I have questions..need answers!

[On The Road 1]

Hello everyone!

I am really thinking about getting banded...I am in Michigan and live in Royal Oak and my insurance will pay since I have been in the Beaumont Wieghtloss program for 6 months. I have only lost 15 pounds:(....So here are the questions...what is the typical timeline to get the procedure and what things need to be done before?

Thanks!

[isaviolinist 11]

The timeline depends on so many different things including surgeon, office/program, insurance type, how booked up your surgeon is, how fast you can get in for preop testing, etc. I was banded at a "BCBS Bariatric Center of Excellence" so it didn't take anytime for me to get approved. My surgeon had a relationship with BCBS so the approval was almost automatic. I can't remember all of the preop tests/appointments but there were a lot, including 2 sleep studies, dietician, psych, pulmonary/lung, anesthesia, ultrasound, upper gi, group nutrition session, etc. There may have been a few others, but I can't remember now, but as I said, the amount and type of testing varies with each doctor/program. I went to an intro seminar at the end of April I think and had surgery mid-June. So a little less than 2 months? My surgery was also postponed for a week (long story...it was originally scheduled for June 11 2009). I probably could've done it faster but I was in grad school and needed to wait until I graduated to have the surgery. I started my preop diet right after graduation basically. Luckily, you've already taken care of the 6 month diet which some insurance company's require. So that will knock a big chunk of time off of your "wait time".

[LargeMediumSmall 3]

The banding center you choose should have all of this information available free pre-op. Many give free monthly seminars to inform potential banders of everything they need to know. It is also a great place to get straight answers from doctors. I am a guest speaker quite frequently at my docs seminars & I find that hearing from doctors & real patients really helps put people at ease about the whole process & get a lot of your insurance questions answered.

Hopfeully the center you choose has this. I would suggest you choose a center that has great comprehensive follow up care. Nutritionist, counselor, exercise phisiologist, & monthly support groups. Follow up support makes a world of difference. This is a journey and you need friends & support.

Congratulations on the 15 pounds and I hope that if you decided to get the assistance of a lap-band that you'll be happy and successful.