Experience with Dr. Michael Johnell

MileHighGreen · July 8, 2007

I have met with Dr. Johnell and am in process of trying to all that is required to get approval for a lap-band. Has anyone out there ever used Dr. Johnell and NCMC? If so I would like to know how your experience was. Thanks.

Anyalee · July 12, 2007

I am going to Dr Johnell on August 8th for my consultation. I will let you know what I think....

Sunny112 · July 15, 2007

I was banded about 6 weeks ago by Dr Johnell. He is extremely knowledgable and a fine surgeon. I can't say enough good things about his staff. Everyone has been so friendly, helpful and all are well versed about what they are doing. I had some concern about NCMC prior to my surgery because of a previous bad experience. However, I have to say that this time was completely different. I could not have asked for more competent friendly treatment.

I would highly recommend Dr. Johnell and his staff and NCMC.

Are you scheduled for surgery yet? Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

MileHighGreen · July 15, 2007

I was banded about 6 weeks ago by Dr Johnell. He is extremely knowledgable and a fine surgeon. I can't say enough good things about his staff. Everyone has been so friendly, helpful and all are well versed about what they are doing. I had some concern about NCMC prior to my surgery because of a previous bad experience. However, I have to say that this time was completely different. I could not have asked for more competent friendly treatment.
I would highly recommend Dr. Johnell and his staff and NCMC.

Are you scheduled for surgery yet? Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

I am still in the getting everything together for insurance approval stage. I am worried that my insurance will not approve. I haven't been above 40 BMI for five years. I have been above 35 but I may not have significant enough co-morbidities. I am just keeping my fingers crossed. I meet with Gina (the dietician) and Paula (physicians assistant) and agree with you about his staff. I will let you know.

Thanks, Mile High

Anyalee · July 15, 2007

Are you above 40 now? I hadn't thought about that. I don't know if I have been about 40 for 5 years either...

MileHighGreen · July 16, 2007

I am above now but I only have been for the last 2 years. It is Aetna Insurance thing. If you don't have Aetna you may be fine. Keep me posted. I am going in tomorrow for the last of supervised weight loss meetings. I have to do the sleep study at the end of the month because my nocturnal study showed very low oxygen during the night. I am just trying to stay positive.

MileHighGreen · July 19, 2007

They are sending my paper work to insurance tomorrow. I will keep you posted if you would like.

Good luck!

Anyalee · July 19, 2007

Yes, keep me posted! Did you have to do a lot of grunt work to get stuff ready for your insurance, or was it mainly testing and things like that? What about a medically supervised diet?

MileHighGreen · July 22, 2007

I mostly just kept logs of food and exercise. Did the testing too. Asked for records from PCP (2 because I changed jobs.) The most recent one's PCP office have been downright nasty to deal with. Dr. Johnell's office finally called to expidite the process. Now I am just on pins and needles waiting.

Anyalee · July 28, 2007

How long did you have to do food/exercise logs for? I'm wondering if I should start that now before my first visit? I have been searching out all of my medical records. I didn't have a PCP so I had to get them from 7 different doctors.

MileHighGreen · July 28, 2007

There is site website that the nutritionist suggested to me called FitDay.com. It is free and really helps you keep track. You could start your logs now. What I a hoping will help me is that my PCP's (I had 2) talked to me weight, cholesterol some failed weight loss attempts. I didn't have the docmented medically supervised weight loss so I completed three months with Dr. Johnell's office. You are going to like them very much if your experience is like mine.