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Topic: RE: First seminar last night @ Bridges
We have BCBS ... so as soon as all the paperwork is gathered and consultations completed, we can put in for surgery approval.
We have not met Dr. Fang yet. What made you choose him vs. Dr. Jaurez? Please send a message if you prefer to respond privately. Really very curious! Thank you ;-)
As for the Banner Gateway option, DH really wants to stick with St. Lukes. I am sure that Banner is a great program, but we are coming from Northern AZ, 3.5 hours each way ... and just finding a seminar date that fit into our schedule was difficult. Also, our support system (family) will be relocating to Anthem shortly, so St. Lukes will be closer to family. My husband will be staying in Anthem for his recovery period in order to be closer to the hospital in the event of complications. Have also read some recent dismal postings about office staff responsiveness (lack of) for Banner. St. Lukes instilled a lot of confidence in their surgery approval process and just everything in general.
Banner does have a fantastic blood conservation surgery program, but Dr. Jaurez stated that he is well familiar with the techniques, and described his plan for dealing with excessive blood loss.
So we have begun requesting the five years of medical records that BCBS asks for. Hopefully they don't need anything more than the nurse's notes at check-in that show weight/height. DH then has his first consult with Dr. Jaurez towards the end of July, and in August he will attend the nutrition class and complete the Psych eval and Nutritionist consultation. So the goal is to submit to insurance by mid August for an October surgery. Crossing all of the fingers & toes, and getting ready to learn a lot!
On July 1, 2010 at 12:21 PM Pacific Time, colivetti wrote:
Just out of curiosity, who is your insurance carrier? I have Aetna, and I'm stuck with the 6 month diet. Dr. Fang will be my surgeon, and he's great. I had my first appointment with him last week. Because of the diet requirement, I'll probably be waiting until around February for my surgery.We have not met Dr. Fang yet. What made you choose him vs. Dr. Jaurez? Please send a message if you prefer to respond privately. Really very curious! Thank you ;-)
As for the Banner Gateway option, DH really wants to stick with St. Lukes. I am sure that Banner is a great program, but we are coming from Northern AZ, 3.5 hours each way ... and just finding a seminar date that fit into our schedule was difficult. Also, our support system (family) will be relocating to Anthem shortly, so St. Lukes will be closer to family. My husband will be staying in Anthem for his recovery period in order to be closer to the hospital in the event of complications. Have also read some recent dismal postings about office staff responsiveness (lack of) for Banner. St. Lukes instilled a lot of confidence in their surgery approval process and just everything in general.
Banner does have a fantastic blood conservation surgery program, but Dr. Jaurez stated that he is well familiar with the techniques, and described his plan for dealing with excessive blood loss.
So we have begun requesting the five years of medical records that BCBS asks for. Hopefully they don't need anything more than the nurse's notes at check-in that show weight/height. DH then has his first consult with Dr. Jaurez towards the end of July, and in August he will attend the nutrition class and complete the Psych eval and Nutritionist consultation. So the goal is to submit to insurance by mid August for an October surgery. Crossing all of the fingers & toes, and getting ready to learn a lot!
Topic: Update on upper GI
Well Dr's ofice called today and said the upper GI looked good...my band has not slipped and looks good..the port is not leaking...on the other hand because of the pain i have to go in next Friday for an endoscopy to see if there is erosion as they would not have seen that on the upper GI...I am worried now...
Topic: RE: AZ Roll Call.....
Hey Joyce,
Long time no see.
Im just chilling... I can't believe it's now almost 4 & 1/2 years since my surgery.... still just sitting at the same weight I have been for the last 4 years.
I hope all is well.
Darlene
Long time no see.
Im just chilling... I can't believe it's now almost 4 & 1/2 years since my surgery.... still just sitting at the same weight I have been for the last 4 years.
I hope all is well.
Darlene
Topic: RE: First seminar last night @ Bridges
Just out of curiosity, who is your insurance carrier? I have Aetna, and I'm stuck with the 6 month diet. Dr. Fang will be my surgeon, and he's great. I had my first appointment with him last week. Because of the diet requirement, I'll probably be waiting until around February for my surgery.
