Any Banner Bariatric Program people out there?

I am starting the process of WLS with Banner Gateway.  I have my initial consultation with Dr. Chen.  Has anyone gone through the Banner program?  If so, can you provide any information or comments?

Thanks in advance,

Jerry

Hi Jerry. I am also going through Banner. My doctor is Dr. Podkameni. He is awesome! Cant say much about Dr. Chen, never met him/her but so far I have been very happy with Banner. I am almost 3 weeks post-op. Mya the nutritionist is awesome too!

Hi, I am starting the process with Banner Choice Plus insurance and was wondering where you can find the insurance requirements for surgery? When I call they do not advise me on how long to do a diet program or anything else. Do you know what is required? I would like to get the ball rolling before my consultation.

The office staff at your surgeon's office should be checking on the insurance requirements of your plan. Check with them ASAP. 

Good luck with your program!

I have Banner Choice Plus insurance, also. My appointment with Dr. Galvani is August 22,2016

at Banner Tucson, Univesity of Arizona in Tucson. I have a hernia that needs to be repaired,also.

The insurance coordinator told me there is a two year restriction of employment with Banner insurance.

if you are pass the two year mark they have $2000 deductible and then cover 100% of program.

I will keep updating as I process along this new journey.

Hi, Jerry. By now you have probably had your surgery. If so, I hope you are doing well. I just signed up on this site.

I have also started my process for the gastric bypass with Dr. Robin Blackstone at Banner University in Phoenix. Luckily, I have Medicare and a supplemental plan and my insurance plans do not require a lengthy supervised weight loss prior to the surgery. I just had to meet with the surgeon last month and then with the dietician and medical assistant this month. I still need to have 24 blood tests, an EDG biopsy (whatever that is), meet with the psychologist and get clearances from my cardiologist and pulmonologist.

Hopefully, I will have my surgery done next month.

I also go to Banner University for their monthly support group meetings. I hope you are taking advantage of something similar at Banner Gateway.