Dr. Aaron Hoffman - Lap Band done in Buffalo, NY (Dr. Hoffman)

[kellu25 0]

Hi I was googling lap band in wny and found this site and was hoping you guys could answer some questions???? I went to my family dr today and he said he would recommend this procedure and gave me Dr.Caruana name but Im seeing alot about Dr. Hoffman,so now Im not sure who I should go with. Also I have to change my insurance because they seem to only take Indepent Health and I have Fidelis. If any one could please give me some idea of what I should expect for getting approved for it and also about the surgery and how much do you loose on an average. Thank you for taking the time reading this.

[Michelle514 0]

kelly25

Hiya. I'm from right here in buffalo as well. I went to my pcp in april and was given both dr's names as well. Posner and carruana's office.

I called posners office first in which i was directed towards a automated line to leave my address. They took my address and sent me a packet in the mail. I just received that packet this past week.

On that same first day i called dr' caruanna's office in which they emailed me the information they wanted me to have. In the time that i waited for dr. posners information.... I have taken care of a good chunk of paperwork with dr caruannas office. Gotten my blood work done, a sonogram done, scheduled my psych eval (which is today) scheduled a nutrionist appt (weds) and am well on my way to getting the surgery soon.

Overall I'd say that caruanna's office is faster. Dr. caruanna is not the dr that does it tho. Dr. Viglianco is.

As far as insurance goes. I have independant health and i know that with dr. viglianco they do not require a 6 motnh preop weight loss, and they just require a medical neccisity letter.

IF you'd liek to talk more send me a message in my email and hopefully i can help you. Or send me a private message.

I'm still going through this myself and i'd love to try to help you if possible.

thanks for reading

michelle

[RAINWI 4]

Hi Kelly Hi Michelle,

I was just reading your posts welcome! Kelly, My cousin is getting the lap band with Dr Hoffman and has fidelis so you should not have to change insurance.

Michelle, you are so correct about Dr Caruanna, they are much quicker and more responsive. My aunt is getting it done through them and shes whipping through the procedure.

Dont get me wrong, I had my lapband done with Dr Hoffaman and I really love him, but the staff is not so great. They are so slow and lose a lot of your paperwork. I do not know anyone who has yet to get the lap band through Dr Caruanna but judging by how quick they are to get you in Im sure they are fine.

Good luck with your decisions it very worth it in the end Im down @ 73lbs in a year.

Rain

[RAINWI 4]

Im pretty sure the support group meeting starts at 6.

P.S. Where's Judy, China and Bloom? and Bigurlx and everyone else thats missing???

[kellu25 0]

Thankyou for your responses, it helps sooo much, Im trying to call Dr. Hoffmans because they cant even change my insurance til July but I cant find the number anywhere, does anybody happen to have it.

[NBflo Girl 2]

Yes, it starts at 6pm... Sandra, Sandy will be there with me and I'm pretty sure we have a newcomer Michelle 414.. THis should be a good one !! I hope we have someone there that could answer alot of questions for us and the newbies !! I get so much out of these meetings..

shar

[kellu25 0]

Ignore my last post, I just got the number and requested my application, I have butterflies right now. So how long after i mail the app back do I hear from them.

[RAINWI 4]

Kellu,

The answer is too damn long!!! @ 3 months before I heard and got invited to the seminar. Then another 3 months before the surgery. So Its about a six month wait to get everything done.

[LiveLoveLaugh 0]

Hello ladies, I had my appointment with Dr. Hoffman today and I lost 3 pounds even with out much restriction since late March. Even with the bad habits coming back the last few weeks like I mentioned. I'm happy with that..... I really thought I would have a gain. NOT!!

I did get a fill today of .7cc to tap off what I have, I'm now at 7.7cc in my 10cc band. I can feel the restriction. I made myself some really super thin oatmeal for lunch here at work and only ate have of the made packet. Which took me a half hour. I'm taking it slow very very slow until the fill settles down and I know just how it's going to feel or react to any form of food texture. I know this is going to be a good fill for me already!! It's funny how you learn after a year how the band feels etc... I knew back in Jan. that the 1.5cc was a bit to much but was way over confident to get restriction to fast. Don't be since now it's taken me four months of recovery with two fills to get back to my sweet spot. What I needed in Jan. was to re-think my food choices not a big fill since I was at a good restriction level, I was making the wrong food choices and eating slider type high calorie foods and paid the price.

So I'm going to try to make tomorrow evening meeting @ 6:00.

Edited May 19, 2009 by LiveLoveLaugh

[NBflo Girl 2]

Cynthia, haven't seen you since before my surgery.. looking forward to seeing you at the meeting..

shar

[LiveLoveLaugh 0]

Hey Shar,

So update me some..... How are you doing, feeling etc. I to look forward to seeing you as well. I bet you look awesome and feel the same.

[NBflo Girl 2]

Hey Shar,

So update me some..... How are you doing, feeling etc. I to look forward to seeing you as well. I bet you look awesome and feel the same.

Cynthia, I feel great, however, not lloosing much.. Laurie (np) said that since I don't have that much to loose, its coming off slower, but I thought it would be more than 1 lb per 4-6 weeks... I am going for my 6th fill on friday.. the last fill I felt restriction more than ever but not quite enough to loose or get to my sweet spot.. that is my goal to get to that spot, then I will be on my way.. so far I have 5 cc s in me.. since before the surgery, I have only lost between 23-25 lbs.. I have about 30-35 more to go.. I don't want to be still complaining about this going into winter.. I need to loose and I'm getting discouraged. Thats why I love the meetings because its like a shot of confidence !! Hope to see you tomorrow night !!

shar

[BetsyLynne 0]

I just had my surgery monday, i just got home from the hospital. Dr hoffman said my surgery went beautifully. Im really not having alot of pain just a little tender, the nurse i had at the hospital last night was so awesome and helpful! she kepy getting me ice packs and that helped so much. i just keep getting really super nauseous when i get up. They told me if that keeps happening to let them know. but besides that so far so good!

[NBflo Girl 2]

Betsy, in a week, you will be back to your normal self !! Glad all went well. Try to come to the next meeting in June.. Keep us posted.

shar

[BetsyLynne 0]

Betsy, in a week, you will be back to your normal self !! Glad all went well. Try to come to the next meeting in June.. Keep us posted.

shar

thanks alot! i will be at the next meeting. I kinda had on oh my god what did i do minute in the recovery room but besides that everything is cool. Cant believe i get full after a medicine cup of liquid!