Had my LAP BAND done on 11-26-2007 in Buffalo, NY at Buffalo General Hospital by Dr. Aaron Hoffman. I've have had no problems what-so-ever and the support from Dr. Hoffman has been FANTASTIC. He is the BEST doctor ever! I would recommend anybody from the Buffalo, Rochester, NY area to have Dr. Hoffman perform the BAND! GREAT DOC!:eek:

Had my LAP BAND done on 11-26-2007 in Buffalo, NY at Buffalo General Hospital by Dr. Aaron Hoffman. I've have had no problems what-so-ever and the support from Dr. Hoffman has been FANTASTIC. He is the BEST doctor ever! I would recommend anybody from the Buffalo, Rochester, NY area to have Dr. Hoffman perform the BAND! GREAT DOC!

Lorraine, the psychology visit is $200 cash. Did you experience the same thing? I am going to Suburban in Amherst. I am sure my company will reimburse some of it. At least things are moving along.

Take care.

What Health coverage do you have? It only cost me $15.00 Co-pay. Wow $200.00 cash seems high!! But you must have a different plan!!

I also saw Dr. Lelito. My cost was only $15 too. Your insurance must not cover him.

Hi all...I too am going to the May seminar. I have already met Dr Hoffman and I can't wait to start this journey. Any advise as I go forward?

Hi DeeH,

I too am in the process of being banded. The only advice I can give is when they call you after the seminar, and you go in to meet Barb, get the stuff on the list done ASAP. Tests ect. that she may send you for.

How soon after the seminar do they call? What all has to be done?

Hello, I can list the things I was told to get before being seen. Here they are right from Barb's list.

1. Primary care physician referral letter ( they have one in the packet that your doc fills out) I can fax you one if you need it?

2. Your latest history and physical.

3. All lab work including thyroid testing. I would make sure they test for TSH, why my insurance wanted that too... Just a heads up, can't hurt!!

4. A list of medical conditions past & present.

5. All diagnostic testing records (egd, abdominal ct, x-rays, cardiac, sleep study and any other studies ordered by your primary. ( I saw Dr. Anthony Freundel @ pulmonary group liked him too.... Fast appointments) 631-8863 Williamsville area. Just tell them what your there for and they know what you should need for this type of surgery!!

6. List of current medications.

7. Referral's for Alan posner, Lael Forbes, Aaron Hoffman, and Buffalo General (this is called a facility referral. They must be in place before your first appointment in the clinic.

8. All patients will need a psychological evauation as required by the insurance companies. (I saw Dr. Ron Lelito, nice guy I liked him)

632-4942 Williamsville area. Also again tell him why your there he knows what you need.

That's all I have for now in requards to testing required..... Also I have copies of the the Patient packet they mail you before you can start anything in the clinic!! If anyone wants a copy I can fax it... BUT YOU DO HAVE TO CONTACT BGH TO REGISTER YOURSELF. They then will mail you a copy, but you would have it in advance to get some of the work done!! Also I faxed all my items to BGH to make things go faster. I have that fax number too.... Welcome all to the best adventure of your life as what I call a fattie going skinny!! LOL

Edited April 22, 200818 yr by LiveLoveLaugh

They call about a week after the seminar, to make your appt with the dietician, physical theripist, and Barb the nurse practitioner. Barb will give you a list of things to complete before you see the doctor.

Everyone is different with the list from the nurse. For example I had to have a sleep study, bloodwork and a 24 hour urine.

Hello everyone iam born and raised in the buff but moved with my job to tx and will be banded in may i am so glad the band is avail in buffalo now i have been telling my sister all about it and she is now going to call Dr Hoffman's Office so thank you so much for this thread, i just wanted to let everyone know there is a booklet you can read on the lapband.com web site under per surgery at the bottom of the page and you will see emmi and a link to download it is 22 pages you can print it as well it will ans a lot of questions on the procedure from food do's and don't to is this right for me lapband has been popular in tx for years so i had the last 2 years to resreach this i have talk to hundreds of folks about 99.5% great experiences, also BCBS does require a lot more info then most ins unless you have a Bmi over 40 and 2 medical problems that may improve or go away with weight loss, they may not do your surgery right away if you do not meet these requirements but tell you to do 6 or 12 supervised diet appts with no more then 30days between appts & meet with a nutritionist as well and at the end of that process you will be approved i know its sound like a long time but i have been on this journery since nov of 06' missed one appt and had to start over so please be aware that this is not a quick process for some but it can still happen you can also watch the procedure on YouTube under lapband God Bless and good luck!

Wow so much information! Thanks everyone! I have Independent Health - not sure what they will require. I already did the 24 hour urine, the psych evaluation and by GYN did the referral letter for me. I have an appointment for a physical on May 9th too. Where do I get the referral form for Dr Hoffman and who fills that out?

Sorry I have so many questions...just anxious to join the "band" wagon

your PCP can give you the referral for the Dr. my sister has IHS her husband also work there, her ins is gr8 they have very little requirements you can call them directly & inquire

Hi Everybody ..... boy has it been along time since I've been on this website ... I've missed you guys!! Remember ... Saturday morning's at Delaware park, it's suppose to be a nice day ... we can meet at 8:00am at the Juice Bar, we can walk the park and then bring your lawn chairs so we can chit-chat on the lawn afterwards, let's say about 9:00am. So if you can't make the walk, just come at 9:00a to talk and hear GREAT success stories!! Look forward to it ... Judy, Christa, Dawn and me will be there ... and hopefully many more! :tt2:

You get the referral form from your doctor, they have a sample or a form your doctor can fill out in the BGH packet. I can find one I have if you have a fax #. Also you need an Independent referral in place for Dr. Hoffman, Posner, Forbes and BGH (called a facility referral) they need all three doctors in place. This is due to if there ever was an emergency and the other two doctors were on call and needed to treat you. Because you can request one doctor (Hoffman) over the other two and still get him for your surgery. This covers all the doctors in the clinic to treat you and the Insurance will cover your expences.

You get the referral form from your doctor, they have a sample or a form your doctor can fill out in the BGH packet. I can find one I have if you have a fax #. Also you need an Independent referral in place for Dr. Hoffman, Posner, Forbes and BGH (called a facility referral) they need all three doctors in place. This is due to if there ever was an emergency and the other two doctors were on call and needed to treat you. Because you can request one doctor (Hoffman) over the other two and still get him for your surgery. This covers all the doctors in the clinic to treat you and the Insurance will cover your expences.

Independent Health doesn't require referrals anymore..think I will still need one? I appreciate all this information . Yes you can fax the form to me at work 446-8827...that would be great!