LapBand Surgery: RI or MA?

I am considering the lapband procedure. I weigh 230 and my BMI is 37. I have several co-morbities (isn't that a scary word) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. I have been looking at surgeons in both RI and MA. My cousin, a nurse practicioner, thinks I'd be better off in MA, but with all the pre-op testing and consultations as well as the post-op things and support groups, I don't know if that would be making a difficult process even more difficult. Then again, I have a stupid paranoia that "someone will recognize me" in RI (which is ridiculous, because even the people who don't "recognize" me can recognize that I am obese...) or that the MA hospitals might be better (for what reason, I don't know) Has anyone living in RI or nearby MA had a similar dilemma? My primary care physician (affiliated with Roger Williams) recommended Dr. Pohl, who I've read very good things about and I know about the Miriam Hospital program too. I was considering going to an information meeting at Beth Israel Deaconess in Cambridge and to the Brigham and Women's info session. How long after the information sessions do you choose to do the surgery? How long after do you choose a surgeon? Sorry for the length of the post, this is all new to me.

You have definitely come to the right place to ask these questions.  You don't say whether you live in RI or MA, tho.  I live in RI, and I had Dr Pohl do my lap band surgery just about two months ago.  There are other docs in the area who also do band surgery, and there are patients of theirs that frequent this forum. Hopefully you will get feedback from them as well. 

I attended Dr Pohl/Dr Giovanni's seminar back on Valentine's Day of 2008.  Dr P won't even see you for the first visit until you go to his information seminar.  They are held once a month at Roger Williams Hospital in Providence.  Call his office to get the exact date prior to attending.  To use him as your surgeon, you must attend HIS information seminar.

I can tell you that I LOVE Dr Pohl!  I have no regrets about choosing him to do my surgery, nor do I have any problems with the aftercare I am getting, and I think that is especially important considering I am having to go back each month for a fill ****il I hit my sweet spot, of course!).  He is very organized and has given me great care, before, during, and after the surgery.  He really seems to care genuinely about his patients.  My PCP recommended Dr P to me, as he had 10 other WLS patients who had all seen Dr P and were doing very well.

The process is not a short one, but it is well worth the trip.  Good luck in your decision.

Hi,
For lapband surgery with Dr. Pohl, do you have to do a 6-month diet or document your failed attempts at weight loss? How much time elapsed between doing the seminar and getting the appointment? What about between the first appointment and the surgery? Thank you!

Hi,

At the time I began this process, Dr Pohl did not require me to document anything around my attempts at weight loss, etc..  I did, however have to provide to him a lot of documentaituon because my insurance company required it in order to pay for the surgery.  I have Aetna, and they required 3 months documentation of exercising with a professional, and 3 months of nutrtion counseling, which I did simultaneously.    My suggestion there is to find out in advance and in writing exactly what your insurance company requires of you.

I attened the seminar on Valentine's Day and got in to see him on April 23rd for my first appt which was in Johnston.  He also sees patients in East Prov, so there might be a difference in how quickly you get in depending on the office location.  By the time I saw him that first visit, I had already completed all the testing he requires (he gives you a list of those at the seminar).  My surgery was on Sept 19th.

Dr Pohl provides A LOT of information at the informational seminar he gives, and you must attended it before seeing him that first time.  How fast you get to the surgery depends on how quickly you can schedule the tests and how the tests turn out, how fast your insurance co approves you, and what THEY require.

Good luck!

Dr. Pohl does require a liquid diet prior to surgery to shrink your liver. However, depending on your insurance policy there may be other requirements you have to follow. Some may be documentation of failed diet attempts, supervised diet, etc. Find out with your insurance company. The time between your first appointment and surgery varies. It all depends on how you can get all you test scheduled and done, if they all turn out okay. Also when you get your second appointment with Dr. Pohl. It took me 6- 7 months.

This is my first post. I will be having lap band on 12/08/08. I also at one time was worried if someone would recognize me. Just think of the long term benefits. Getting your health back. Also most likely if someone notices you there, most likely they are there for the same reason. I initially saw Dr. Pohl for severe reflux, with made me cough real bad. Know it is triggered on occasion. He is an excellent doctor. It took many doctors and years of mental prep to decide to have surgery. Also after going to his initial seminar, it takes time to do pre-op testing. It is is excellent that he is so careful with his patients to ensure you are healthy before surgery. If you live in RI, I think just for follow up and support groups it may be easier as for transportation.This is my opinion. I hope this is helpful.

Hi

I'm from MA and chose to have my surgery in RI.  I went to a couple of seminars in Boston before going to a few more in Providence.  At the time, I was working in Providence and just KNEW that getting into Boston for pre-op tests and follow up visits was going to be tough to do.  Personally, I just HATE going into Boston!  When I decided on lap-band over RNY I knew that I would be seeing my surgeon's office at least once a month post-op and did not even want to think about the travel to Boston.

Dr. Sax at Miriam Hospital is my doctor.  I went to his seminar on 5/14, had my consult with him on 5/24 and surgery on 9/15.  I had some pretty extensive pre-op tests done due to some prior medical problems that I had, so my testing schedule was rather lengthy.  Looking back though, it was only 4 months from date of seminar to date of surgery.  I don't think that's too bad really.  And I appreciated the concern he had to make sure that I was healthy enough for surgery before agreeing to perform it.

In July (mid-stream of testing) my job moved from Providence to Marlborough, MA.  I chose to stay with Dr. Sax even though I was now further out from Providence because I STILL didn't want to go into Boston, and because by this time I had built a rapport with the doctor.

I say go to a seminar in Boston as well as seminars in Rhode Island.  Make sure you research all of your options before making a decision.  I'm happy that I chose the surgeon I chose, and happier still that I researched several different surgeons and facilities in the interim.

Good luck with whichever decision you make!

Vicky

I feel it's best to have the surgery done based on which area is closest. I had surgery in Feb and have seen my surgeon every month since. If you have a flexible schedule and don't mind traveling...then I would base it on surgeons. RI has alot of great surgeons as I'm sure MA does too.
Good luck.

I'm not sure, but the numbers on the bottom of your post (220/156/130), does the 220 mean your starting weight? I was reading another message board, the oddly-named "lightweight" board, and was feeling discouraged because everyone there had had a different type of surgery than the LapBand. How has your experience been with this? Where is your doctor's office and what was your process like? I'm sorry to ask so many questions.

Typically those numbers (220/156/130)

Mean...

Starting/Current/Goal

I had the band with Dr Pohl and would say the experience has been nothing short of amazing.  I am wearing a size 10 (yes your eyes are not fooling you - size 10).  I go back about every 6 months now.  Dr. Pohl has two offices one in Johnston and the other I think is in East Providence.  I had the band done by Dr. P back when he was the ONLY one in the state doing it. 

It is a long process and you still have to work, but the band is having a wrench to help you tighten that nut...you could do it with your bare hands...but it would take you longer and you may quit before you finish. 

Good Luck and keep asking questions!!