First appt with surgeon - not good

[Megand 0]

This is gonna be a long one so bare with me. I had such high hopes for today. Come to find out my insurance might not cover this waiting to hear if there is an outright exclusion with insurance.

The second thing was Dr. T. suggested the gastric sleeve rather than lap band. He said the surgeons in Sweden have stopped placing them due to success rate. They are now moving towards sleeve, but if I really want to be banded they would do what I am confortable with. I felt the dietician and exercise specialist were also pushing the sleeve saying with my issues this would be better. I feel more confused and let down now that I went to the appointment.

I am really not confortable with them cutting away my stomach but the way they made it sound is like the band will be a failure for me. Has anyone dealt with this?

[Lorianne-in-VA 3]

Where are you from and where is "Dr T" located?

I too had an issue with a "Dr T".

You can private message me if you don't feel comfortable answering publicly.

[misspostmaster 0]

That doctors group is bad news. Maybe you should consult with another doc since you are just now starting. Does the sleeve cost more money? Maybe that's why they are pushing for the sleeve. I agree with you, I would jot be doing wls if it wasn't for the lap band. I like the fact tha itis reversible!

[misspostmaster 0]

Research on that doctors group and check out the preop area of this site. There are several news articles about those docs

[Megand 0]

I am going to large hospital in Philadelphia, it's not an 800 clinic. This dr. come highly reccomended. I found out today that my insurance excludes bariatric surgery. There is nothing for the doctors to fight since its excluded. So now I get to be fat the rest of my life as i can not afford self pay. I can loose weight but can never keep it off. Just so frustated because it took a long time for me to come to terms with having to have surgery to help myself and feel like I have been punched in the gut.

[Humming Bird 275]

I am going to large hospital in Philadelphia, it's not an 800 clinic. This dr. come highly reccomended. I found out today that my insurance excludes bariatric surgery. There is nothing for the doctors to fight since its excluded. So now I get to be fat the rest of my life as i can not afford self pay. I can loose weight but can never keep it off. Just so frustated because it took a long time for me to come to terms with having to have surgery to help myself and feel like I have been punched in the gut.

I financed my surgery through HealthOne and the min. monthly payments were only about $100. Surgery was $9,995 with hospital and everything else included. Do you get a big tax refund every year? Maybe you could pay part of it and finance the rest?

.............just trying to come up with ideas.

[Band. James Band. 5]

I'm wondering if surgeon's make more profit on the sleeve. Two nurses from my doctor's office kep trying to sell the benefits of the sleeve to me and how everyone was happy with it. I still chose the band because I felt it was less extreme.

[MelindaH 3]

I have no interest in the RNY or sleeve. I do not want to risk malabsorption issues. My

insurance until recently would not cover the sleeve.

I also have less than 100 pounds to lose. .

My doctor, staff and I feel that the lap band is the right choice for me. The surgeon is a lap

band patient and has done really well. I am almost to my goal weight before my case can

be sent for approval. That part makes me really nervous but the clinic feels that it is a

no brainer because of the co-morbidities. Once it is approved, I am hopeful that I can be squeezed

in by the end of the year. I start my preop clesses on the 14th and the final one is the following

week.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend,

Melinda