Any St. Luke's/Dr. Price Patients Here?

No date set but it will probably be June.  Seems like a long way off, but the time will pass quickly.   I've really been thinking about the lapband vx. RNY.  If liking sweets is the only reason to go with RNY, then I would prefer the band.  You have a much quicker recovery time with the band although due to previous surgeries I've had he said he probably not be able to do either procesures laproscopically.    I love sweets but I'm not eating candy, cookies, etc. every day.  Maybe once a week I get a candy bar or a small package of M&Ms.  I make a lot of things sweetened with Splenda or Equal.  Jo P.S.  I'm so glad to hear from people that are or have had the procedure done by Dr. Price.  Definitely stay in touch.

Hey Guys! Dr. Price is my Doctor too!! I am hoping that my surgery will be in mid-May or early June! I have all of my paper work in and just finishing up the 3 month supervised diet, I have two months left. I am having the RNY done. I know that I do not have the willpower to have a lap band done. I so can not wait for my surgery! I am ready to get my new life in motion!!

Looks like all of us are haveing the bypass rather than the band.  I know you are more likely to lose all your weight with bypass than you are with the band.  After going thru all this I definitely want to lose all the excess weight.  Never in my life since about the age of 9 have I weighed what I should.  I lost a chunk of weight on Weigh****chers years ago but put it back on plus more. I have Aetna insurance; otherwise I couldn't do it.  There is no out-of-network benefit so going to one of the clinics in Overland Park is out of the question.  I feel much better about having it at St. Luke's.  IMO.....SL's is the best facility in Kansas City. I started my diet right after meeting with Thelma.  I'm doing South Beach and liking it.  Almost 4 weeks ago I had knee surgery so I can't exercise just yet.  I have been walking quite a bit. I live in Raytown and work downtown KC.  Where do all of you live? Regards, Jo

JB, Hope the knee gets to feeling better.   I've been on the diet train myself.  Did a modified version of a high protein diet back in 2000.  Lost about 30 or so lbs., exercised like crazy, then went off of the diet and had lots of gut issues.  I've gained back what I lost and then an additional 20.  I've lost about 15 or so of that.   I live in Kansas City North and work downtown as well.   I have Aetna Choice POS II.  I have the two letters that I will obtain here soon and then my meeting with Thelma and Tricia, and then I should be complete by the end of the month.  I am so hoping to start my 90-days March 1.   How about you guys and your family and coworkers, have you told them?  I work in a cubicle with 3 other women.  We work in very close quarters.  I wasn't going to tell them, but decided to right before I left for Dr. Price's visit on Tuesday.  I explained both procedures.  They are all very supportive.  They want to video track my journey.  I told them I felt like it was my last chance.  It's my last chance to be thin.  I am going to make the very most of it and make a huge change in the way I eat and exercise.   Best wishes, Hot-Flash

I have Aetna Open Access Select.  The only co-pay I should have is the $40 to Dr. Price for my first visit and a $100 co-pay for the hospital.   People that have never had a weight problem seem to find it difficult to understand why we want the surgery.  My children are fine with it.  My older son is adopted and has never had a weight problem.  My other son was very slim growing up but as an adult developed weight problem.  He lost a lot of weight a couple years ago but has put it back on.  The boys' father was extrememly obese and died at 52 due to weight related issues. For the most part I do eat healthy but I just can't seem to get the weight off.  I look at myself and wonder how I let myself get this far. There are 3 people in my office that know I'm going to have the surgery.  One had lapband and knows what it's like to let people know what you are doing from the beginning.  She felt like she was being constantly watched.  She told the office manager and that was the biggest mistake.  Although it should have been kept confidential, the OM couldn't keep it confidential.   I have one friend that has had weight issues for years.  She joined and re-joined Weigh****chers but never stuck with it.  She joined in the fall and is doing great but she is also exercising like crazy.  She doesn't think the surgery is a good idea and thinks I should re-join WW.  I've been a member of WWs for nearly 35 years.  It hasn't worked so why would it work now.  I'm willing to exercise but not excessiviely like she is. Thelma suggested Atkins or South Beach but Atkins is too restrictive.  I like fruit and want more carbs than it allows.  I didn't do the Phase I of SB where you have no carbs.  I started with Phase II.   Regards, Jo

I live in Claycomo, right across from Worlds of Fun. I also work downtown at Childrens Mercy. I am a Security Officer there. I also have Aetna Ins. A co-worker of mine was approved for lap RNY TWO DAYS after turning in all of thier paper work! I so hope I will be that lucky! I hate waiting!

Cassie, Cassie, Cassie! My dear we are practicly neighbors and coworkers!  I too am at Mercy!  I sure hope I get approved right away.  Cassie, the thing we have to be aware of is that our insurance will change July 1.  Our open enrollment will be in June or the end of May.   We both need to make Sandy Riles aware of that.   Perhaps she can get us a surgery date on the books and approved before that time.  I believe another person at CMH had that done prior to the new insurance change.  I too hate waiting! 

I am no good at this insurance thing.  Do you have any idea what kind of copay we may have or how should do my enrollment in case I do not get surgery until after July? I am not to happy with the changes that has happened this past enrollment. I think it is crazy that I am paying for this insurance, but I now have to pay almost the entire bill of any doctor visits that I have. Why does this have to be so confusing and so darn expensive!!  Sorry for ranting! 

My surgery, LAP RNY is scheduled for next Monday the 25th.  I am currently on my 2 week liquid protein diet - YUCK!  I had to do 3 month diet and exercise.  My insurance FISERV approved me in one week.  My BMI is exactly 40.  Dr. Price's office requires a psych eval and a sleep study prior to surgery.  He operates on Monday and Tuesdays only, and does 2 cases a day.  They will not schedule your surgery until you have insurance acceptance.  I was accepted on Monday, went to the office on a Thursday, started my liquid diet the following Sunday.  It seems to take forever to get there - but once you get the letter, things move fast.  Hope the info helps!

Val