Very new, just wondering if you all could answer a few questions.

Hello all thank you for taking the time to read this. I just turned 25 and I'm hoping to get the Lap Band surgery. I was just wondering if you all could give me some insite on to what steps you have to get through to get approved, how hard it was to get approved, and what your recovery was like?  I have chosen Dr. Pohl and I was just wondering if any of you have used him and what you thought of him? Thanks so much!

Dr Pohl is great!  You must first go to the Roger Williams Seminar..he only does them once a month. There you will get a packet of all the tests you need.  Things like... Psych eval, Endoscopy, Physical...    Recovery process was easy.  If I had a sit down job I could have gone back within a week.  Good luck!!

I second Danielle, Dr Pohl is wonderful, I trust him quite literally with my life and I've already told him any time I have to have any surgery I want him to perform it if possible.
First thing you need to do is attend the seminar at Roger Williams, you have to attend that before you can even make an appt to see Dr Pohl. The next one is this coming Thursday at 6pm at RW. At the the seminar you'll get an information packet and in it will be the list of tests you have to complete. (you can see all the tests on my profile if you want to look) You'll want to talk to your PCP as well, because you'll need a letter from them and they can help you schedule all your tests.
The approval is dependant on your insurance, I have BCBS and was approved in 24 hours after everything was received. Unfortunately, some people have more trouble but I would call your insurance provider and just ask what they require for the surgery and make sure there are no exclusions.
Good luck! Make sure you let us know if you have any questions and how the process is going!

 

Welcome to the board Stephanie!
As far as insurance approval...it all depends on your insurance coverage. Some are easier then others. Blue Cross seems to be one of the quickest. My surgeon did things alittle different then the others. I was approved before my tests were even started.  It was nice because I didn't have to go through all the hoops then have the dreaded wait for a response. Once my tests were complete..I was ready to go.
Good luck!

Welcome to the board- can't help you with questions about Dr Pohl- though have heard he is incredible and has taken great care of all of his patients here.  I had the lapband done in March, so can try and help you if you have any questions about that.

Good luck with your journey!

Thank you for all the responses. I'm going to the seminar this thursday so hopefully that will get the ball rolling. I have Blue Cross and have already spoke with them about approval and it seems that as long as you have a BMI of 40 and you pass the pysch exams you are pretty much approved. I'm not thrilled about my PCP so do I really need to see him before hand? What kind of test do you need to go through for the Lap Band?

Dr Pohl will give you a packet at the seminar which will list all the tests he requires and the docs to call for all of those tests, if you choose to use the ones he recommends.  I did use the list as my guide.  (nutritionist, psych eval, gall bladder ultrasound, endoscopy, possibly sleep apnea test, and because I am over 40 - the cardiologist).  You can read my blog to see what he requires, but he will explain everything in great detail at the seminar.  This is exactly the reason why he does the seminar and requires you to attend before he will see you for that first appt.   Dr. Pohl will require you to get a letter from your PCP stating you are fit for surgery, so I guess that answers your last question.  Dr Pohl doesn't require anything different for RNY or Band.  The seminar is VERY informative, and he wants you to know exactly what you are getting into.  You must stay for the whole thing, because you have to sign the sign in sheet at the end of the meeting.  If you don't stay, you can't sign, and without your signature on that sheet, you can't make an appt to see him.  Good luck!!

Hi!

Welcome to your new home-away-from-home! Hope to see you on here often and hope to meet you at some point at one of the area support group meetings!

I have Dr. Pohl!

I love, love, lurrrve him! He's the best surgeon I could have chosen for myself! I had complications five day's later with a twisted bowel and he was my savior then as well.

Jules

So I went to the seminar today and my goodness it was PACKED! I couldn't believe how many people were there. I'm actually pretty scared about being intubated and I'm conflicted on which would be better for me. Any advice?