Lap Band with Dr. V
Hello everyone,
I had my initial meeting/consultation with Dr. V and his staff today. After considerable discussion and due to some pre-existing medical conditions, it seems as if my best option is Lap Band versus the Gastric Bypass. Now its been a few hours since I have had the opportunity to let the news sink in, I am pleased. I originally wanted Lap Band but didn't think I necessarily qualified so I tended to focus more on GB.
So, now that Lap Band is the direction we are headed, I would be interested in talking to folks who have had Lap Band, especially those who have had Dr. V as a surgeon. Just to compare notes, etc.
In addition, it seems as if this may occur rather quickly. I have already had my Sleep Study, done the medical supervision diet plan, and all the labwork. All that remains is the appointment with the Nutritionist, the Stress Test, and the Psych Eval which are all scheduled the week of July 6th.
Can it really be this easy? The process rather, you know...appointments, insurance approval, surgery dates, etc.
Andrew
I had my initial meeting/consultation with Dr. V and his staff today. After considerable discussion and due to some pre-existing medical conditions, it seems as if my best option is Lap Band versus the Gastric Bypass. Now its been a few hours since I have had the opportunity to let the news sink in, I am pleased. I originally wanted Lap Band but didn't think I necessarily qualified so I tended to focus more on GB.
So, now that Lap Band is the direction we are headed, I would be interested in talking to folks who have had Lap Band, especially those who have had Dr. V as a surgeon. Just to compare notes, etc.
In addition, it seems as if this may occur rather quickly. I have already had my Sleep Study, done the medical supervision diet plan, and all the labwork. All that remains is the appointment with the Nutritionist, the Stress Test, and the Psych Eval which are all scheduled the week of July 6th.
Can it really be this easy? The process rather, you know...appointments, insurance approval, surgery dates, etc.
Andrew
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Andrew K, also known as "TheBigDrewsky"
Providence, Rhode Island
May 2009: Starting weight: 362, BMI: 53.5
Andrew K, also known as "TheBigDrewsky"
Providence, Rhode Island
May 2009: Starting weight: 362, BMI: 53.5
jesscinq
on 6/26/09 11:23 am - Kingston, RI
on 6/26/09 11:23 am - Kingston, RI
Hi! Good luck with all your testing, once I finished all my pre-op stuff for the realize band I was scheduled for surgery within a month. For some it's a quick process, and for others it seems to take some time. I had blue cross for insurance and it took about 4 weeks to get approval. Any questions feel free to ask...this site is great for answers and support!!
Jess
Jess
Hi there Andrew!
I, too, am a bander to be. My surgery is 6 weeks from Monday. I've actually been ready to go since the first of April, but had to wait through my surgeon's maternity leave.
I'm happy for you that you're going down the route you originally considered. Is it really this easy? From all I've read on the OH lapband board (you should head on over there, too!), I think we here in RI have it a bit easier. It seems like our surgeons are a bit more aggressive, we don't have to travel hours to get to pre op appointments, and we have three great facilities right in Providence.
Good luck to you!
I, too, am a bander to be. My surgery is 6 weeks from Monday. I've actually been ready to go since the first of April, but had to wait through my surgeon's maternity leave.
I'm happy for you that you're going down the route you originally considered. Is it really this easy? From all I've read on the OH lapband board (you should head on over there, too!), I think we here in RI have it a bit easier. It seems like our surgeons are a bit more aggressive, we don't have to travel hours to get to pre op appointments, and we have three great facilities right in Providence.
Good luck to you!
Debbie 
Includes 47.5 lbs. lost during 7 month pre-op period
Includes 47.5 lbs. lost during 7 month pre-op period
Hello Andrew, I was banded by Dr. V on 02/23/09. I had my initial appointment in September; so the whole process took about five months. The reason it took so long is because I requested specific time frames for all my appointments. I was approved by my insurance company right away. I found Dr V and this staff to be friendly, very supportive and work great together as a "team". My recovery was quick. I was banded on a Monday at 3:30 pm and back to work on Thursday. To date, I have probably lost 35 pounds. I feel so much better! I never had regrets about having the surgery done. Good luck to you!
Hey Andrew,
I had Dr V "install" a Realize band in me on 5/4. So far I have lost 42 lbs, so it does work if you commit yourself to it and work hard at it.
I will admit Dr V was really pushing me to do the GB which I did not want, so if you feel the band is right for you...stick with it and be firm!
Be patient, too. My initial appointment was back in 3/08. After going through all the tests and such, it turns out my insurance required a 6-month medically supervised weight loss program (many do). So i was initially denied and had to go through that process through Dr V's office.
I had Dr V "install" a Realize band in me on 5/4. So far I have lost 42 lbs, so it does work if you commit yourself to it and work hard at it.
I will admit Dr V was really pushing me to do the GB which I did not want, so if you feel the band is right for you...stick with it and be firm!
Be patient, too. My initial appointment was back in 3/08. After going through all the tests and such, it turns out my insurance required a 6-month medically supervised weight loss program (many do). So i was initially denied and had to go through that process through Dr V's office.
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