surgery may be closer than i thought! (and thank you for the ones who suggested Dr....

Well I contacted Dr. Sonnanstines office this morning and I was VERY glad to hear what I did =D They were SOO NICE! and helpful...and at the end of the phone call she told me she look foward to meeting me and to hang in there that they would do everything they could to help me..I was just like OMG that was really just great! also they said where i lived kinda out of the way they are going to see if they can get my classes in like 2 in one day, or do 2 a week..and I will have to get a hotel room and stay. and she said usually Kentucky Medicaid is very quick to approve.. but yeah something else i found interesting the 6 months of medical weight loss i had to do...she wasn't certain but she said she didn't think it had to be consecutive..and told me to bring my medical records over the past 2 years and the insurance lady would take a look and tell me what else she needs...so HOPEFULLY!! I won't have to do anymore medical weight loss..and just have my SURGERY!! YAY! only thing i might have a problem with is the 700.00 dollars that it cost to do the program =/ but I'm gonna work as much OT i can...so hopefully I can do it...but sorry for such a long post...I am just sooo happy! I'm actually glad that KDMC didn't take me...I should have looked at all the surgeons then settling for the first one i came to..dont get me wrong I really did like dr tompkins..but its the staff that wasn't too pleasant but...does anyone that has had Dr. Sonnanstine tell me about the program at all? what does it consist of..what do i have to do? it would be appreciated. =D Once again I'm sorry for the long post just thought i would share with my OH family =D and any information about the classes would be great! 

My Wife has had her Lap-Band Nutrition class and her psych eval. last week.  They said that if the insurance didn't drag their feet she is looking at a surgery date around the end of February.  There are several hotels (LaQuinta is brand new and one of the cheaper ones) in the immediate area from the hospital, and lots of shopping and restaurants. Good Luck!

It's great to hear someone so excited!!!....I am very involved with the center, and close to Dr. Sonnanstine and Taryn.  Dr. Sonnanstine trained me as a patient advocate so I spend a lot of time around him.  I was at the hospital yesterday as a matter of fact.  He is an awesome surgeon with a great bedside manner and cute as a button.   The classes consist of a one on one with the psych..maybe two not sure..two with the dietician( 1group and 1 alone) then 4 large group classes consisting of two with the pscyh..one with Taryn and the dietician for taste testing and one with the doc himself (which I always attend)..you will watch a video of the procedures..band (Dr. Sonnanstine uses the new Realize Band) but it is the gastric banding.  You will be able to sit back and enjoy this class with asking any questions you wish..after I along with a couple of his patients one of which is here often, will talk to you and answer any questions you may have. The fee is often times difficult but necessary..you can pay in payments and not all at once..however, If I am correct they will not schedule your surgery until the fee is completely paid..1/2 is to be paid before you can attend classes.  I am not involved with the office so let me give you a disclaimer on that info.  I could very well be wrong, Taryn or Kristine can give you all the info you need. Good luck and if I can answer any questions about Dr. Sonnanstine please feel free to ask. Brenda

I AM 14 DAYS POST OP/////  AND AM HERE TO TELL U. THAT PROGRAM IS REALLY GOOD........ALOT OF DR'S DO THE SURGERY BUT THEY DON'T OFFER ALOT OF SERVICES FOR THE PATIENTS...........AT 1ST I WAS LIKE DANG THIS IS A LOT TO GO THROUGH BUT NOW I AM SOOOOOOOOO   GLAD I DID HAVE ALL THE  TEST & CLASSES............U CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH DR TOM   AND.............. I'VE ALREADY LOST OVER 20 LBS AND I FEEL GREAT................RED.............GOD BLESS U  AND  KEEP US POSTED

Thank you soo much everyone for all the info! I greatly appreciate it! I have my first appointment on Feb 12 at 3:30 so I hope all goes well.. I got a new job yesterday so I am going to be able to pay for the program...I 'm just gonna pay for everything at once that way I am not stuck later down the road w/o this job, and no way to pay for my surgery program. But I wanted to thank everyone for there support it means A LOT!  and hopefully I will have my surgery sometime later this year =D but I will keep posted on my page and here =D I was addicted to myspace now I'm addicted to OH...I love reading about everyone success stories...and knowing a lot of ppl out there are just like me =D but take care everyone I have to get ready for work =D *Kimmie

what is ur mypace

I loved Dr. Sonnanstine and his staff.I also have medicaid aand all I pd was the program fee which is hard to get together but so well worth it. I had all of my medical records faxed to the office and I didn't have to do  the 6 mo pre op diet, because there was enough info in my chart to cover the 6 mo period, so after i started the program(which you can pay half to get started in the classes)it took me 3 months to have surgery, and they do work with you , I couldn't pay my balance of the fee until the week after surgery so they let me wait and pay it at my 1 week check up.Let me know if you have any other questions and I hope this helps you some.

I am 2year 4months post op.  I of course think he is the best.  The fee is tough but you get a lot that is needed and from what I have heard other docs do not provide it.  Its a shame insurance won't cover this part.  His after care is also wonderful.  I am sure you will be very happy and like someone said before there are some really nice cheap hotels close buy. Good luck Jane