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[whippoorwillow 1]

Well folks, time to wake up.

I"m new here, and I tend to shake things up. I"m getting banded on August 11 by Michael Trahan at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville.

If you have experience with him or anyone else at Martha Jefferson Surgical Associates, I'd love to hear from you.

I have a BMI of 35, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. I am paying for this by myself and it cost a shocking $18,000. Less than a stroke, but more than a Volvo.

I live alone, my family is elsewhere, and I don't want to do this alone. Come back to the FORUM, because I need you now, and I imagine you need each other, as well.

WW

[ML in VA 0]

Well folks, time to wake up.

I"m new here, and I tend to shake things up. I"m getting banded on August 11 by Michael Trahan at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville.

If you have experience with him or anyone else at Martha Jefferson Surgical Associates, I'd love to hear from you.

I have a BMI of 35, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. I am paying for this by myself and it cost a shocking $18,000. Less than a stroke, but more than a Volvo.

I live alone, my family is elsewhere, and I don't want to do this alone. Come back to the FORUM, because I need you now, and I imagine you need each other, as well.

WW

Hi WW, I'm new to these boards and am currently awaiting approval from the insurance Gods - so no date yet. I'm having my surgery at WLSC in Newport News VA. Looking forward to learning from our VA Bandsters!

ML

cw 280

gw 160

[whippoorwillow 1]

Hi WW, I'm new to these boards and am currently awaiting approval from the insurance Gods - so no date yet. I'm having my surgery at WLSC in Newport News VA. Looking forward to learning from our VA Bandsters!

ML

cw 280

gw 160

best of luck to you while waiting for insurance to agree! do you have to jump through a lot of hoops! I have heard horror stories.

[ML in VA 0]

Its been an experience - they wanted to see my 5 year weight history, a 6-month doctor supervised diet program, a nutritional consult, a psych consult and a letter from my pcp recommending surgery. You also need to have a BMI over 40 (mine is 41). With all this info, I"ve still heard horror stories about denials left and right. So, we shall see.

[whippoorwillow 1]

Its been an experience - they wanted to see my 5 year weight history, a 6-month doctor supervised diet program, a nutritional consult, a psych consult and a letter from my pcp recommending surgery. You also need to have a BMI over 40 (mine is 41). With all this info, I"ve still heard horror stories about denials left and right. So, we shall see.

Oh my goodness. A five year weight history would come from your records, right--not hard to get. What kind of 6 month wlp? Those things are usually required by the surgeon so you'll already have them covered. GOod luck to you. I know it seems like a long time to wait once you've made your decision, but 6 months might be a good amount of time to get yourself mentally prepared, provided you really aren't too worried about a denial. With a BMI of 41, you're on the line. Do you have co-morbidities?

I am a 35 (just barely) with two co-morbidities, and a self-pay. It will have been four months from start to finish if my surgery goes as planned on 8/11. So you're not far off. Hang in there!:biggrin2:

[JennyVA 0]

I live in Charlottesville and I had surgery with Dr. Trahan on 6/23. I'm doing very well and I don't think you could be in better hands - that man even impressed my mother! Please let me know if you need any support - I start solids tomorrow, so it's definitely do-able to do 4 weeks without solids and still be sane.

Will you be attending the MJH support groups?

[heavy duty 0]

Hi, I am getting banded on August 21st in Norfolk - Dr Fontana. I am stressed about doing 2-3 weeks on liquids myself.

JennyVA, how was post-op? How long were you out of work?

whippoorwillow - I know how you feel, I am paying for this myself too, but you sound like you got a better deal. Mine is $23,000. Yikes, still not as much as a Volvo but close!

I am looking forward to hearing about your surgery. As my date approaches, I am getting anxious.

[JennyVA 0]

Hi, I am getting banded on August 21st in Norfolk - Dr Fontana. I am stressed about doing 2-3 weeks on liquids myself.

JennyVA, how was post-op? How long were you out of work?

I am looking forward to hearing about your surgery. As my date approaches, I am getting anxious.

You'll do fine on the liquids. One thing I did to help was empty my kitchen of anything I couldn't have before I went in for surgery. When it's not in the house, it's much easier to contemplate the correct options. Also, I think the fatigue from the surgery and the discomfort from the incisions took my focus off of food, so I was pretty much at a point where I had to be very aware of making myself ingest enough. Plus, I'm just so amazed at how disinterested I am in food. I don't know if I was just more mentally prepared than I thought or if the surgery just flips a mental switch, but it's really nice to not crave or be hungry.

It was harder when I went back to work because I wasn't used to incorporating so much hydration throughout the day, so I kept forgetting and I did get dehydrated. Now, I carry a Water bottle (sometimes Water, sometimes crystal light) with me everywhere, even when I'm running a quick errand to another office. It has helped a lot.

I took a week off of work and went back the 2nd week. I wound up only making it until around 2:00 most days because of fatigue - not pain. By the 3rd week, I was still not 100% on energy, but made it through the day. I think anesthesia sucks the energy from you.

I'm six weeks post-op now. I feel wonderful, I've lost 27 pounds, and I'm down a pant size!! My mood is actually more upbeat, and I didn't even think I had a bad mood before, but now I feel a difference.

I didn't get a fill at 6 weeks because I'm not feeling hunger between meals and I'm continuing to lose weight. My doctor said that as I lose weight, my stomach will shrink inside the band, so there will most likely be a point in the near future that I'll know I need a fill. Otherwise, I don't have to go back until 3 months.

I wish you well - and keep us posted! :biggrin:

[whippoorwillow 1]

I live in Charlottesville and I had surgery with Dr. Trahan on 6/23. I'm doing very well and I don't think you could be in better hands - that man even impressed my mother! Please let me know if you need any support - I start solids tomorrow, so it's definitely do-able to do 4 weeks without solids and still be sane.

Will you be attending the MJH support groups?

It is good to hear that you like Dr. Trahan, who will also be doing my surgery.

I have to take my daughter to college 6 days after my surgery (my mother is driving), and then fly to Hawaii 3 weeks later for work. I won't get a fill for three months while I'm there working, so I hope I lose weight and don't have any complications. Dr. Trahan is ok with the Hawaii trip, but doesn't know about the college drop-off trip.

I am getting worried about whether I will be able to do it. I am tough as nails, but still--not superhuman.

When I come back in November, I will be at every single support group meeting and I will also go to OA, or something like that, because I don't want to substitute one addiction for another and start something else unhealthy. Best deal with this completely.

If you'd like to chat privately, you can reach me via my blog, Enlightened horsemanship through touch. I'd love to chat.

ww

[shongra 0]

I'm getting banded in Mexico on 9/8 (woooohooo), apparently every insurance I've had did not cover weight loss surgery of any kind..so I'm gonna self pay..I'm in Hampton, Va

[kiz 1]

I have the Virginian part of this forum group covered, however, with two kids, I might not be eligible to post here.

But, it's nice to meet other Virginians. I'm from the Richmond area, and I'll be having my surgery done at St. Mary's Hospital next week. :biggrin:

[whippoorwillow 1]

I have the Virginian part of this forum group covered, however, with two kids, I might not be eligible to post here. :confused:

But, it's nice to meet other Virginians. I'm from the Richmond area, and I'll be having my surgery done at St. Mary's Hospital next week. :smile:

I'm wondering how your surgery went. MCV is such a nice hospital. I am hoping you are OK. Please share you r experience with us.