hey everyone

I am new, but wanted to put this out there in hopes that SOMEONE will read this who has, or knows SOMETHING about doctors in Massachusetts.

I am looking for a place that I can get this surgary done that is NOTHING like what I have been dealing with. One hospital wants 750 bucks just to fill the paperwork out and the other started making me FAKE appointments because they dont think I need the surgary (I put my full story in the intros if interested in knowing more). I live in Maine as I am a nanny but "live" in Massachusetts, so thats where I want to get it done! If ANYONE knows any good doctors, or places or anything it would be helpful. Im hoping to find a doc SOMEWHERE!!

Thanks

Heather

PS. I have looked online and done some research but I feel as if sometimes other peoples personal experiances are better.

Hello Heather ... I just posted my first post, I am being banded on 9/19. I live in Medford, MA just outside of Boston. Grew up in the summertime in Kennebunk, ME. I was referred not only by my primary care doc but by 1/2 dozen people to my current surgeon. I also found a surgeon feedback site on him and found nothing but good things said. He has performed over 5,000 surgeries (gastric & lap band) and while I am very scared...I know I am in good hands. Here are a couple of links ... the hospital is a short ride from RTE 93 in Medford: Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Sheldon Randall, M.D.<br /> <br /> Hallmark Health: Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence at Lawrence Memorial Hospital It sounded to me like your insurance doesn't cover this ??? Is that correct ??? I have no idea how much he charges, but if not him, I bet they could offer you some suggestions. Best Of Luck ! Carol

Hi Carol -

Thanks so much for the info! My health insurance will probably cover the banding surgery for me, but through a hospital locally, they charge a 750 fee that has NOTHING to do really with the surgery but the paperwork, i thought that was a little NUTS! Anyways - I am gonna check them out, I am to the point where I am sitting here not knowing what to do! i am hoping I can get somewhere!

Thanks so much again and good luck with your surgery! I am sure you will be very happy!

Heather.....No need for tears, sweets! I, too, had to pay a hospital fee, even though my insurance is covering the surgery and the overnight stay. I know $750 is a lot of money. But, you have to weigh what's more important....paying the fee or having the surgery. The first thing I would suggest is to find a good doctor, one with references that you can check out like Carol stated above. Then, find out exactly what your insurnace will cover or not cover. At that point, then worry about the hospital fees, etc., becuase between the surgeon and the insurance company, and all of the information they give you, you will be on info overload. Once you make your decision, then worry about the hospital fees and the $$ it will cost you. You'll be surprised how things will work out in the end.

Hi there

Thanks so much for the input. Its a long process and I think the first thing I need to do is find a doctor, but the first thing I did with my first attempt previously (until today when I fired that docs office lol) was call the program on the website, thats how I figured things out. There are NO other hopsitals around here with info on their websites like that. its hard to have to travel 2 hrs or more and I cant seem to find anyone locally (within 2 hrs). Does anyone know where or of any doctors within western MA and Worcester MA?

Im debating now...I guess it could be worse I could HAVE to pay for this outta pocket...HUMMM....

Thanks again

I love my doctor soo much. She is Dr. Ashley Vernon at Brigham and Womens hospital. I checked out all the major Boston hospitals and they all require around a $500 fee that insurance does not cover. I think its a scam but I needed this surgery so I had to pay up. Goodluck.

I am having the banding done in Western MA. Dr. Fiallo of Pioneer Valley Surgeons, at Baystate Hospital in Springfield. I had Dr. Fiallo checked out and everything came back with flying colors. I am so looking forward to my date of Oct. 5th. And I have no hospital fee to pay and my insurance is covering it.

Babs-

That is AWESOME information..how did you get started if you dont mind me asking. Did you just call the office? I went through Baystate Surgical Assos. and they screwed me up BIG time....

How long of a process was it? I know your almost banded (YAY for you!) but when did u start this process. Not that im in a HUGE rush just curious. Thanks SO much!!

And everyone else, thanks as well....I am gonna do this if its the LAST thing I do!!

Heather

You Go Girl !

You will find the one that is right for you !

I was never asked to pay any kind of hospital fee either

Thank God .... Cause it would have been hard to come up with.

One of the women on another thread (the introduction page) posted this web site which I thought was pretty cool: (http://www.lapbandlifestyle.com/Pages/LapBandLifestyleRulesroad.shtml)

Best Of Luck In Your Search ....

Carol

Hi Heather,

I contacted Dr. Fiallo's office. They told me I had to attend a seminar in West Springfield first. So I signed up and followed each step until I got my date. I attended my first seminar in May. Pioneer Valley Surgical has two surgeons that do the lap-band. Dr. Fiallo and Dr. Haag. I've heard excellent reviews about both. I chose Dr. Fiallo because my primary doctor recomended me to have lap band and recomended Dr. Fiallo. And since Baystate is just a stones throw away, I'm in Westfield, it's easy for me to get to appointments. I just scoot out of work for an hour or so and then come back. No problem. I can't wait for my surgery, I'm nervous and I sure don't want to fail (like all other diets) but I'm excited too! Best of luck to you.

Dear MA women/men ...Has anyone here had to pay out of pocket and if they did how much did the operation cost for you in MA? I live in NY and an out of pocket procedure is $$$24,000. I was thinking if I had the procedure in Ma I could save and my son in college might come see me while I recoop. THanks

Hey there

I was going through posts the other day and when I was here in MA - and this is the docs office i Hope to be going through so I was checking into them I found out that they quoated someone at 12-15 thousand. That was at Pioneer Valley Surgical Assos. I dont know if that still holds true but thats what I found.

Thank you so much In Tears I will call them! I hope you are still not in tears:think...well if you are here's a big lap band :girl_hug:HUG thanks again~!

MJ

in

NY

Heather:

I went to Glasgow and Glasgow LLP in Norwood, MA. I have Blue Cross HMO so everything was covered except copays of $500 for hospital and around $200 for the psyche appointment that they require prior to banding. Dr's. Adam and Arthur Glasgow are a Father/Son team. They're both very kind, and their office staff is terrific. They both have alot of experience with this procedure. They have seminars twice a month for lap band candidates. In addition, they have a monthly support group for those already banded.

Good luck and I hope all goes well.

Sue Magoo

H-324/S-287/C-266/G-160

I'm going Monday Sept. 24th to another support group of people who are interested in the band and who have had the band. I've already been to one and this will be my second. It will be real important since it is just 2 weeks prior to my surgery. I have to pick the brains of the bansters! It's in West Springfield.

I am planning to get banded through Lowell General Hospital Weight Management program. It's located in Lowell, MA in the North east of Ma. The fee is $400, $200 in the begining and $200 after approval. The rest, I think will be covered through my insurance. I don't know if they do self pay.

Good Luck

Aimee