I just sent in my paperwork on Tuesday, so I am very new to this whole process. I have chosen Dr. Stanish as my surgeon...anyone else have him?

-Sandi

Hi Sandi,

It is nice to see someone local on this site. I'm in the process of getting the courage to make my appt to get my medical necessity paper. My surgeon is from WaterTower in Chicago. I did not know that we had any local. I live in Portage. This would be great to have someone to go thru this process together!

Renee

Hi Sandy and Renee,

I live in East Chicago; I am just starting the process. I choose NorthwesternHospital downtown Chicago. It would be nice to talk with someone that is local about this experience before and after surgery.

Hi Lori!!

My paperwork is finally being submitted to Insurance next Week. I need a 6 month doctor supervised program before they would approve me, so I haven't had it yet. I have my fingers crossed for early September!

Come join us in the Indiana group -

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f35/anyone-indiana-19712/

Hello Sandi, I have been seeing Dr.Stanish since late April. I am scheduled for surgery Aug 6th. The whole process has been pretty easy. I was approved by insurance right away because I already had tried a Dr. supervised weight loss plan. Chris who is the insurance person is great as is Donna, and Karen. I am a guy so I have been a little hesitant about the whole process. I have been on the pre-op diet since Monday. The first 2 days were bad, now it's going alright. I have a graduation party to go to on Saturday. I am not looking forward to smelling all that food. I will keep posting after surgery to let you know how Dr. Stanish did. Good luck!!

Aug 6th!! How exciting. I have been really happy with the people at the center too!

DO you plan on going to any of the support group meetings?

Yes I do plan on going to as many support group meetings as my work schedule will allow. Working shift work makes it a little tough. Wish me luck, going away tommorrow for six days on the pre-op diet.:car:My wife has stocked me up on atkins shakes, cream of wheat, and campbells cream soups.:hungry: Good luck with your progress I will post again after my surgery.

Hi Sandi

I have been a patient of Dr. Stanish's for several years. Banded

Aug 05. I have had a excellent experience with Dr. Stanish, recovery was fast and no problems what so ever. I have been a slow loser though, exercise is a important part of losing and I have been resistant to exercising until recently. Good luck to you on your surgery, you are in good hands with Dr. Stanish.

Kim

Hello,

I had my surgery yesterday, it went pretty well. I am having some discomfort when the liquids I sip go into the stomach. The actual incisions feel good. They are a little tender but a lot better than I expected. The whole entire staff at methodist was great. I usually go to munster community, the methodist hospital staff blew them away. If you guys have any questions just ask. Take care:bored

Woot...I'm attending my class tomorrow night and just had my paperwork submitted through Dr. Stanish's office...I'm SUPER excited, that I can actually SEE a date coming! I pray that it works out, and I don't get the big stupid denial letter....woot woot!

Congrats on your surgery ctallen! Glad to hear things went well for you!

Hello ctallen,

I’m so glad that everything went well for you. How long did the whole process take to get your surgery date with Dr. Stanish. I didn’t know there was a program in NWI so I’m going through Northwestern Hospital (NWH) in Chicago. I have to go through all kinds of classes at NWH. I want the band right now so I can start loosing weight. I’m so tired of being fat. My health insurance has no requirement other then a high BMI which I have. So I could have the surgery right a way if I found the right Dr. I do want to do things correctly. I don’t want to cut any corners. It’s just that NWH’s Dr’s are so busy I have to wait 1 ½ months for follow up appointments. They say it will take up to 6 month before I have surgery. It’s not my insurance it’s there process.

If you could switch doctors, I would....Dr. Stanish's office is RIGHT ON THE BALL! I just started my process this month, and am ready to send off to insurance....of course I had to do my 6 month supervised visits first...but other than that, it's smooth sailing!

You didn’t have to see a nutritionist, psychologist and get a full physical exam including a female exam and, because I’m over 35 a mammogram before your surgery? Because I don’t sleep well I have to have a sleep study. I also have to attend different classes on how to eat correctly and exercise. My calendar is so full of appointments just to have surgery to loose weight its crazy.

Hello all,

Thanks Kimmee.

lori my first visit to the center was on April 25th. I had 1 psychologist visit, 1 nutrisionist visit, 1 3hr class, and two Dr. visits. The whole process took about 3 months. I could have had my surgery a week earlier but I had a vacation planned. My first follow up appointment is scheduled for early next week. Maybe you should look into Dr. Stanish. I can't see waiting 6 weeks for a follow up appointment. He is a busy Dr. but usually there is only a three week wait for your first appointment. My insurance was also approved right away because of previous dr. supervised weight loss attempts.

Day 2 after surgery and I am a little sore but the weight has been dropping like a stone since I started the pre-op diet.

Take care and if there are any more questions let me know.:hungry:

Hello to all,

I have not been on in awhile because I got scared and said no to the band! I tried the Supervised diet with the dr. Well it's not going so well after all. I'm back on the band wagon and I'm going with Water Tower Surgical in Chicago. CTALLEN keep us informed!

Renee

Woot...I got my approval Monday! I go in September 4th to see Dr. Stanish...surgery should be within two weeks after that! I'm going to be starting my liquid diet around Sept. 1st....just in case we can get an earlier surgery date!