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Im going with the Lakeshore Laparoscopic Bariatric Center. I am also a self pay patient. The price here is only $14,500 all inclusive plus free fills for a year and $100 after that! It is located at 7200 N. Western Ave. at the corner of Western and Toughy in Chicago! The number is 1877.6.LAPBAND or 773.465.SLIM

At my 6 month follow-up appointment, I confessed to my bariatric surgeon that I have been substituting herbal tea (sometimes with Stevia, sometimes without) for some of my 64 oz. of daily Water. I can only drink so much water and the tea seemed to be keeping me well hydrated. Also, I read an article that said that you could do this without consequence. Well my surgeon told me to cut it out and to only drink tea in addition to the 64 oz of water. I like to do what I'm told, but in this case, I'm feeling rebellious. What do you think? Do it the hard, boring way? Or can I continue to enjoy my daily teas?

You've got to find your inner strength. Just to clarify have you already had bariatric surgery?

I am very sorry that this is happening to you. There are a couple things to remember, not every lump is breast cancer. Over the years I have had many and they can be very scary. I learned after the first one not to panic and make myself sick. Second if it turns out to be cancer, it is better you find it now and deal with it. Having Bariatric surgery is already risky enough. You want as clean a bill of health as you can get going into WLS. In terms of bingeing. You now recognize one of the major behaviors that you have to stop. Clearly you feel worse now than you did before you ate all that junk. We all have days that make us want to run to Burger King or the gas station. Sometimes it happens but you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start fresh today. I hope that this turns out to be nothing and you can move forward. Hopefully you will get the test done soon so it will give you the info you need to move forward. Good luck, we are all here for you if you need help.

i hope not, surgery with Usculpt in about a week. they have rave reviews. suggest you consult there if you haven't already, they specialize in bariatric patients.

I use PB2 by the suggestion of my Bariatric Dietician. I love it! I can't add a lot tho because the flavor is a bit overpowering. A little bit goes a long way.

Hi I am Kelly. I am a 32y RN, mother of a 5y daughter and wife to a husband that has a bottomless stomach. I am from Dothan, AL. So us southern ppl are not known for our skinnyness. I have been battling with my weight almost my whole life. I have been under physician supervised wt loss for >2y. Highest wt. 291. I have do every diet and wt loss program possible and I YoYo between 290-260. I have been approved for VSG in April. No surgery date yet. Have my last appt 4/6/16. Hopefully I will get a date then. I have been on the 45gm carb diet for 3wks now and have lost 13lbs. GW- 160 CW- 265 Any help yal can give me would be Great!!!!!! Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Vitamin water zero rise orange... I know that I sound like a commercial but that is the bariatric nectar of the gods as far as I'm concerned. I still drink one every morning 8 months out and cannot imagine not having it. Good luck and drink up.

Curious if you all feel a need to use bariatric plates, utensils etc. Getti g ready for surgery. Any suggestions appreciated.

I had my initial meeting with my surgeon and he told me I would only lose 40-50lbs with lapband, he was trying to encourage me to have gastric bypass. He has only done 30 some lb surgeries and the other surgeons at this hospital have also only done 30 some. This hospital just started doing surgeries last Dec. I know the lb is just a tool, I get it, I understand that. But could someone give me hope that I will lose more? I am at 243 now, was at 250 at my 1st visit the bariatric center. Thanks for all of your help!

Speaking as someone who was too full for months...sounds like you're too full. I was getting stuck at least once (usually more) times a day despite taking tiny bites and chewing it to mush and then swallowing that bite in 2-3 swallows. When I finally went in to the bariatric clinic, they said that's a sure sign of being too full. The always ask if I've been coughing so I think that's another although I haven't had that particular problem. Call your doc. .

I was banded by Dr. Czerniach as well. Everyone went great, but I think any of the Umass doctors would have been great. Umass is considered a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. I think you'll have a great experience.

I have a bariatric surgery co pay of $5000 but my doc only made me pay $2000 of that. My doc required EGD $1100, sleep study, $1000, cardiac clearance about $150, hospital about $3000 so right at $7000. I got gap insurance this year, first year offered, and I don't think its thru Aetna. I will have paid $600 for the year but I will get back $2500 cuz I stayed a night. So my personal total will be about $5500.

