I just joined this forum and thought I'd post a note in the empty Minnesota section. I'm concidering having the lap band surgery and am going to attend the informational meeting at Abbott next Friday. Has anyone out there had this surgery done at that hospital? Can you share your experiences with me? Thanks!!

Megan in Northfield, MN

HI I was just wondering why nobody posts anything anymore or if they have found a better place? I am considering the lap band poceedure also.

The Minnesota site has never been very active but can be livened up if you care to talk...? Questions?

Where are you in Minnesota? Had surgery? Hospital? Preference of surgery? Doctor?

I had surgery In February in Crosby.

Talk to me if you want to....

I hadn't been on the forum lately, because I was waiting to talk to my doctor and I was going to that in Aug, but my appointment got cancelled, but have another appointment soon and will start there and if I get the get go, I am sure I will have more questions. I have been to the main forum and have read there a few times. Hopefully this forum will stay active.

I am not schedualed for anything yet, but I am going to the first meeting on thursday at unity.

I really want to have this surgery, but I don't think I will qualify? I only have a BMI of 35, but I have hypertension and I think gull stones and bad cholesterol. Diabetes runs in my family, and I had gest. diabetes during pregnancy. I have been trying to loose, with no luck.

I tried Xenical, and some other perscription diet pill no luck there either.

Tiger Liliy - I was born at Unity!! I was going to have my surgery there, but they started doing it at St. Mary's in Duluth, so I had it there on July 5th. I had Dr. Jay Lenz...he was THE BEST! I love him!

thats cool!! So do you have any advise?? What is all this I hear about 3 month supervised diets??? Will all the medication I have been taking for dieting count? I can't wait for the first meeting.

:help: Another question?? How long is the process before you actually have the surgery? 2 months 8 months?

I went to my first orientation on Feb. 8th of this year and had my surgery on July 5th. My psych eval was processed very quickly by my psychologist so that I could be considered at the monthly board meeting. That is usually the hold up prior to getting insurance approval.

My insurance co. required a BMI of 40 or more (mine was 58+), one or more co-morbidities, and proof/documentation of past supervised diets (Weight Watchers does not keep records at a corporate level, but if you did that maybe your local chapter would have some record - I also did a medically supervised liquid diet at Miller Dwan Medical Center in Duluth, in addition to taking Fen-Phen for a year and a half until they found the combination caused heart valve damage). I had a laundry list of other attempts at weight loss.

So after the orientation I met with the RN and Dietitian of the program, met the surgeon - he said yes I would be a good candidate, took the MMPI psych test on March 20th, reviewed it with my therapist on the 24th, she typed it herself because their transcriptionists were learning a new program and it would have taken a long time to get. If I got it to St. Mary's by March 30th, then they would review my case at the monthly board meeting on April 5th. After they accepted me into the program, it went to my insurance for pre-approval. Once I was pre-approved then we set a date. They were very good about getting me in as close after August 29th as they could as that was the last day I had to work (end of the school year) and I had 8 weeks off for the summer. So July 5th I had the surgery, stayed overnight, and was home by 10:30am the next day.

I rambled quite a bit - did I answer your questions?

Thank you! I think I won't qualify what kind of Insurance did you have? I have BCBS ccsystems. Through the union. If they require a BMI of 40 there is no way. I guess I will just have to wait. For some reason I think MN will be harder on requirements?

I work for the Superior, WI School District and have BCBS BlueLink. Do your research - get out your policy and read it...make phone calls...

I forgot to add that I have obstructive Sleep Apnea and bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis in both my knees, so I had two co-morbidities, too...

Good luck to you! I hope you can determine it would be covered.

having gallstones is this a co morbidities?

Tiger Liliy - this website http://obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband should be able to help you get answers to your questions. Also, contact your insurance company and ask what they consider co-morbidities.

Hi,

My name is Deb. My paperwork is being submitted today. My nurse said I should hear back in about 2 weeks. I will be having the surgery at Methodist Hospital. I'm excited, nervous and up for the challenge. Just wanted to chime in.

I am really glad for you . I go in on thursday for the seminar. I can't wait to get started.

Good luck to you both :eek: It is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I found out a co-worker at the school I work at is having the band on October 10th and he has asked if I will be his mentor. I said I'd love to and told him that his homework was to check out this site. He'll be having his surgery in Duluth, MN at St. Mary's just like I did, but with the other surgeon who is skilled in this procedure, Dr. Medland...I've heard good things about him as well. Keep us posted on your journey to lapband land...