Going to the seminar on Saturday to get a feel for Dr. Oldham. I have heard some pretty good things about the Bluegrass Group in Etown, I just hope it holds true. I am looking to ask quite a few questions, but looking for more ideas on what to ask and what to look for... ?!??

My questions so far:

- how many sleeves have you done?

- what is your complication rate? leak rate?

- do you use stitches over the staple line?

- will you be providing my post op care as well?

Anything else?

Thanks!

If you don't like this doctor you might also want to look at Dr. Sonnanstine at Georgetown. He is great, he treated my complications with my lapband when the bluegrass doctors refused me because I had the band placed somewhere else. Later he removed my lapband and would have done my sleeve but insurance would not pay for it so I was a selfpay in Mexico back in Jananuary. I love the sleeve. Good luck in your journey, and if you have any questions e-mail me.

Going to the seminar on Saturday to get a feel for Dr. Oldham. I have heard some pretty good things about the Bluegrass Group in Etown, I just hope it holds true. I am looking to ask quite a few questions, but looking for more ideas on what to ask and what to look for... ?!??

My questions so far:

- how many sleeves have you done?

- what is your complication rate? leak rate?

- do you use stitches over the staple line?

- will you be providing my post op care as well?

Anything else?

Thanks!

If you don't like this doctor you might also want to look at Dr. Sonnanstine at Georgetown.

I am not sure where Georgetown is...I am new to KY. I will Google Dr S today. Dr. Oldham did not show up to the seminar. The coordinator and insurance lady gave the seminar. It was very one sided toward the Band because the coordinator had the Band. She had no details on the Sleeve and I left there a little disappointed. I haven't given up on this group, yet. But I am still considering a group out of Louisville because they do not charge a program fee and Bluegrass does ($500).

How do you like your Band to Sleeve revision? You know, I have heard a lot of people say that many Dr's won't touch you if your surgery was done by another doctor. Interesting.

I am originally from the area and Georgetown in near Lexington.

Also look at Doctors in Louisville -- Louisville is on the cutting edge of a lot of things when it comes to surgery.

Hardin Memorial isn't a bad hospital - I had my gallbladder out there when I lived there.

I am originally from the area and Georgetown in near Lexington.

Also look at Doctors in Louisville -- Louisville is on the cutting edge of a lot of things when it comes to surgery.

Hardin Memorial isn't a bad hospital - I had my gallbladder out there when I lived there.

Dr Oldham does surgery out of Baptist East in Louisville. The other group I checked with was Bariatric Associates of Louisville. They seem to have glowing reviews but they only do the Band. I am going to check their seminar just for kicks & grins. That will make my third seminar in the last month and probably 6 or 7th since I started looking into WLS about 10 years ago. Sigh.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride

Dr Oldham does surgery out of Baptist East in Louisville. The other group I checked with was Bariatric Associates of Louisville. They seem to have glowing reviews but they only do the Band. I am going to check their seminar just for kicks & grins. That will make my third seminar in the last month and probably 6 or 7th since I started looking into WLS about 10 years ago. Sigh.

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride

Ohhh, the list of questions to ask could be a mile long. I compiled a list of questions that I tailored based on what I could find out about the Dr. and/or program in advance of talking with them.

Even though you are wanting a sleeve, the dsfacts.com site has a great list of questions you might want to look at. Yes, it is for having the DS- but there are LOTS of other questions there that could just as easily apply to any Dr performing a weight loss procedure.

One thing I would want to know is what size bouge are they using? I would be looking for them to say between a 32 to 34, but not more than 36. That's just me, but from my research that seems to be the ones who experience the best results post-op.

Good luck!

http://www.dsfacts.com/Questions-To-Ask-Your-Surgeon.html

Went to another Bluegrass seminar - it was wonderful!!! Not to say the first seminar wasn't great, but Dr Oldham really was able to clear up some of my Sleeve questions. One thing, the ladies (Marcia and Catherine) were so super friendly. I mean, they did not make you feel like any question was "silly". I really love the energy Marcia has and her extremely upbeat personality. I could have asked Dr. Oldham a million more questions but I zipped it! LOL Anyway, great seminar, good info and a great feeling from the Dr and staff - what more could I ask for?!?!

Went to another Bluegrass seminar - it was wonderful!!! Not to say the first seminar wasn't great, but Dr Oldham really was able to clear up some of my Sleeve questions. One thing, the ladies (Marcia and Catherine) were so super friendly. I mean, they did not make you feel like any question was "silly". I really love the energy Marcia has and her extremely upbeat personality. I could have asked Dr. Oldham a million more questions but I zipped it! LOL Anyway, great seminar, good info and a great feeling from the Dr and staff - what more could I ask for?!?!

