Hello

I'm new to this board and wanted to say hello and tell you a bit about myself. I have been fighting my weight since I was 12. During my younger years I was able to control my weight, but it was always difficult. I have 4 co-morbidity's to go along with the morbid obesity, so I'm very anxious to have this done. My doctors are overjoyed and even my insurance company is doing what is necessary to get everything approved. I found out last night that Shawnee Mission Med Center is not renewing their contract with United Healtcare. Great - NOT! That is the only hospital my surgeon uses, so now I'm checking into other surgeons. I live in the Kansas City area and would love to hear your success stories and what doc/hospital you went through. I have a lot to say, but it's late and I'm pooped. I'll post more tomorrow. Trudy, the new kid on the block.

Trudy don't give up. I also received the letter from United Healthcare. My surgery is set for April 9th at Shawnee Mission Med Center and the letter stated coverage would end on April 1st. What I found was that they are still negotating the contract and have been since August of last year. My surgery will go on as planned and be covered by the insurance company. Dr. Stanley Hoehn is my surgeon. Keep the faith and your date will come too! Shari

I have UHC and I had my surgery at Tallgrass in Topeka - If you are doing the band it is a single day surgery at Tallgrass - if you are having RNY by-pass you will have to stay at St Francis hospital in Topeka. I had my surgery on 3/15 and I was very pleased with my surgeon (Dr. Steward) and St. Francis. I have a friend in the KC area that was banded at Tallgrass too... she was very pleased as well. Amie

Trudy, I just wanted to say good luck with everything and I hope to see you on the loosing side soon. Steph

Thanks so much for the support. We have decided on Tallgrass. With all the medical problems I have, I'vd decided on the RNY, that is if the surgeon agrees with me. I've had previous abdominal surgery but it was all in my lower abdomen and I pray that the adhesions won't be in the way. Infection has always been a problem for me so I didn't want the fills that they do for the band. I want it done in one swoop. I have United Healthcare and my husband's employer has put "conditions" on the weight loss surgery. I have to go thru 8 sessions (once a week) with a coach at Healthyroads. I balked at first but I'm really enjoying the sessions. It's a 30 min phone conversation, with a "coach" getting me ready for the surgery. Then after surgery I have 12 sessions helping me get into the swing of things. I also have a psych evaluation scheduled in a couple of weeks. I plan to attend the May seminar and by then I should be just about finished with Healthyroads. So hopefully by July I will become a loser. Thanks again for the support. Trudy

Trudy, Sounds like you and your insurance company have got a good plan. I look forward to seeing you post you have a date it will be here before you know it. Steph

Hi, Trudy. I had lap band surgery done at St. Luke's hospital in KCMO (Plaza location) and it was pretty uneventful. THe surgeon, Dr. John Price, is awesome and his staff (nurse, administrator, exercise physiologist, psychiatric nurse and nutritionist all part of the medical weight loss team) are awesome. I was actually the first person to undergo the lap band surgery at St. Luke's, and there was a woman who had the RNY surgery right after me on the same day - March 19, 2007. You may want to call St. Luke's hospital and get some information - 816-931-2000 is the main number - about the new Medical Weight Loss Surgery Program. It is brand new at St. Luke's, although this surgeon, Dr. Price, is well known and has performed a gazillion of these surgeries. I don't know about the RNY follow-up, but there is a lot of follow-up with the lap band once the surgery is over. I had the surgery about 4 weeks ago, and I've gone back in for several check-ups already and been weighed, etc. There is a lot of maintenance involved, so you may not want to drive very far out of town since you'll be needing to see that doctor often. Please contact me if you have any questions, and good luck! I've had great days, and some not so great days, but I'm losing weight and right now that is the most important thing for me.