Hi

My name is Ellen and I live in Mt. Vernon. I have not had the sergery yeat still talking to Dr's and getting Info. Jest wandering if there is any one close by. I have lots of questions. I have a consoltaion visit with my Fanily dr on friday and am not shure what to ask.

Thanks

Ellen

:cheeky :cheeky :cheeky :cheeky

P.S. sarry about the spelling

Did either of you do research on Dr Earl Fox? If you did why did you go with someone else?

o2bthin - who is going to do your follow up care here in the NW after surgery?

I thought about Mexico too but I'm too nervous about flying right after surgery.

I have looked into the physicians here in the NW. The reason I'm going to MX is that I am self-pay. I will be going back to MX for my first fill under fluoro, and either Dr. Neal or Kitty Carmichael (if she gets fluoro) for any other adjustments. I had planned to go solo, and was only worried about driving myself the 3 hours home from the airport, so dh is going with me. I'm comfortable with my decisions.

NBJEN: Check out my other thread about Dr. Earl Fox! (you can search for my posts in my profile or look it up in the Doctors section)

Long story short, he has a clean record and is a member of the ASBS.

Has anyone here been approved by BCBS of WA?

If so did they make you do a supervised diet?

Were you denied at all?

Any info would be so appreciated.

Hey Audrey,

I'm with Regence BC/BS, but I'm a fed employee, they don't do pre-approvals for us. I'm sure they'll cover it afterwords because I called and discussed it with them and I met their requirements.

No supervised diet needed.

BTW, cute pic!

YAY more good news! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I've heard good things about them...well for THIS year that is. Glad to hear it worked out for you! Thanks for your help! I don't know what id dow ithout this website!

YAY more good news! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I've heard good things about them...well for THIS year that is. Glad to hear it worked out for you! Thanks for your help! I don't know what id dow ithout this website!

Your welcome, anytime.

Really, I'd call and double-check everything with the directly once you get your insurance cards. There are different plans and different types of BC/BS, so keep a lookout for differences.

Good luck!

Hi my name is Cindy and Dr. Oh in federal way wa. is banding me on 3-15.

$12,800. Is price the reson people go out of the country? I live in Cel Elum

and i drive over all the time. I love Dr. Oh, he checks out everthing before he says you can be banded. I like that about him. good luck everyone

Good luck Cindy!! I'm going to be self pay too but will be going through Dr Fox in Tacoma. It's the same price as Dr Oh. I just had my history and phsyical yesterday and now I have my list of pre-op test's I need. I don't have to have a sleep study so I'm glad for that. That seems like it would take a long time. Keep us updated on how you did today! I'll keep you in my prayers :success1:

I have looked into the physicians here in the NW. The reason I'm going to MX is that I am self-pay. I will be going back to MX for my first fill under fluoro, and either Dr. Neal or Kitty Carmichael (if she gets fluoro) for any other adjustments. I had planned to go solo, and was only worried about driving myself the 3 hours home from the airport, so dh is going with me. I'm comfortable with my decisions.

Hello o2bthin,

I am going to Mexico also, for the same reason as you (but solo). I will be taking the airporter bus so I don't have to drive. I leave Monday 3/19, for surgery 3/20 with Dr. Ortiz. When and where are you going?

Kitty Carmichael has been my PCP for the last 2 years, I just love her and her nurse, Robin, they are great. They are the reason I started researching the lapband. Did you know they have a lapband support group once a month? It is small, but nice. Plus close. I just went this last Thursday and it really helped with the preop jitters, which I have BAD. The good news I heard there was that the hospital is working with Kitty to get fluoro, so that made me feel even better. Who is Dr. Neal and where does he work?

Good luck!

AMRDMR

AMRDMR,

I am trying to submit my husband's new insurance now. I am in contact with Dr. Neal's office, which is in Olympia. He also does surgeries in Shelton, which is close to me. I have my consult with him on 3/28 and then they will submit the preauth. Crossing my fingers and trying to be patient as my MX surgery date of 4/16 goes by...I was going to Dr. Ortiz also. :)

Hi Cindy11670 - I also am going to Dr. Oh in Federal way but am behind you in the process. I have my pre-ops on Friday, April 13th. How long did it take from pre-op to surgery? I have submitted to insurance but I am having it done no matter what. I thought his price sounded reasonable. I haven't heard that much about him on this site so I'm curious how your experience was.

United Health care just approved my surgery, I have a 10% co pay so my out of pocket will be about $1720.00 plus 700.00 for nutritionist. going thru Puget sound surgical center, Dr Billings. Surgery date 04-26-07. I weight about 250 5'2. any idea how much wight I can expect to lose the first month or so?:clap2:

I asked my doctor how much I could expect to lose by July (my sons wedding date) and he said about 30 pounds maybe more. My BMI is 40. I have been eating and gaining since I decided to do this . . a kind of ode to food. Has anyone else experienced this need to feast before surgery?

I have been piggin out, cant seem to stop! I have an appointment monday, I assume they will put me on a pre op diet then, so i gotta have fun this weekend!:hungry:

Hi, I am Brenda in Kitsap. I have all my fills done with Dr. Neal's staff. Is Kitty really getting fluoro? Does the mean she will start using longer needles? It'll be worth the drive.

I was banded in MX by Dr. Kuri. Love him, but he places his ports deeply and on the waistline. Kitty, last time I spoke with her, only would do fills for those bandsters who could easily feel their ports.

Please feel free to PM if you have questions; or want to come to our little bandster-led support group in Silverdale.

Hey Lucygirl? I have a little bad news for you. In the first month some people actually gain. With swelling, and the mushies diet, most people lose less than 20 lbs. before the first fill. The fills get the little bugger working.