questions about ...

Hi I have a orientation set up for 11-13 in grandrapids, I was wondering how the drs there are ..dr foote ...some others to , and if thay handle all the insurence stuff and how the hospital is and could anyone tell me what the next step is after orientation . thanks .

Sherry, several of us have had Dr. Foote and we just love him. MMPC handled the insurance stuff very well for me. I have BCBS (self funded) and I didn't need prior authorization because with my plan, if you met the specifications, you were approved. Spectrum Blodgett has it's own bariatric floor. The nurses there are the greatest and know exactly what you're going through. Don't plan on getting lots of sleep there (like any other hospital) but they are very friendly & helpful. Blodgett also has a hospitality room that your family can stay in for $15.00 a day (lots cheaper than a motel & twice as nice). After orientation, they will call you to set up several appointments. One will be the dietitian, next will be the behaviorist and also the PA to do a work up. There are also appointments with the exercise physiologist and the surgeon. MMPC does require that you buy your food through them for the 2 weeks before and the 2 weeks after. You can get a sample of everything for $20.00. Some of the stuff I liked, some went into the garbage. They take the hardship out of the "liquid" diet before hand. They have a point system for each day and as long as you get 10 points in, you'll be ok. Most of the foods have 15 grams of protein in them so with getting almost 150 grams of protein, you don't get hungry. With the food I didn't have to worry if I was getting too many or too little calories, fat, carbs & protein. I figured if I couldn't do the 2 week diet, then I surely couldn't stick to the regimine after the surgery. MMPC made it very easy and I've been doing well since.

HI SHERRY...I SECOND EVERYTHING THAT ANN JUST SAID....DR FOOTE IS WONDERFUL AND I AM SO GLAD I HAD HIM FOR MY DR!!!!! THE HOSPITAL STAFF WAS WONDERFUL TAKING GREAT CARE OF ME WHILE I WAS THERE. YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER DR AND HOSPITAL TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! GOOD LUCK!! KEEP US POSTED. HUGS JUDY

thank you Ann and judy ,you made me feel much better about them . am just so excited I have wanted to do this for so long I just can not believe this is finnally coming true !! another question ? now 2 weeks before surgery you have to go on a special diet ? am also wondering how much money the insurence will pay and how much am going to have to come up with ?I have bcbsm individual blue . thanks again Sherry

yes you will be on a special protein diet before and after surgery and you get your foods from mmpc. i had to pay out of pocket for that and it was a little over $300.00. really gets you ready for surgery and prepares you for after surgery too. the chili and the spaghetti i really liked. also the chocolate drink was good. the jello i loved that for after surgery...you can really get your points in with that!! as for the cream soups...yuck!!!!! wish i would have gotten more of the jello for afterwards!!!! dr foote is the best!!!! you will be in good hands with him!!!! keep me posted and if you need to email me my email address is: [email protected] good luck!!!! hugs judy