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!!!!!

You do look great BBK! I'm new to this forum from near Traverse City Michigan. Saw a post from someone else in the area from a while ago.

My first surgeon appt is next week and I'm excited. I see the dietition the next day, and the psych the next week. I have California BC, and printed the policy statement from their web site. I'ver read it over and over and see nothing at all about spending 6 or 12 months on a supervised diet. If I pass all of the "tests" I think I have a good chance on approval. Can't wait to be on the other side of this!

Hey Pike and Pike's Mom...

Hope you guys are doing well. Looking forward to seeing you at the next support group meeting... Feb. 9 11 a.m. same place.

You do look great BBK! I'm new to this forum from near Traverse City Michigan. Saw a post from someone else in the area from a while ago.

My first surgeon appt is next week and I'm excited. I see the dietition the next day, and the psych the next week. I have California BC, and printed the policy statement from their web site. I'ver read it over and over and see nothing at all about spending 6 or 12 months on a supervised diet. If I pass all of the "tests" I think I have a good chance on approval. Can't wait to be on the other side of this!

Good luck to you Blund!

BBK, you look so good! I'm hoping to be banded this month. I will get my date this week. I have been doing to pre-op for a week now. I PM'd you.

Blessings,

Brenda

HI

Newbie here - looking at the facilities in Flint for surgery - hoping to make local friends who dont mind me picking their brains for info

Congrats on all the successes I see here so far!

Jennifer

Hi Miexquiz,

I had lap band 11-15-07 in Flint. Hurley Bariatric Center by Dr Wagner. E-mail me for info.

Danna

Had my 1st appt at Grand Traverse Surgery and saw the nutritionist the other day. Nurse MK said my info looks good for approval. I have BCBS and that seemed to make her confident about it. I'm excited and nervous. My BMI is right on the edge of approval and my co-morbidities are not huge. Crossing my fingers! Oh, and I see the shrink next friday.....heard he was good looking! A real "GQ" guy!

I'm so glad this forum is here. Its hard to be so excited with no one to talk to in person! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! (sorry)

To Blund: Welcome aboard. Your'e gonna love this site there are so many places to go with people who have been there and done that too. "In almost anything you can think of".. So you will find it useful to. When you find out what month you will be banded in? You can enter that site "example October Bandster" and all the people that are being banded with you will be on that site. It's a lot of fun to. So have fun on your journey

and we'll talk again. Shirley...

Welcome Blund...

Dr. Featherstone did my sugery last March 14th...almost 1 year now!

It sounds like I started out the same, BMI of 40 and 2 co-morbities.

I had NO problems with BCBS of MI approving me.

I've been struggling to lose this winter, by nothing but my own fault. I've lost 53 lbs. and feel great!

Good luck, whens surgery?

Hi All. I don't have approval yet. After the shrink evaluation, they'll send everything in to BC. From what I've read here about the shrink appointments and questionnaire, I'm looking forward to a good laugh! Then I get to wait... But the coordinator said everything looked favorable for ins. approval. And yes, I've learned a ton of information from this site. I've found forums in general, the most helpful in other areas of interest as well.

HI everyone!

I'm new here. I live in Roseville, (hello eastsiders!) I'm researching surgeons and I'm wondering why it seems no one here has used the Dr.s in St. Clair Shores, which are out of St. John Hospital?

Do they have a bad rep?

They are practically in my back yard, so it would be so practical for me to use them, but not if they are not a good team.

It seems most here opt to go to Port Huron or into Detroit?

Just wondering why??

would love to chat with anyone that can help me thru this process.

Thank you!

jon schram md because he is the only dr. doing the Realize band !

HI everyone!

I'm new here. I live in Roseville, (hello eastsiders!) I'm researching surgeons and I'm wondering why it seems no one here has used the Dr.s in St. Clair Shores, which are out of St. John Hospital?

Do they have a bad rep?

They are practically in my back yard, so it would be so practical for me to use them, but not if they are not a good team.

It seems most here opt to go to Port Huron or into Detroit?

Just wondering why??

would love to chat with anyone that can help me thru this process.

Thank you!

I'M AN EASTSIDER, TOO. MY DOC IS HEAD OF THE LAPROSCOPIC DEPT. AT ST JOHN IN DETROIT, BUT BECAUSE I'M ON MEDICARE, HE HAD TO DO IT AT HARPER IN THE DMC. HE WAS RECOMMENDED BY MY GENERAL DOC. HIS NAME IS A. HAWASLI, AND HIS OFFICE IS ON LITTLE MACK JUST SOUTH OF 10 MILE ROAD. I HAD COMPLICATIONS, BUT THAT WAS DUE TO PRIOR CONDITIONS. HE SEEMS OKAY, AND HE HAS SEMINARS REGULARLY @ SJH.

JULIA

HI Julia!

I live around 10 and Little Mack, so this Dr. Hawasli would be so close that I could walk to him!

Do they do the fills at his office or in the hospital?

In researching Dr. Hawasli, it seems he was one of the founding fathers of the laprosopic surgeries!! It seems like he's done alot of them also.

Did you like the office staff, they way you were treated, ect...?

I have BC/BS for insurance, so they should take me at the SJH, right?

How are you feeling? progessing? would you do it again?

thanks!

Cheryl

HI everyone!

I'm new here. I live in Roseville, (hello eastsiders!) I'm researching surgeons and I'm wondering why it seems no one here has used the Dr.s in St. Clair Shores, which are out of St. John Hospital?

Do they have a bad rep?

They are practically in my back yard, so it would be so practical for me to use them, but not if they are not a good team.

It seems most here opt to go to Port Huron or into Detroit?

Just wondering why??

would love to chat with anyone that can help me thru this process.

Thank you!

Hi Yankeeblue,

I live in Roseville also! I'm at 12 & Utica Rd. I was one of the ones who chose to go out to PH. The SCS docs do a lot of different surgeries. I'd rather a doc who does only one surgery and does it well. I'll be curious to see how you find the docs in SCS. I haven't heard anyone stand up and say, "Yes, they are wonderful." If I had, I wouldn't have such a long drive to get fills.