Will my request for Lap Band be honored?

UDTDave · September 26, 2009

My would be surgeon presented me with the Realize band only. can I request and obtain the Lap Band instead ?. The operation would be at Banner Gateway Bariatric Hospital in Gilbert AZ.

Thanks,

Dave

Veronda · September 26, 2009

I think most surgeons do one band or the other. As far as I can tell, there aren't too many differences between them. Have you looked into Dr. Simpson in Phoenix? I'm in North Carolina now, but if I were still in Phoenix, I'd be going to him. He only does bands (ie, he won't even do bypass) and he's sooo responsive. I've sent e-mails through his website, and he personally answers from his Blackberry, even to non-patients!! I went to his website recently (really, I'm quite upset he won't be my surgeon), and it seems that now he's done at least one one-incision LapBand! Anyway, wanted to give my two cents.

UDTDave · September 27, 2009

Thanks Veronda, My ins. Co. will only pay for banding done at an in-network facility. In my case it's Banner Gateway Hospital in Gilber. Three docs work there, Dr. Podkameni, Dr. Schuster and Dr. Chen.

Out of the three I've selected Dr. Podkameni. These are my choices. I'll to find out if a Lap Band is an option.

Dave

Veronda · September 27, 2009

Nuts! That's actually my problem, too. I work for a health system, and they only cover it if it's performed at one of our hospitals, so there's only one group I can choose from. I was quite disappointed because I had such a good experience as an interested party with Dr. Simpson and then this group is soooo unlike him. I'm okay with my surgeon now, but I would have preferred having choices. They don't have near the communication and other extras that Dr. Simpson did. I had also looked into Scottsdale's program, and I didn't like them at all!! Good luck with it.