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I would encourage those of you that have been put off by the $2,000.00 'banded elsewhere patient fee' to contact Dr. Malley's new office. I don't believe that was Dr. Malley's idea or that he endorsed it. I spoke to his office admin & she said he would absolutely NOT be charging the $2,000 upfront. Call to make sure, but that's what I was told. I'll post the contact info again for everyone's convenience: Dr. Stephen Malley 10640 W 87th St Overland Park, KS 66214 913-851-3482 I still don't like the fact (if it's true) that he simply walked in, turned in his letter of resignation, and left -- that's very unprofessional & inconsiderate of everyone -- staff and patients.

Hi Shagmelic, I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you encountered when you went to get your first fill. As I will have my first fill in 2 weeks, I've been anxious to hear the experiences of others. I'm just speculating here, but , once your Dr. knows of the relative position of your port, I'll bet it will be easier next time. While I don't remember your specific banding date, the fact that you've already lost 29 pounds without having any fills is impressive. Keep up the good work and listen to your body. I'll bet it will go better next time!

Regarding Insurance not paying for weight loss surgery - I posted some information on this very subject. There are two topics for Missouri- one is this one, 'hello Missouri' and the other is a 'call to action' . Check it out - it's very worthwhile.

Hey rsduhe, Are there any plans underway for the get-together? After having been banded on 7-18, (and not having any fills yet) I don't have any restrictions. So, I know I'm eating too much. I also drink with my meals to prevent that 'stuck' feeling. I think I need a swift kick to get myself in gear. I didn't fight the insurance company for 9 months to let this procedure be a failure. Bottom line? I think the moral support and friendships would be good for me. Please keep me posted.

There was an excellent 'letter to the editor' in the Belton, MO Journal. It indicates there is a lady in Pierce City, MO who is committed to putting pressure on our elected representatives to pressure insurance companies to cover surgery for morbidly obese people. I've tried to cut and paste the letter, but didn't have any luck. So... guess I'll have to re-type the whole thing. Here goes... "Dear Editor, There are thousands of Missourians that are morbidly obese and need gastric bypass surgery to literally save their lives and yet most insurance companies will not cover the procedure. It seems like insurance companies would rather continue to pay for medicine and treatment for all the complications that morbidly obese people have such as; type 2 diabetes, sleep apneas, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, back and joint pain, asthma and other complications, than pay for the cure. With gastric bypass surgery, the complications can go away. Morbidly obese is defined as 100 pounds over your ideal body weight. We morbidly obese people did not ask for our fate, it is a disease and, it is hereditary, and it is caused by emotional problems. People are not morbidly obese just because they 'over ate.' Only closed minded and non understanding people would say this. All the morbidly obese people in the United States should make insurance companies step up and over this medically necessary surgery. There are 5 states in the US that have passed laws that make it mandatory that insurance must offer coverage for morbid obesity, including surgery. I started a mission to see what it would take to get the same type of law passed in Missouri and found out two days before the close of the last session that there is a house bill floating out there in the Missouri house that would do this and no legislator is taking the necessary steps to get it passed to help us Missourians who need this help. The bill is House bill 84. I am on a mission to unite Missourians to pressure their representatives and senators to pass this bill in the next session. If readers would like a copy of this bill and would like to join forces with me, please write me at P.O. Box 116, Pierce City, MO 65723. Insurance companies have taken our premiums and given us the coverage they want and we just have had to sit back and take what they give us and the politicians haven't been forceful enough in making insurance companies provide what is medically necessary because insurance companies have lobbyist. We need to join together and be heard with our vote and that, I think, is more powerful. Julie Jackson End of letter ------------------------------------------ So there you have it bandsters, some info that could help us and many others. As we all know, gastric bypass isn't the only solution (we'll need to mention this to Julie in case she is in need of the surgery), but any and all attention on the subject should be helpful. Let's draw our pens(keyboards?) and get busy!!

