questions

Hello, I am new to this site, and I just need some info.. I dont know anything about how to get the surgery. I dont know where to start or what I need can anyone just fill me in on what I am looking for.. please thanks

Hi Heather, First off, welcome to OH! It is a huge site full of information and support. First thing you need to do is find a surgeon, once you have call him/her and find out what they require of you. For example, with my surgeon, Dr Clough, I needed a referral from my PCP even though my insurance company did not need one, that is how my surgeons office deals with it. Then I had to go to a information meeting and a support group before I could even start the process to get surgery. Once I attended both I was set up with appointments for tests and such, once they were completed I had a consult with Dr Clough. After that the insurance company was called, mine does not pre-approve but we got the go ahead and they scheduled a date for me. I am not sure how Medicare works but there are many wonderful people on this board that has used Medicare. Hopefully they will tell you how it worked for them. If you need help with anything, specially to do with ObesityHelp.com please let me know. I work in Member Services here and would enjoy helping you out. Good luck and Happy Holidays! Theresa Cloutier Member Services ObesityHelp.com [email protected]

Hello Heather! Well the first bit of advise I can give you is to see your primary care doctor and have him refer you to Gregory D'Augustine. He is the best weight loss surgeon in the area. That would be a good starting point. They will have you attend support group meeting, which are wonderful and everyone there is either in the same boat you are or was there at one point. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me anytime. Sheri

Thank you guys for the info... how do i get about the surport group?

The support group meetings are on the first Monday of every month. The next one is on December 6th. It is held at the CMMC Conference Center on 12 High Street. If you are not sure where this is just call Dr. D'Augustine's office and they will give you directions. In December the meeting will be held in Conference Room I. We have a great time at these meetings and usually there are quite a few people, some who have already had surgery, some who are thinking about it and some who are getting ready to have it. You will learn a lot of information and if you sign your name on the sign-in sheet, then you get "credit" for attending a meeting and that starts the ball rolling. Dr. D really is great. I am 2-1/2 months post-op and my husband is going in on December 7th to have his surgery with Dr. D. I would highly recommend him. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me also. Hope to see you on December 6th. Take Care, Tracie

Theresa mentioned Medicare. I don't know if you have Medicare but I do know how it works since I have it. In order for you to qualify you must have a BMI of over 40. If you have a BMI between 35-40 then you must have co-morbidities (ex. diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, acid reflex to name a few). This will be determined mostly by your PCP who needs to be the one to refer you to the surgeon. Best of luck in your journey and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Lisa

Thank you girls for the great info, I will be going to the meeting on dec 6th, does anyone know what time that meeting is? And do you know the dr.'s number by any chance thanks again for all your help

Hi Heather, I am Dee and I live in Lewiston too. I am scheduled to have my surgery with Dr. D on December 21st. The phone number for the office is.....784-2903. The support group is helpful and we are starting to have specific times for online chats through this website. It's really good to have a safe place to ask questions and get good tips and information. The groups start at 6:30pm and end at 8:00pm, but please feel free to come in late if you need to or to leave early if needed. We would rather have you there for part of it than to not come if you felt you had to stay the whole time. We are very casual and open to all. I hope to see you on the 6th. Please feel free to email me also. Take care, and WELCOME! Dee

the first thing you wanna do is call dr d augustine s office and get the info sent to you and go to the support group meeting on dec 6th 6:00 at central maine medical center conference room the people there are great and can help you with any info you need and you will need to go to the support group meeting anyway it is part of the process the conference room is down stairs by the cafee' you can give me a call if you like 353-9183 im new to but i gotmy date jan 18th of 2005 i have been going since may they are great group of people debby