Tangie B.
Rochester, NY, USA
Post Op - BMI: 23.0
Surgery Type: Duodenal Switch
Member ID: BYFORD965148936
Web Site: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Tangie/tangie.html
Surgeon: Michel Gagner M.D.

Click here for Tangie's surgery support page
Click here for the 11/2000 Reunion Page
Click here for the DS forum
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(You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it,
you can help print cards for your friends as well!)

9/15/2000
I am a mother of one (15 year old son) with the best husband and father on the planet. I have been looking into a few physicians doing my wls. Although, I was very impressed with Dr. Goodman from NY who returned my phone call right a way and had a very pleasant attitude, I believe I am going to use Dr. Gagner who is from NY as well; Reason being is that he does the lap DS that I prefer. My consultation with him is on 9/27.
9/19/2000
I called Dr. gagner office to see was he in the BCBS network and he was not. So, someone transferred me to a female name Evey who would not let me talk very much she was rude, aggressive and had little regard for me as a potential patient. So, I decided that I would use Dr. Goodman based on her attitude.
10/30/2000.
By the way, I changed my mind. Although I wanted Dr. Goodman he did not offer the surgery that I wanted lap/DS. So, I went on with Dr. Gagner who is equally nice.
I would also like to send out a special thanks to the person who told me do not let Evey's attitude stop me from receiving what I need and want, she would not have to live with my choice; But, I would. So don't allow her attitude to make the decision for me.
11/16/2000
On 11/2 I got approved for my surgery;Which is on 11/30/2000.
1/31/2001
I am now 2 months post-op, offically on the other side. I now weigh 271lbs. post-op with a BMI of 48. I weighed 315 pds. pre-op with a BMI of 55.8; Which is a 44 pd. lost. I am currently a member of inches a weigh which is a weight loss facility, that uses machines to help you excercise; Whether you are just too large to excercise on your own or you are of age and have difficulty excercising. These are great machines to use for toning. They also have a nutritionist you meet with and weigh in once a week.
Well, the greatest gift of all is I have had no complications so far because The Lord has been with me and by his stripes I am healed.
Much Love.
3/8/2001
I am now 3 months post-op weighing 252lbs. I am so excited I don't know what to do. I have so much energy. All is still well,except I am still having problems with water intake. But, as of today I am going to begin to take water no matter what.
I DARE NOT LEAVE THIS OUT: That BCBS is something else; They tried not to pay for my surgery and I called my husbands employer and they tackled the insurance co. who in return told me to ignore the denial and they would make an adjustment and they actually paid. Never take no for an answer especially not from BCBS they love to give you the run around!
Good Luck to all who is planning on having this surgery!
This is the best thing that ever happen to me!
I don't regret it at all!
If you need it, you must try it to believe it!
Much Love!
3/30/2001
I am now 4mths. post-op and I weigh 245lbs. that is a total weight loss of 70lbs. I have so much energy and I can't believe that I feel this great. Until next mth.
Much Love!
5/10/2001
I am now 5mths. post op and I now weigh 227 lbs. with a BMI of 40. I am so grateful I could cry a river. Pray much for me.
Much Love!
5/22/2001
I am now officailly down 100lbs. with a BMI pf 38. I know that God had his hand in this and I am so glad. So therefore, I give him all the honor, praise and glory for it truly belongs to him Amen!
Much Love!
12/25/2001
Wow! I am some kind of glad to be back after all these months. I am now down to 147Lbs. that's a total weight loss of 168lbs. I feel so much better and I give all praises to God. I have had no medical problems so far. The only problems I have had is with people who tell me slow down on the weight loss because you are getting to small. Now that really hurts my feelings. Because after all, they never told me I needed to loose weight. So, maybe they were the ones who secretly thought I needed to loose weight. Well, I had to stop and think; And when I did the song that says, "This joy that I have they didn't give it to me and they can't take it away" entered my mind allowed me to come to a decision that I would let nobody's comments live rent free in my head.
Much Love!
3/26/2002
Praise The Lord!
I've been really busy, but I am some kind of glad to be back. Well I now weigh 141 lbs. and I feel some kind of good.
11/29/2002
Boy am I glad to be back I really miss being able to contact others. Finally got my internet back! I now weigh between 125 and 130lbs depends on what time of the month it is.
1/04/2003
It's been so long since I posted the truth of the matter is that I go to school full time day and night I have decided to become a nurse anesthetist. I know, I know; last year I was in school getting my license to be a hairstylist. Well, I got them but it's not for me anymore. My life changed and so did my mind. Still weighing betwenn 125 and 130lbs. Much Love!



Photos

265 lbs.
This photo was taken 1998
270 lbs.
This is my husband and me on our wedding day Dec. 31,1998



Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Michel Gagner M.D.
10/5/2000 I had my consultation on 9/27 with Dr. Gagner who seemed very distant; But as the consult went on he became more friendlier and his office staff is quite organized and can offer you the same tests you would need to get the ball rolling. So, make sure that if you decide to use them you have everthing done on the same day, if you are traveling. They will in return have all your test results the next morning in your file and they can then apply to the insurance company. Therefore, the next time you see them, will be to have surgery. Ex.( make sure all your appts. are all on the same day to keep down travel expenses: dietician, endoscopy, pyschologist, consultation and blood work as this will be easier for you.)
Insurer Info:
Bluecross Bluesheild, Traditional
11/3/00 My insurance is through my husbands job. It is BCBS Traditional who are very careful not to use certain words. For instance: When I wanted to find out if our plan covered wls they told me no on the phone. But, when I got my book it was totally different; It stated only if medically necessary they would pay. So, I went to my husbands employer who called and told them she was putting on the speaker phone so I could here them say what the book said. Well, a few months later they tried the same trick my doctors office called and told me I had been approved and I called them out of nervousness to be sure. Well, they replied that my doctors office was incorrect. So, I called again an hour later to get another rep who stated that I could have surgery but they had not approved it and that my doctor would have to show medical neccessity when submitting his claim. Just to let you know they were more than cruel, they were evil. The least they could have done was be polite and courteous while doing their job. My goodness, they were yelling and acting as if the money would come out of their pockets, they became very personal. What's the kicker is that they had gave my doctors office the go head in less than an hour and refused to tell me. So, I really don't care what they think or do as long as they pay because they are not giving me anything that I have not paid for.