Hello!

My surgery date is June 1st with Dr Schroder at St Mary's. First time I've ever had surgery so am quite nervous, but am getting more and more excited as the date draws nearer. Anyone else out there from the Richmond area?

It's going to be different for everybody cause of what the insurance covers. I think mine covers 90% (not for certain). And I had to pay my portion on the appt before the surgery, it was about $320. But I think that there might be an additional charge from the hospital itself after the surgery.

Hi All,

I'm Karen... living in Richmond. Waiting for insurance approval. Saw Dr. Schroder on the 18th. My sister in law had this surgery. She's been talking to me about her experience which continues to be good. She's lost 30 lbs. since December. Is that common? I had hoped to lose more than that over six months time. She lives in Fredericksburg.

Hello Karen,

My friend went to Dr. Shroder( spelling?) and really had an overall good experience with the doctor and staff.

I had my surgery with Dr. Batista, Commonwealth Surgeons, the other group at St. Mary's. I have been pleased with them too. I had my surgery two years ago, June 7, 07. I had to have surgery again this April due to a hienel hernia and had to have a new band put in but the same port. I have my first fill next Tuesday. I am disappointed that I have to go through all this again, but the hernia had to be approved. I lost about 60lbs. If your sister inlaw had the surgery, she can tell you that it is only a tool. you can still eat around the band and gain weight, so you have to listen to your doctor and band.

I also live in the Fredericksburg area! Good Luck with your journey!

Hi Karen! I had surgery last June and also used Richmond Surgical Group (Dr. Elliott was my surgeon). I love him and the staff. They are great! The band has truly changed my life. I do everything I'm supposed to and have made many life changes, but I can't imagine life without it. Good luck to you!

Hi to you both and thanks for responding to my post!

I know it's only a tool but I'm hoping it is a good tool because I've tried so many other things and each time I've lost, I've gained back more after.

Plus I had thyroid surgery many years ago and can't take the replacement hormone. It makes me sick. So I really need a good tool!!

I didn't want gastric bypass. It was too extreme for me. I've already had two previous abdominal surgeries and the idea of changing my innards permanently wasn't too appealing.

Karen

Karen,

You will love it! I have had a slow weight loss but I have maintained the loss which is a big difference from other weight loss experiences. For that alone, the band is a success!!!

where does your sister in-law live? If she ever wants a support local person give her my email:

ja92uz@verizon.net.

Have a great day...if you have any questions don't hesitate... oh and all my experiences at St. Mary's has been great too!!

Thank you! What is your name? I will pass your email along to her but need a name! Thanks! Was it painful?

Hi Fellow Richmonders...

Please tell me how successful you have been since your Band-ing ?! I go to see Richmond Surgical this week and am ready for this next step in my life although I am scared too! Did you guys choose the realize or lapband AP? Just wondering. I have Anthem BCBS PPO... how long from the point of meeting the surgeon for your eval did it take to get your insurance approval and then your surgery? Sorry I have so many questions, I am a newbie here

Hi Tori! Congrats on taking this step in your life! I was banded June 17th of last year and have lost 131 pounds. It's been the best thing I've ever done for myself. I was self pay, so I can't tell you how long it may take as my process was pretty quick. I have the AP band and haven't had any issues. Good luck!!

Congrats on the awesome weight loss~! That is marvelous!!!!!! Even though you were self pay, did you have to go thru alot of tests? I just dont know what to expect except for psych and nutrionist parts...

Thanks!

I had the Psych eval, the nutrition class and then pre-op tests (they did several things, I was at the hospital for about 2 hours). My whole process from the seminar to surgery was less than 2 months and that was only because I was waiting for school to be out for summer. Good luck to you! If you have any other questions, let me know!

Hi Fellow Richmonders...

Please tell me how successful you have been since your Band-ing ?! I go to see Richmond Surgical this week and am ready for this next step in my life although I am scared too! Did you guys choose the realize or lapband AP? Just wondering. I have Anthem BCBS PPO... how long from the point of meeting the surgeon for your eval did it take to get your insurance approval and then your surgery? Sorry I have so many questions, I am a newbie here

Well, I'm VERY distressed. I didn't know I hadto have six months of doctor diet visits PLUS I've learned that many on Aetna have been denied even with BMI's larger than mine. AND I already paid $75 for psyche eval and $100+ for the nutritionist! One day later I find out the bad news!! The doctor's office said they didn't know of "the new requirements." What?? I'm very upset about this and have just about given up. Why see a doctor for six months and pay more just to get denied?? And that other woman whose BMI was higher even appealed and lost!!!

Karen I am sorry to hear that! Hopefully things will get better!

Iteachurkid - do you have BCBS? I do... that is awesome you have done excellent with your weight loss! I hope my story goes like yours - quick approval and quick to surgery YOu must feel so proud! That is wonderful! I cant wait to get there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone. I'm new to the board but I'm so excited about starting this journey. I had my first meeting with my surgeon yesterday and since I'm self-pay he was able to schedule my surgery for the end of the month! I begin my liver shrinking diet on Thursday! I can't wait for the change!

I don't want to scare anyone, but thought I would relate my experience. Dr. Brengman was my lapband surgeon and ultimately, he saved my life. I had my Realize band in July, 2008. I lost 30-35 pounds before and after the surgery. But in March 2009, I suddenly started throwing up bile and had horrible abdominal pains. We called an ambulance and I was taken to St. Mary's Hospital. It turned out to be a gallstone, which lodged in the pancreatic duct, causing severe necrotizing pancreatitis. I was so sick I nearly died, but Dr. Brengman and the other docs treated me aggressively and I pulled through. I was in the hospital 5 months, had 6 surgeries, sepsis, lung and kidney failure (temporary, though), blood clots in both legs, and had to have my lapband removed. I also was not allowed to eat or drink anything and was fed by tpn for 1 1/2 months initially and later another 4 months while at home. I did lost another 70 pounds and am pretty much normal weight now. I am doing much better but still have a lot of abdominal discomfort and an ileostomy which is supposed to be reversed hopefully in the fall. Dr. Brengman told me the gallstones were not caused by the lapband, which I was glad of since I was self-pay and insurance wouldn't cover any complications from the lapband (the total cost of all of this has been over 2 million dollars). However, I have read that both obesity and rapid weight loss can cause gallstones. Even so, most people don't get as sick as I was. Dr. Brengman was wonderful throughout all of this, saved my life, and I highly recommend him. You will love him. Best wishes to all of you out there and good luck with your weight loss. I have had a hard time, but love being thin now, although I don't recommend the "pancreatitis diet."