New to the forum

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. I am very excited to have found this group.  I had lap band surgery about a year and a half ago and failed miserably.  I am thinking of having a revision but I want to find the right surgeon and program this time.  I certainly don't blame my doctor for my failure but his program was not extensive in any way.  I got approved and 2 weeks later, I had my surgery.  He gave me a sheet of paper of what not to eat and that was pretty much it.   This time, I want to make sure I do it right. I want to go to pre op counseling and make sure that I am going to take advantage of the Bypass. I am only considering the Laproscopic procedure.    I will say the Lap band was so easy. I never took one pain pill.  The worst part was the week or two following that.  I was supposed to stay on clear liquids for 4 weeks and I just couldn't make it.  I cried every single day.    I am hoping this time I will be more prepared. OF course, this is assuming my insurance will pay for a revision.  I am frightened of a revision because I know it is much more complicated than just the original surgery which is another reason I want to be very comfortable with my surgeon.  I would love some recommendations for surgeons in the Jackson and North MS area if you have any. I am so glad to have found this group! Leanne

WECOME TO MY FAVORITE BOARD!  I read often but hardly ever post. . The questions and answer board is my favorite. Every time I have questions i can find answer on the board.  I see Dr. Michael King of Oxford , Ms. . I started the bariatric program August of 2006. The ins required a 6 months dr supervised diet, lot of test before the gave me an approval for surgery.  Dr. King staff did all of the paperwork and handle all ins questions for me. I feel he realy cares about us and treats me with very good care. I have called the office many times and have been treated promptly and courtious every time.His staff is so nice even when you see them outside the office. In august 2006 I weighted 240 ponds, after the 6 mo diet I weighted 197. I had my lap-r-n-y done May 14,2007 now I weigh 147. I have stuck to diet and exersice program and worked very hard to get healthy again. Dr. King will not accept you in his program unless he feels your commited and understand all the risk.  He was recommed to me my pcp. If I can help please let me , welcome Leanne

Well, honestly, he was my original surgeon and I got no support from him at all. Now his staff was great and I do feel he is a very competant surgeon but I received one visit with him before my surgery and when I told him I was struggling, he pretty much just said "You shouldn't be doing that".    That was all I received from him.  No counseling and didn't really feel any support from him.  Perhaps if you are doing well, he gives good support but I didn't feel that at all.  That is why I am looking for somebody else.  But thanks for your response.  LIke I said, I don't really blame him because it isn't up to him to do it for me but I realize now that I needed much support and help before and after the surgery.  This time I want to make sure I go in with my eyes wide open.  I want counseling to deal with my eating issues.  I can't fail at it this time because, if this doesn't work, then I guess that is it for me. I will just be fat.

You aren't alone in how you feel about the lack of previous support.  I've heard others say they've been made to feel insignificant if they aren't "successful".   The clinic at CMMC has excellent support.  You have to make the effort, but it's there for you!  We have a psychologist who meets with us once a month right before the support group meeting.  She's great!  And the support group has been wonderful of course.  It really helps keep me in line.   I know you would like to have the lap procedure, but being a revision always increases your risks of being opened up on the table.  Just be aware of that.  I had open RNY and the surgery wasn't any tougher than having a C-section.  I was supposed to be lap, but once on the table issues arose and they had to open me up at the last minute.  It happens.  So technically I guess I had both lap and open.  LOL   Call and talk to the folks at CMMC... the number is 601-376-2474 Good luck with your insurance company.   

Thanks so much for your response.   I am very nervous about the revision.  I am definitely going to make sure the next doctor I use has experience in them.  I have been watching Big Medicine on the Discovery Channel and would LOVE to be able to go to Houston and use them.  I doubt my insurance would pay for a doctor who is out of state though. But they have shown on the program that they have done revisions without complications. My sister lives in Houston so I could probably stay with her or I have a friend there as well who is encouraging me and told me I could stay with her.  Anyway, I am just going to make sure that I have the right doctor and program this time.  If they have to open me up, I will deal with that.   I see that you used Dr. Cleveland.  Actually my best friend's mother went through his program but then at the last minute her insurance denied the claim.  She was devastated.  SHe was on Medicaid though so I don't think she had any recourse.  I am hopeful my insurance will pay because I have some medications that I have to double the strength of due to my weight.  The meds cost my insurance $3,000 per month (because of the 2 doses).  If I could lose the weight, that would reduce their cost $1500 per month.  Not to mention that they are about to put me on insulin for my diabetes which I am sure will be very expensive. I am hoping these factors will help them see a revision is good bargain.

Anyway, thanks again for your post!

Leanne