Topic: What's cookin for your 4th celebrations???
Joyce
Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
I'm taking deviled eggs to TWO different get together's. Easy, yummy and high protein!
I'm also making a s/f protein salad/dessert that is easy & yummy.
large cottage cheese
medium carton cool whip
large s/f jello (stir the dry into the cool whipe then fold in cottage cheese)
Our fave is orange jello with mandarin oranges stirred in OR
strawberry jello with berries stirred in.
Fun dessert:
Layer and set s/f red jello with s/f cool whip and red berries on top for the REd white and blue!
We're headed to a family reunion in tornado country so will probably be eating a lot of BBQ.....easy peasy way to get lean protein in!!!!
What are your plans??
Trying any healthy recipes?
Have a SAFE and GREAT weekend!!!!
I'm also making a s/f protein salad/dessert that is easy & yummy.
large cottage cheese
medium carton cool whip
large s/f jello (stir the dry into the cool whipe then fold in cottage cheese)
Our fave is orange jello with mandarin oranges stirred in OR
strawberry jello with berries stirred in.
Fun dessert:
Layer and set s/f red jello with s/f cool whip and red berries on top for the REd white and blue!
We're headed to a family reunion in tornado country so will probably be eating a lot of BBQ.....easy peasy way to get lean protein in!!!!
What are your plans??
Trying any healthy recipes?Have a SAFE and GREAT weekend!!!!
Joyce Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
Topic: JULY support groups coming up - 7/6
Joyce
Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
TUESDAY the 6th of July (just back from your long weekend!)
AZ WLS Grads (1 year or more post-op, any surgery type, any program) - 5:30 at Phoenix ST Luke's, 6:30 General Support Group - ALL are welcome to both meetings! The grad group meets in the lobby/room to the left of the large education room in the Bridges Centre.
Banner Gateway's Nutrition support group. 6 - 7:30 ALL are welcome.
Just south of the 60 on Higley. Conference rooms past the cafeteria.
My hubby will be at the Grad group.
I'll be at the Banner Gateway group.
C ya there!!!!
"those who attend support groups will achieve their goals and maintain their health"
AZ WLS Grads (1 year or more post-op, any surgery type, any program) - 5:30 at Phoenix ST Luke's, 6:30 General Support Group - ALL are welcome to both meetings! The grad group meets in the lobby/room to the left of the large education room in the Bridges Centre.
Banner Gateway's Nutrition support group. 6 - 7:30 ALL are welcome.
Just south of the 60 on Higley. Conference rooms past the cafeteria.
My hubby will be at the Grad group.
I'll be at the Banner Gateway group.
C ya there!!!!
"those who attend support groups will achieve their goals and maintain their health"
Joyce Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
Topic: RE: AZ Roll Call.....
I am 15 months out from sugery and have lost 160 pounds and am a complete stand still. The Dr's say I am probably finished loosing but I wont take that as a reason for the stand still. I am not done and not where I want to be so I am working on getting back on track one step at a time. I have mountains of things going on in my world right now and I trying to treck over them one by one which I am sure has a lot to do with my stand still and lots of old habits
For the most part I have had a couple complications from the surgery but nothing a little snip and stitch here and there did not fix. I am dealing with a complication now that looks as though would need a revision type of surgery but I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
My labs have always been good which is amazing to me and those that know me,
For the most part I have had a couple complications from the surgery but nothing a little snip and stitch here and there did not fix. I am dealing with a complication now that looks as though would need a revision type of surgery but I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
My labs have always been good which is amazing to me and those that know me,
Topic: RE: Am I on target?? Where I should be? Stressing lately
Thank you ladies...
surgery 312 current 184 goal 150 
Topic: RE: First seminar last night @ Bridges
Finding 5 years of medical records will be the hardest part of the pre-surgery process. Everything else seemed pretty simple.
I do wish that Dr. Fang had been there as well, so that we could meet both surgeons and decide which way to go. How do you choose? Dr. Jaurez was quiet and confident but not what I expected somehow (what did I expect? I don't know!). However we would be fully confident with him doing the surgery.
