Dr. John Bagnato - Thinking about Lap Banding

[dedee44 1]

quote:

I drove the 2 hours south to Valdosta's Smith Northview Hospital and Dr Burnette (Albany) did my band. 2/14/11.

I had great results and am doing fine. They had a special cash price for self payers. $10,000.

I recommend staying overnight === if not in the hospital, in a local hotel. The drive back was alot better the next day instead of right after surgery.

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Have you had any problems since your surgery? Are you able to eat food yet? I heard that you have to do a lot of liquids.

Do you know if the doctors in Valdosta take Tricare Standard Insurance? Or anywhere in Georgia? I really want the surgery but it has to be paid by my insurance otherwise I just can't afford it :-( Thanks for any info....Dedee

[stratcat 10]

I have had no serious problems. I am lactose intolerant so milk shakes and cream Soups gave me the runs. BIG TIME.

I am eating just fine, almost too good. By the Smith Hospital standard you eat clear liquids/low sugar juice for the first 3 days after surgery. Then you can start with other liquids. At the one week point - cream Soups etc. At the two week point - mushie veggies. At the three week point - pureed meat. Then you just work up. Fills are every month and you go back to liquids for a day and a half.

I do not know about Tri-care.

Maybe ask your insurance company who they use in Georgia to do lap bands (this was a helpful hint in one of my getting started booklets) --- Some insurance companies recommend doctors. And then You need to check the doctor out - My dr , for instance, has done laps for 10 years, does over 100 per year, and has stopped performing other bariatric surgeries because he sees laps as being superior and really believes in the band.

[emsbugbug 7]

My friend has Tricare (retired military) and she goes to Dr. Duncan in Atlanta. He no longer accepts Tricare, but one of his partners does.

[dedee44 1]

Thanks so much, I will look into it :-) Dedee

My friend has Tricare (retired military) and she goes to Dr. Duncan in Atlanta. He no longer accepts Tricare, but one of his partners does.

[dedee44 1]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate getting to know how this works. Dedee

I have had no serious problems. I am lactose intolerant so milk shakes and cream Soups gave me the runs. BIG TIME.

I am eating just fine, almost too good. By the Smith Hospital standard you eat clear liquids/low sugar juice for the first 3 days after surgery. Then you can start with other liquids. At the one week point - cream soups etc. At the two week point - mushie veggies. At the three week point - pureed meat. Then you just work up. Fills are every month and you go back to liquids for a day and a half.

I do not know about Tri-care.

Maybe ask your insurance company who they use in Georgia to do lap bands (this was a helpful hint in one of my getting started booklets) --- Some insurance companies recommend doctors. And then You need to check the doctor out - My dr , for instance, has done laps for 10 years, does over 100 per year, and has stopped performing other bariatric surgeries because he sees laps as being superior and really believes in the band.

[blackmajyk 7]

I have tricare..you can go onto their website and see what doctors are on their list as eligible..I looked up the various doctors in the area then I compared it to the listing on the tricare site. I am in Columbus Ga and I a going to Albany to see Dr Burnette. I put in consult on Mon April 11 and was approved wed april 13 by tricare. If you want we can be band buddies and work thru this together. I already have my psy eval and nutrition consult done along with the EGD, so hopefully this will go smoothly and I can have surgery in May. I started with a local dr approved thru tricare, but it fell thru due to him not being credentialed at any hospitals. u can look me up on yahoo as bmajyk and we can help each other.

[dedee44 1]

WOW! Thanks so much I will check it out. i was so disappointed when I found out the doctor I wanted didn't take tricare..... did you have to pay any money out of pocket yourself? How do you like Dr. Burnette? How much weight do you have to lose? i think I need to lose about 100 pounds :-( dedee

I have tricare..you can go onto their website and see what doctors are on their list as eligible..I looked up the various doctors in the area then I compared it to the listing on the tricare site. I am in Columbus Ga and I a going to Albany to see Dr Burnette. I put in consult on Mon April 11 and was approved wed april 13 by tricare. If you want we can be band buddies and work thru this together. I already have my psy eval and nutrition consult done along with the EGD, so hopefully this will go smoothly and I can have surgery in May. I started with a local dr approved thru tricare, but it fell thru due to him not being credentialed at any hospitals. u can look me up on yahoo as bmajyk and we can help each other.

[delaneyw 0]

How're you doing? We just moved to the Ft. Benning area and i'm dying to try and get the ball rolling, but hearing you're having a hard time finding a surgeon is disheartening! I'm so nervous to even talk to my doctor about it! Let me know how it's going for you! Best of luck!

[bowlerchick300x2 0]

I'm starting my process now (I'm in WR) and Peachtree Bariatrics (ATL) and Wellstar Comprehensive (MARIETTA) are providers

[Angelizz10 76]

You need to find another surgeon! I have TRICARE and any 'reputable' doctor will take that. There are many, many problems with slippage, vomiting, etc., with that band! Read all the blogs here, you will see. Find a doctor who cares about YOU. Don't give up and DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Well I called and they don't take my Military Insurance :-( so now I have to look for someone else...I'm bummed out now.... Dedee

[FTSTOMPER 0]

^{it is 12-23-11 . i have lost a total of 166 pounds .. since may 10 2010 .. doing good}