I am new here and decided to quit lurking and say hello. I am hoping to have surgery. I have done lots of research. I am doing my psych evaluation on Monday. If there is anyone in the Memphis area that may be able to help me with support etc. that would be great. I have had a hard time finding seminars in the area. I contacted a surgeon who sent me an info packet.....yeah. So now what? It just seemed so impersonal to me. I have learned so much already from the forum. Thanks for all the info!

I am in Memphis and I have not been banded yet either. I have my 2nd nutrition visit on the 22nd and my initial surgeon consult on the 23rd with Dr. Virginia McGrath-Weaver. She is with the St. Francis Center for Surgical Weightloss. I am not sure who you talked to and got the packet from but between here and ObesityHelp.com you should be able to do some research on them. EVERYONE I have talked to loves Dr. Weaver and everyone who talks about Dr. Woodman says he is an asshole but a good surgeon. I chose to go with a nice doc that is a good surgeon. LOL

Once I complete my initial consult with surgeon they will submit to insurance. I have Cigna. They do cover it but I have heard both good and horrible stories of the pre-approval process.

So I don't have any "experience" with actually having the lapband but I am always willing to help when I can and I am a great listener. Almost all the people on here on super positive and great sources of info.

Hopefully we can support each other on the steps through this process. Continued good luck on your research and path to a healthier, happier you.:cool2:

Hey there fellow Tennesseans! I don't live in Memphis but I live just down the road a bit. (between Memphis and Nashville) I will tell you from my experience that the bigger weight loss clinics may not be the best if you want one on one. I went to the one at Centenial hospital in Nashville and it is supposed to be one of the best but I was unimpressed because I felt like a number instead of a paitent. So I am using Dr Huerta in Dickson. Smaller town, smaller hospital but I feel l am getting one and one and the staff as well as the Dr know me by name!

It has been a long 7 month journey for me. I am just now starting the waiting process for insurance approval!

I will you good luck in finding the right Dr!

hi, welcome to LBT

I spoke with Dr Weavers staff this morning. I was kind of surprised they do not offer a seminar for the realize band. I may still go to Dr Woodman's Lap Band seminar on Monday. I will not be able to have surgery until after the first of the year due to the 6 month supervised diet. I guess that will give me plenty of time to do more homework etc. I appreciate the info. Good luck with your approvals.....

St. Francis Center for Surgical Weight-Loss does have a support group that meets the 2nd Thursday of every month from 7:30 to 8:30. It isn't the same as a seminar but it is people who have had the surgery and people considering weight loss surgery to meet and get info and talk to people who have been through it all. It is at St. Francis Hosp in the St. Catherine Room (behind the Emergency Dept.). There is a sign that says Longinotti Auditorium over the door that you enter from outside. The nutritionalist is there. Sometimes they have "guest speakers" and sample products and of course there is Q & A time. I would suggest going to Dr. Woodman's seminar and maybe also catching a support group meeting. You can contact St. Francis CWLS at 901-765-3040 for info on the support group. Continued good luck and before you know it that 6 months will be over and you will be getting approval from ins.

You are welcome to PM or email any time you wanna talk.

Hi. I had my surgery with Dr. Weaver two weeks ago. I was self pay, so the process went very quick. I have not had any problems so far. She is a very good Dr., so don't worry about a thing.

Hello Hrdlywrkin.

I have just started on my approval process... Dr. Virginia McGrath-Weaver will be my surgeon ... I have seen my Psycologist and have been approved...I will be going to my second weigh-in appointment Monday so I will have 4 more to go... I know 3 people who have used Dr. Weaver and love her... but none of them have had the band... If there is any thing I can do to help let me know...