Newbie with a couple of questions

I am new here and have a couple of questions.  I am going to see Dr. Karl Leblanc on the 24th to see about the Gastric Sleeve.  I am a self pay.  My BMI is 35.  What can I expect the process to be like?  What am I going to have to do before he will schedule the surgery and how long will it take.  Also, what is the minimum BMI that they will do the sleeve on? Thanks

Sit tight...several of the regulars on here have Dr. LeBlanc and they love him.  I am sure they are willingly going to share with you.  Good Luck!

I am a new member also but I went to Dr. Leblanc on February 26th as a self paying patient. I have a higher BMI (50) but I think you can still have the sleeve with a 35 BMI. Things started rolling the day after and my surgery was scheduled for 3/25! I am having my surgery on Monday! He is an awesome doctor and very willing to answer any questions you have! Let me know if you have any future questions... Sorry I couldn't be more help!

Hello Natguba and welcome to OH and New U! I've been a patient of Dr. LeBlanc and a big fan (less big now!) for almost four years. I was a SMO (super mobidly obese) patient at the start of my journey with a BMI of 56, so I'm not sure if there's a minimum for self-pay patients. The minimum of 40 BMI is where insurance companies usually start their coverage of the procedures. I invite you to visit our forum here on OH and check out some of the patients' profiles. We do love Drs. LeBlanc and Hausmann quite a bit because we are one big happy family. New U is the support group and I hope you become an active part of the group and take advantage of all the aftercare program has to offer. Lower BMI patients lose the same percentage of their excess weight in a given time period, but the numbers seem less impressive because you have less (total) to lose. This just means, you might not lose 25 pounds in a couple of weeks like I did at first, but this is only because I weighed 350 pounds, not because you are trying any less. I was originally a Lap Band patient and found a good bit of success with it, but several unrelated conditions have led to the removal of my band. I've heard and read awesome things about the Sleeve and both my husband and I are currently considering it. It's a wonderful option. I hope you get to speak to other patients and you can heard more of us say how pleased we are with the surgeons and their staff. I look forward to seeing you at our April 3 meeting. Best wishes, Frances

Oh, you are talking to the right people because Dr. LeBlanc was my surgeon.   I had the sleeve and I was also self-pay . . . . my BMI when I started was 48.1 and is now 38.7 . . .(my husband and I both remember that he said your BMI has to be between 30-35 to be a candidate for the surgery) . . .this is how it went for me: My husband and I met with Dr. LeBlanc on 9/19/07 (he was very helpful and explained everything and answered all questions we had) . . that day I scheduled surgery for November 12th (pending other tests, etc.) . . on 10/15/07 I met with the nutritionist, on 10/16/07 I went to my endocrinologist and rec'd the results of my bloodwork to bring to Dr. LeBlanc, on 10/16/07 I had the barium swallow test, 10/18/07 I met with the Hematologist (referred by Endocrinologist due to a little problem with low B12 but only had to take one injection), 10/31/07 I went to see a psychiatrist (???) for a psychiatric evaluation and also on 10/31/07 I met with Dr. LeBlanc and staff for pre-op consultation . .  on 11/1/07 I went to the Support Group meeting at OLOL . . . Surgery was done by Dr. Karl LeBlanc at OLOL on November 12th and I was released from the hospital on November 13th. . . so it has been 4 months and I have lost 62 pounds. .you're in good hands with Dr. LeBlanc and good luck to you . .we're here for you if you have any other questions . . . FAYE 

Thank you guys for answering my questions.  I  see Dr. Leblanc on Monday, 3/24.  I am so excited I can hardly see straight. Natguba