L8BloomR

WOW, did YOU have a long drive! :omg: That is wonderful that you went to Dr. Billy, I have heard so many great things about him. I fought with my insurance co., and my referring doctor's office, to no avail. They each blame each other for not being able to refer to him. BUT, the good news is that Dr. Billy's office told me I can go to him for post-surgery stuff if I want, and I think I will do that even though it will cost me more. I'm glad to know that you both had a good experience. When did you have it done and how are you feeling now? And thanks for the info! Karen

That is wonderful!! I'm glad to hear it! Maybe you can be my "guiding light" if I need advice regarding their process? Keep in touch and let us know how your surgery goes.... we will be anxious to hear! Good luck, I am sure everything will go well! Karen

Hi Cali Bandsters..... I am finally going to be one of you! :clap2: I just started the process today, submitted the forms and all info to the surgeon, etc, My insurance has approved the LB surgery, but there is one glitch. I live a bit north of Ventura, and the only place they have approved for the surgery is Dr. LePort in Fountain Valley --- a good 3-4 hour drive for me. Does anyone have any experience with this doctor? I know nothing about him.... I assumed I'd be going to Dr. Billie who is close by. WAHHHHHHH! Are there any "Bandster" support meetings around the Ventura County area that I could go to? I feel like I won't be able to be involved in a group if I will have to drive 4 hours to get there. Help! I have a feeling this online group will be my lifeline.......so thanks for being here! Karen

Hi Everyone! I discovered you all about a month ago, and I can't believe how much "lurking" around this website has helped me already! I finally got up the courage to request a referral from my G.P. after going back and forth about this surgery for at least a year! On Monday, I will be making the appointment for the consultation --- Yeah!! :clap2: You all have made me feel strong and positive about this. Now I can't wait to become a "member of the band"!! Thank you for being here and I look forward to continuing reading your friendly, helpful and supportive posts. You are a wonderful group!

Koko, Thanks for the sympathy, I needed that! By reading other posts, I guess I am not the only one who has a long drive, but mine will be torturous because it will involve alot of time driving through the L. A area....something I try NEVER to do! What is happening with your process? I think I will have to go the insurance route because I can't justify paying cash just for the convenience of being close by! Did your insurance approve your surgery? Will you get to be close to home? Karen

Well, I just found out that the doctor I was referred to, the one that is at least 3 hours away, is the ONLY one I can go to. :faint: My insurance plan and the referring doctor will only work with him. Does anyone know anything about Dr. LePort in Fountain Valley, CA? The only other option is to pay cash.... I don't know if that is worth it. Can anyone tell me approximately how many trips I will be making to go through this process? If is alot, I just may have to find a way to pay for this myself and go to a closer surgeon. WAAHHHHHH:cry Koko, I guess you WILL beat me in our "band" race!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Now I feel like "a member of the band" and can follow the posts better. What a help this will be!! Thanks again, Karen

Hi, I'm new to this forum but have been reading the posts for the last month in preparation for band surgery (I am just beginning the process.) Is there a place I can go to on the site to find out what abbreviated words mean? For example, I have figured out that I don't want to "PB", but I don't know what that means! :help: Can you fill me in?? Thanks for being there! Karen

Koko, don't count on being behind anyone else. My insurance will cover my banding, but they want me to go to a doctor 3 hours away from my home, when we have a very experienced bariatric doctor right in town! So I am going to fight to try to get banded here. Can anyone tell me approximately how many trips I will be making to the doctor to get through this process? Do you think it is worth it to try to get a doctor closer to me? I wonder if they are trying to discourage me from having the surgery by making it so inconvenient? I will be calling tomorrow and may know more then, hopefully. Wish me luck! Karen

Thanks for all the "Welcomes"!! And welcome to you, Joanne and Koko....it will be great to compare notes on our progress. You are both ahead of me, although I have done some of the tests through my G.P. and hopefully that will speed things up. OH, and thank you to Paula and Mousecrazy (what a great name) for your helpful hints on using this forum. I am NOT computer-savvy and I need all the help I can get! Thanks again for everything.......What a booster-shot you all are! Karen