Mid west Michigan/Grand Health Partners "Alumni" - post here!
I haven't been on this forum in quite a while so I just discovered this thread. I got a lap band May 4 2010, met my goal on Oct. 5, 2010, and have maintained within a few pounds, since. A friend had wls with another surgeon just up the road from GHP and she was told that he insisted all his patients had open proceedures. When I found that out after my initial consult I quickly switched to GHP and have been thrilled.
I live in Lake Odessa, Ionia county.
I live in Lake Odessa, Ionia county.
Highest weight: 212.8 Current weight 135 Lost 77.8 pounds
I had a VSG with Dr. Foote in July of 2010 and have lost 102lbs. I could still stand to lose another 12 lbs or so, but I'm at a weight I'm comfortable with and that I'm finding is easy for me to maintain.
I've been VERY happy with my treatment at GHP and would recommend them highly. I'm in Orangeville, MI (about halfway between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids).
Me at 252 (I'm on the left w/the sleeveless white shirt):
and last May at the dog show (at 160 lbs - the most recent photo I had uploaded....I'm now at 150 lbs):
I haven't been around much lately and just noticed this post.
I had a DS with Dr. Kemmeter and I can not say enough good things about him and the staff at GHP. I'm currently in the Ann Arbor area, however I am moving west of Jackson in a few weeks. I'm hoping I will be able to attend some meetings after the move since I will be an hour closer to GHP than I am now.
I had a DS with Dr. Kemmeter and I can not say enough good things about him and the staff at GHP. I'm currently in the Ann Arbor area, however I am moving west of Jackson in a few weeks. I'm hoping I will be able to attend some meetings after the move since I will be an hour closer to GHP than I am now.
Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.
DONT BE AFRAID TO FAIL......BE AFRAID NOT TO TRY!
highest weight 313/ surgery 255 / current 185 / goal 135 Height 5'6"
DONT BE AFRAID TO FAIL......BE AFRAID NOT TO TRY!
highest weight 313/ surgery 255 / current 185 / goal 135 Height 5'6"
Hello,
I am just starting my journey. I have attended the seminar at GHP. I have my first appt. with Dr. White on Feb. 2nd, and I meet with Dr. Kemmeter and Scott (the behaviorist) on Feb. 6th.
I love hearing all the positive comments about Dr. Kemmeter and GHP. I am so looking forward to being a "loser"!
I am concerned that my insurance is going to make me do 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. This is one of their criteria. I was part of St. Mary's Weigh to Wellness program for over a year, but it has been a year ago since I stopped going there. Some say that if your BMI is over 50 that they will sometimes waive that 6 months. Well, my BMI is 54 (I think)so I hope there is some truth to that statement.
I do have a question regarding Post Op and the support groups, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, etc.... What is the costs that are involved with those visits?
I really like this website. It very encouraging to see everyone's successes. Congratulations to you all!
Thanks,
Lori
I am just starting my journey. I have attended the seminar at GHP. I have my first appt. with Dr. White on Feb. 2nd, and I meet with Dr. Kemmeter and Scott (the behaviorist) on Feb. 6th.
I love hearing all the positive comments about Dr. Kemmeter and GHP. I am so looking forward to being a "loser"!
I am concerned that my insurance is going to make me do 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. This is one of their criteria. I was part of St. Mary's Weigh to Wellness program for over a year, but it has been a year ago since I stopped going there. Some say that if your BMI is over 50 that they will sometimes waive that 6 months. Well, my BMI is 54 (I think)so I hope there is some truth to that statement.
I do have a question regarding Post Op and the support groups, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, etc.... What is the costs that are involved with those visits?
I really like this website. It very encouraging to see everyone's successes. Congratulations to you all!
Thanks,
Lori
On January 18, 2012 at 9:58 AM Pacific Time, Long2bLittle wrote:
Hello,I am just starting my journey. I have attended the seminar at GHP. I have my first appt. with Dr. White on Feb. 2nd, and I meet with Dr. Kemmeter and Scott (the behaviorist) on Feb. 6th.
I love hearing all the positive comments about Dr. Kemmeter and GHP. I am so looking forward to being a "loser"!
