I have read a lot (for a year or two) about being banded. I have decided this is for me. Finally my ray of hope was when my husband took a job offer and is starting on June 1 with GREAT insurance and I think one that will finally pay for it! I will have BC/BS

I am in the far West Valley and need some help here.

I have a seminar date set for next Monday at Bridges. I have heard pros and cons about them. They told me I also needed a 6 month diet for BC/BS under my primary doctor's supervision.

First of all, I "fired" my doctor two years ago and havent been sick since so I havent been to the doctor. Well, I lie, I was sick once but I went to urgent care. She is not at that practice anymore anyway so it's not like I can go back to her even if I wanted to.

I need to find a PCP around here to do a medically supervised diet for 6 months and also one who is obviously supportive of the idea of me being banded. One around the Surprise/Peoria area would be best.

Also, if you had to do it all over again who would you select to do your surgery? Are there any doctors that you would never go to because of how you were treated? Incompent office staff etc?

Thanks for any and all help!:frown:

Snowbird, if you don't mind me asking, did you do the endoscopy for a certain reason. One doctor told me to do one every year to check on the band. Said to get the PCP to order one. My surgery is in 2 days. Can't wait and hope to have your fantastic results....

I had the endoscopy at the request of my PCP up in Washington state, because I had had some fairly severe GERD for several years and because I had tested positive for the bacteria causing stomach ulcers (which name escapes me at the moment). The endo found Barrett's esophagus, a cellular level change in esophageal tissue due to chronic reflux, so I am supposed to go back in every couple of years to check it. I still have reflux, though not as severe as before getting my band. I had an older friend who died of esophageal cancer a year ago, so it scares me.

Dr Ortiz's clinic does fluoroscopy with every fill, which gives them a look at band position, but they have not mentioned having an endo regularly. I will ask when we are there in June.

Thanks for everyone's kind words. I'm kind of stalled out on weight loss so close to goal, so it helps to reflect on past accomplishments!

Hi Snowbird. My band date is June 16. Sorry to miss you by a week!

I'll ask @ surgery about the band, I spoke with Carolyn yesterday and she said the same thing...that the Dr. chooses the band at time of surgery.

I like the idea of softer and wider regarding the band, Technically, it sounds like a better physiological solution. Not that I'd know though

Thanks for your reply!

I just go the call today to confirm that I will be at the orientaion at WLIA tomorrow at 1pm. (anyone else going to be there? Send me a private message) I talked again this time with some guy who I again told them I will be on BC/BS of Mass next month. I told him from the sounds of it they will cover the entire cost of the surgery itself. Like someone else told me here he informed me that one of the surgeons isnt on that plan and will be out of network.

I really dont understand that. Why if they are "partners" working in the same office would one of them not be on the BC/BS plan? My out of network really wont be too bad but it's the principle of the whole thing. Has anyone ever asked this from them and what was the answer? Isnt the simple solution to just ask the one who accepts BC/BS to perform the surgery?

Be really careful when you schedule your surgery that EVERYONE involved is a preferred provider for BCBS. Our son went to the ER and checked that it was a preferred provider, but then we got an outrageous bill from the anaesthetist because he wasn't one. They just did an article on the news last night about this, how while your doctor might be covered, the lab he sends your work to isn't. It is really near criminal what the health care industry can do to those who think they are covered by insurance and too late, find that they aren't.

Hi again, I said I would report back so here I am. I ended up canceling my appointment with the doctor I had and found another who I had went to in the past who I hadn't seen for 3 years in Sun City West. I had only seen him 3 times or so prior to that so it's not like I know him really well. He was very receptive to talking about my weight and is very supportive of me having WLS and will help me in the process. What I'm not getting is a doctor who knows a lot about the band. I don't think he is very knowledgeable but to be honest what I need at this point is a supportive doctor who is in agreement with my goal of being banded. From what you said, Snowbird, I don't think that helps you. you wanted a doctor who knew about the lapband and the side effects etc.

I'll still give you his name if you'd like though :thumbup:

Thanks, mariem. That might work for me, especially if you break him in first! My daughter's doctor didn't know anything about the band until she went to him and said she wanted to be banded. He jumped on board the "bandwagon" when he started researching for her, and now that he has seen how successful she has been, he is an enthusiastic proponent of lapband surgery. Maybe that will happen with your doctor too-- if he has band patients, he may educate himself about the band.

I really am looking for a doctor who at least knows what banding is and understands how it works. I would like his name, if you don't mind. Thanks for remembering me and replying.

I went to Robin Blackstone At Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Fabulous

experience, they have a great setup, great training, and I am so happy I went there. They are really professionals. You can find it on internet and visit their website.

Best of luck

Not looking for a surgeon or fill doctor, but a gp. I'm already banded and very happy with my surgeon and his clinic. Thanks for trying to help, though!