hey everyone! is anybody from western mass? did you use pioneer valley surgical?

Does anyone know when the May meeting is. I have school on Monday nights in APril and therefore can't get to those meetings. I am hoping to be able to attend this summer, and meet many of you.

The meeting in May is on the 18th. All the meetings for the remainder of the year are on Monday evenings. They are offering some Friday morning post-op only meetings in their office a couple of times a month. Difficult to get to for most I would imagine. Looking forward to meeting you! Enjoy the nice day!!

Cathy

Thanks Cathy I will definitely be making it to the May 18th meeting. I look forward to meeting all of you as well! Everyone enjoy your day!

Hi Everyone,

Went to the seminar last night and Dr Hagg spoke and he seemed very nice. After filling out the form they said someone from the office would call in 2-3 weeks wow...did not think it would take this long ...Was it sooner for any of you with that office when you signed up? They did say a posative for me and that was some ins co will approve you after 3 months of the required appts....Blue Cross said they would cause i called them...hoping to be banded in Aug....

It did take the office about 2 wks to call me after the info meeting. Then about 1 month to get an actual md appt. Both Dr. Haag and Dr. Fiallo do these procedures so they will ask which md you want to see. Both are excellent so I went with whoever had the first available appt. Dr. Haag did my LapBand and Dr. Fiallo did my lap chole several years ago. They will give you a big packet of info and schedule you for a followup in about 2 mos. During that time you will be busy--2 psych evaluations, 2 nutritionist appts. and any needed appts with your pcp. Then all info is sent off to your ins. co for approval. BCBS actually approved mine in less than a week and surgery was scheduled for the following week. I lucked out because Dr. Haag was available and BMC had an opening and I took it. Ins approval with BCBS was easy as long as you meet their criteria, i.e. have a BMI of 40 or more or have other health issues like hypertension or diabetes. It seems like forever at the time but believe me it goes very quickly and is well worth the wait. Feel free to ask any questions along the way--these boards are a great source of info and support. Good Luck!!

Cathy

Thanks....i have had 3 mental health appts, 1 with the weight loss center, i dietician appt set up, a appt with my pcp, so i think i might be all set for Aug..gulp....

hi im amy and i was banded with dr. haag on march 20th of this year. He is the best, he has a great sense of humor, he is fabulous at his job! can't ask for more!!

good luck all,

amy

thanks Amy...Have you been to the support group? I noticed last night that there were several banders there..why? was this some thing the office ask people to do for others thinking about the band? Also when is there support groups for pre op and post op again...someone told me but i forgot...sorry....

hi, i did go to the support groups before i was banded, but not since. I think maybe bandsters go to get questions answered? i really don't know, i do know that they have support groups just for people already banded. im not sure when the next support group meeting is, you can call the office they have all the dates and where they are. did u choose a doc yet?

amy

think i am going with fiallo??? who ever has the first open appt, ha,ha...i hear Hagg has a better bedside manner but i know someone in the medical field and they say Fiallo has a good rep as a surgeon but both are very good...

They are both excellent doctors. I love Dr. Haag he is straight forward and brutally honest, I love that. lol

Sweet pea I hope your process goes fast but I will warn you they are very backed up in that office. It will probably be about 4-6 weeks till you will get a appt with one of them. Depending on who you choose for the psych , and nutritionist . Also you have to attend 2 support groups and they are only once a month . I wish you the best and may your process speed by.

Jen does the first information group count as 1?...i have had several mental health appts and i am set up for 1 dietician appt and have several with the weight loss clinic already..so i think its mainly the 2 support meetings and getting a appt with the surgeon..everh thing else seems lined up...well if i have to wait thats ok...hope i can be done before Sept even if its the end of Aug.....thanks for your help...

what day is the support group on so i don't make a dietician appt that night?...Is it the first Tuesday of the month? this is Dr Fiallo group i am talking about??????

Hi Sweet pea,

The imformation one does not count as a support group. I also think they make you wait because you have to be registered for the support groups. Hopefully you will be able to attend the May meeting which is May 20. You will also have to get blood work done . I did my blood work right when I left the office. I am unsure of whether they will count the things you have already done as things you need to do, I hope they do. The meetings are usually around the 2nd or 3rd monday of the month, the office will let you know more. I would wait like 1 1/2 weeks and start bugging them to get you an appointment, thats what I did. You seem like you have the right things started and you are being a good advocate for your health. Let me know if you have any more questions.Good night.

I just have to say that i love Dr. Haag! he is the best... sometimes he seems to be in a rush, but i guess with the amount of patients that office has, what can you expect? right? I had my surgery October 2,2008 i weighted 230lbs... i now weight 157! i feel AMAZING!:thumbup: