EDPACECAR

From a man's point of view why did you choose the Lap Band over Gastric Bypass surgery? I am in the first stages and will attend seminar at Barix Clinic in Langhorne Pa. 04/23/08. I am leaning towards the Lap Band as I can't seem to wrap my head around the process of BYpass surgery. Are there other reasons for choosing Lap Band?

Yes they did the paperwork for the insurance company as per the WLS. For the tests needed before surgery such as sleep test, cardio and blood test. I checked on my insurance web site (Keystone health Plan East POP) to see who in my area took their insurance. I then call and set up appointment with Cardio, sleep test and my PCP for blood test. I asked my PCP to send a referal to the other places i need to get tested at. This way I was in control and with the Cardio doctor, the first one could see me for 1 month, I just kept checking differentb ones till I got a asppointment in a few day. At this point I am waiting to get a callon a surgery date. below is a daily log of how it went for me. If it wasn't for the H A1c being too high i would have a surgery date already. 04/16/2008 Went to Barix Clinic for consult with DR. Pupkova. She answered all questions and then some. She requested that I have a cardio consult, sleep test and blood test for Hbg A1c. 04/17/2008 Went to my insurance web site (Keystone Health Plan EAST POS) to see where I could get the tests done. Called and made appointments for Sleep test and Cardio test. 04/18/2008 Went to my PCP to get referrals for sleep test and cardio consult. Also set up appointment for blood test. 04/21/2008 Went for cardio consult, Everything OK but he said a stress test would resolve the last 10% – 15% of there being a problem that didn’t show on EKG. He left it up to me, I said lets do the stress test which was set up for 04/29/2008. 04/23/2008 Went to PCP for Hgb A1c blood test 04/23/2008 Went for sleep test 8:00 PM till 6:30 AM., was a bit of a pain to have to sleep some where else. There was no way technician would give out any information as to my results. Said it would take 7 to 10 days and someone would call to go over results. 04/28/2008 Got results from PCP Hgb A1c high 9.2, also stomach infection Helicobacter Pylori (H Pylori) given medication which should take care of infection in about 7 – 10 days. PrevPac – Lansoprazole 30 mg, Amoxicillin (two) 500 mg and Clarithromycin 500 mg taken morning and evening 04/28/2008 Appointment to Dr. Chang PCP about Hgb A1c levels (need to get it down to 8 or below before they will do surgery) 04/29/2008 Got a call from Barix Clinic and they got approval for surgery, just got to get these tests done and get Hgb A1c in line. 04/29/2008 Nuclear Stress Test at 11:50 AM 04/30/2008 Results OK from Stress Test 05/05/2008 Results OK from sleep test 05/28/2008 Retest of blood to check H Ac1 level was 9.2, PCP didn’t think it would be 8 or under in only 1 month. 05/30/2008 Results back from blood test 7.0 on H A1c level, fax to Michelle Chase she called me back and said someone would call to set up surgery date. Waited all day no call but will check back Monday 06/02/2008. Hope this helps.

Just got my blood test results. Hgb A1c too high at 9.2 need to be at 8 or less for the surgery to take place. Has anyone else had this problem? Just wondering how long it will take for Hgb Ac1 to drop (by cutting out all sugar), PCP was willing to retest in 30 days.

Newbie, just signed up for seminar at Barix Clinic in Langhorne Pa. (04/23/08). Just wondering how hard is Keystone East to deal with to get approved? Any do's and don't's with this insurance? Age 57 BWI 43.1

Glad to hear you liked the Barix Clinic. I am new and in the investigation stage. I am going to a seminar 04/23/08 at 7:00 PM at the Langhorne Barix Clinic. Hope to learn more. I have been thinking LAP BAND as the By Pass seems to radical for my taste. I have yet to figure out why some pick one over the other. I hope to learn more at the seminar. Looks like you are doing very well, good luck and best wishes.

This isn't an answer for you but a question. Why did you go to Mexico to be banded. I'm in the early searching/questions process as to be banded or not. BMI 44