MA - Massachusetts

[esskay77 785]

I had my surgery at St. E's, too. They are fabulous so you are in good hands. Best of luck and like it was previously mentioned, follow your doctors rules!! Let us know how it goes.

[beachbum75 18]

Thank you both! Just hours to go now, going to be a long night. ????

[FinallyFit50s 202]

Springfield here, any folks from Western, MA?

[goodnight 1]

Hi All... I live in Winthrop, little town seven miles north of Boston. I had Sleeve surgery in May 2012, and had a revision to RNY in March 2014, because of severe reflux. I did not need to lose more than 15 pounds with the revision.

I had both surgeries at MA General, and the awesome Dr. Meireles. I went from a size 26 to a size 8 . I've definately had some bumps along the way, would I do sleeve again...in a heartbeat...would I do RNY again, probably not.

I'm considering a revision sleeve to RNY for the same reason, severe reflux, with Dr Janey Pratt. I see her listed as your surgeon in your stats yet you say Dr Meireles did both? You don't seem happy with the revision, why? I don't have anymore weight to lose and am afraid I'll lose too much with the revision. Just trying to get as much info as I can to make an informed decision. Not many people with our situation to talk to out there. So are you having trouble with the RNY? Sorry for so many questions but would appreciate any info you think might be helpful.

[LSF 264]

I'm from Springfield. Just had Band to Sleeve revision surgery on 2/4 th

[LSF 264]

Springfield here, any folks from Western, MA?

I'm from Springfield, just had my Band to Sleeve surgery 2/4

[Margie122 845]

Hello everyone. I seem to not be able to type or post today, every time I attempt a post I accidentally delete it! I am in the very beginning stages of trying to get the sleeve surgery approved through Tufts. I have my first appointment at St. Elizabeth's on 3/31. I'm going to see Dr. Nicole Pecquex (or her Nurse Practitioner) for the first visit. Does anyone have any experience with St. E's? I was told that there is a possibility they will request diagnostics like a sleep study, etc? Any idea how long from the first visit to surgery request? I am 290-295lbs, 5'11" and have high blood pressure and likely sleep apnea (I snore terribly and wake up a lot). Thanks for any info.

Back in 2007 I went to BIDMC and attempted to get the lap-band done. UHC was awful to deal with and denied my surgery the night before because I did not have a 5 year weight history. I missed a doctors apt the third year, and even though I was considered morbidly obese for years 1, 2, 4 & 5 they used that missed visit as means to deny the surgery. The staff at BIDMC was no help, they basically left me on my own. I did file an appeal on my own but it didn't work. I changed insurance and now I am hopeful that it will be approved.

Edited March 13, 2015 by margie122

[esskay77 785]

@@Margie122 I had my gastric bypass surgery at St. Elizabeth's by Dr. Pecquex--first of all she is fabulous!! Top notch! I had also started out at BIDMC but switched over to St. E's.

Because I had a lot of the tests done at BIDMC, I think I was fast tracked at St. E's because they could use those results. I didn't have a sleep study done because I am already using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. But they did have someone come to my house to make sure it is calibrated properly. Also, because I had started with one program and switched over to St. E's I don't have a good idea how long the process is from beginning to end. I can only tell you that for me it took about 3-4 months. I did have to do some of the tests again but it went pretty quickly.

Also, the NUT at Dr. P's office is really great. And there is a good support group too.

Best of luck.

I forgot to add--Tuft's Insurance is often the reason you have to have a longer wait--their requirements are different than most insurance's requirements. So, if they make you do a long diet plan first, it is the insurance companies requirements, not the hospitals. FYI.

Edited March 14, 2015 by esskay77

[Tlemke826 15]

Springfield MA here. Going through pioneer valley surgical with Dr. Brackman

[Margie122 845]

esskay77 thank you for your input. I appreciate it. I am 99% positive that Tufts dropped the mandatory 6 month diet program they made everyone go in before approving the surgery. I'm just hopeful that I won't get screwed again like I did in 2007 by UHC because I didn't have a 5 year weight history. I'm so ready to be a lower weight, not because I will look better but because I will feel better and have more energy. I don't care if I am ever a single digit size, a 12 or a 14 would be wonderful. Just to be able to go into a "regular" store and shop off the rack would be delightful. I can handle 3-4 months. If I could pick, I would like to have the surgery mid Sept or early Oct. That is when I will have sufficient vacation time logged at work and it would just be easier for everyone.

[FinallyFit50s 202]

@@LSF and @tlempke826 How are you doing after your surgery, and when is your surgery?

I was sleeved 2/26 at Mercy in Springfield by Dr. McMillian. (Absolutely love my surgeon) I had my first check up on Monday and have lost 13 pounds since surgery and a whole lot more in inches. I was wearing size 18 jeans and they were tight in the waist, I'm apple shaped. I am now wearing size 14's in EVERYTHING. I am SHOCKED to say the least! I've been shopping in my attic for clothes I haven't seen in a decade or more. It's fabulous!

[LSF 264]

@@LSF and @tlempke826 How are you doing after your surgery, and when is your surgery?

I was sleeved 2/26 at Mercy in Springfield by Dr. McMillian. (Absolutely love my surgeon) I had my first check up on Monday and have lost 13 pounds since surgery and a whole lot more in inches. I was wearing size 18 jeans and they were tight in the waist, I'm apple shaped. I am now wearing size 14's in EVERYTHING. I am SHOCKED to say the least! I've been shopping in my attic for clothes I haven't seen in a decade or more. It's fabulous!

I had mine done with Dr. Fiallo but my insurance had me go to Baystate. Mine is a revision surgery, band out and then sleeved. My weight loss is going slow. I would like to go back to one of their support group meetings but I wish they had a Post-op only meeting. There are too many people looking into having surgery at their meetings

[Tlemke826 15]

@@FinallyFit50s I get my surgery date on the 25th so excited. It will be at mercy too!

[LSF 264]

@@FinallyFit50s I get my surgery date on the 25th so excited. It will be at mercy too!

Best of luck to you!! You will be so happy with it. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have. My surgery was 2/4th.

[FinallyFit50s 202]

Mercy's meetings are VERY hard to get into unless you call right after the Tuesday night meeting. Dr. Fiallo/Dr. McMillian's office are working on getting their own group meetings started to ease up the Mercy meetings. We shall see. I'm in for the March 31st meeting and will find out if there is any news.