I am looking for a doctor that does roux-en-Y in southern Idaho that will accept True Blue (Medicare). So far I have gotten the run around with the "Centers of Excellence" qualifications for doctors and hospitals. I would be going to a hospital and/or doctor in Boise/Caldwell/Nampa and I think St. Al's or St. Lukes qualifies. Hope to hear from someone.

Hi sharon, Good luck on Monday. I just wanted to tell you that you would get so many more posts if you went to the main board instead of the Idaho board. Most people post on there. I haven't had surgery and I am hoping to have Lap band surgery. I have my first seminar on it on Tuesday the 13th. Do you live in Idaho? I live in Post Falls up by Coeur D alene. Well, good luck to you. Annie

Hi Sandy, I wrote you a personal message too. When you come up here on the 27th of March if you have time, I would love to meet with you for a minute or two for an iced tea or something. If you have time. If not that is okay and I understand. I don't want to push you but would love it if you and I could remain in contact and share any information that we learn about the whole process. My email address is [email protected] if you would like to email me then I can get your email address. Only if you feel comfortable though. I won't be pushy or bug ya too much. lol. I think that maybe you are not getting any responses on this web site because it is strictly Idaho. If you post on the main forum for lapbands I know you will get more than just me. Just a word for you though if you do post any specific questions about Idaho there are a few folks on the main page that are veryyy pushy with their opinions etc. So before I made any decisions I would judge for myself. God Bless you, Annie

Hi again, I will contact you with my personal email address. No. I haven't had the surgery yet. I have been doing Weigh****chers faithfully since November of last year with a pound loss in all that time and now suddenly I have started to gain. I can't understand it because I have been a ww angel. Never going over my points, exercising every single day too. So, after a lot of prayer and talking to my Dr. I have decided to do this to prolong my life. I weigh 499 pounds at last ww meeting. I was at 510 when I started there. I got down to 496 and slowly each week have been adding a few ounces here or there for whatever reason? It is definately time to do something for me! I would love to have a friend going through the same thing plus we are in the same state! Super. I don't know where Kamiah is but I will look it up on the map. lol. I have met Dr. Pennings for surgery for something else and he was wonderful. Thankfully I didn't have to have the surgery but when I saw him I was very impressed with him and his entire staff. On his website the Dr. that does Optifast, Dr. Cher Jacobson, well, she is my primary care physician and she is awesome. She has nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Pennings if that makes you feel any better. I sure liked him. A really mild mannered man. Good luck my friend. Oh, and I would love it if you call me Annie. That is what all my friends and family cal me. Hugs, Annie (aka: Andrea)

Hi Sandra. This is my very first post on this site I live in Idaho too and I have Medicare also. I have found a wonderful surgeon that is certified and accepts Medicare. He is right here in Post Falls, ID near Coeur D alene. :cool: You can check out his web site if you would like. I don't know if I can put it in here. His name is Dr John Pennings and he is with surgical bariatrics northwest. www.surgicalbariatrics.com Let me know if that helps. Good luck to you.