:bored :bored :bored well well I guess this site has nobody from the chatt. area and let me also guess that no body has been banded at memorial hos. by dr. fromm-paynter-or ponce?? Geez I sure feel like the lonesome stud here lol.

Thanks! My insurance (Cigna) required me to have those classes before they would approve the surgery, so I have already paid the $95 for the classes. So hopefully I wouldn't have to pay the hospital anymore. Johnna at Dr Paynter's office told me I have to pay my coinsurance to their office, so that's great if I don't have to pay the hospital anything extra.

Thanks! My insurance (Cigna) required me to have those classes before they would approve the surgery, so I have already paid the $95 for the classes. So hopefully I wouldn't have to pay the hospital anymore. Johnna at Dr Paynter's office told me I have to pay my coinsurance to their office, so that's great if I don't have to pay the hospital anything extra.

I have, and work for CIGNA and I am having my surgery done by Dr. Ponce on this Thursday the 8th!! I went thru the same office you did, I have been working with Johnna and she is so very nice! I had to pay my $ up front to them, and they take care of where it needs to be shipped out to, etc. The only other thing I've had to pay for other than that, is the $95 fee to Memorial for the pysch and the nutrition class. Johnna assured me that there shouldn't be any more charges, but, well, we will see LOL.

Good luck!!

Thanks chuncky. Yes, Johnna is very nice. I go for my preop class this Wednesday. Good luck with your surgery Thursday! Let us know how it went!

Has anybody used the same day surgery center. Am scheduled for June 12 ( same day is 4000. less than Hosp.) Dr Ponce is doing mine.

Edited May 11, 200818 yr by Mink

My insurance (Cigna) won't pay for the surgery center, thay will only pay for the hospital. I think most others are done at the surgery center.

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ponce on May 28th. I'm self pay so it will be at the surgery center in Dalton. I have heard great things about the center so I'm really not worried about it. Great to meet other people that are also in the Chattanooga area.

I paid nothing to the hopital before surg.

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ponce on May 28th. I'm self pay so it will be at the surgery center in Dalton. I have heard great things about the center so I'm really not worried about it. Great to meet other people that are also in the Chattanooga area.

What about your fills when you are self pay? I thought they were free for the first year but just read in the paperwork I am resposible

thanks

The follow ups for the first year are included in the price. The adjustments are $50 a piece during the first year. After that it goes up, but I can't remember by how much right now. I think maybe $125 for adjustments and $45 for follow ups.

I was banded last thursday by dr ponce. I've had a few bumps in the road of recovery, but in general had a great experience at Memorial for the surgery.

I'm just over a week out and really starting to feel better. I can't wait to get back in the swing of things.:tongue2:

I know what you mean. I had surgery 5/22 and the first week was very hard. But it does get better each day.

I was banded last thursday by dr Ponce. I've had a few bumps in the road of recovery, but in general had a great experience at Memorial for the surgery.

I'm just over a week out and really starting to feel better. I can't wait to get back in the swing of things.:tongue2:

Hey, we had our surgery on the same day, same hospital, same suregon. How cool is that? Congrats on feeling better!:thumbup: Small world!

I was banded on 12-27-06 by Dr. Land at memorial. I had my fifth fill on May the 15th and that day changed my life. I now know what restriction feels like. Since my first visit I have lost 85 pounds. It was not as simple as it sounds. Pre-op I lost 45 and the two weeks after I lost another 15. When I got feeling good enough to eat I started eating and didn't slow down until I had gained back all but 6 pounds of that sixty. Since January I have started going back to the weight management center and becoming more active and more accountable for my eating. I have lost 79 pounds since January and finally feel like I am on my way to being where I want to be with my weight. I just want you guys that have recently been banded to realize it is just a tool, but it will work if you use it everyday. Get your fills call the nurses and see the consouler and be proud of what you have accomplished.

mine were covered by insurance. I have united health.

Dr land also performed my surgery, and I am so pleased with the results. Just as you said It is just a tool. I have to consistantly exercise, and I now do strength training too. I have lost all but 10 pounds of my weight. I was band oct 3 of last year (2007). what a diff it has made. I weighed in at 241 on the day of sugery I now weigh about 165 and wear size 10 and a few size 8. I at first wanted to weigh 145 as goal but that will cause me to wear like a 4 and that is too small for my 5' 5" height. I only want to lose about 10 more and its probably skin. If you follow the rules success is inevitable!

Edited June 21, 200818 yr by swaffson