Lap band surgery in RI

[DebSig 0]

Hi Everyone! I am not yet banded, but have my first appointment with my surgeon on June 28th. I'd love to hear from anyone in RI who has had this surgery. My surgeon is Dr. Pohl. I would appreciate any feedback on him or any advice about what to expect. I am excited about starting out on this journey to a new life, but also frightened. I would love to hear from others in RI since I don't know of anyone else considering or who has had this lap band surgery.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to hearing from you. Deb

[soulful Grandma 0]

Hi sorry that no one responded to you here! I had my surgery with Dr. Pohl on May 14. They're good, but it's a bit of a factory b/c they have so many patients. Assembly-line style. The PA who does the fills is excellent at giving the shots but he's young, slim, and can be a bit insensitive. You'll do well, but just realize that the first few months are what we call "bandster hell" because it takes several fills until you really feel restriction - I don't think that was emphasized quite enough. So when you get there, hang in until you start to feel restriction. Good luck and feel free to pm me.

[sweetpea51 3]

hello debsig - i was banded at rhode island hospital by dr. roye on august 1, 2007. i am three weeks out of surgery and really it's been pretty easy for me. my only concern right now is that two of my incisions are a bit red so i'm watching them closely. i go back to the surgeon on sept. 19 - i guess i'll have my first fill then. i am on pureed foods right now and still have another week before i start on mushies - can't wait! i'm getting tired of cream Soups, etc. good luck to you and write me whenever you want to - it's nice to talk to another rhode islander!

sweetpea51

[Ken1964 0]

:)Hi,

I'm interested in seeing how your experience is thus far, I'm scheduled to be banded on 1/9/08 by Dr. Roye, I'm excited and scared at the same time, knowing this will be a huge change in my life.

How have things gone for you, how much weight have you lost since being banded? What has been good and bad?

Thanks, Ken

[jmarruda 22]

From what I've heard Dr. Roye is excellent. I had Dr. Ryder and surgery was at RIH. Not a bad experience.

[sweetpea51 3]

Hi Ken - I was banded by Dr. Roye on August 1. I have lost 29 lbs. so far and thought that was not real good but he said that he prefers 1-2 lbs. a week weight loss. I was disappointed that so far he has not given me a fill - I went to see him twice already and he won't give me a fill yet cause he says I'm doing fine for now. So I will trust his decision - he is a very good Dr. - he won't waste a fill if you don't need it - he would rather save it for when your weight loss slows down and you really need it. I am eating alot less than I used to without starving myself, so right now things are perfect for me. Dr. Roye is a straight to the point man. When I questioned my weight loss he said that if I wanted to lose faster I should have had the bypass, then he explained to me that I am doing fine and some people lose more than others, some people have more time to exercise than me ( I own 2 businesses and have almost no time ) and again it may be easier for some. So I am satisfied for now. The surgery was fine for me, no problems at all. It was the best thing I ever did - I was scared at first but I am down 2 sizes and I feel so much better just by losing the 29 pounds that I know it was worth it. I also found out that when Dr. Roye does a fill he uses x-ray to do it so he isn't poking and prodding his patients with the needle - the xray shows exactly where the port is and thats that, no guessing. Feel free to email me any time if you have questions, ok?

[Ken1964 0]

Thank you so much for responding, I'm worried about not losing any weight the first few weeks because of no restriction? I finally have my date 1/9/08 and very excited.

[sallydee101 0]

Looking for lap in Rhode Island.......

any suggestions and thoughts of one doctor over another?

which gets you processed faster? or better with inusrance claims?

changed jobs recently and have bcbs fedral and am told it pays well........tried a few years ago with a different insurance and got no where?

:help:

[sweetpea51 3]

hey sallydee - I just had my surgery on Aug. 1 from Dr. Dean Roye. I was very pleased with his staff, they handled everything with the ins. company - I have blue cross, too and they paid for it all. Dr. Roye is a very straight forward guy, he tells it like it is. I did go to Dr. Pohl at first but no offense to him I felt like he just pushed people through. Then I some of my good friends who work at Blue Cross told me that Dr. Roye has an outstanding record in this type of surgery - he's been doing it longer than the rest, and so far there has been no reported " incidences ", so I went to him and really liked him. I am sure that others may have their own opinions - I'm just telling you from my experience with him. I trusted him all the way. Good luck with whomever you choose!

[mlmedeiros 0]

Hi, I tried to make an appointment with Dr. Roye. I was unable to use him because he wasnt under my CIGNA policy. CIGNA diesnt have any list of RI Dr's that due the surgery just a list ig general surgeons. I called dr Pohl I need to attend his seminar in Feb before I can make an appointment to see him. I was just wondering if anyone had a list of Dr's in RI that do the surgery other than these 2.

[ginarn1 0]

There is also Dr. Pohl in Johnston, he does surgery at Roger Williams Medical Center. I had Dr. Beth Ryder, she is in University Surgical with Dr. Roye. She has been nothing short of amazing to me! I have had a couple of bumps, and she has been available, and empathetic through everything.

[kim929 0]

I am so glad I found you guys. The Dr Phol in Johnston is the same one in Prov. I attended his seminar last aug. I found it very informative, even if you don't use him, the 3 hrs I was there I learned alot. He does go over both gastric and lap band surgerys so you can choose which is right for you. I decided to go with Dr. Roye also. I wanted to use Dr David Harrington who is in the same group but he only does gastric. I was not to happy with Dr Royes np I found her a little rude, and she didn't put through my paperwork as quickly as she could have. ( she forgot). But I have heard nothing but great things about Dr Roye. I do have 2 friends that have had gastric by him and they loved him. I had my intital appt with her in Nov. I asked what appts I needed to have and if I could schedule any of them myself, she said no, they needed to schedule them. I had to call a few times before they sent me the info for appts in Jan. and they only scheduled 2 appts, I had to schedule the rest. I was not happy, I could of had everything done sooner. I do have my appt with Dr. Roye scheduled for May 12th. I'm nervous now that I am so close.

How long after your appt with Dr Roye did you have your surgery? Did he put you on a pre op diet? How long were you out of work?

Kim

[Karategirl9882 0]

live in rhode island, and was thinking about getting this surgery done.. was wondering if medicaid covers lap band surgery. does anyone know?

[kim929 0]

Karategirl.

When I went to my appt the other day I asked if medicare covered the surgery. They said you would have to call and speak to the person who handles ins. It would have to be approved first.

[sallydee101 0]

Getting there

I am getting the pre ops done.

I have BCBS fedral which pays well.

I have had the scope, psy evauluation and the other test scheduled over the next month.

I dont wish for surgery till after the new year r/t not being able to take off work.

Dr Geovonni (sp?) is my doctor and she is great.

I am getting excited. I tried to get approved 4 or 5 years ago and got turned down and took my current job for the insurance.