Hi everyone. Thx for all the great information, I have learned a lot. Last week I attended a seminar in Fort Wayne (about 1 hour away). I have to tell you I left a bit discouraged. First of all, I found out this program is new, only since Oct 2006. Since then he has done aoubt 100 RNY and only about 12 Lapbands. Holy cow, I was hoping for some more experience than that! Also, the nurse who handles insurance said that in Indiana there is a mandatory 6 month doctor-supervised diet before being considered. I had high hopes of getting this done this summer, and 6 months seems like an eternity to me. She also said she has had people who have done the 6 month diet and their doctor didn't chart thoroughly enough and it was still denied, ugh! What a nightmare. I was thinking of self pay but she said it would be $15,000-$18,000 and that doesn't count any possible complications:eek: . I am scheduled for a different seminar in June, but I think they are also new, with few patients so far. That's the trouble living in a rural area. IF I were to consider going to another city to have the surgery done, how do you deal with follow-up, fills, etc. It sounded like the program they have there is quite intensive, with weekly support group meetings, etc. I wonder if I could attend those without actually having my surgery done by the doc there, seems a little awkward. Any thoughts?

Thx for listening

Don't be discouraged....

I was also told that I had to do a 6 month medically supervised diet... I dont know if it was luck or just what BCBS accepts... but my dr submit my medical records charting my health improvements (my BP was sky high), emails back and forth to her and my gym paymet records from 8/05 to present... it took them about 2 weeks but they approved me.

I was like you.. I wanted the surgery done right away and the thought of having to wait 6 months was something that felt like a lifetime away... my suggestion is.... start meeting with a Dr/Nutritionist right away... get on an exercise schedule...start losing on your own... if insurance denies you..at least you've already got a head start on your 6 months... AND you'll already be on your way to losing weight. Believe me... the time will fly by. When I first started the process they told me from my first appt with the surgeon to the time I have the surgery normally runs about 3-4 months.... it took me almost 3 months..and thats only b/c my schedule was wide open for appts... (I'm a stay at home mom/fiance) You'll actually need that much time to complete all of your appointments the surgeons and insurance require...

Best of luck!

It can be soooo frustrating to have what look like road blocks thrown in your way when you first hear about the band and are so convinced it's the right step. Believe me, I know. It took me almost a year from the time I went to my seminar to the time I was finally banded.

But this can be a very valuable time for us! Bariatric surgery is no small thing, and NOT something to be entered into lightly. When kismet throws up obstacles, we should use the opportunity to take a deep breath and keep examining the situation. Dogged determination is what it takes to be successful with the band, and this is a great way to practice that quality. I personally feel that being close to your doctor is among the most important things when it comes to banded life--you'll need access to support groups and possibly medical care, and you don't want to ever have to say "I can't go because it's too far, too expensive, too..."

Don't give up!! The band is spreading across the country and that doctor who has now done only 12 may well have done 50 by the time it's your turn. So don't hesitate to get in line. Keep studying, keep asking questions, and start working on your health. All of these things will stand you in very good stead when it's time to go under the knife.

it took me a whole year and a month after going to the seminar to get banded. The doctor, at the time of the seminar had only done 10 bands or so, and was fresh out of medical school. By the time I went to get the band done, after the 6 month diet and everything else, when I went into have the surgery, he had done over 150 bands and the hospital was ranked #1 in the tampa area for the surgery! at my 2 week apointment, the coordinator was telling me that they just schedled thier 300 something appointment. and I had no problems, surgery only took about 40 minutes. So don't be discouraged about anything. It all works out in the end.

Is it possible that the surgeon will consider your past dieting attempt to be part of the 6-month supervised diet? I hope you get some better news soon.

I had my first appt in June of 2006 and was banded in March of 2007. I mostly was dragging my own feet though, because of job changes and other life events that got in the way.

Good luck!

I've known people to fly to other states to have it done or have gone self-pay just to get it done. And people who have taken the 6 months or a year just to educate themselves and to know that this is a lifelong journey. You have lots of options. don't be discouraged, but do start looking at your options. The one thing I would say though, is that I would not want a doctor with limited experience to do my lap band. I would want the guy with the most experience and the smallest number of complications! Without a doubt. If you are looking for other doctors, keep reading this site. I've read some wonderful things about a guy in Colorado who is good and much less expensive. I don't remember his name, but you'll find it around here. anyway, there are lots of options to consider..... Keep thinking out loud here and we'll all chime in too. (PS: With self pay, you can get the operation done immediately in many places, and not bother with pre op hoops to jump through....)

It is very important for you to know that if you have the surgery done locally or elsewhere that the bariatric program and doctors have been awarded the Circle of Excellance designation for their bariatric programs. They have to meet rigorous standards to meet this designation and I feel it is very important for you to have surgery where they have met this qualification. Good luck in your research and don't give up.:mad:

Hi everyone. Thx for all the great information, I have learned a lot. Last week I attended a seminar in Fort Wayne (about 1 hour away). I have to tell you I left a bit discouraged. First of all, I found out this program is new, only since Oct 2006. Since then he has done aoubt 100 RNY and only about 12 Lapbands. Holy cow, I was hoping for some more experience than that! Also, the nurse who handles insurance said that in Indiana there is a mandatory 6 month doctor-supervised diet before being considered. I had high hopes of getting this done this summer, and 6 months seems like an eternity to me. She also said she has had people who have done the 6 month diet and their doctor didn't chart thoroughly enough and it was still denied, ugh! What a nightmare. I was thinking of self pay but she said it would be $15,000-$18,000 and that doesn't count any possible complications:eek: . I am scheduled for a different seminar in June, but I think they are also new, with few patients so far. That's the trouble living in a rural area. IF I were to consider going to another city to have the surgery done, how do you deal with follow-up, fills, etc. It sounded like the program they have there is quite intensive, with weekly support group meetings, etc. I wonder if I could attend those without actually having my surgery done by the doc there, seems a little awkward. Any thoughts?

Thx for listening

Have you checked out the Cincy-Dayton area or the Metro Detroit area? There are many qualified centers in both of these areas and not too far from you.

I had mine done in Port Huron, MI and they have done well over 1500 surgeries. If you'd like more info, pm me.

My insurance made me do a six month doctor visit with his diet, psych work up, and dietician. But for self pays it is not required in Kansas but some doctors will make you. Dr. Jese Lopez is at Heartland Spine and Specialty(Leawood, KS). Very safe, great to work with staff. I hope you find the same there, if not come here. It's a great place to visit.

Check other doctors.

My doctor has a support group that meets monthly. If you aren't a patient it is just $5 to join. You may want to consider Dr. Ortiz in Mexico who is a fraction of your doctor. Just make sure he will do your follow up care. You should be in good hands after that. Good luck.

As a Dayton native, I'm meeting a lot of patients from the Ft Wayne area that are using Dayton Bariatrics (Dr Bruce & Clarey) as their surgeons since it's a quick jot of I-75. You may want to look into using them. They are 'real' people and are excellent surgeons. Their Grandview location has a floor for wieght loss surgery patients and they provide a lot of education. GVMC Bariatric Surgery - Staff