I am scheduled for first visit with Dr Wade Barker at Doctors Hospital Dallas TX. They told me that they would accept my Insurance Secure Horizons Medicare HMO.

I am 62 weigh 302 6'0" with Diabetes, sleep Apnea and hypertension. Hopefully, I will be able to get on with it without to much hassle from Insurance. My Gatekeeper Doc said that he would approve it.

I have seen others say that they may make me get in a weight loss program for 6 months.

Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.

Hey Pete, glad to hear you found someone willing to take your insurance and gatekeeper says yes. Will be watching to hear how it all went, hopefully no 6month diet thing. Best of luck!

I saw Dr Wade Barker today and to be frank I was very impressed. I had to wait over an hour but he answered all my questions and did not rush me. He told me that I was the patient that lap band was designed for and that he would write my insurance letter today and will probably have surgery in 30 to 60 days.

In the meantime I have to have a test done that scopes my stomach and see a cardiologist to be cleared. I was anxious but feel much better. I asked him how many he has done and he told me 300 this year.

Anyway, I will continue to research and prepare. I have decided that I will walk 30 minutes every day till the surgery. Hopefully I will be in better shape.

I was surprised that he will do the surgery at Methodist with an outside chance he will have Doctors Hospital approved by Insurance by time of surgery.

Wow, it sounds like your on your way big time! How wonderful to have found a surgeon that takes the time to really talk and hear your questions and concerns. I don't know if you've had your stomach scoped before, but when I had to a few years back, I was scared to death thinking how awful it would be, but it wasn't at all. The dr used good drugs, versed in particular, which has amnesiac properties so you don't remember the procedure, plus it is one of the best antianxiety meds as well. I remember starting to get the meds in my iv, then being woke up and told we were done, and I could change back into my clothes. So don't stress over that one. Hope things just keep on moving forward for you! cassie

Pete, any new news? Or are you just in the waiting phase? Love to hear when you do, cassie

I have appointments on Tuesday with Primary Doc and for a study that I am in plus a heart stress test on thursday. Than Sep 13th I get a scope to check out stomach.

After talking to Insurance my Doc for Surgery is a contract Doc and should be able to get me scheduled. We are looking at 21 to 53 days now but who is counting?

Thanks for asking.

Who's counting, ha, lol!!!!!!! I'd be counting every hour and minute. I'll be watching for when you have a date set, take care, cassie

Best of luck to you. His office manager is a sweet heart. :welldoneclap:

Pete; just keep reading then read again. So much to know. Good luck.

Went to see my Primary Doc and brought him up to date about my Lap Band. He was very supportive and assured me he would fight for me if needed. He also seemed genuinely happy that I had found Doctors in the system and told me that he has new resources for his patients.

All and all I am very positive and it seems so far that my progress has been smooth even though it started out a little bumpy. The Internet is the greatest think ever invented in my opinion.