Deol. Dr. Pleatman is a wonderful surgeon and his staff is great, but I just connected w/Dr. Deol and Rebecca much better. Going from Pleatman to Deol added a couple of weeks to my whole process. I really didn't start the whole process until I went in to see Dr. Deol Nov 15th. I was banded on Jan 23, 2006. So from initial visit w/my surgeon to my banding it was 9 - 10 weeks.

Good luck :clap2:

WOW! Thank you to ALL of you responding to this post! I went for my initial consultation with Dr. Deol today. I also attended her seminar last week. She and rebecca are so thorough and caring that I almost feel like they are family. I am scared to have the surgery because my family are so negative. If any of you feel the desire, PLEASE IM me with where you are in this process. PLEASE!! I need all the help and support I can get! I am a big Diet Pepsi drinker and need to learn to live without it. I hope to hear from some of you very soon! THANK YOU!

Hi Cinnaberry,

Congrats on taking the first step! :clap2: I was at Dr Deol's office yesterday also, to see Dr Greening, the phychologist. Hopefully your family will see that this is important to you and give you the support you need. I'm almost finished with all my pre op stuff now, so many Dr's appointments! I started my pre op diet today and that includes giving up diet Pepsi, like you said, it's going to be hard! I don't have a surgery date yet, waiting on some test results and then releases, but I would think I'll be banded pretty soon. I'm not much of an IM person but if you have any questions or need to talk, I do check LBT everyday. Good Luck!!!

Giving up diet pepsi is hard, but worth it. I found that by giving up that bad habit---the snacking that went along with it decreased, too!!

Good luck to all!!

:clap2:

I had my seminar with Dr. Deol last night and I really enjoyed it. She was awesome and I am ready to jump on board to get this done and start my new way of life.

My insurance already stated that I'm 100% covered so I'm ready to get this rolling.

Would anybody recommend that I go through the seminar in Port Huron also before deciding? I loved Dr. Deol.

Josette,

What type of insurance do you have? I had my first appointment with Dr. Deol last week and you only grow to love her more afterwards. She seems very loyal and caring... Best of luck!!

I have BCBS PPO.

Do you know if you can schedule appts for the same day prior to you surgery, like the nutritionist and the psych eval? I live in Lansing and I don't know about taking all this time off work. I hope I can minimize it as much as possible.

Josette,

I'm sure you can make multiple appointments for the same day. You might have to wait a little longer, depending on how booked they are. Like I think Dr Greening, the phycologist for Dr Deol, is only in that office on wednesdays, I would find out first then call the nutrionalist. Anyway, I'm sure it can be done. You have to see both of them twice before surgery. Good luck and let us know if you decide to go with Dr Deol

I'm so excited. I have my sleep study appts scheduled and my psych. appointments scheduled. I have to wait a little while to schedule my nutritionist appointments as I have to gather the money for them. But, I am on my way. Good luck to all of you, no matter what stage of the process you are in!

Hey there, I am from Michigan too. I live between South Haven and Kalamazoo. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Sanchez and I go to Dr. Pleatman for my fills. I would love to meet someone near here to share experiences with. I feel like I am floundering and not making any progress right now. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat or if you have any questions about being banded in MX.

weren't you terrified to have the surgery in mexico. I think I'd be a little bit scared. But that might just make me niave. Did you research local doctors or did you choose mexico due to lack of insurance?

Yes, I was a little nervous. Yes, I went there due to Insurance reasons. Yes, it worked out great for me, and yes I would probably do it again, if I had to. It is one of those highly individual decisions we each must make for ourselves. I needed help, and Mexico was the only option left for me. Thanks for asking though.

Hello, I am from Michigan, near Traverse City. I am looking at Dr. Deol, and Dr. Bhesania in Port Huron. I don't know if I have the 12 consecutive months of a supervised weight lose plan Blue Cross/ BS wants so I don't know if my internist will help me get insurance to pay. I am ready to go to Dr. Kuri or Dr. Rumbaut or Dr. Sanchez in Mexico. I am hoping for follow up care with Dr. Deol or Dr. Pleatman for fills but don't know if they will take me if I go to Mexico. Any advice???

Hi there:

I was from Michigan too--Elk Rapids. I got my band on November 8, 2004 and I love it. I had Dr. Bout do it, he was wonderful and is SO CUTE!!!. I had BC/BS of Michigan and they paid the entire bill, except my deductable. Let me know if I can help you, but Dr. Bout would be my first pick. Very good!!!!:clap2:

Dr. Bout is with Dr. Bhesaina in Port Huron Hospital. Very nice place and wonderful dr. and nurses

Just 5 days post-op from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Had my surgery in Green Bay, WI.