Now what do I do?

I'm sitting here so devastated by being told I wasn't going to get the surgery. It all started in Sept of 2009. I went to Dr. Atkinson seminar so excited about finally making a decision to get healthier and lose weight. I have a stomach stapling 29 years ago at the age of 22. Back then the surgery was in the experimental stage and I was a guinea pig. No counseling, no support groups, nothing. Well after a couple of years of vomiting and not eating the right foods I started to gain back the weight. I now weight more than when I originally got the surgery. Well at Dr. Atkinson's seminar I had the chance to talk to him in private for a few moments. i told him of my surgery and could the Lap Band still be performed, he told yes I would probably have to have an endoscopic procedure done to find out how much scar tissue there was but a definite yes he could still perform the surgery. SO excited I went to my primary doctor (who by the way suggested I have the Lap Band in the first place) she told me that my insurance required me to be on a diet for one year and to have monthly weigh in and everything had to be documented. Well I didn't have a choice so I did it. One year later my health insurance changed to another company and they had only a few requirements, which I had already done. All I needed was, blood work, chest xray and EKG, all done. I went yesterday to meet with the Psychologist and then then to the scheduler. Only one problem Dr. Atkinson no longer performs surgery on those who had previous weight loss surgery. I am crushed.

  Now what do I do?  Are there other Bariatic Surgeons in Las Vegas or Henderson? Are they good? Any suggestions?

Terri

Call Dr. Tom Umbach at 463-3300. He is great.

Hi Carrie,
Did you have him as your surgeon?

Yes he did my band and he also did a gall bladder surgery on me 3 weeks later. I did well with both surgeries. I'm doing fairly well with the band had it Feb 16th and have lost 35 lbs.
I know he does revisions and 2nd surgeries. I have heard people in his office who had older stomach staplings that are seeing him for other things.  Even though I didn't have any previous weight loss surgeries I was a difficult case becaue I had a high bmi and a huge umblilical hernia that he had to keep away from while doing the surgery. Every other Dr in town didn't really want to help me.

Hello  Carrie, I am starting my week diet Tuesday any tips?  What brand if shake did you use? Keep up the good work!!!

Dr Umbach did my RNY sept 29,2010 he and his staff are great.

Hello, I too have Dr. Umbach as a surgeon.  The office staff and him are the  best.  Good luck and keep us undated... Shana

Post Date: 4/9/11 8:29 am
To everyone who has responded I want toThank you. I feel so much better that people are out there encouraging to keep trying. I am going to Dr. Tengs seminar this morning and will be calling Dr. Umbach office on Monday. I talked to my primary and she says both doctor are very good so the choice is up to me. I feel great right now knowing I have those choices.  Well ladies I will keep you all informed.

Thanks again
 

To everyone who has responded I want toThank you. I feel so much better that people are out there encouraging to keep trying. I am going to Dr. Tengs seminar this morning and will be calling Dr. Umbach office on Monday. I talked to my primary and she says both doctor are very good so the choice is up to me. I feel great right now knowing I have those choices.  Well ladies I will keep you all informed.

Thanks again

Terri