Is Anyone Out There???

  Hi! I am considering the lap band surgery and live near cedar rapids, ia. Is there any surgeons that you would recommend in this area? For those that have had the surgery, how long were you off work?  do the insurance companies give you much static? I just am not sure what to do!


                               Thanks, Angela

Hi Angela,

While I had laproscopic RNY and not the lap band, I would HIGHLY...............no make that HIGHLY recommend UIHC bariatric clinic for your care team.  I had Dr. Jamal and he was wonderful.............very skilled, patient when talking with you and willing to give you all the time you need, supportive, and very considerate of you and your health.  The rest of the team............PA Lynn is awesome, he is so caring and patient too.  He takes all kinds of time to answer your questions and will never make you feel like he is in a hurry.  Debi the nurse is wonderful..........straight and to the point, will tell you what you need to do to be successful and will take lots and lots of time to answer your questions or help you at any point in time.  I have emailed her many, many times with questions or just to double check something and it's an almost immediate response from her.  Amy, the dietician is more awesome than awesome!!  She is just a wealth of information about diet and nutrition, vitamins and supplements and exercise.  I cannot say enough about the quality of my bariatric team.  I honestly checked out places in Davenport and Cedar Falls along with Iowa City and there was no comparison in my opinion.  I didn't feel as secure at the other places as I did at UIHC, but again, that is my opinon. 

As for insurance, I had all the documentation needed when it was submitted to insurance because I was approved on the first try.  I had co-morbidites (high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, joint pain, depression to name some) and my PCP was very supportive of the surgery.  I think that is the key...............PCP support and having all the documentation your insurance company requires.

If you have other questions, please post on here because many of us will try to help you.

All the best to you..............keep us posted.

Carol

I'm partial to Dr. Glas**** @ Sartori in Cedar Falls. no surgery yet but they work you to the bone to make sure you are completely educated, and healthy before they will touch you. I've heard nothing but EXCELLENT reviews.