First Seminar with my surgeon!!

Well I am just tickled pink!! I finally got to do the seminar with my surgeon, and I am to call and schedule an appointment in the morning (to see him after my insurance kicks in). YAAAY! After TONS of delays, and deliberations over insurance policies... I got the RIGHT one!! I spoke to the nurse coordinator and she told me that she's familiar with my insurance and that it will not be a problem! She tells me I do need to show 6-12 weeks of supervised weight loss attempts though... fortunately I started about 7 weeks ago on a plan... only hang up MIGHT be that I didn't go *exactly* 30 days apart... was more like 45 days apart... so we'll see if that counts... but I will be sure not to miss another appointment... so that by the time it is important, I will have done the 6-12 weeks!! My insurance still is not in effect yet, so I can't *officially* see him until September, and I need a PCP referral first. SO, I have to make an appt with the PCP for Sept 2, and the other for asap after that. But about 2-3 months is the "delay" from first visit to surgery!! So I can possibly have surgery as early as Halloween!!!

which surgeon are you using. after 2 years of having crappy insurance I will have new insurance in September that should cover the procedure as long as medically necessary, which I definitely have.

Dr. Richardson at Ochsner in New Orleans. - through the Ochsner Employees Health Plan. He's the only surgeon I'd let do my surgery. I've been doing postop care for his patients since April. I'm very impressed.

I have not heard of him. I will have to check my providor guide, as I know Ochsner is on there. I'm leaning towards Dr. Mando

Diane, You have some of the best surgeons right there in Covington. Surgical Specialists of LA with Drs. Lavin, Warden, French, Moore and Thomas (985-234-3000). They have a new office right off of Fairway Dr. close to Lakeview Hospital. I had my DS surgery with Dr. Warden in July 2004. My first seminar was in late April, saw my PCP in May (did pre-op stuff) and had a surgery date by the first week in July. It went rather quickly since Medicare was my primary and I didn't need pre-approval just "medical necessity". I will be having hernia repair and a panniculectomy by Dr. Warden in September. He will be doing the procedures out of the new hospital that is opening this month in Slidell--Surgical Specialty Hospital (I think that's the name?!?) If you are still in "research mode" regarding WLS, please consider learning about the DS (duodenal switch surgery). Their website is www.duodenalswitch.com I can direct you to a plethra of information if you want to know more about this surgery in particular. Check out the DS Forum here at OH, too. Rhonda 225/110 @ goal Scheduling hernia repair and panniculectomy for September

Rhonda, Thank you for giving me that website about the duodenal switch. I spoke with Dr. Lavin's office and I kind of felt I was given the run around. They have a seminar on Tuesday night which I may convince my Husband we need to go too. I am scheduled to go to Dr. Martin's seminar, but the truth is they are not on my insurance and I've read so much about them being busy and all I think that I'd be wasting time even attending the seminar. The doctors I have in mind are Dr. Mando or Dr. Ordoyne. I haven't ruled out Lavin's group, so maybe going to their seminar will help me. I noticed on your site you have 4 children. I have an almost 16 year old boy. Thanks for any and all help Diane

Diane, Dr. Lavin did my surgery and I think he is the best. I had no complications. Please go to the seminar. You will not regret it. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -136 lbs

I AM SOO EXCITED FOR YOU KAT,, I KIND OF DID MINE BACKWORDS, AND WENT TO THE SEMINOR FIRST AND THEN GOT MY PACKET AND AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING ALL MY TEST DONE, ALTHOUGH DAMN THIS IS WORK ,, DOCTORS SUCK!!! WELL THATS AWESOME YOU ONLY NEED 7 WEEKS OF DIET HISTORY , I NEEDED 3 YEARS , WHICH I EASILY HAVE , I JUST DONT HAVE IT ALL WATCHED BY A PCP,, SO THANKFULLY MY OLD PCP IS WILLING TO FUDGE A LIL FOR ME , SINCE HE DID SEE I HAD LOST AND THEN GAINED AND SO ON,, WELL BEST OF LUCK I AM ALSO HOPING TO HAVE MY SURGERY IN OCT, IF I CAN GET THESE DOCTORS TO GET OFF THEIR AZZ'S AND DO SOMETHING, I MEAN HOW HARD IS IT TO WRITE A LETTER? ,, WELL BEST OF LUCK AND KEEP ME UPDATED!

Here's hoping you have a very smooth and speedy pre-op phase. I can tell you that the post-op phase FLIES. I cannot believe that I am almost 8 months out. It is unbelievable. You know you will be in good hands with Dr Richardson. ALthough he is not much in the personality department!!LOL I don't give a rip about that though... BEst Regards Anne in New Orleans

Yeah definitely the dry surgeon personality But he's good at what he does... VERY good. I can't wait