Got my surgery date at Theda Clark

Hi everyone, So I have my surgery date for lap-band with Dr Wasco at theda clark. I'm nervous, excited, scared....seems like that is normal from how everyone has felt before their surgeries too. I know they want me to go to a support meeting but I work on mondays and can't make it and work the saturdays they have them. I'd love to chat/email with anyone that has had lap-band there too. It's 5 weeks from tomorrow. I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow, doesn't seem to bad. Protein, fruit and veggies for 3 meals/day and no snacking/treats in between and lots of water. Breakfast is my biggest problem..I usually skip it. I'm afraid I won't be ready for what I'm in for after surgery. ANyone with some tips?? Thanks, Malia

Hi, I am from Northern WI and had looked into having my Lapband Surgery done with Dr. Kemmerling in Green Bay but I couldn't come up with the full $17,700. I was wondering what they charge in Neenah? My insurance has everything excluded that is asociated with obesity even if medicaly nessesary! Sunnysea

Hi Sunnysea, At theda clark they quote $17,000 but it ends up just shy of that much like 16,....something. and this includes almost EVERYTHING..radiology, labs, fills(at the seminar i was told for lifetime fills), anesthesia. Doesn't pay for some things like pulmonologist reviewing PFTs or psych eval. I'm self pay, I have some cash aside but also went through Advanced Patient Financing www.apfusa.com to get the majority of my loan and it was super easy. The agent there called me all the time with updates or to tell me what i needed to do or to make sure I got her emails. If you go through them my only advice is when you fill out an application online you need to put your income before taxes. I didn't see that part and put my after taxes income and at first i didn't get the whole loan but then my agent resent my real income and i got approved for the full amount. And I think that if you pay it all in 9 months the interest is waived. I'm gonnna pick some extra shifts up for that at work! Good luck, Malia

Hi I just had RNY surgery with Dr. Wasco at Theda Clark on 1/30/07. Surgery went GREAT!! I did not have any complications at all. I know they also have support groups at AMC in Appleton on Wed and also Thursdays in Neenah. I hope some of those days work for you. They have a great support system there and please call them with any questions regardless of what you think is dumb questions. They make you feel great !!! I can not comment on the lap band but just wanted to say good luck. Thanks Shelly