I went to the Bluegrass seminar on 3/9. I thought Dr Oldham did a good job of explaining things too. Today I sent my packet in by email (cool feature). My wife is doing the band at the Bariatrics Associates of Louisville and she mailed her packet to them today (I cant do the band due to a previous Nissen). now the race is on to see which one of us gets contacted first. I hope the email wins the day.

we have United Healthcare. our policy is a little different from others, I guess. We do not have a 6 month diet requirement. but we have to show a 5 year history of being overweight. I wonder if me being barred from re-inlistment in the Army due to being on the overweight program will count...not a BMI of 40 but still overweight.

I We do not have a 6 month diet requirement. but we have to show a 5 year history of being overweight. I wonder if me being barred from re-inlistment in the Army due to being on the overweight program will count...not a BMI of 40 but still overweight.

I am happy that Anthem doesn't require me to do a diet either, because I would be under the min BMI. I don't have to show a history of BMI but I have heard that they require medical records or a Dr letter to show BMI. You can call or email Catherine and find out what they require for the BMI history. At least you could be working on that now while you wait for intake.

When did you get out of the Army? I got out in 2007 - usually too ashamed to tell people I was a soldier though. I was just going through some old pix last night and almost cried over how small I was; and it wasn't that long ago! That kills me. Between a spinal cord injury, pregnancy and a low functioning thyroid the weight just piled on. I can't wait to get back to my "fighting" weight!! This time I plan on keeping it off and never getting back to where I am now.

Anyway.. I turned my packet in to Bluegrass on the 5th at the seminar and still haven't been scheduled for an appointment. When I went for my 2nd seminar on the 15th I was told that they were still working on my packet - making sure I was a good canidate health and insurance wise. We shall see. I am still slated to go to the Louisville Bariatrics seminar on the 22nd although I really don't want the band.

If I keep going to all these seminars I will be a professional here soon; maybe even start giving my own WLS seminars hahaaha!

2 Kaiser seminars

2 Bluegrass seminars

1 Louisville Bariatrics seminar (to go)

hahaha!

When did you get out of the Army? I got out in 2007 - usually too ashamed to tell people I was a soldier though. I was just going through some old pix last night and almost cried over how small I was; and it wasn't that long ago! That kills me. Between a spinal cord injury, pregnancy and a low functioning thyroid the weight just piled on. I can't wait to get back to my "fighting" weight!! This time I plan on keeping it off and never getting back to where I am now.

If I keep going to all these seminars I will be a professional here soon; maybe even start giving my own WLS seminars hahaaha!

2 Kaiser seminars

2 Bluegrass seminars

1 Louisville Bariatrics seminar (to go)

hahaha!

I got out of the Army in 1997. I was overweight then but not to the extent I am now. i have actually gained about 100 lbs since then...twice. I did LA Weight Loss for a while and lost about 50 lbs. Gained it all back and then some. Then we did Weight Watchers and I lost 70 lbs and have gained it all back and then some.

I guess i have only been to 2 seminars, but that is enough for me. I can't blame you for going to the Bluegrass again, if Dr Oldham wasn't there when I went, I would have gone again too.

By the way. I didn't realize I was replying to your post again. I hope you don't feel like you're being stalked. lol I tend to read the posts about the KY docs and such.

By the way. I didn't realize I was replying to your post again. I hope you don't feel like you're being stalked. lol I tend to read the posts about the KY docs and such.

Pfft!! I don't mind at all; I rather enjoy hearing others views. BTW I got my intake appointment date.. Bluegrass was booking for mid April :eek: but someone cancelled, so I am in next week. Wish me luck b/c I might need it. My BMI is borderline and the insurance manager mentioned it twice (or more). Hmm. Time to eat [again] hahaha!

Pfft!! I don't mind at all; I rather enjoy hearing others views. BTW I got my intake appointment date.. Bluegrass was booking for mid April :eek: but someone cancelled, so I am in next week. Wish me luck b/c I might need it. My BMI is borderline and the insurance manager mentioned it twice (or more). Hmm. Time to eat [again] hahaha!

I got my call today...Intake appt is April 12th. I have to produce the 5 year history now. good luck on your appointment next week.

Small update - I did the intake appt today and was shocked by conflicting information. At the seminar we were told that we did not have to buy the BA brand Protein, while during intake we were told we have to buy 2 LARGE bags of the BA Protein ($50 each) PLUS the BA brand Vitamins. I wonder how strict they are with that b/c what if I do not like the taste?!? I will waste $110 (plus the vitamins) for nothing... hmm I will send an email to get more info on this from the coordinator.

Intake went well otherwise. We did our weigh in, blood work, see the nut (hehe), see the NP and do a psych eval (350 questions + 1 hr with Dr). All in all it was not bad but I was hungry and tired of waiting. I was happy to be released

They are supposed to submit insurance on Mon or Tue. It can take up to 30 days. Then schedule pre op consult and surgery 2 weeks after. I will keep you updated!