Hi My name is Shira and I have a few questions. I am attending an info session at Magee in Pittsburgh on Nov 5. I am actually pretty confident this is a good decision for me. I am just BARELY at the 35 bmi mark and actually if I gain about 2# I'll be there solidly...oxymoronic huh? Anyway, I have tried all kinds of diets since I was in college (and I am now 45) - I just don't want to spend the rest of my life FAT. I want to be active and healthy. My mom died of a massive HA at 40 and I already have high cholestoral and asthma and an irregular heartbeat. I hope that makes me a good candidate!

My questions are:

1. what is a rough timeline of this whole process from info seminar to end?

2. I want to keep this private...is that possible??? I don't want anyone but immediate family to really know.

3. What is anyone's success with Highmark approvals? What is their process?

4. Who is the best doctor at Magee for this???

5. What is the "down" time?

And of course anything else you can think of.

Thank you SO much!!!

Shira

Hi, & welcome!!!!

Although there are so many factor that affec this process (namely insurance & doctors & individaul programs), I'll answer as best as I can from my perpsective.

-Time from beginning to end: 3 months (seminar 2/14/08 & surgery 5/7/08)

- Yes - you can keep it private. Only my family & close friends know & only my HR at work & one close friend at work know. It's up to you to tell whom you choose :frown:

- Can't really answer the specifics for your areas, sorry :smile:

I wish you well & seems like you've made some great choices already!!! Don't be a stranger as this is the most amazing place for info & support!!!

Hello Shira: I agree with the other poster that so many factors make every journey different. Here is my feedback.

1. I am keeping my medical information to myself, thus no one at work or my friends know what is going on with me. My family only knows that I am having surgery, but not what for. Yes, HIPPA laws allow you to keep your medical information private.
   
2. I spent 1-year researching and then in January 2008, I approached my PC for a referral to start the whole process. 6-months of a supervised diet, plus a pysch evel, then a referral to the surgeon, plus meeting all the extra requirements of the bariatric center. Start to finish....January 2008...looks like surgery will be November 2008.
   
3. I have heard from posts that I have read that down time can be a couple days to 1-or 2 weeks, but really this is based on each individual. I am planning to take two weeks vacation time.
   

Good luck with the process!

Thanks for all the replies. I do understand that every situation is different. I am just at the start and was really curious what was involved. I think for me the privacy issue is really paramount. I work for a small non-profit and this would become the office joke...don't need that.

Thanks again for the answers!

Also having my surgery at Magee. Here is what I can tell you so far.

-The seminar is not that informative and when I say that you can pretty much educate yourself with this message board, books, and other sources of information, but you have to go.

-You will fill out a form at the seminar with a breif medical history, height, weight, which surgery you want, etc.

-They will contact you in a few days to let you know if you qualify. This is not a for sure thing for surgery.

-If you qualify and most insurace companies require a 6 month diet and lifestyle change program, they will offer you to go though there program for around $400.00 dollars or do it with your PCP.

-Not that I am pushing one over the other, but there program seems more in tune with what you need for insurance coverage (40 bmi or higher without other medical issues, lifestyle change, etc.). Appears to me that they are doing everything in there program so nothing is left out for the insurance company to deny you.

-You attend your first class and they give you the schedule for the remaining 5 months that you have to attend if you go with Magee's program. You get weighed in at each class, keep a food and exercise journal, etc.

-I think you can see the Doctor after 3 classes I beleive and the Nut. after 4. From there I beleive they schedule the surgery so IMO it looks like a 7-8 month process before surgery, maybe longer, I don't know.

All the doctors seem good and the head of the department is one of the first to really get into the Lap Band. You can pick a doctor or they will give you one. Just FYI, you are in the group with gastric bypass paitents also so it is a diverse crowd. Let me know if you have any other questions, I am just starting out and attended one class so far, 5 more to go.

I am just BARELY at a 35 bmi...I could gain about 5# and be solidly there. Do they weigh you with clothes on? :biggrin: That's the thing that's got me a little apprehensive. I weigh about 205 with clothes. I am 5'4" so I no how have to lose 80 lbs. But 60 would work just fine!

The clinic I go to and weighs me with clothes on, but no shoes or socks. My primary care doc weighs with clothes on and shoes on.

Thanks TQUAD!

They measure your weight and height with shoes off only during your first visit.