Thank you! I am so sorry, I haven't been online lately to respond quicker!  I believe Dr. Blackstone is scheduling in late December or maybe January. My best suggestion would be to call the office and ask because they are more up to date, then me. 
How is the six month supervised diet going?  I have been there and it can get frustrating but the best thing is to hang in there, it will go by faster then you realize. :) Keep me updated.  I decided to go with the RNY after learning that the VSG cuts away a part of the tissue that RNY does not to help prevent heartburn/GERD.  Talk to you soon!

I am aware that Dr. Jaurez takes medicare and he is an excellent doctor.  I am afraid of the area of town where St. Luke's Hospital is located.  It is a run down, barrio neighborhood and I am afraid to go there.  I have lived in the Phoenix area for over 50 years and have seen it change dramatically. 
I had a sleep study there about 12 years ago and was admitted through the ER.  It looked like a jail!  They had a small window with wire going through it and a police officer there all of the time.  It felt like a jail. I am not comfortable with that hospital and was treated badly by the staff.
Does Dr. Juarez  go to any other hospitals in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
I am looking for someone to help me with possible complications with a fobi pouch that was done by my surgeon *****tired. I have been told by bariatric physicians that the silastic ring put in the bottom of the pouch erodes with time and must be removed.  I am 10 years out and have had some problems with vomiting, but it is improving with time. Can the silastic ring be removed in the Dr's office through an endogastric tube? 
The only other Dr. that does this follow up care is Dr. Slessinger in Tempe.  I live in Anthem and this is just too far for me to drive. 
I have called other bariatric surgeon's offices and they don't want to touch any other surgeon's work or do a revision.  What should I do? I am quite concerned about this problem.  I had the open gastric bypass with a fobi pouch and a silastic ring was placed at the bottom of the pouch 10 years ago.  Has anyone else had this removed and if so, what was the procedure like?

 Thanks Kim for your reply and valuable information!  Congrats on your 1 year surgiversary!  I will be hitting mine in a few days as well.  Wishing you continued success in your journey.  :O)

Congrats on the decision!  Best decision I have ever made was to have surgery!!  I am at my 1yr anniversary & have never regretted the choice!
Banner Gateway was a wonderful facility & Dr Schuster is a great surgeon.  I had his partner Dr Podkameni.
There is a support group this week on Wednesday @ 4:30pm @ the hospital, if you hadnt already decided to go, you should consider it & check it out.
I would be happy to share my journey with you or anything i can :)

Take Care
Kim

I am excited, nervous and mostly looking forward to meeting the new me!