seminar over!

well, I did it...took the first step and went to a seminar.
honestly, it wasn't what I expected.  Neither of the surgeons showed up, which is a major part of going there...I had hoped to meet the man that will cut me open.  Instead, one of the internists there put some statistics on the overhead on the wall, and she explained the two types of surgery this hospital does.  She talked about averages, and obesity in america, and told about the pros and cons of surgery.  We had a drink of the protein drinks that they sell, and she explained how important getting protein in will be.
Then the nurse came in that explain about the money and insurance part.  The real scary part.  EVen though I have insurance that should cover most of this...it's still going to cost me $800 at this center, plus all protein shakes, bars, ect...plus my deductive, and copays....It's all a bit overwhelming when she told us about all the tests we have to have done and probably have to pay a portion of that too. 
They a couple people asked questions about themselves, and the room cleared out.  I was sitting there going...."that's it? it's all over already?"  I had questions, so I sat there and the nurse stayed to answer my questions even though no one else stayed or asked anything. 
I really don't think I got that much out of the seminar.  Lots of paperwork to read, and calls to make.  Thank goodness for OH and forums like this one...  I had already learned most of what was said today online.   There wasn't alot of information that was specific, just the general about surgeries.  I suppose as I progress in my journel, more info will be provided.
Next step for me....call to make my physical eval appointment..  2 1/2 hours long.  wow.

question for you all...
Did you find the beginning of your journey overwhelming and frustrating on how long it takes to get to the surgery?

First of all let me say that if you felt weird at the seminar you are going to feel weird in your surgeons office. Did they say if they had an on staff dietician to help you? Do they have a clinic support group? Did they have before and after pictures of actual patients in their practice?

My surgeon does a very good presentation and even brings his office staff with him. The dietician, the head nurse (who is a patient), and the staff member that handles the insurance. Not all of them make it to every meeting but they make it to most.

I would say that you have to feel comfortable. Your surgeon should have been there in my opinion. I mean hell when Carey from the board puts together a seminar for the plastics that Dr DeNick does he attends and presents.. Not the office staff... it is his credentials on the line not the staff.

I do not think that the staff at centers like the one you attended should allow people to depend on only outside resources for their education. I get alot from my outside sources but the majority of my bariatric education comes from my dietician and my surgeon. I can email the staff directly with questions or call anytime.

Just my opinion!

Suzanne

What hospital was it at?  I dont know if I would feel comfortable after that seminar....weigh your options and dont just go with one program...some u dont have to pay anything except maybe a co pay.  Best of luck!

Shannon

Since most seminars don't cost anything to attend, I would go to a few just to compare.
What you experienced isn't that out of the ordinary.  I think a lot of programs use the seminar as a "jumping off" point.  Once you make the decision to go with that center then you will meet the surgeons and get more in-depth.

I have been a guest speaker at a few of U of M's seminars, and while the surgeon has always been there, I think they try to keep it general so the information presented applies to everyone.  It would be impossible to get more involved with each person, so you have your one on one visits in the clinic for that.

I personally did not want a center that sold its own nutritional supplements that I HAD to take.  My pre-op diet was 900 calorie and offered me a ton of options.  I knew I could never stick to a liquid pre-op diet, so I chose someplace that wasn't going to make me do that.

If you have the time to try out other places then do that.  Make a list of what you liked and disliked about each one and what is most important to you.

Good Luck!

Good Morning Yankee,

I would like to recommend that you attend at least one other seminar.  In my journey, I attended 3 seminars total.  One was for the lapband and the other two were for Rny.  All of them had different hospital affiliations and a majorly different after care program.  The thing is, all of these seminars were conducted by the surgeons themselves.  I agree that it is crucial that you meet the doctor before setting up the consult, as it will cost you approx. $250 because insurance doesn't usually cover it.  In my case, I had decided AT THE SEMINAR that this particular surgeon was my God send, so his consult was considered an office visit.  I see that you are a metro Detroit-er.  I would recommend attending the free seminars offered by these groups as well:

St. John Oakland - Dr. Katz [Madison Hts] www.stjohnweightloss.com/default
Barix Clinics - Dr. Schram [in ypsi but i love him he is mine]  www.barixclinics.com/
ABMI - Dr. Wood [Madison Hts]  www.myabmi.com/

Proceed with your physical, psychological, sleep testing, etc, it will make the journey to the surgeon and to your Date much much faster.  They all require these things.

good luck!!!

BM

ETA:  Dr. Schram/Barix does not require you to buy anything at all.  He also doesnt make you do a pre-op diet.  wuhu!

I agree with the previous posters, I would go to at least one other seminar. And one where the surgeon will be present to answer questions. Part of me would also be concerned that they only perform 2 of the 4 WL surgeries. I think it is important to look at all 4 options and determine which one is the best choice for you.

I agree-go to as many seminars and such as you need to in order to feel comfortable.  If you are getting vibes as if you might not get much attention, I would pay heed to those.  The last thing you need, once you have surgery, is to feel as if you have no support fro the office or physician. My physician gives everyone his personal cell phone number and can be called 24/7-and he actually answers the phone himself. 

I never went to a seminar, I meant to but never did.  I called the Center of Excellence in my area and talked to a lady one on one over the phone that was wonderful.  She ask what insurance I had and told me step by step what I needed to do to get thru the process.  She also told me my insurance makes you go thru the process backwards.  By following her advise I saved myself money and frustration.  I didn't have to pay for my consult with the surgeon, just the co-pay I pay my doc.

The one and only thing I have found that I didn't like is, that you have to buy a liquid diet kit.  It isn't from the center itself but, from betterMD.  Hurley and Henry Ford use them.  I would have rather done the same thing with real food.

I'm even more confused as the day goes on.  I have in my signature which hospital it was at.  The reason I chose this place was that they are high on aftercare.  They tell you that almost all the others don't have the after care that this center does.  The $800 pays for a lifetime use of the excersice room there, plus the nutritionist and all group/support meetings.  Plus the fee for the psych eval.  Although, they did say I could use my own psych dr if we wanted to.
One thing that they said in the presentation, was that in the RNY, there used to be a leak percentage of 12%, but that their surgeons have perfected a new way of sewing up so that their leak percentage is now less than 1%.  The two Drs have done over 2200 bariatric lap surgeries.  I really liked that experience and percentages. 
Plus all the testing and groups are all at this one place....no running around from different drs...

oh, and I do have to call and see if my insurance requires the 6 month diet.  They said almost all the insurances require it.  That is going to set me back some. 
I thought they would help with insurance companies, but it seems like they are telling us to get it all done before we come for the testing. 

I've done alot of research about the different surgeries.  Im happy with my decision to go for the RNY.  I just wonder about the process to get there is going to hinder me in any way.

How are you sure you have picked the right surgeon/plan for you?

I had to change my settings just so I could read what place you were talking about.  FYI I have the siggys turned off....they really annoy me.

Don't fret.  It's a lot of footwork choosing a place, but so worth it.  First, find out about your insurance requirements.  

Where I went, all after care is covered with the NUT and all support groups as well.  I already belong to a gym so that wasn't a benefit to me.

You sound like you're on the right track.  Just do a little more research and you'll know which place you are more comfortable with.  Make a list of questions to ask.....things that are important to you.  Does the center (or hospital) have rooms just for bariatric patients?  Do you care if they do?  How far from home is the facility?  I have to admit that having everything in one place was one of the reasons I chose my place as well.

Be warned, you're going to have a couple of people probably jump on here soon and tell you that Beaumont is the best...the end-all-be-all.  It's wonderful to stand behind your facility, but make your own decision, you'll know when it's right.

Again, best of luck to you!