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Hi! I could really use some input from Nebraskans. I am looking for a surgeon in the Kearney/Grand Island area as well as info on how to go about things the quickest. I have medicaid (due to disability) and have researched that they will cover the lap band surgery if you are more than 40 (?45) BMI. My BMI is 53 and I have severe arthritis in my feet, knees, hips and lower back. I am a pre-diabetic with a serious family history of diabetes. I have tried God knows how many different ways of losing weight and just don't keep it off. I have done lots of research and am going to see my regular GP on the 26th of april. I want to be loaded with info and ready to ask him to help me get the Lap band. My mother died at 56 because of her weight and didn't get to see three of her grandchildren or get to see her other 6 grandchildren grow up. I don't want to leave my family like that, I don't want to be stuck in the house because of my size and not being able to get around. I want to LIVE and enjoy living! I live in Minden and would love to have help in getting things moving. Thanks so much! Laurie grandma to be August 26, 2007

Laurie, WELCOME and all of will help you if we can. I'm Beth Thompson, I have the North Platte Support Group. We meet the first Tuesdat of the month at 7 p.m. Our web site is www.npwlssg.org and my cell is 308-539-5712 and I'm always avialable. I had my lap band in June of 02 and 3/4's have their surgery in ScottsBluff, Drs Holloway and Forney. I was one of their first 100 and now they have done more than 700+. As far as I'm concerned this is the place to go. They have a group the firs Monday of the month in Ogallala and you can get fills there too. Well, good luck and keep in touch. Later and Lighter, Beth

Hi Beth! Thanks for the welcome. Scottsbluff is just too far for me to go so I looked for a closer doctor. I have four kids still at home and my DH can't afford to take too much time off. If my oldest had already moved out that way then I would head out to have it done (and to spend time with my new grandbaby lol). I found a doctor in Grand Island, has anyone here had their Lap band done by him? He seems to have several good references here under doctors/hospitals so I feel confident in that decission. Will be more so when I talk to him though, if I don't have a trust feeling after that I will move to a second choice. :) Do you know if there are any support groups in the Kearney - Hastings - Grand Island areas? Minden is about 25 minutes south of Kearney and 30 minutes west of Hastings so both are doable. I'm excited and hope that come April 26th my doc will be on my side (but I think he will be, I'm kind of lucky that my brother went to med school with him and he is very open to things I bring to him with enough information). I'm reading everything I can get my hands on right now (good and bad) so that I am complete overview of what I'm looking at for recovery time, possible problems etc. Thanks so much! Hugs! Laurie

hey Laurie... who is doing your surgery in Grand Island?? I live in G.I. our support group meets the first and third mondays at St. Francis memorial health center..conf room C at 7:00p.m. I had gastric bypass in sept 05 and I have lost 140 lbs... would be willing to talk to you and or meet u at the meeting.. take care, Jean

Hi Jean, and everyone else lol.... Let's see, I don't have anything set up at this point. I was looking at Dr. Goering, but Mona said that he only does gastric bypass and I don't want that but lap band....sooooo will have to rethink things. I didn't realize how many different terms there are and how they incorporate into one another and how they are different. Dumb me! I would love to meet someone at the meeting and go! I need to have all the info I can to go into my GP and attack (LOL ok, no I'm not attacking him, but he likes to have an informed patient when you come in so that you can explain to HIM what you want and why). Are the doctors in Scottsbluff "better" or should I say more experienced than those in Lincoln/ Omaha? I do NOT want to do anything associated with Creighton U, don't care for the place was there last year with my daughter to see a specialist and just didn't care for the overall feel. I have to be comfortable with the people and the place to do anything with doctors. I want to know everything all at once...a bit impatient lol. ;) Laurie

Looks like you already have a friend in G.I.! Check out allll of OH thats whee I get all my info for the support group. Keep in touch, Later and Lighter, Beth in NP

Hi Laurie, welcome to the group. Dr. Goering in Grand Island does only gastric bypass surgery. If you want the lap band you will have to go to Scottsbluff, Lincoln or Omaha. I will be at the support group in Grand Island on April 16th to talk about the lap band. Please come and listen. The time in the hospital is less with the band versus the bypass. You could followup with Dr. Holloway in Ogallala. Hope this helps. Mona

Welcome, Laurie I had gastric bypass with Dr. Goering in Grand Island a little over 2 years ago. Don't know if he does Lap Band or not. I have lost 156 lbs and had no complications at all. He is a wonderful surgeon and really knows what he is doing. Hope this helps. Rhonda