MGB in Michigan?
Yes, I believe you are right about him being the only surgeon in MI to do this surgery!! My suggestion is to try and contact the clinic to see if they can work with you and your insurance company to try and get it covered. You might have to fight for them to cover it. Maybe if you can make them see that this would benefit you (and them!) they may make an exception. Depending on if you have some co-morbitities, your insurance company may see that this surgery could eliminate them and in the long run save them some money. Will they cover the RNY? If they do, but not the MGB, I would call Kim Hazen at 989-450-8081 or e-mail her at [email protected] and ask her to help you get the MGB covered.
I have personally chosen the MGB because of alot of success stories I have heard, less complications, low mortality rate, & quicker recovery. It is a bit of a pain to do your package (which I am currently working on!) but I think in the long run it will prepare you for the changes in your life that this surgery will bring.
Good Luck & keep me posted, I'd love to hear how you make out!!
~Dawn~
I am just getting used to this site but I wanted to mention that I had my MGB with Dr Doroghazi in Bay City Michigan on March 29, 2006--My surgery took approx 30 min duration. I was released from Bay Reg. Med Cntr 24 hours later and in the past 16 months I have gone from a size 22/24 down to a size 10 jeans and size 12/14 top. I'm 54 years of age--and at the time of my surgery I was a type 2 diabetic, taking meds for it and for high blood pressure; I had fatty liver disease and high cholesterol levels. All of these issues have been resolved. I go to aerobics classes 4x per week, nautilus weight training and walk 3 miles per day. Clearly I feel great... best money I ever spent!! The MGB was a tool to help me get back my health--it is not a magic wand---I feel great and have a new outlook on like and have added to the quantity and quality of my life.