It seems like a good idea to also look at Banner Gateway's program, but DH is impressed with "Center of Excellence" ... so I think this is it! Wa hoooo! I can't wait for him to have this surgery and start feeling better!Go with your instinct and go to AT LEAST one more seminar. Banner Gateway is just a second away from getting their Center of Excellence. It's a newer hospital so they needed some time to fill in all the squares.
I love both Phx St Lukes and Banner Gateway and actually attend both of their support groups.
And....Dr. Blackstone at Scottsdale Bariatric is also a Center of Excellence. GREAT comprehensive program.
But...in your research, I would totally recommend checking out www.dsfacts.com I've had 2 revisions and finally landed the GOLDEN surgery: the Duodenal Switch. It has the best stats for long term weight loss results.
It's your body. It's your life; so researching before they cut will stack the odds in your favor for success!
Good luck with your journey!!!
Joyce
Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
On June 30, 2010 at 8:32 AM Pacific Time, 4bugz wrote:
We went to the initial seminar last night for Dr. Jaurez and Dr. Fang. My husband was very much at ease afterwards, and impressed with the program they have put together. We were thrilled to find out that our insurance will not require a 6 month medically supervised diet ... as we thought that would be step one. YAY! This means that as soon as we have all of the paperwork together we can submit for approval. We are hopeful that if all goes well we can get him scheduled for late September or October. Finding 5 years of medical records will be the hardest part of the pre-surgery process. Everything else seemed pretty simple.
I do wish that Dr. Fang had been there as well, so that we could meet both surgeons and decide which way to go. How do you choose? Dr. Jaurez was quiet and confident but not what I expected somehow (what did I expect? I don't know!). However we would be fully confident with him doing the surgery.
It seems like a good idea to also look at Banner Gateway's program, but DH is impressed with "Center of Excellence" ... so I think this is it! Wa hoooo! I can't wait for him to have this surgery and start feeling better!
I love both Phx St Lukes and Banner Gateway and actually attend both of their support groups.
And....Dr. Blackstone at Scottsdale Bariatric is also a Center of Excellence. GREAT comprehensive program.
But...in your research, I would totally recommend checking out www.dsfacts.com I've had 2 revisions and finally landed the GOLDEN surgery: the Duodenal Switch. It has the best stats for long term weight loss results.
It's your body. It's your life; so researching before they cut will stack the odds in your favor for success!
Good luck with your journey!!!
Joyce Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
Topic: First seminar last night @ Bridges
We went to the initial seminar last night for Dr. Jaurez and Dr. Fang. My husband was very much at ease afterwards, and impressed with the program they have put together. We were thrilled to find out that our insurance will not require a 6 month medically supervised diet ... as we thought that would be step one. YAY! This means that as soon as we have all of the paperwork together we can submit for approval. We are hopeful that if all goes well we can get him scheduled for late September or October.
Finding 5 years of medical records will be the hardest part of the pre-surgery process. Everything else seemed pretty simple.
I do wish that Dr. Fang had been there as well, so that we could meet both surgeons and decide which way to go. How do you choose? Dr. Jaurez was quiet and confident but not what I expected somehow (what did I expect? I don't know!). However we would be fully confident with him doing the surgery.
It seems like a good idea to also look at Banner Gateway's program, but DH is impressed with "Center of Excellence" ... so I think this is it! Wa hoooo! I can't wait for him to have this surgery and start feeling better!
Finding 5 years of medical records will be the hardest part of the pre-surgery process. Everything else seemed pretty simple.
I do wish that Dr. Fang had been there as well, so that we could meet both surgeons and decide which way to go. How do you choose? Dr. Jaurez was quiet and confident but not what I expected somehow (what did I expect? I don't know!). However we would be fully confident with him doing the surgery.
It seems like a good idea to also look at Banner Gateway's program, but DH is impressed with "Center of Excellence" ... so I think this is it! Wa hoooo! I can't wait for him to have this surgery and start feeling better!
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