Hi I have not been banded yet but I have done enough research to know its what i want to do. I just don't know where to go from here. Do i just look up a doctor? Do i need a referal from my primary care (which is against me on this)? I live in rhode island and there aren't too many doctors to choose from. I do not know of anybody personally who has any bariatric surgery to ask questions to.If anybody could help, i would greatly appreciate it. Also if anyone is from R.I. i would love to hear from you! Thanks so much. Best wishes to all of you!:crying:

Hi I have not been banded yet but I have done enough research to know its what i want to do. I just don't know where to go from here. Do i just look up a doctor? Do i need a referal from my primary care (which is against me on this)? I live in rhode island and there aren't too many doctors to choose from. I do not know of anybody personally who has any bariatric surgery to ask questions to.If anybody could help, i would greatly appreciate it. Also if anyone is from R.I. i would love to hear from you! Thanks so much. Best wishes to all of you!:thumbup:

Hello! I was just reading through and saw that you are in RI. I grew up there, but left in '86 (probably before you were born). Anyway, I do not personally know any physicians in RI, but you may want to PM jayne1131, she is going to be banded soon and she lives in RI. She may at least be able to send you to an information session.

Good Luck!!!:thumbdown:

Hi! I live in RI. I was banded on July 24, 2008. After doing RI Dr. research, I was going to go with Dr. Pohl. I went to his seminar, and also learned that he was 1 of the best. He also has the F.A.C.S. after his name-meaning Fellow American College of Surgeons. Before I could schedule my surgery date, I lost my job (of 10 years), and health benefits. I couldn't afford the $14,000-30,000 US price, and I didn't want to give up. So I started researching Lap Band in Mexico; which is what I ended up doing. I went to Dr. Ortiz. I have since had 1 fill back in Mexico, but I cannot afford to keep flying back there for fills, so I will be staying in RI for my next fill. I will most likely go to Dr. Pohl for my next fill. I just have to call and see if they have any openings for next week. Good luck with your journey, and let me know if you have any questions.

Hi, I live in RI and had mine done 10/10 by Dr. Giovanni. She works with Dr. Pohl who was highly recommended by my primary. They are both very good. The name of the firm is RI Surgeons and they are located in Johnston and do the banding at Roger Williams Hospital. The first thing you should do which is required is go to one of their seminars. I believe the next one is next Thursday at 6pm at Roger Williams but call to be sure. The other doc in RI that does this is Dr Roy I was told he is also good but got more medical postive feedback for Dr Pohl/Giovanni. I know 2 people who have been banded within the past year one with Pohl and one with Roy. The big difference I found was that Dr Roy had no pre op 2 wk liquid diet. Although this sounds great to some I think it makes post op more difficult. One other thing is that if your primary is against it just know that one of the requirements is a note from your primary ( at least with my surgeon it was)

If you need more info let me know, I'm glad to help.

Just to put this out there...if your PCP does not support bariatric surgery DITCH THEM.

There are tons of PCPS, and sticking with your doctor now is pointless if you are serious about this. Most companies need MANY referrals from your PCP. Mine was against it, saying I was too young at 21. So I got a new one, and when I called the schedule an appointment, I made sure to say "Here to get a referral for bariactric surgery." So I could know if you was no OK with it right away.

That is all I ever used my second PCP for! I called her and her office over 10 times....referral for the first surgeon, then I switced for I needed it for the second, then I need one of an upper GI, pulmonary testing, psych testing and more. It would've been impossible if she wasn't on my side.

hello i live in johnston ri,but i work in providence ri at ri hospital i have worked with dr.roy but for my surgery i picked dr.Pohl.

I had my surgery done by Dr. Giovanni who is part of Dr. Pohl's practice. I also know a few girls that I work with that have had theirs done by Dr Roy and also some by Dr. Pohl so if you have any questions, let me know. I just had mine done this past october so most of it is recent for me. Hope to keep in touch. Good Luck

I'm in TX and not RI so I don't have any advice regarding a surgeon, but here is what I can suggest.

If you are planning to self pay contact the surgeons office and inquire about their requirments, but if you are planning to try and go thru your insurance co, then the first thing you need to do is contact them to verify bariatric coverage and then ask what the requirements are for qualification.

Good luck to you, I wish you a healthy happy future!!

I'm hoping to move back to RI this year!!! Good Luck finding a doctor!!