Questions for Grand Health Partners patients...

Hi everyone - just wondering if some of you GHP patients can give me a little info.  I have seen Dr. Lassater, gotten my labs done, and just was scheduled for my appointments with Scott & Dr. Foote on Aug. 13.  How long after that should I be anticipating for a surgery date?  I do realize that it is also going to be dependent upon how long it takes for my insurance approval (I have BCBS, am hoping that it is a fairly short period of time!), but kind of would like to be able to start planning on when I'm going to need to take time off from work, etc.  Any insight you can give me will be greatly appreciated!

My experience was REALLY fast.  I had surgery about 2.5 weeks after my surgical consult.  However, this was my second go-round with them, (I was denied by BCBS the first time, waited about a year, and tried again) so I was pre-approved through the doctors.  Dr. Foote had scheduled a conference in Mexico which was cancelled, and this helped me.  I am not sure how long the standard weight time is, but I honestly think mine went by too fast, without enough time for reflection and preparation, but at the time I was surely excited that I didn't have to wait. 
Good luck!  Dr. Foote is AMAZING and you will be well taken care of.    Just beware of Scott and the NUTs, lol.

Thanks for the info!  Just a question, if you don't mind me asking - why were you denied by BCBS the first time?  Do you have BCBS of MI?  I have Anthem BCBS out of California.  Just trying to prepare myself for all the possibilities!

The first time, I was denied because I didn't have 12 consecutive months of physician directed weight loss.  The second time around, they had changed the criteria, and because my BMI was over 50, I was pre-approved.  I have BCBS of Michigan.

My surgeon was Dr. Kemmeter at GHP.  He was scheduling out about 3.5 weeks in January.  It won't take long!  Good luck.  They are great.

I'd imagine you'll get a date after you meet Scott of your labs come back good!
BCBS does  not do a "pre-approval" to my knowledge. Ask your Dr.s surgical coordinator and they can explain all of it to you.
I am scheduled with Dr. Kemmeter on Aug 4th, he was booking 3 weeks out.
Good luck!
What surgery are you hoping to have?

Well, as far as I know, my labs came back fine other than I have a Vit. D deficiency, but they just put me on supplements for that.  I got my labs done on July 5, was on a "smoking hold" til I quit smoking for 2 weeks and got more labs done to prove it - which I'm proud to say I did.  They got my labs back for that this last week, and that is when they called to schedule the other appointments.  Forgive me for being kinda dumb, but what is pre-approval, anyway?  (I've never really had surgery other than getting my tonsils out when I was like 7.)  I think Dr. Foote must be booking about 3 weeks out, too, because the 13th was the earliest I could get in to see him.  They are making me do a sleep study on the 12th, and they also said I will need to schedule an endoscopy with Dr. Foote (because of my GERD), and they will be calling Monday morning to do that.  I am hoping to have RNY, but Dr. Foote said at the seminar that he also always likes to have a "backup plan" in case for some reason he can't do the surgery you want, and I am going to choose the DS as my backup.  My insurance only will cover either the RNY, Lap-band, or DS, and I really don't think I will be successful with the Lap-band.  I am getting really excited about changing my life!  But just trying to plan ahead as much as possible, so thanks so much for the info!

Hello! You should really check out the DS board on here if you still have questionthat's how I decided on the DS!  Lots of benefits!
GREAT job quitting smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since you have other tests, the sleep study and endoscopy you will not get a date until you have those done and get the results. My experience has been that unless all testing is done and results are in, they will not set a date. So schedule your tests asap!
When I say pre-approval, that means that the insurance will send a letter stating you are approved, BCBS mi does not do that.
Where are you in Michigan? I'm in west mi, just north of Grand Rapids

I live in Big Rapids, which is about 45 minutes north of GR.  They just called & scheduled my endoscopy for Aug. 6th with Dr. Baker because I wouldn't be able to have Dr. Foote do it til Aug. 20th.  How did you decide which doctor to go with?  I just picked Dr. Foote cause I liked him at the seminar, but now I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to have to wait a long time because he's too busy???  Just wondering.

Everything will come in it's time. I know it's hard, but be patient and take this time to research and prepare!