Well, Summer, it's probably best if you call your Bariatric Center and ask them if you should go in. I still have port pain at times when I get up or just sitting at my desk at work (port is on my lower right hand side). Even my waistband will sometimes irritate it. When I asked my surgeon, he said it may be on a muscle, so I don't worry--but I would worry if it was inflamed and hot to the touch, so go now to the phone! :cry

Banding is the easiest procedure in bariatrics to do. With that said, there is a learning curve. The sutures can't be too tight, they can't be too loose. The band can't be too high, it can't be too low. The sutures cannot be too many in number, nor too few. Once the learning curve is over things are fine. But complication stats (erosion, slips, etc.) are indeed higher for newbie surgeons. Something as simple as scratching the back of the stomach can possibly cause erosion years down the road. That is the biggest reason I wouldn't personally go to a newbie surgeon. This was my last shot at weight loss and I wasn't going to screw it up. I gave myself every opportunity to do this the right way. It's kinda like crocheting. The first project is probably pretty fugly, not even. But with practice it's just about perfect. Same concept applies to the band. I can't say that I would go to anyone with less than 250 bands myself. If someone didn't have any money at all and having a newbie do it was the only shot they had it might be different. I wouldn't do it, but many would. Another issue is aftercare. Fills are an art, not a skill. Anyone can measure out a cc or two. But to get good restriction without absolute misery is hard to do. The problem with banding is that all the bad stuff usually happens after surgery or after the fills. It's not like a minor complication in OR that you fix right then and there. Our complications often times don't happen (from surgery) until down the road. So you have to weigh money vs. skill. You have to do what is right for you.

Try The Bariatric Center at Providence in Waco, TX:scared:Dr. Sims and his staff are simply great and very helpful too!:whoo:

I had my surgery on the 14th as well. How are you doing? Highest Weight - 297 When I Started working with Nutritionist at Bariatric Center - 271 Before 10 Day liquid diet - 250 Surgery Weight 239 Goal Weight - 160 I just saw this. I am doing good now. I was in pain for 4 weeks, but part of that is due to an incisional hernia that is quite large and they will have to repair it later. The largest incision from the sleeve surgery was right on top of it... ow! So we are sleeve sisters? How are you doing since your surgery on the 14th? I hope all is well. I am down 23 lbs. HW 334 Pre-op diet weight 312 Surgery day weight 300 CW 277

May need to speak with someone skilled in Bariatrics. You may be suffering from a post- surgical depression , they do happen more than what you would think.

was doing some serious crying today. ..hate eating, can't get in enough water, and it didn't help that baby was sick lol. but, I'm 6 days post op, so i figure it can only go up! I'm glad I'm not alone. I'm now forced to deal with issues i didn't know i had, and I'm excited about the renewed me on the other side of this journey.

Boy do I know how you feel...went in for surgery Oct. 25th , 2021 to have the "Sadi" done...I, too, woke up to find it could not be done because of too much scar tissue..the Dr. did remove some of the scar tissue, guess that's good. I knew there was a chance that this may not be able to be a success because of the scar tissue, most of which is from a couple of abdomen surgeries from yrs gone by. I do however still have the sleeve and it hasn't stretched..but just couldn't succeed with it, very little weight loss.. Long story short, they sent me home that night, just as sore nonetheless. This was my last chance at Bariatric anything, already had the Lapland, that was horrible, sick so much...but anyhow thought I would get my 2 cents in....and don't know what I will do now...I just did the 2 week liquid diet....with great anticipation..feeling disappointed in Maine...Donna

Best of luck in getting through this, I have also gotten quite familiar with the trials and tribulations of dealing with offbeat medical problems/combinations of problems. If this opportunity doesn't work out, try contacting Dr. John Rabkin in San Francisco (yeah, a bit of a commute for you, but that's sometimes what it takes to resolve complex issues.) He did my sleeve about five years ago, but more specifically for you, his background and alter ego is that of biliopancreatic transplant surgeon (his brother brought him into the bariatric practice some years ago as a means of treating the liver problems early.) Since he is qualified in both disciplines that you need, he may just be the ticket to get you through this. Although a rare combination of skills/qualifications, he may also know of other similarly qualified surgeons closer to you, so it may well be worth contacting him. Best of luck to you in getting through this...

