July 2009 Bandster in Richmond

[bestbette 0]

Hello - Is there anyone else out there who's scheduled for surgery in July 2009? My date is 7/20 with Dr. Schroder at St. Mary's and I'm looking for anyone else around the same stage. Would love to talk!

[Tory09 1]

Hey congrats! I meet with his partner next week! How long did it take for you to get to this point? I have 40 bmi on the dot so I am hoping it will be a quick process. However I have no idea how booked the practice is...

I would luv for you to tell me your timeline...

Thanks so much!:smile2:

[bestbette 0]

Great, thanks for your reply. I unfortunately had to be self pay as the company where I work does not have an obesity rider. I've wrangled with my insurance company about this but apparently there is no recourse. I was told by my HR department that they would be adding the rider and so I waited two years with that expectation and it never happend and so I made the decision to move forward on my own. I chose Dr. Schroder b/c I know two other women who went to him and both had good experiences. I had to first attend an introductory seminar prior to getting an initial consultation appointment. The first seminar was on June 8 and I had my first appt with the Dr. that Friday June 12. June 19 I went for my pysch evaluation. On Monday I have my 2nd seminar, which is pre-op education. Tuesday I have my H&P and pre-op testing as well as a meeting with the nurse practitioner. Thursday (this is all this upcoming week) I have to attend an additional meeting about the option to purchase addl insurance since I'm self pay. The next week I will be concentrating on trying not to kill anyone since it will be the second week of my pre-op diet and then my surgery is scheduled for Monday, July 20th. So, all in all things have moved along smoothly. But then again I've not had to wait for insurance approval. Have you read the fine print of your policy?

[Tory09 1]

Wow, sounds like things are going quickly for you! That is super except for the part that you are selfpay. I called my insurance BCBS PPO and they said they cover it if my dr says I qualify for it...

Good luck to you. Keep me posted. I go on Wednesday for my first consult.

[bestbette 0]

Well great, I hope that your insurance company doesn't try to throw you any curveballs. Good luck at your appt Wed with Dr. Brengman. I see him arount the hosptial a lot and he seems a great person and I've heard he's a really good surgeon to boot! Let me know how it goes!

[Tory09 1]

Good luck to you! The 20th will be here before you know it! I guess if your self pay, the process goes alot smoother, huh ? and quicker? What type of tests do you have to get done? EKG, throat exam - dont know what its called? Some ppl on here have to get colonoscopies... but I dont think that is the norm, do you? My friend that got his done a few months ago said it took 4-5 mnts for all the tests to be done. That seems along time to me, but I will just have to be patient.

Tell me what tests you had to do? or have to do for preop!

Keep in touch and best of luck to ya:wink2:

[bestbette 0]

That does seem a very long time to get everything done! I went to the educational seminar this afternoon (4 hours) which is the last seminar I have to attend. I got tomorrow for my history and physical and testing. I know that it will include basic bloodwork, chest xray, and EKG. Other than that I'm not sure. I don't have any comorbidities that would trigger add'l tests for me. Do you? I'll post again tomorrow and say what else happened. It's all in one day though...not multiple months...

[bestbette 0]

Most of my time today was spent waiting... The pre-op history and physical consisted of the nurse practioner saying "well are you ready for surgery?" then listening to my lungs and giving me some papers. We were probably in the same room together for 90 seconds (after an hour wait). The tests were pretty speedy and consisted of a pee test, blood draw, 2 chest films, and an EKG. That was it and they told me to show up on my surgery date! Today is day 2 of the diet. I got through it by having a small green salad at lunch with a hard boiled egg. It's currently 5:37p my time and I'm going to wait to have my second shake until 6:00p and then go to bed early. The good news? I weighed in at 270lbs at the Drs office today! I think their scale is light, I couldn't believe it!

Edited July 7, 2009 by bestbette

[Tory09 1]

Wow that is great! I hope all goes smoothly for me. I am nervous!!!!!! I am ready for my journey to begin! I hope their scale isnt lite as I am barely on the 40bmi .... teetering on a pound or two. I am going to wear a sweater too. Can you wear shoes on the scale? That may help lol :biggrin:

I will let you know how it goes today! You can also email me at torytory99@gmail.com if that is easier :smile2:

Good luck to you!

[bestbette 0]

Hey, how did your appointment go today? As I'm sure you've found out you can't wear shoes on the scale...I think it measures your body fat. I wasn't quite at 40 bmi at my initial consult either, I think it was 39 but the Dr said it was ok. I'm interested to hear about your experience!

[Tory09 1]

Hey BestBette, I sent you a private message on here. Yes you were right, the scale was low! My bmi wasnt 40 either but they said it was close enough.

Read the private message and reply to it

Have a good night!:thumbup:

[Babs44 0]

I see everyone's progress and can't believe the numbers! That is soooo cool. I've been banded almost a year and have only lost 20+lbs. I've been filled to max. Dr. Schroder is considering bypass for me. I'm up for it as soon as Joyce in insurance gets the okay from BC/BS (they've already told me yes).

[ShuileMom 0]

I was reading through your posts since I leave in Richmond and am using Dr. Shroder for my surgery (hopefully in May 2010) if all goes well. I found the waiting room wait horrible but whenever I have insurance questions his staff does return the calls quickly. Do any of you know if he does single incision surgery?

I would also love to hear about everyone elses experience with this practice.