Hi all,

I have finally gotten some good news concerning my life and getting the lapband procedure done. Although my good news is minimal it is a big step for me in the right direction. I have known for a few months that my state of Florida has tighter restrictions of getting the lap band done. You have to do 18 months of doctor supervised diets, no if's and's or but's about it. I even confirmed this with Medicare directly along with several area Center's for Bariartic Excellences, all the hosptials have told me the same thing.

Well onto my good news. After a lot of calling and explaining the story over and over I have found a doctor who is willing to give me an appointment to get into his office for the initial consultation and go to his seminar to only catch is I have to TRAVEL to my HOME state of NY. I got an appt coming up in Dr. Collin Brathwaites office in Smithtown, NY in October. I am so excited to finally get the ball rolling. The procedure will be done at Saint Catherines Hospital in Smithtown. I have family that I will stay with in Nassau County, NY. At the consult he will give me all the tests that I will have to have done when I return to Florida. After I get all the testing done I have to go back to him to submit to medicare for approval and set a surgery date.

Can anyone tell me what type of tests I will need to have done. I have already had a sleep study. What other test will I need. I imagine blood work is one of the things I will have to have done. What else is there.

Anyway I figured I would share some good news. Also apparently NY guidelines don't require any strict diet, so I imagine it will only be what the doctor requires. Hope to have more good news when I return from the visit in later October. Wish me luck! ! !

Sal :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

The doctors office just called to confirm my insurance info. I am so happy I could cry.

Sal

Congrats!!

the DOCTORS of FL require it??? Here, most doctors don't care if you're self pay or insurance doesn't require it.. but it's insurance that makes you jump through hoops. Cross the border to Alabama

I only had the following tests.. chest x-ray, bloodwork, psychological evaluation, ultra-sound, and pee in a cup!

Florida rules for lap band surgery suck big a@@, especially if your a Medicare patient. I have already had a sleep study, so I guess that test is out of the way. I just wish my appointment was tomorrow, the wait is killing me, but well worth the wait.

Sal

Congratulations...

Best of luck as you go through the process!!!! You'll be in band=land in no time!

Rain

Well let me update all of you as to where I stand as of today. I saw the Dr. Brathwaite at the end of October and went to his seminar during my visit to NY as well. I followed up with him at Christmas time when I was back in NY and he said to have all my doctors send my stuff to him. I go see him again in June during my next trip to NY and hopefully he will clear me for the rest of the tests I need to have done. Of his checklist for surgery I am about 80-85% done with everything. While in NY in June He wants me to attend 2 of his support group meetings. I am hoping to get some kind of date commitment from him on this trip also. Back when I saw him at Christmas he said late 2008 would be a great possibility. I am hoping to get something done this fall. Personally the sooner the better so I can get my life back on track and slim down. I am SICK of being a big guy. I want to walk the street and people not even recognize it is me. I will update you all again after the June appointment. Wish me luck! ! !

Sal

Good luck!!

Sounds like you're heading in the right direction! :thumbup:)

Great news. I had to have a nutritional consult, EKG, blood work and psych eval. I did not have to have a sleep study however. I really hope everything goes as planned for you. Good luck.

In a recent update, my cardiologist cleared me for surgery.

Sal

Well another update; I saw my Surgeon Dr. Brathwiate and he said he will most likely operate in late september, october. He is waiting for the new hospital he is in to be certified by Medicare as a Center of Excellence. He said he should get the nod for it this summer as Medicare has already visited with him. All is looking good. He said to continue seeing the specialist he listed for me and to send him any and all reports. I cannot wait! ! !

Sal

WOOHOO, you'll be banded before you know it!

Thank you. I am looking forward too it.