Ladies!!!! ALL of you are going to feel so fantastic with your decision, I promise!

DR. G ROCKS! Love him!!! :-)

Hi there!  I did attend a seminar in Cedar Rapids.  It was information and good to get the helpful package of information and checklist.  The process has actually been very smooth as long as you do what is required.  BCBS requires 6 months documented weight loss program - the package of info has a document you can have your physician fill out (just make 6 copies).  I did have my sleep study done and scheduled and once i had that the office at Satori sent in the documents for pre approval.  I received the approval in 10 days.  It was pretty quick!

good luck to you...keep in touch!

Hi everyone. I had surgery on January 25th and have already surpassed my goal of 180 and currently sit at 172.. uping my calorie intake now to try and maintain the weight. yes im struggling to stay put.

Anyway i just wanted to invite everyone to www.DiscussWLS.com. Get a unique support  here. Please join us for our weekly support chats in our chatroom on sundays at 7pm est. One can never have enough support outlets

  Many features are also available to our users al for free. :)

you can also follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/discusswls

we are also on facebook at www.facebook.com/discusswls

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.

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