Savedbygrace

I have my first consult with the surgeon scheduled today. Any suggestions on things I need to ask him? We have already attended his seminar and I'm in my 2nd month of the supervised diet but this is the first time I'll actually see him one on one. Not sure what to expect. Just wondered if there is anything I'm forgetting to plan to ask him today? BTW, Surgeon will be Dr. Les Miles, Birmingham, AL. Thanks!

Hey Pamela! Congrads on the newly banded life! I too have PCOS but am just getting into my 2nd month of the 6 month supervised diet required by BCBS of AL. I was reading some paperwork from the surgeon I've chosen and it says bariatic surgery results in helping 79% of hirsutism and 100% resolution of menstrual dysfunction. That just made me smile!! Keep us updated on how it affects your PCOS. I've been diagnosed for about 3 years but just not finding a OB that will help me with it. I've been on Metformin for 2 months now and looking forward to being able to call PCOS a thing of my past after banding and loosing weight.

<p>I agree with faithmd. If you did exactly what's written in their medical policy, there is no need for 4 more months. I would review the policy and appeal!</p>

Hey Tennessians! I live in Fayetteville but plan to have my banding done in Birmingham as of right now. I've only been to 2 different seminars and B'ham has my vote right now. Nashville's centinnial seems nice (website & support group) but it's backwards (in direction) from what would be convenient for us. I am at the stage of starting the 6 month diet. Look forward to getting to know alot of fellow banders!

This may be a silly question but I've always been told no question is silly if you really need to know.. and I do .. lol When something is "hung", "lodged", etc.... do you feel like your airways are being cut off? Can barely breathe? Or just that something is caught in your band? I know it's a trial and error type situation on what will actually go down and what will not but how does things that won't go down actually feel? How do you know it's time to puke?

Thanks for the advice Janie. I wasn't sure if I should go ahead and schedule an in office consult with the surgeons or not. I'm not sure how long that consult is valid. Seems like after 6 months of not seeing them, they may want to start over but I'm not sure. I did email Veronica to see because I think it would be great to go ahead and see them to obtain the information on the foods I will be needing to eat and go ahead and get all the test done that will be required. Have you been to the required nutrition class yet? We went to the seminar and support meeting yesterday and loved it. I am very grateful that they allowed pre op patients to come in!! But I do wonder if they have support meetings with only the post ops. Seems to me that with us pre oppers in there asking 10,000 questions, the post oppers don't really get the complete support they need at the meetings. We have a local support near Huntsville that I will be attending, but I'd love to go down and attend theirs too. So what type foods are you adjusting to now? Increased your exercise? My husband and I went and purchased bike's yesterday. :biggrin1: I want to be as ready for this journey as I can be!! Needless to say we could probably video us riding and win $10,000 on AFV!! lol

I went to Dr. Miles seminar today.... St. Vincent's East, Birmingham .. and he stated that the cost is $13,900 total.. physician, hospital, everything, plus a year of follow up / fills. We were very impressed with the seminar and support group meeting they had today!! I live 2 hours from B'ham but at this point, I will be using that group. Wendy About to start 6 month physician supervised diet