HI Everyone, :laugh: I am really really struggling...I am seriously having the fight the insurance co & my PCP blues. Pasted below is draft copy of a letter that I am working on to send to the insurance co. and maybe even the insurance consumer division. Although a really tight squeeze for now, I am working on Plan B. Dr. Alvarez in Mexico, 9750 for sleeve. Here struggling...having gained 18 pounds since September 15--all of my clothes are fitting way way way toooooo tightly! Bumming Here's my letter! I just dont know what to do.... Any insight is greatly appreciated! I am not sure if I should be outright saying I want to request an appeal or just asking for an update. Please review and give me your insight. Thanks! Group/ID Number: XOH842901948/H06800 Primary Care Physician: Dr. Derek Kelly Diagnosis: 278.01 Morbid Obesity Procedure: 99241 Office Consultation Referred For: Office Consultation Requested: 12/9/08 Denied: 12/9/08 Services Requested: Consult with Dr. Vitello for a Sleeve Gastrectomy Referral Authorization No. 23,562'Denied (Referral Denied'This is a request for an out of network non-contracted provider with Managed Health Care Associates Managed Health Care Associates 2740 W. Foster Avenue, Suite 411 Chicago, Il 60625 FAX: 773-271-0264 Illinois Department of Insurance Consumer Division 100 W. Randolph Street Suite 15-100 Chicago, IL 60601 Greetings I a writing to formally request an updated status of the referral decision rendered in December 2008. First of all, the services requested are inaccurate. Since October 2007, Dr. Derek Kelly has provided referral authorizations for me to see Dr. Vitello regarding lapband adjustment. From October 2007 until September 2008, I visited Dr. Vitello for lapband adjustments and presented with complications of my adjustments on a monthly basis. Resultingly, September 2008, I had to have emergency surgery to remove my lapband due to slippage. I followed up with post-operative care with Dr. Vitello, who then consulted with me regarding revisional bariatric surgery. In the interim, I informed Maria, of Dr. Kelly's office and contacted the BCBS of IL to be advised of my benefits coverage and protocol for seeking revisional surgery. At that time, I was advised of the criteria for coverage, which I meet now and did so at the time of request, and advised Maria of the same. She advised me to have Dr. Vitello submit the referral authorization and that she would handle the request, as she had handed the processing of all of my prior referral authorizations to Dr. Vitello. Upon mutual interest, Dr. Vitello petitioned for referral authorization for revisional bariatric surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My last follow up appointment with Dr. Vitello was October 31 and the referral authorization was submitted twice by Dr. Vitello's staff (University of Illinois at Chicago) before warranting a response by the Managed Care Group. This petition submitted in full disclosure, my operative and post-operative reports and medical necessity substantiating the need for the procedure. According to my insurance terms, bariatric surgery is a covered benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary; this is furthered for revisional bariatric surgery with indication that as long as the first bariatric surgery was medically necessary, there is no waiting period for clearance for the authorization of a revisional surgery. Additionally, according to my policy's terms and conditions, I have been advised of the following: Repeat of a covered bariatric surgery may be eligible for coverage only when ALL of the following criteria are met: For the original procedure, patient met all of the screening criteria, including BMI requirements The patient has been compliant with a prescribed nutritional and exercise program following the original surgery Significant complications or technical failure (i.e., slippage, etc.) of the bariatric surgery has occurred that required take down or revision of the original procedure that could only be addressed surgically Patient is requesting reinstitution of an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Dr. Vitello submitted his referral authorization to Dr. Derek Kelly indicating my request to reinstitute an acceptable bariatric surgical modality, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. On December 9, I received paperwork advising of a decision of denial for a consultation. It indicated the denial was based on the fact that the services are available in-network and the request was from a non-contracted provider. The basis of this claim request for out-of-network coverage is due to this surgical procedure being revisional bariatric surgery, which is an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Secondly, the letter advised of an alternative for the non-approved service, to contact Dr. Kelly for a referral to an in-network specialist. On December 15, 2008, I met with Dr. Kelly in follow-up to the denial. Dr. Kelly advised that he needed to submit supplemental supportive documentation along with the referral for processing to secure an affirmative decision. Dr. Kelly then proceeded to review my operative report records from the surgery and reviewed my other health records in my medical file and interviewed me regarding my health status. Dr. Kelly indicated this procedure should take approximately 30 days maximum and to anticipate an affirmative response to proceed with revisional bariatric surgery and that I had his medical support in substantiating the medical need. I have been waiting since December 15, 2008 and to date am more frustrated now than ever. For the past 2.5 months, I have meticulously called Dr. Kelly's office regarding a status update. Maria, the administrative assistant, has provided several updates. The updates have included the fact that the previous medical director retired and was replaced and the new director was then on vacation, to the medical director making request for additional paperwork (which was submitted), to the medical director needing to meet with Dr. Kelly regarding the details of the approval process for this type of