After being banded a week, I am STILL fighting head hunger, big time. I'm ashamed to admit I've actually drank liquid with the few meals I've had that wern't liquid, so that I could eat more. I've also had my way with a few plain M&M's... Maybe after the soreness has stopped I'll feel like moving around more and that will help. Head hunger is the WORST- how I hope to love the band like so many others on this board do.

but not without 9 months of FIGHTING. CIGNA (PP0) tried every rotten trick (including changing some of my paperwork) in the book. It is my understanding that many policies are being written with a 'bariatric exclusion' meaning they are saying upfront they won't pay for any type of WLS, no matter what. People should absolutely put pressure on our elected representatives to not let insurance companies get away with this! Insurance companies (despite what they tell you) are very profitable!! And, in many cases, WLS is actually cheaper than the effects of obesity (strokes, heart problems, diabeties, joint replacements,etc.) Good luck!

Vinesqueen, May I ask for some additional info on what you wrote above? What and where is the 'bandsters guide?' I'm new to the board, and newly banded - one week ago today. I'm feeling very discouraged as thus far I've only experienced soreness (still) and NO weight loss. Is there an area of this website that chronicles what to expect and when after being banded? Thanks to all who reply.

Well, I'm in the right crowd. I was just banded on Monday. I'm still pretty sore, but I guess that's to be expected. The surgeon also discovered I had a hernia, so they fixed that too. I wonder if that's uncommon? Niecie, how are you doing? How did it go?

Would someone be kind enough to tell me how to get the 'ticker factory' into the bottom of my messages? I've been to the site and found some I liked, but didn't understand what I was suppose to do on the last page. Sorry, but I'm a newbie at all of this. I'm being banded TOMORROW. I'm scared and hungry.

Count me in -- I'm getting banded tomorrow in Missouri! I'm scared -- this will change everything. I'm hungary--this 'clear liquids' is a drag! For those of you that have recently been banded, how much pain were you in and for how long? What kinds of foods were you able to start eating, and how soon after surgery? I'm so grateful to those 'that have gone before us' and are willing to share their experiences! Thank you.

I'm being banded tomorrow morning. Like Micki, I've been eating several 'last suppers'. I really can't imagine how I'll feel just being able to eat a few bites and then be full-- relieved.... mad..... depressed.... confident...? I'm just not sure, even though I've had 9 months (fighting insurance co) to think about it. If anyone could direct me to a specific place for info right after surgery, I'd appreciate it. Dianechef, how are you doing since your banding?

This location may change, but the phone number should work-- Dr. Stephen Malley 10640 W 87th St Overland Park, KS 66214 913-851-3482

Here is the contact info for Dr. Malley: Dr. Stephen Malley 10640 W 87th St Overland Park, KS 66214 913-851-3482 Nikki went with him, and I think Darlene is going to go with him. I don't think there is a 'restraining order', per se. I believe it's probably a 'no compete' clause for a 25 mile area around MWIBS.

I've met Dr. Lopez- he is very nice and seems quite competent. I really don't have any idea what happened. I don't know when he left -- it could have been last week or two weeks ago. I'm not sure when the message was left. If you happen to call them, pls let us know and post what their 'explanation' is. Obviously, they'll put a positive spin on it, but I can't help but wonder what's up.

Sorry to tell you that it was about 9 months from when I first requested the surgery and when I got approval. Insurance co is Cigna PPO. Hopefully, they were the worst! , I fought them 'tooth and nail' the whole time. Finally, I received approval AND they have recently approved the lap band as an "approved procedure," so hopefully it will be easier for others.

I'm scheduled to be banded in a couple of weeks. I had planned on having Dr. Malley do the procedure I attended his seminar about 9 months ago. Since then he had taken on another associate surgeon, Dr. Jesse Lopez. Last month, the MWIBS sugery coordinator steered me pretty hard toward Dr. Lopez rather than Dr. Malley. I agreed. In the last couple of weeks, I've had a message from their office saying Dr. Malley has left their practice, but that Dr. Lopez is still there if I want to have my surgery with him. I don't know what's going on other than 1)there seems to be a lot of confusion 2) Dr. Malley is gone from MWIBS and 3) the patients of Dr. Malley that I interviewed really liked him. I wonder what's happened??? Has anyone else had Dr. Jesse Lopez from MWIBS do their procedure?? Thanks.