:redface:Hey everyone, I have a consultation with Dr. Cirangle tomorrow. I guess I’m getting a little nervous. Are there any other people here to have been banded by Dr. C? I was just wondering about how long the entire process will take? My insurance doesn’t require a 6 month doctor supervised diet. When I called HMSA they said all I need was a BMI of 40 or above (mine is 43.3) and I need to be at least 100 lbs overweight. I’m about 128 lbs over. I’m really excited and super nervous at the same time. I was also wondering what kind of pre-op tests he requires and what his aftercare program is like? Mahalo, Malia

Dr. Cirangle is my doc and I love him. I don't have a band, but I don't think that will make a difference in how long it takes. He says with insurance it generally takes around a month. Some of that time is spent submitting and getting approval so it's going to depend on your insurance company though.

The pre-op tests are pretty standard. There is variation based on your medical history but at a minimum you should be getting a physical, an EKG, an X-ray or Upper GI, and lab work. Women have to have a pap and mam within the last year. Everyone does a NUT consult where they go over the diet and a psych eval as well, even if your insurance doesn't require it. They have an in-house dietician and counselor you can see, but you can use your own too.

The after-care program is awesome and it's why their results are better than published averages. They have support groups all over the Bay Area every month. There is a newsletter too. In addition, you have full access to the on-staff dietician and counselor, pretty much as much as you need them. Fills are included too. Dr. C likes to see his band patients every month -- some docs make you wait 6 weeks in between fills and that can be frustrating and often leads to people getting off track.

You get so many months of after-care included in your program fee. I don't know exactly how many. It's a least a year, but more likely two. I was self-pay for a sleeve and my price includes two years of after-care.

I have Dr. C. I went in for a consultation really wanting to get the Sleeve or band. He told me that the Sleeve would never be approved by insurance and if I wanted Anthem Blue Cross to pay, I needed to do a band or the RNY. I chose the RNY much to my surprise.

Dr. C isn't a warm and fuzzy type of guy. He is a skilled laproscopic surgeon who provides the facts, and truly has a passion for what he does. I really liked that about him. I am usually the gal who wants the warm and fuzzies but I really loved Dr. C.

My big issue is that my PCP didn't support my decision and I am looking for a new primary doc. I've got my surgeon but I am doc-less...any suggestions?

I am in East Bay Area.

Good luck!