Hi. I am just wondering if anyone is using or has used Banner Gateway Bariatric for their surgery? My surgeon is Dr. Al Chen.

I would appreciate any feedback on details or overall experience.

Thanks!

No but I used to live in Gilbert, near the mall. I don't think that hospital was there when I lived there. My son was born at Banner Mesa. Loved that place. I know this sure didn't answer your question but I couldn't help myself. Best of luck.

Sorry, I'll give a non-answer as well, but just wanted to say it's nice to know of other Arizona folks -- I had bypass about 8 weeks ago at Scottsdale Healthcare with Dr. James Swain - GREAT experience there!

@@della street .. Hi.. Thanks for the comment. I've had a very tough time finding anyone from AZ on here unless they're just not really verbal on posts. How are feeling 8 weeks out?

@MoMo12onTheGo You're more than welcome -- this is such a journey, it's so nice to "speak" with others on the same journey -- I agree, I've had a hard time finding AZ folks as well, which I find very odd since there are at least three major bariatric programs here in the Valley - Banner, Scottsdale Healthcare, and Bridges at St. Luke's Hospital. I don't know if Banner does, but Scottsdale H/care has a patient-only forum, but even that doesn't have a lot of volume of posts considering the thousands of folks that have gone thru that program over the last 9-10 years or so -- I think after a while, you just start living your life and don't have as many questions, etc, I guess --

At 8 weeks out (have 8-week appt this Wed as a matter of fact), doing pretty well, except constipation is a huge issue -- in fact, I'd say that's the biggest issue I've had throughout the entire process - other than insurance foibles pre-op, but that's a whole 'nother story -- and sorry if the constipation comment is TMI, but you'll find it mentioned throughout these posts -- The first couple of weeks after sugery, was really/really tired, but energy mostly back since about week three or so - still working on all the eating changes, that's for sure... but have lost 39 lbs since surgery in 46 days since surgery, and 15 lbs pre-op, so that makes me very happy )

Do you have a surgery date yet?

@@della street .. I agree with you about "where the heck are all the AZ bariatric patients?" Banner Gateway is even a Bariatric Center of Excellence so obviously they are a busy place. hmmm...well, my surgeon submitted to my insurance for final clearance last Tuesday so I am hoping to hear back this week. He said, "The office staff tells you 3weeks, but it only takes one normally, so call next week if we haven't called you." haha. I plan to call Thursday. That will be a week and few days in. He says I have everything else so once that is back we can schedule for April

The office manager there had a sleeve surgery 5 years ago and she is very vocal about #2, so it's not really TMI. We should know everything we are going to face so thanks for your candor.

@MoMo12onTheGo -- Still no other AZ folks replying - strange! Good luck getting the April date you want! Once I was approved by BCBS, I got a date about 3 weeks out -

Hi

I am going through the Pre-op insurance requirements for a sleeve. I have gone to support groups at Banner Gateway (since they are open to everyone regardless of surgeon) and find them very informative. They have varied topics and it seems more organized than the group I attended at Phoenix St. Lukes. My insurance requires me to have bariatric surgery at Phoenix St. Luke's though so my actual surgeon is Dr. Fang. One of my co-workers had gastric bypass with Dr. Podkamini at Banner in 2009 and found him excellent though!

I'm in az not having my procedure at banner though.... My surgeon uses st lukes he was formally using paradise valley hospital.

@@rnsamantha .. Hi.. I went to my first support group at Banner Gateway on Monday.. the Q&A one.. maybe I'll see ya there

@@MoMo12onTheGo I am planning on going to the one April 7. See you there!

@@samanthafromAZ .. sounds good.. when is your surgery schedule for?

I'm having surgery with Dr Chen also! I love him. The office staff, not so much. They are really giving me the run around about the medically supervised weight loss. My insurance company only requires 90 days, and they consider the initial consult the first appointment. Today I was told by someone in the office that their (Banner Bariatric) policy is that they do not count the initial consult. It's been pretty frustrating for me. I've waited so long to be able to have this surgery and to now be forced to wait another month for no good reason is rather annoying.

If all goes as planned, I will probably be having surgery in early June. I have my pre-op class and EGD in 2 weeks!

Edited March 27, 201511 yr by majorsmama

Sorry, I appare have two user accounts because I had trouble creating an account and used an alternative email address even though the first one turns out to be successful. So rnsamantha and samanthafromAZ are one and the same ! I do not have a surgery date yet. I have one month left of my 6 months supervised diet so am hoping for May or June!!

@@majorsmama ... I agree I love Dr. Chen.. the front office staff.. well.. hmm let me see we submitted last Tuesday and he told me to check in a week because it only takes about a week but the front office sits on it so that's what the 3 weeks is about they tell you it will take. I called today and guess what? They have not submitted. She said they need to go over my EGD from last September then they can submit. Umm they have had that since December at my first consult, I brought it with me. I was beyond angry.. BEYOND. I am on a time crunch and Dr. Chen was trying to help me so we did everything required but I did it quick and walked all my stuff in so it couldn't get lost. If I am not on the table by the 18th of April I have to wait until the end of May due to having to fly and needing a month of recovery before that. I am so down over this, it's super upsetting to me.

@@majorsmama .. We probably have the same insurance because I am only required 3 months as well, but they will not count December which was my initial consult. I am totally done with all requirements. It was all wrapped up in a little bow last Tuesday and Dr. Chen said I would probably be in surgery in 2.5 weeks so get my diet going (not full pre-op) but wean myself down because at any time I would be getting a call. MAN I AM ANGRY!!!!!