I went to my first GBS Seminar tonight.  Dr. Korn had an informational meeting tonight at St. Luke's and they had GBS Support Group after.  I really enjoyed speaking with Dr. Korn and he is taking patients with Medicaid.  He was very informative and very nice.  His nurses are great!  One ran the Support Group after the Seminar and she was very nice and they both answered all of my questions.  Now I have to come up with the Registration fee and the money to pay for the Nutritionist.  I am hoping to have that within a couple of months so I can get my surgery date taken care of and start my journey.

Congratulations!!!!!  I am so jealous of you!  I have gone on a "diet", waiting to hear something from some doctor and have ended up gaining 8 pounds.  I am ready to give up, but I can't.  Again, congratulations to you and I hopefully will be there sometime in the next 2 years.

I am 7 pounds from my surgeons goal and 16 pounds from my personal goal. Party!!!!

I personally had Dr. Podany in Idaho Falls. He no longer is in private practice here in Idaho and was medicaid and medicare. In boise there are many surgeons for WLS. My sister and mother both had WLS in Boise. I hear Dr. Valintine in Nampa is good. and Dr. Oakley in boise. They also have the NEw U program in Idaho Falls. (banding). I had to travel and get a hotel. But figure this. This will save your life. So you should be expecting to have to pay some costs. Just because medicaid pays for the surgery does not mean that you pay nothing. It is costly to have WLS. While you eat less you pay more in quality. vitiamins, lifelong medical follow ups, gym fee's, and nutricianist services. Somedays I can't afford to eat. Being low income and having WLS is difficult and sometimes life threatening when you can't afford to eat, drink, and medical services. Medicaid is temporary. While it saved my life I struggle everyday with that choice. I would not change it but I wish I could get a job, get out of school and be self reliant. My disabling conditions are finally being addressed but the transition is hard. If your low income and on medicaid be sure to have after care services. This is why they want a center for excellence. They must provide after caRE SERVICES. How bad do you want or need WLS? if its a life or death situation like mine was. Than whats three days in a cheap hotel with your family compared to where you are now? I saved up between my date being set and the surgery so that my partner, and son and I would saty in a hotel. It was around $300.00 and gave my son some swimming time at the pool smiles. Personally I can't recall much I slept and walked. And thankful for no complications. WLS is SURGERY! Any surgery has risks. They just want to make sure you are dealt with safely. Take some initutive and save up for the event and the journey. I did and have had a good success though I have ups and downs.

I am from Lewiston and just had WLS the 10th of this month.  My surgery was done in Spokane, WA by Dr. Bright at Sacred Heart.  Have you had surgery or scheduled?