Lisa in NJ

Any input from present or former patients of either of these practices would be appreciated. I'm in the South Jersey area and looking for a new surgeon. Thanks! Lisa

I am looking for a new surgeon (thought I had found one but have been very dissatisfied with office staff not calling me back, answering questions, etc.) I have an appt for a consult with Dr. Chau of NJ Bariatrics on 8/17 (wish it was sooner)! Any comments from current or past patients would be very much appreciated! I am so ready to get this process moving again and be a bandster! Thanks.

I went to Dr. Goldstein's seminar last night and am convinced that he is the surgeon for me. Just looking for anyone else who is going to him that can give me your opinions of him. Also thought we could be a support group for each other I am just starting and have to jump through some hoops to get approved by Aetna, but am confident that I'm making the right choice for me. I'm 5'4 and weigh 209 (ouch). My BMI is 36 and my co-morbidity is, I believe, sleep apnea, although I'm going to have to have a sleep study done to confirm that. I'm a bit nervous about that but I don't have a choice in the matter so what can ya do. Looking forward to getting to know the folks here. Lisa

Wow, we are neighbors How was your appt today with Dr. Goldstein? I was able to schedule my sleep study today - it's June 30th. I'm really nervous about it; so much is riding on this one test! I will be crushed if I can't get this surgery. I really feel like it is the tool that will help me lose this weight once and for all.

Hi ladies, It's nice to see some "neighbors" here I live in Southampton, NJ. When you meet with Dr. Goldstein, he gives you a checklist of things that need to be done before submitting your case to the insurance carrier for approval. The checklist depends on your insurance carrier and your medical history. It can be quite daunting. Abbie, Aetna will cover mine 100% too but I have to prove that I have sleep apnea. I'm just waiting for my sleep study to be scheduled now. It's sad but I hope I have it so Aetna will pay, otehrwise no surgery for me. I've also been working with a trainer and a dietician (the ones Dr. Goldstein recommended at his seminar) and so far I've lost 13 pounds. I have 67 to go and really hope I can have the surgery. Let me know how your appointments go with Doc! Good luck!

I met with my surgeon this morning and received a checklist of things to complete before I can get approved for surgery. It is daunting ;( One of the things I need to do is obtain documentation regarding my past efforts at losing weight. Does anyone know how I can get that from Weight Watchers? I've done WW on and off (mostly off) since about 1995. I wonder if I call them if they can look me up by name or something. The most recent try was six months ago via online, and I have credit card statements for that, but don't know how to prove how many times I've tried it. Thanks for any help! Lisa

Hi there, I called the 800 number listed on the WW website (sorry don't have it right now or I'd give it to you) and asked if it was possible to get a record of my participation. They are going to fax me a receipt for the program going back to 2007. Just give them a call. Good luck! Lisa

HI Erika, fellow South Jerseyite No, not everyone needs a sleep study. I need one because Aetna requires a co-morbidity since my BMI is between 35 and 40. You're right though, managing all of these appointments is tough. I met with my primary this morning, bloodwork tomorrow, surgeon and dietician next week, sleep disorders doctor and psych eval the following week.... yikes! At this point I am praying that I do have sleep apnea so Aetna will pay. Have you chosen your surgeon? Mine is Dr. Adam Goldstein. Lisa

I am just starting this journey and am fortunate that my insurance plan doesn't exclude bariatric surgery (Aetna). However, since my BMI is "only" 36, I need to have hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. I have mild asthma but that doesn't count. My husband swears I have sleep apnea and I made my appt with the sleep disorders physician today (for June 10, earliest they could get me in!) I am so nervous that I will have the sleep study and it will show that I either don't have sleep apnea or just a mild case of it. I know it's crazy to want to have sleep apnea, but I really want to have this surgery. I don't need to have a psych eval, but I do need to go through 90 days of nutrition counseling/exercise/pre surgery counseling. there is a great place here in south jersey that offers all of those things so that won't be a problem. I'm just really nervous about this sleep apnea thing. Now that I've decided I want to be banded and really believe that this is the tool taht will help me, I just want to do it now! Jumping through hoops stinks. Sorry to vent, I'm just nervous. this is such a great site, I have learned so much already and look forward to learning even more.

We sound alike, I have asthma and back pain too (wish Aetna would consider those)! How was your experience with the 90-day nutrition, etc. program? I'm a little nervous about that too. Thanks!

Nope, not crazy at all - I, too, have Aetna and since my BMI is "only" 36 I need a co-morbidity. My husband swears I have sleep apnea so I have already made an appt with the sleep disorders doctor and am praying that I do have it so Aetna will cover the surgery!

I know how you feel and it's hard. I have to enroll in a multi-disciplinary weight loss thingy for 90 days as one of the hoops to jump through to get approved. I feel like hey, I decided to do this for my health, let's do it now not in 90 days for god's sake. Patience is not a virtue of mine, unfortunately All I can say is that since you have no choice in the matter, use the six months to read as much as you can and learn as much as you can about the lap band surgery, nutrition, and healthy eating. It will serve you well in the future. good luck!