Where to start?
Hi all.... I'm Angie and I am in the early stages of considering WLS. I spoke to my GP yesterday and all he said was that I'm in the low end of the weight range, but being diabetic, I should qualify. He then suggested I turn to St. Agnes in Baltimore. That's all he said, period. Ok, so I know I should consider a new GP, but short of that, where do you usually start the process to get into and be evaluated for a program?
BTW, Char, if you're reading this, I know you! :) I'm on GRF with Shadow...
BTW, Char, if you're reading this, I know you! :) I'm on GRF with Shadow...
Hi Angie! Welcome to the Maryland board! We have a lot of people here who have had weightloss surgery at St. Agnes and I'm sure they can direct you to the right people. I just wanted to be the first to welcome you 
congratulations on your decision to have weightloss surgery! It's totally changed my life and I hope it will do the same for you!
Aaron
congratulations on your decision to have weightloss surgery! It's totally changed my life and I hope it will do the same for you!
Aaron
What I did was find the surgeons that my insurance covered. Then I looked up which ones were with Centers of Excellence. Then I went to those surgeons' websites to read about their programs. Then I went to the information sessions for the surgeon who I felt fit best with me. (Turns out I didn't like him, but had surgery with his partner at the time.)
As far as weight, I believe you need a BMI of 40+ to qualify if you have no comorbidities (like diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) OR a BMI of 35+ and 2 comorbidities.
Good luck!
As far as weight, I believe you need a BMI of 40+ to qualify if you have no comorbidities (like diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) OR a BMI of 35+ and 2 comorbidities.
Good luck!
(deactivated member)
on 8/19/08 7:39 am - Millersville, MD
on 8/19/08 7:39 am - Millersville, MD
We are all biased about our doctors because most of us love them. Here are the things I like best about Dr. von Ruden's program (no idea if Averbach and Singh - the other two doctors at St. Agnes offer the same things):
- His information conference was very informative and patients were on hand to answer questions.
- I had an appointment with him less than two weeks following the information conference.
- At my first appointment, I met with the surgeon, the nurse that handles the insurance packages, the nutritionist and the financial manager. I left knowing exactly what my insurance company required, knowing exactly how much everything was going to cost me, a pre-surgery diet plan, a list of health care centers that offer discounts to WLS patients and a list of procedures I would need to get - along with the scripts for those procedures and names of doctors that perform them.
- Two months later, my three visits were complete; my testing was complete and my package was ready for the insurance company.
- A week later, I was approved and had my surgery date.
- Two weeks later, I had my surgery.
- I see the nutritionist, the nurse and the surgeon at all of my follow up appointments and I have scripts for the next year for all of my blood work so I can have it completed in advance and have the results at my appointment.
- He has a support group that meets monthly and the meetings are GREAT - lots of great people from these boards.
Again, not saying Dr's A and S don't offer these things too, but these are the reasons I love DVR.
You must start with who your insurance will cover though!
- His information conference was very informative and patients were on hand to answer questions.
- I had an appointment with him less than two weeks following the information conference.
- At my first appointment, I met with the surgeon, the nurse that handles the insurance packages, the nutritionist and the financial manager. I left knowing exactly what my insurance company required, knowing exactly how much everything was going to cost me, a pre-surgery diet plan, a list of health care centers that offer discounts to WLS patients and a list of procedures I would need to get - along with the scripts for those procedures and names of doctors that perform them.
- Two months later, my three visits were complete; my testing was complete and my package was ready for the insurance company.
- A week later, I was approved and had my surgery date.
- Two weeks later, I had my surgery.
- I see the nutritionist, the nurse and the surgeon at all of my follow up appointments and I have scripts for the next year for all of my blood work so I can have it completed in advance and have the results at my appointment.
- He has a support group that meets monthly and the meetings are GREAT - lots of great people from these boards.
Again, not saying Dr's A and S don't offer these things too, but these are the reasons I love DVR.
You must start with who your insurance will cover though!
I have Dr. Averbach and he is great. Here is the website for his practice. Hope it helps you.
http://www.mdlapbarisurge.com/
http://www.mdlapbarisurge.com/
Hi Angie and welcome! First, everyone has their opinion of their surgeon. And it is usually a great opinion too. I, for example, am a paient of Dr. Singh's. I started with another surgeon and switched to Dr. S. He and I have been thru a lot in the past 7 months.
I would suggest going to a seminar from each surgeon who practices at st. Agnes and see how you click with them. Usually you will know when you have found the one for you'
From the seminar, you will learn what each surgeon requires from each person who is considering WLS.
Make sure you do your homework before hand too. It helps keep you sane when theystart presenting all of their information.
Dr. Singh's website is www.lapsurgmd.org.
best of luck to you and ask all the question you want...this is a great group of people and we are all here to help the newbies.
Deb
I would suggest going to a seminar from each surgeon who practices at st. Agnes and see how you click with them. Usually you will know when you have found the one for you'
From the seminar, you will learn what each surgeon requires from each person who is considering WLS.
Make sure you do your homework before hand too. It helps keep you sane when theystart presenting all of their information.
Dr. Singh's website is www.lapsurgmd.org.
best of luck to you and ask all the question you want...this is a great group of people and we are all here to help the newbies.
Deb
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