CMC or Elliot---Manchester

Well....if and when I ever have this surgery....I sure have a story to tell.  Twice I began going through the prep and once---got pregnant and then the second time my husband was diagnosed with cancer..... Maybe third time is a charm? I am just now looking back into this on a very serious level.  I am calling my ins. co. tomorrow--I have cigna and heard that the employer has to have purchased a rider on the policy?  I dont know if that is accurate or if mine has.... ANYWAYS---back to the real question.  Initially I was going with CMC because they were the only ones doing it lap.  Now both are---I like both hospitals and don't particularly have a preference.  I guess I am looking to hear from both sides of the fence as to how things went for you....how long from intake to surgery....did you like your doc?  How difficult was the process.... Peace, Michelle

Hi Michelle - I went to CMC and had Dr. Campbell.  I started out in another program in Nashua that closed so I can't tell you exactly how long the program at CMC takes because they accepted what I had done in Nashua and I sorta picked up in midstream at CMC. 

I believe one of the primary factors in the time frame from beginning to surgery depends on us....as everyone in the CMC program has to lose a certain percentage of their excess weight.  If you are compliant and lose quickly, you will proceed to a surgery date more quickly than if you don't lose the required weight in a reasonable amount of time.  Also, for a long time, Dr. Campbell was alone in the bariatric program at CMC.  I think now there is a second doctor which should speed things up as well.

I loved Dr. Campbell and felt that the care I received at CMC was excellent.  (The only thing I didn't like was having my room changed - they did it once to me while I was there and I couldn't figure out why.)

I'm 14 months out now and I weigh between 153 and 157.  I wear a size 10 or 12.  It has been the best decision I ever made for myself.  I wish you the best of luck wherever you decide to go!!

Bonnie

Hi,  My date is for tomorrow (June 5) it has taken me almost a year to get everything done. I had some insurance problems and that post poned things I was going to have it done in May but, had to submit an appeal for coverage (proud to say I won). Dr. Campbell has been great and the support at the obesity treatment center at CMC has been wonderful, I agree with Bonnie in that the process depends on you, your insurance and flexibility in your schedule, I always took whatever appointments I could get soonest and then juggled everything else around them.  Well good luck and hang in there! JoAnne

Hi Michelle,

I had my RNY through the program at Dartmouth-Hitch**** in manchester (Elliot Hospital).  I began the program in October and had my surgery on April 30th.  The DHMC program requires that you lose a minimum of 10 pounds and maintain that loss, as well as attend a minimum of 3 suppport/informational sessions before they will schedule you to meet with the Nutritionist, Bariatric Nurse or the surgeon.  However once you have met those minimum requirements, the appointments are scheduled quickly (as long as you are proactive and contact them!).  I met with the Nutritionist and Nurse in January, and the surgeon in March (was his earliest available appointment).  I received my surgery date a week after meeting with the surgeon.  

I am now 4 weeks post-op and have lost nearly 20#.  I have approximately 80 more until my goal.  I feel great - in fact, returned to work today!.

Your best bet is to check with you employer's HR Dept to see if your coverage includes weight loss surgery.    I was fortunate in that my employer's coverage DOES cover the cost of the surgery at 100%.  

Best wishes, ask us any questions!  We are here to help each other thru this journey!

Just wanted to share my excitement.  Talked to Cigna and yes, my empolyeer does carry the rider!  Wahoo.  Then they pointed me to the 28 page document on how to go about it!!! YIKES! Has anyone else had to do a doctor supervised six month diet?  The absolutley insist on this with not ifs ands or buts I guess.  Lucky me, I have an appt. for a physcial the end of the month and I am sure my primary will be on board.  I am going to go to the Information meeting with DHC-manchester later this month but am also going to call CMC as they have my two previous attempts documented.  I wonder if we can just submit that information to cigna...hummm... Michelle

Hi Michelle! I also began the journey by checking into both CMC and Elliot's programs...  I had a friend who went through CMC and had her surgery in January and was very happy with the program... but my experience with CMC was not so good.  First of all I called Ask a nurse to inquire about when the meeting was for the info session on weight loss surgery.  Well, when I showed up, I found out it was a meeting for "weight loss" in general, and found myself listening to an advertisement for their Protein shake program.  I felt as though I had been tricked... I mean, I wanted to hear about surgery, not about protein shakes (we are after all, pros at losing weight, aren't we!).    Then by the time I could go to an actual weight loss surgery meeting, I was already 2 months through DHMC's program, even though I started looking at both at the same time!  I felt that the communication with CMC's program was extremely lacking.  I know that CMC requires more of a weight loss than DHMC and a lot of the medical tests, etc. I belive are done through their program. The things I liked more about DHMC, first of all I felt they were extremely friendly, never tricked me to going to some other meeting, their communication was wonderful and I was able to get the information I wanted.  They require 10 lbs weight loss and maintain, and I exceeded that - last I checked I was at 19.  I liked having to only lose 10 lbs because I had no worries about not being able to do it.  I also thought that they sent my intake form back and accepted me into the program in an extremely short amount of time.  All of your pre-op tests are ordered by, or done by your primary care provider which I liked because it kept my PCP involved in my care.  The staff at DHMC for the most part has been extremely friendly... I didn't like Linda the nutritionist from the meetings, but when I met her in person I liked her a lot and found her very friendly, helpful and caring.  Dr. Gould was friendly and informative about risks of surgery.  I feel extremely comfortable continuing in his care and having my surgery done by him next month. Please let us know how your journey goes.  I would love to hear what you find from both of the programs.

Got my band yest. Dr. Campbell was wonderful and all the nurses were very professional and supportive, I had a hard time with nausea after and my post op nurse in recovery was the best, a dietician met me in my room to see how things went and if I had any questions, Dr Campbell, checked on me twice and called once. (I was only there for 10 hrs) Anyway just wanted to share this great experience with you, JoAnne

I was banded May 17th at CMC by Dr. Connie Campbell.  Spent the night at CMC and the nursing staff was wonderful..  They were very knowlegable about the proceedure.  I had 3 appt. with Dr. Campbell, one being a fill, and found that Dr. Campbell goes the extra mile to explain all that is going on and even asked me if I wanted to see a lap band.  I would recommend Dr. Campbell in a heartbeat!