referral authorization, to the medical director and Dr. Kelly being unable to meet to further discuss the nature of my referral, to Brenda communicating that there was never a properly submitted referral from Dr. Kelley to the Managed Care group which resulted in the initial denial decision. In my first direct contact with Brenda Blazek, the Referral Coordinator who signed the referral denial letter, she claimed to know nothing regarding my case and further indicated that there was no documentation in my file. When I followed up with Maria with Dr. Kelley's office, she advised that Brenda did not find any information in my file because all of the information was being held by the medical director. Whatever the real case is, this is neither professional nor acceptable in accordance to my patient's rights under section 502(a) of ERISA. Just yesterday, I called and spoke with Maria five times to get an updated status, to exhaustedly be declined, yet promised an update by the end of the work day. I have not spoken with Maria, nor have I missed an update call from Maria. This has been my experience for the last 2.5 months. Below is an excerpt of the fax sent to Dr. Kelly, which was confirmed as received by Maria on February 5, 2009. Maria, I would like to reiterate that on 12/9 the referral authorization stated that the procedure, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a covered benefit in-network; however my request was to have the procedure done by an out of network provider. Additionally, this was confirmed by Tammy on yesterday at 12:50 with Blue Cross Blue Shield that this is a covered medical benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary. My appointment with Dr. Kelly in December was to have provided me with a specialist referral to have the procedure done or we could have executed an appeal. I think Dr. Kelly submitted an appeal for coverage of the procedure; however, I am requesting to have this surgical procedure done by Dr. Vitello or be advised of the in-network provider who can perform this surgical procedure. Even in accordance to the appeals process, the timeline has been elongated to address issue of medically necessity when that is not the matter'the issue is approval for out-of network coverage or referral to an in-network specialist. I hope this clarifies the situation more. I will call you tomorrow to see if you have an updated response. Additionally, I was contacted by the non-contracted provider's office as a follow-up to the request in January and February. Last week, I advised them of the insurance referral hassle that I have been experiencing and they formally resubmitted their request, directly to Dr. Kelly (attention Maria), to the medical director of the Managed Care Group and to Brenda Blazek. To date, no response has been received; however, they have confirmed receipt of such documentation. Resultingly, I am assuming that since the only official documentation I have received to date is the referral denial, then I am evoking my patient right to request an appeal, specifically an expedited appeal process. However, I am highly dismayed because Dr. Kelly advised that there would be no need to execute an appeal. I would like to seek clarity first on the status and if this is in order, I would like to request an activation of the appeals process and under separate cover I will or will have my attorney to handle the appeals process. Before escalating to that level, I am very much interest in seeking resolve immediately. If and when I need to activate an appeal, I am requesting an expedited appeal process because my health at this point is continually declining and it is therefore imminent and serves my best interest to not further jeopardize my quality of life by waiting for a decision. Since December, the following symptoms I have presented: my breathing has become labored and therefore results in extreme shortness of breath my severe obstructive sleep apnea condition has worsened (hypopnea with severe oxygen desaturation) my acid reflux has returned my amenorrhea has returned and I have again began experiencing tumultuous joint, knee and lower back pains __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Why would you opt for a revision? The sleeve won't stop you from eating the wrong foods or too much anymore than a band will. You're looking at bariatric surgery as if it were a governor placed on your body that completely controls your intake and that's just not how it works. Any WLS is a tool but if you don't use the tool, you won't find success. I see posts from others who also deal with the non supportive families and I have to admit I'd struggle with the issue too. I think that this is an area that surgeons don't evaluate well enough. Some patients should be screened out or not encouraged to have WLS until they're in control of their own environment. Although, I have seen some patients who also work in a restaurant who have had WLS. Sorry, I have willpower, but not in the quantities needed to refrain from not cheating in that environment. It must be very difficult to plan and execute a healthy eating lifestyle when you're not in control over the meal planning? tmf

JULY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Date: July 19, 2008 Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm Event Details: Meet at Regina Holiday Inn at 1800 Prince of Wales Avenue Room: Hector Room Speaker TBA __________________ “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” Denis Waitley

Bonjeanie, as I understand it the MGB is really not considered a safe and effective surgery. It's not done much at all these days. However, there are lots of other options and almost all of them can be done laparascopically. I know there are many, many doctors who do both RNY and lap-banding who will do one on top of the other if necessary. Your best bet is to find an experienced laparascopic gastric surgeon and talk with him about your specific case. It may be a good idea to talk with more than one, if you can. You might start by looking at the OH website (obesityhelp.com) to locate bariatric surgeons in your area. Good luck!!