I am concerned that my insurance is going to make me do 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. This is one of their criteria. I was part of St. Mary's Weigh to Wellness program for over a year, but it has been a year ago since I stopped going there. Some say that if your BMI is over 50 that they will sometimes waive that 6 months. Well, my BMI is 54 (I think)so I hope there is some truth to that statement.
I do have a question regarding Post Op and the support groups, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, etc.... What is the costs that are involved with those visits?
I really like this website. It very encouraging to see everyone's successes. Congratulations to you all!
Thanks,
Lori
You will love Dr. K. He is AWESOME!
Scott is cool too and I really like the P.A. Matt as well.
You will find out all the peticulars at GHP.
They are very professional and helpful.
I had to do the 6 month thing. Not so bad.
It took me 1 yr. after I decided I wanted to have WLS with waiting on my insurance co. to cover Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomys and the 6 month
med. supervised diet to actual surgery. That was fine with me because it gave me plenty of time to research WLS and come to a place of 100%peace with what I was hoping to do.
Re. the 6 month diet...
all I had to do is get weighed monthy at my Primary Care doc's office
by a nurse which was free and have a consult with my doc the first month
of the process. I had to show 6 months of medical supervised/documented
weight loss failure. That was easy! My doc did send
me notes or have a nurse call me recommending more dieting and exercising tips periodically because I wasn't losing (on purpose) but he had
to show he was over-seeing the process throughout the 6 months.
Once I completed that requirement and my doc recommended me for WLS, GHP simply submitting my request for surgery and it was paid for in full.
The GHP pre-op coordinator does the submitting for surgery for you.
Where do you live?
Feel free to PM me anytime.
Keep in touch!
VSG Aug. 30, 2011 HW 266 SW 249 GW 166 lbs.
Hi Everyone:
I went to weight loss sem, in Holland few months ago, but at time had different insurance and they wanted the 6 month thing. So my work has 2 insurances and i switched, first of year, on Jan 11 I went to Grand Haven ( He also has practice there now) and saw Dr Sandy on the 11Th. We set up a sleep study did on 16Th, So test on heart on 19 and 20Th. Then went back on Jan 25Th saw doctor Foote, He did a scope of tummy in a.m. then saw in afternoon in office in Grand Haven, and he cleared me surgery. Went threw insurance with flying color (YES!) and going to have the VSG on Feb 29Th. I can hardly wait. I also saw the behaviorist after Dr. Foote on Jan 25Th, she also cleared me :). I go on Feb 15Th for Pre-op/dietitian, said would be about 4 hours. Also start my liquid diet next day. Then Feb 22 labs, then following Wednesday (Feb. 29Th, yes yes my day) very excited. Gosh been trying to get this done for few years and now it, all came together like clock work. Everyone in office has been so wonderful and helpful.
So if anyone has any great things , even bad to watch out for and all the things that I may run into come and let me know. Really excited to meet all of you.
Mary
I went to weight loss sem, in Holland few months ago, but at time had different insurance and they wanted the 6 month thing. So my work has 2 insurances and i switched, first of year, on Jan 11 I went to Grand Haven ( He also has practice there now) and saw Dr Sandy on the 11Th. We set up a sleep study did on 16Th, So test on heart on 19 and 20Th. Then went back on Jan 25Th saw doctor Foote, He did a scope of tummy in a.m. then saw in afternoon in office in Grand Haven, and he cleared me surgery. Went threw insurance with flying color (YES!) and going to have the VSG on Feb 29Th. I can hardly wait. I also saw the behaviorist after Dr. Foote on Jan 25Th, she also cleared me :). I go on Feb 15Th for Pre-op/dietitian, said would be about 4 hours. Also start my liquid diet next day. Then Feb 22 labs, then following Wednesday (Feb. 29Th, yes yes my day) very excited. Gosh been trying to get this done for few years and now it, all came together like clock work. Everyone in office has been so wonderful and helpful.
So if anyone has any great things , even bad to watch out for and all the things that I may run into come and let me know. Really excited to meet all of you.
Mary
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