MANY QUESTIONS, NEW TO THIS

HELLO EVERYONE; THANKS LAURA FOR TELLING ME WHICH BOARD TO GET TO, I AM NEW AT THIS, AND JUST NOW GETTING READY TO GET STARTED ON ALL THIS. I AM FROM BRANDON, MS FIRST OF ALL I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MD TO GO TO, I AM A NURSE AND I KNOW PLENTY OF DR BUT FOR THE LAP BAND SURGERY I DO NOT KNOW ONE. I WANT THE BEST, I HAVE HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT VOTECH BUT DO NOT KNOW WHERE , WHOW OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT. I AM A DUMMY I GUESS ABOUT ALL THIS, I NEED YOUR HELP. DO I GO TO MD FIRST, OR TALK TO SOMEONE AT VOTECH, (DO NOT KNOW WHERE TOTECH IS) I AM SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS. PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE ME A STARTER.

Jimmie, First of all - welcome to the board. You'll find a wealth of info on here, although it's been slow because so many of our folks suffered Katrina's wrath! I don't know much about Lap-band docs. I used Dr. Cleveland and he only does the RNY. I'm sure someone out here knows something though. If I were you, I'd make an appointment with your pcp, and talk to him/her, because you will need thier referral to get into the program. They would probably know something. Do you know if your insurance will pay? Who is your provider? You may not need votech if your insurance will cover it. I also know that votech has a long waiting list - like 2 years I heard. Let me know if you need anything else. HUGS Kimberly ps.... Dr. Cleveland's support group meeting is tonite. It may be worth coming out and just listening. Let me know if you'd like to go. You may find some more answers there too. HUGS again!

Kimberly, do you know how to get in touch with the Votech, I do not even know where they are located.

You need to look up the Mississippi Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for the county you live in. However, Vocational Rehabilitation can not do anything until you have made your first appointment with a bariatric surgeon and have qualified for the surgery. You will also have to use a doctor that will accept Vocational Rehabilitation payments. Best of luck, Marci

Marci, thanks for the help, I am slowly getting my answers. I don't even know where to start with a Dr. But I will get there. You are so sweet to help me, Have a great day thanks, Joycell is what I go by.

Looks like you've gotten the answers you needed. Hope you are able to get through all the red tape and figure something out! Good Luck! HUGS Kimberly

Kimberly, Thanks, my ins is with Blue Cross, and I have called them and they do not pay anything on any weight loss surgery at all. But I will not wait 2 years, I will get a loan first, you know when you have made up your mind, then you need to go for it. Thanks so much, and I do not want to use Dr. Cleveland because my daughter in law is a dietician and she works with the Dr. Cleveland's pt's and I would rather stay away from that, Joycell

Jimmy, I'm sorry I'm a dunce When it comes to knowing where towns are in this State, But if you are anywhere close, (and even if you are not) Check with Dr. Michael King in Oxford. He's been doing Laproscopic RNY's and the Lap-Band For longer than any Dr. in the State. People come from all over the South to have him Do their surgery. He's at The Center for Bariatric Surgery -A division of The Surgical Clinic of North Mississippi. At- http://www.surgicalclinic.ms/index.php Also, Becky Wilson who is a case manager for Baptist Weight Loss Center. I bet you can reach her, Or get her contact info by calling them at- Local: 662-234-3303 Toll free: 800-969-6908 Becky Wilson is a miracle worker at getting insurance or Payment of some type lined up. Give it a try. Glad to see more guys out here. We make up the small minority(12%) But tend to lose weight to our goals quicker and With less hassles than the Gals, Due to Male Physiology. Drop by the Men's Message Board sometime At- http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/men/ Just a bunch of Guys like you, who've Been where you are. Hope this helps- Best Wishes- Dx

Guess what, I am a girl, yes. Jimmie Joycell and I go by Joycell, but I do appreciate your help. I live in Brandon, MS about 3 hours from Oxford. Thanks so much for your help Joycell

Dear Jimmie, I am from NE Ms and agree with Dex. The docs (King and Byars) at the clinic in Oxford are great. I was crying on here 2 weeks ago, and Becky Wilson listened and told me not to give up. My ins is Blue Cross/ BLue Shield, and they will not pay for anything. Voc Rehab only pays for bypass and not LAP BAND. And as of 2 months ago there was a 2 year waiting list for my area. The people at Inamed that makes Lap band are using Regions bank for financing. Make sure you have good credit or alot of collateral. The surgical clinic, Baptist hospital, and anesthesia have agreed on $14,500 for all services for LAPBAND. It has been being $30,000. If you need anything, just let us know!!! All the guys here are wonderful. Call Becky at the clinic and tell her Babette and Dex said to call!!!! Lots of prayers, Babette