Any other MI banded people out there?

YEAH AL!!!!!!! good luck hun

Hi,

Just some information for the Michigan Banded folks here. There will be a 1st Annual Bandstock held at The UAW HAll in Sterling Heights Michigan.(Mound RD and 17 Mile Rd.) on june 25th 2005

Three of us new Bandsters are hosting it, Lyle(TallGuy), Nancy(NancySmiles) and me Greg. We are presently working up a web page that will have all the details. We are lining up speakers for afternoon presentations from 1pm till approx 5pm...The A dinner which will be band appropraite as well as designed for spouses, boy/girlfriends. A life band will provide Bandstock music, along with other and possible other entertainment.

I'll post here again when web site is up and running which should be soon.

Anyone that can make it we'd be excited to see you and hear your journey. We have bandsters from as far as California commit to makeing the trip.

Hey congrats Big Al !!!! You'll have to change your name soon though!!!

From Michigan here too!!!!

Welcome aboard!!!

N*

Hi michigan Bandsters! HAs there been any more recent news on the Michigan bash?

There is a yahoo group devoted to michigan Bandsters.

BandedInMichigan.Come check it out!

Hey !!! Me too!!! Nice to meet all of you and Congrats!!! There are some terrific weight losses here!!!

I hope all of you know about the FIRST ANNUAL MICHIGAN BANDSTOCK 2005 event !!! It's on June 25, 2005 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The website should be up and running next week with more details at www.bandstock.net and we would love to see all of you there! We hope to make it a successful first lap band event for Michigan!

A couple of us at Eastside Surgical Specialists Lap Band Support Group were discussing the possibility of visiting other support group meetings, swapping speakers, etc. and wondered what you all think of that idea? If you would, please post the dates and times of your support group meetings and seminars so that maybe we can visit. I just started a new thread in the MICHIGAN section about Lap Band Support Groups in MI. It would be a great opportunity to commpare ideas and thoughts and listen to others' experiences. I, for one, would be interested. If you prefer not to post it publicly, please feel free to email me. Thanks!

Nancy*

Hi Everyone!

I noticed that a few of you have been banded by Dr. Pleatman and a few by Dr. Bhesania or his partner, Dr. Boutt. I am in the Detroit area, and thankfully, my insurance covers both Dr. Pleatman and Dr. Bhesania. Is there anyone new out there that was banded by either of these docs?

Initially I was going to go to CORI, but I have been told that they promise you the Lap-Band, but push the RNY on you once you're there. Has this been anyone's experience?

I'm doing a lot of research right now. I've got all these informational seminars to go to!

Thanks for any help/advice!

Shannon

I know someone who was banded by both Dr. Boutt and Dr. Bhesania; and they can't say enough about either one!!! I hear they are both awesome and I knew Dr. Boutt when he did his residency at St. John Hospital, I worked with him in the ER and he is/was AWESOME!!! I know someone from work who was banded by Dr. Bhesania and he says the same about him too! So together they make an AWESOME team!!! I have not met Dr. Bhesania; but always hear great things about him.

I also went to Cori when I was first looking into any kind of Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) and, in fact, had all my paperwork complete and was only waiting on the insurance approval for the Gastric Bypass. Something told me to wait, check further; I was just not comfortable with all the cutting and re-routing. I had heard of the Lap Band and did some research on it; and then heard that a surgeon at St. John (where I work) was going to do the lap band there. It must have been fate....that somethig made me hesitate. I am so glad I waited. I hav lost almost 70 lbs since my banding on 9/24/04 and feel great! Not sure my recovery would have been as good with the other. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason...and happens as it should. I've never physically been to Cori; everything I completed was done by phone, fax, mail; so I couldn't say that they tried to push the RNY on me because I have never been face to face with them. Hope the info about the docs helps! Please feel free to email or message me with any other questions. Our Support Group at Dr. Hawasli's office, who by the way is the BEST LAP BAND SURGEON I've ever met!!! is on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, and our Lap Band seminars are on the 1st Monday of the month.

Good luck on yoru Quest for info!!!

Nancy*

I was banded by Dr Boutt and a good friend of mine was banded by Dr. Pleatman. Both of us are completely satisfied with our banding experiences. I would say to go with whichever is more convenient for you and whoever you feel more comfortable with (if you've met them). I think you're in a win/win situation:)

Thanks Brandi! I have met and spoken with Dr. Pleatman. He's an interesting guy. He's very straight-forward and almost abrupt in some of the things he says. For example, a girl in the seminar said, "Dr. Pleatman, do you take Medicaid?" His response was, "Yes, I take it but I'd be concerned about you paying your portion. If you're on Medicaid, how could you afford it?" I guess that's something I would NEVER say. Then again, he also said, "I've never killed anyone yet, but it could happen." He's so blunt, he's funny! But I have to admit it was amusing.

Dr. Pleatman also told me that I need to lose about 5% of my body weight before the operation (no big deal to lose it...it's just keeping it off) so that my liver will shrink and the operation will be easier (my BMI is 61.5). He is interested in seeing patients succeed he said. But he wouldn't recommend the bypass over the lap-band or vice-versa. He said some patients do really well with the band and others don't (we all know this...it depends on the effort the patient puts in).

I have yet to meet Dr. Boutt or Dr. Bhensania (I am going to Port Huron Monday). And on the recommendation of our fellow board members, Nancy and Greg, I am going to the informational session at St. John Hospital with Dr. Hawasli!!

Thanks for your reply! It was helpful!

Shannon

Recently banded. 5 days ago!

Stacy here....

220/218/130

as of today (2/28/05)

Dr. Boutt in Port Huron!

Hello everyone, I am also in Michigan. I was banded January 7, 2005 in port huron, Dr. Behsania is my surgeon. Very happy so far. I go for my first fill on Monday, I can hardly wait. I am hoping I will be able to lose after the fill. It has kind of stalled over the last few weeks.

Kim

Stacey hope everything went well for you,

Kim

You too Kim. Are you finding that you are craving food? I am having a hard time sticking to broth, jello, popcicles, etc. I haven't cheated, and I don't intend to, but this is HARD!

Stacy

Kim & Stacy,

Congrats on the band! I can't wait! I was supposed to go to Port Huron tonight for the info session, but because of the weather (and my long drive), we're not going. :cool: I'm sad about that. That's okay, though. Next week I go to St. John to Dr. Hawasli and Dr. Meguid's info session. I can't wait! I have heard wonderful things about them as well! So I guess I'll see. I'm still trying to get my insurance stuff figured out. I know I will denied the first time, but will fight. I have Cigna and they don't want to cover the lap-band, but I will fight them and they will eventually cover it. I'm already planning on hiring an obesity lawyer after my denial. I just don't understand why they have to play hardball. Grrrr...

Keep us posted on your progress!

Shannon

Stacy, hang in there...It get better soon.

I thought before my surgery that the liquid part would be my downfall but turns out I actually enjoyed it but then I lost 20 pounds while on it the two weeks before the surgery so that helped. But you'll be able to get back to normal soon and see the loss as you go. Its really great.