Mamacj

Hello, I guess I didn't investigate this forum too well when I joined last week. I just found the list of state banders. I had posted on the preop talk about anyone who had surgery in OKC with Dr. Gornichec. I know how awesome the preop teaching is but am curious about anyone's post op experience. I have to travel about 3 hours to OKC for appts and for the surgery, that is where my insurance pays best. I am curious about adjustments, too, I wonder if I could go to Tulsa instead of all the way to OKC. All information appreciated!

Anyone from Oklahoma who had their surgery with Dr. Gornichec? I am really impressed with their pre op education and information and am just curious if anyone could give me their post op story. Thanks, CJ

Hello to you! My friend had Dr. Keith, he was the provider on her husbands insurance. She is very happy with her care and had lost 80 lbs in less than a year. Let me know how things are going for you. I have my psych eval and initial appt with my doctors office July 31st in OKC. I live about 3 hours from there but it is the doc and facility my insurance pays for the best. I will be able to do my lab, sleep study, EKG, etc at the hospital where I work, so at least that is fewer trips to OKC. Best wishes to you, I will post as I find out more.

Guess that explains things, it is the self pay vs insurance bill that is the difference. Makes sense, it would be very difficult to come up with 40k for self pay! Thanks for all the help.

I have been reading as many posts as I can to get information and one thing I have noticed is that the prices people are quoting for procedures are really low. When people say the cost is 7k or 18k, are they referring to the physician portion only? The hospital where I am having my surgery quoted the bill for surgery and outpatient care post op at 48k (I have insurance so that is what is billed to them). I am curious to see if the major difference is that the quotes are from private pay banders. Also, any idea how much the anesthesia will bill? I called the anesthesia group who will handle my surgery and they told me they couldn't give me an estimate because they had no idea how long I would be in surgery. Any help appreciated! :smile2:

Thanks, just wondered if I was reading things correctly. I only have to pay my deductible and copay, so I guess that is just what ins is billed. If I asked for a private pay quote it would probably be different.

I would have to say yes, I would have had the band in my 20's. I topped out at 230 lbs in my 20's, but if I had seen what was coming in my 40's I would have had the band done. Of course, that means little because the procedure they are doing now didn't exist 20 years ago. So at age 44, 5 ft 6 in and 310 lbs, and after years and dollars down the drain trying to get healthy, I am definitely ready for some help to lose weight. Yeah Lap Band!!!!!!!!! :biggrin:

Guess I haven't gotten that far in my process, why no caffeine? Because of it's diuretic effect or what? :biggrin:

Thanks for the reply. I have only seen him at the seminar but that was a few months ago and I wanted to get some more information.

When you wake up you don't remember anything, the anesthesiologist will make sure you are comfortable during the procedure, but you do wake up faster than you do with a general anesthesia.

I feel the same way, I have on my pre op paperwork that they need documented 6 months supervised wt loss attempt, does that mean they won't take into account the 25 years of trying everything possible? I know I was on phenteramine once and meridia, but I don't have any idea how long those regimens lasted. I know others who have been pretty much where I am weight/BMI/health wise and they were approved easily. So, we will be approved, too!

:biggrin:Wow! That is great, congratulations! I go for my psych eval on July 31, hope I am as fortunate as you. I don't think it will go so quickly for me, I still have many appts for all the other things. You will do great!

My doctor's office sent me the best preop education material via email. I tried to just go to the site and see the presentation but you need a code to view it. The presentation link was sent directly to me and I had to verify my info to view it. It is very informative and great a great preop education tool. If you have already selected a surgeon, perhaps they can access this website for you. I will check with my doctors office and see if there is a way to get the link to the forum. :biggrin2:

Hello, I actually made an appoinment to get the ball rolling on my surgery! I had to check out what insurance would pay and when I would have to pay my portion. I am really trying to do this without going into debt or using a credit card. If approved it looks like my insurance pays pretty good.

Thanks for the replies, I am so happy to have found the forum, reading others experiences is helpful already! Most people I know who have had WLS have had the bypass, but I work with two ladies who have had the band and they are doing great. It wasn't to tough to decided on the band after the surgeons seminar on options, it is the choice for me, anyway.

I am excited for you! I am new to the forum also and only have my first appointment with the Dr's office scheduled on July 31st. Can't wait to have a date for surgery! Wish you the best, CJRN

I waited a long time to hear my husband say he was okay with me having the surgery. So, once he did, I have told everyone at work within earshot. My family, well, my kids know and I am very close to my mother-in-law so she and my father-in-law know. I have told one person on my side of the family, my sister-in-law who raised me after my parents passed away, she has been telling me for months that I am entitled to spend $ for something this important. She and I are both nurses so we see everyday what obesity can do to your health. I have mixed feelings about telling my siblings. I am the youngest of 8 and three of us are morbidly obese. I will probably tell my two sisters who are overweight but the others will just tell me I am 'taking the easy way out'. Well, I am smart enough to know that this surgery is only a tool to help me and that I will still have to work very hard to lose weight. Wow, guess next time I will tell you how I really feel!!!

I know the feeling, I have about 140 lbs to lose after years of taking off 30 or 40 lbs at a time and putting 50 or more back on!! I have tried it all and I am ready for some help.

My appointment is July 31st, I am really excited to get approved and have the surgery. Hope your appointment goes well!:biggrin2: