msjessy

I'm not done with my pre-op testing yet. I'm trying to cram it all in a month and so far I've had to request 2 days (1-full day, 2-half days). I tried my hardest to get appts that accomodated my schedule, but some of the offices only did clearances first thing in the morning or early afternoon on select days and there were NO weekend appts. Like another poster said, the Nutritionist appts are usually the flexible ones. I had mine at 7:30p last Monday. My job is home-sourced so I *HOPE* to only take 2-3 days off, at the most. I also have a 1yr old daughter so I try to save my PTO for when I have to tend to her emergencies. Good Luck. I know in the end all of this will be well worth it!

Congratulations! Keep us posted.

Good Luck! Your surgery is probably over now, or close to it, so I wish you a safe and speedy recovery!!

I absolutely agree!! I would hear her out before parting ways, especially since she's made the effort to call you a few times since that conversation.

Hi Everyone! I'm Jessenia from NY. I am 25 and have a 1 year old daughter. I'm currently going thru the process. Its a bit odd for me because my surgeon is the one with the hoops, and not my insurance. Nonetheless, it makes me all the more confident in my surgeon and his ability. So I'm working my way thru them all, trying to get them done in a month (I know, crazy right...?!!) so that I can get banded by July (crossing fingers for insurance approval!!). I swear, I think the anticipation is going to give me a heart attack!!! lol. Good Luck to Everyone!

I agree with other posters. $1200 is way too much for a psych evaluation. Unless that is the cost for several sessions...to help you be mentally prepared for the change in lifestyle both before and after surgery. My psych appt is coming up soon and it is a $250 charge. I went thru the "preferred' psych for my DR because I am trying to get all of the clearances done this month and didn't want ANYTHING to delay this process. I would definitely look into using your insurance and finding a participating psych (unless your DR advises you can only use this psych). Good Luck!!~

Congratulations Ellen! I met with Dr. Geiss on May 2nd and have been working on getting thru all of the clearances. Can you tell me a little bit about your experience at the hospital/surgery? Thank you. Again, congratulations!

I am in the very beginning stages of this whole process, and want to make sure that I will qualify for the lapband thru my insurance, as with copays and time off this can become costly. I contacted my insurance Amerihealth/Multiplan and it appears that I have met all of the required criteria, but there's one I am still unsure of. This is what is says in my policy: Has documentation of a failed history of medical weight loss. What exactly does this mean? Like some other posts I've seen, I rarely went to my doctor unless I was dog-sick, and any diet and/or excercise plan I have been on I did on my own. Does Medical Weight Loss mean a supervised program? For the times I have gone to my PCP we have discussed weight, and ways to lose, but I"m not sure if these conversations are even documented in my file. When I questioned the Insurance rep about this she stated that she wasn't sure what that meant, and when I asked to speak with someone else who might, she said that person was the Nurse who reviews the files for approval, and that I could not talk to her. Any help from my fellow bandsters would be GREATLY appreciated. Especially those that have dealt with Amerihealth. TIA! ~Jessenia

Hi HealthySue. I also have an appt with Dr. Powers on May 2nd. I too want to speed the process along. I don't have a regular cardiologist, but want to see one as soon as possible. What do I tell them is the reason I want to make an appt with the Cardio? Do I just tell them that I am considering Lap-Band and that I need 'clearance'? Thanks, in advance!:biggrin2: MsJessy

I've never tried it. Those side effects were just a bit too much for me. I've never been a pill popper, unless it was antibiotics, so I knew I would never use them on a regular basis. I know I've seen a $5 coupon off the starter kit in the coupon section. Good Luck!

Thanks Ajoneen. I was actually thinking of calling back and making my appt with Dr. Powers. The reason I chose to go with Dr. Geiss was bc of what I saw during the seminar. Dr. Geiss was warm and personable, while Dr. Powers just seemed a little dry. I"m the kind of person that would probably need a lot of hand-holding during this procedure, so that's why I decided to stick it out and wait for Dr. Geiss to become available. While I hear that the support staff is great, ultimately its the DR who's doing the surgery, and I have to be 100% comfortable in him. I guess as the days go by, and if I become too impatient I'll call and schedule with Dr. Powers. Thanks everyone!

Mine was the second I realized that my weight was robbing my daughter of her childhood. Because of my weight I am too embarrassed to go anywhere. We stay home most of the time. My daughter is so outgoing and loves to be around other children. We went to an indoor playground and it was so hard to be on the floor with her to play, and when I would get up I would be out of breath just tugging away at my clothes to make sure that nothing was hanging out. I know what kind of mother I can and WANT to be to her, but the weight--coupled with embarassment and anxiety--keeps me from doing those fun things. Two days after this specific incident I attended a free seminar by Dr. Geiss, and made my initial appointment the next day. I am looking forward to beginning this journey...

Thank you Ellen. All of this information was EXTREMELY helpful. I attended the seminar at the Ritz earlier this month. I'm so freaking excited about this I can't stand it!! I wish my appointment was earlier, but "Good Things Come to Those Who Wait"...or so I tell myself. How long were you in the office during the initial appointment? It sounds like it'll be a long time considering all that gets done in the one sitting.

So I am having my first consultation with Dr. Geiss on May 27th, and was wondering if there is anything that I should do before meeting with him? I already have a physical and bloodwork lined up with my PCP. I'm 25 with a BMI of 47 and no comorbities. Should I schedule a Psych and/or Nutritionist consultation with someone else in-Network? Or is it mandatory that you see his Psych and Nutritionist? Any and ALL help is greatly appreciated. I'm so excited that I have started this journey, and pray that my Insurance comes thru for me.

Hi KatKeen, I too am from Long Island, but I'm just researching the lap band. I stumbled across this forum but it has been so helpful, and the people here are great and informative. I just attended my first open seminar with Dr. Geiss' group last night, and called and made the appt for the consultation. I couldn't get in until after Memorial Day (ugh!). Good luck on your weight loss journey!

This is my first post, and what a great thread to reply to!! I am just starting out and doing my research. This forum has been amazing. Goals: -Shop with my younger sister IN THE SAME STORE! -Have my true spirit and personality shine thru. Everyone calls me shy and quiet, but its because I'm too embarrased to have the spotlight on me. -Provide my daughter the best possible life I can. Not one filled with "maybe later" or "not now" bc I get winded easily. -Hit on the hottest guy in the room!!