I'm totally new to this whole thing but desperately need to put myself as a priority to avoid having health issues later. I'm at the magic BMI of 40, and feel it's time to do something. I'm looking into this surgery locally as my insurance claims they cover 90%, but can't seem to find a local surgeon that my insurance plan covers. I'm curious if there's anyone else in the Boise area that has had their lap-band surgery here? Not having much success with online research for this area...

I'm up here in the Moscow/Coeur D Alene area, there is a bariatric doctor up here named Dr. Pennings. He is located in Post Falls, he's very experienced and people all over the northwest go to him for the surgery.

I was banded on Sept. 11th by Dr. Cahn in Boise. He's been wonderful and I've lost 55 lbs. since my first consult with him in July. His office is in the St. Luke's building on Eagle Rd. and the freeway.

Good luck! Lemme know if I can answer any questions.

Thanks for the info! Coming from Phoenix to Boise has been an adjustment -- cracks me up there are only two physicians in Idaho who do lap-band surgeries! What kills me, is that neither of the two physicians are ones that my insurance covers...so looks like I'll end up having to go to Arizona for my surgery...sigh...

Sorry to hear that. But I do understand. Mine wasn't covered by insurance either so I had to pay myself. But it's definitely been worth it. Good luck, and welcome to Idaho! Did you move here for a job or just because it's wonderful here!

SheryBery,

I grew up in this area, came back after being gone for 19 years for a job with Albertson's HQ. After realizing that was NOT for me...I got a job working for a company based in NC, CA and AZ but I get to work remotely out of my home (which is wonderful and horrible all at the same time). I love the freedom of working at home, but the long hours of staring at a computer screen and being on the phone are a bit exhausting. I have to travel back and forth to PHX to work one week every two months, so that's why I'm considering the surgery there (as there are two physicians that take my ins.). I love this area, but it's not the most diverse area, and being part of a mixed couple with mixed kids it's not the best place for us to be--not the most accepting community. We're considering moving out of Idaho, but haven't finalized our plans yet. So that also is a deciding factor for me, in that regardless of where I move, I'm going to have to go to PHX for work, so it makes the most sense to have the surgery and my aftercare there...

So are you an Idaho native? You know I get teased alot about Idaho...when my coworkers found out that the chinese buffet has potatoes on it I thought they were never going to stop laughing!

Hi,

I had mine done in Idaho Falls, there are 3 great Drs. that specialize in the Lap-Band surgery and they have a great support program also.

I'm using Dr. Bryan Anderson from St. Al's. I've only heard good things about him. I think there's a Dr. Valentine in Nampa that is starting to do Lap Band (he used to only do bypass) but I've never heard a good thing about him - even before I started exploring the weight-loss.

There's also a Dr. Oakley who had only been doing bypass and I think he's branching out to Lap Band. He was my niece's Dr. for gastric bypass, but she was pretty unimpressed w/ the whole procedure. She's 29 Yrs old and has lost 181 lbs in the last 2 years (From a size 26 to a 6!) but she had an awful time after the operation an was back in the hospital several times in the months that followed. I think her biggest complaint was the Dr's bedside manner and follow-up. When she kept getting so sick and back in the hospital he finally just said it was a psychiatric problem and offered very little help. Finally by trial and error she figured out what she could tolerate and for the last year has done really well. Even with all of that she's still SO much better than she was when she was carrying over 300lbs on her 5'0" frame.

I had my surgery on March 17th by Dr. Robert CAhn I thought he was really great.

I'm from Idaho, and now living in the fourth largest city in the US (Houston, Tx.). Idaho looks damned good from here.

hello chubby dr cahn in meridian idaho is awesome. it took onlay amonth to get all my insurance and requirements done

Hi Idahoans, I'm in Pocatello and had my surgery done in Blackfoot by Dr. Avila. He was awesome and the hospital staff where also awesome. Being such a small town they really care for their patients. It's nice seeing people so close to me lets all keep in touch with how we are all doing. I had my surgery April 24, 2007 have lost 20 lbs so far and have my first fill today a little nervous about it but also excited to start loosing the 1 to 3 lbs a week cause I have been stuck at 18, 20 lbs forever.

Keep in touch, Brandy