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|
Chip L. Portage, MI, USA Post Op - BMI: 38.7 Surgery Type: RNY Member ID: L1078865093 Surgeon: Paul Kemmeter |
Click here for Chip's surgery support page Click here for the 05/2005 Reunion Page Click here to print Chip's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!) Click here to view Chip’s friends. |
Early 2004
I've been referred to Dr's Scholten/VanderKolk in Grand Rapids, MI and have also been investigating MMPC (Dr.s Baker, Foote, Kemmeter)I'm looking for any information about them or any other recommendations in the West Michigan area.
3/16/05
I wrote the statement above early last year (2004)and was somewhat disappointed at the lack of response to my request for information. However, I pressed on! I decided to continue with MMPC (Michigan Medical, PC)(http://www.MMPC.Com) as I was impressed with their reputation in general and the "multi-disciplinary" approach in particular. The more I have learned, the more I think the multi-disciplinary approach is the best method going. I've read a lot from individuals who had the surgery and were not given any type of real pre or post op support, education, etc, and it seems that many of them have had problems either losing the weight initially, regaining it later, etc. I understand that the multi-disciplinary still is no guarantee, but I believe your chances of success soar with the size of the team supporting you! I attended an orientation where I was surprised to see not only one of the surgeons, but ALL three! They had (on a weekend, mind you!) a panel of individuals representing most if not all of their team. Surgeons, Nurses, Behaviorist, Surgical Physicians Assistants, Administrative/Insurance people, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists, etc. Not only did these individuals do presentations of one kind or another and answer questions from the dais, there was an informal gathering afterwards where you could "mingle" with the Surgeons/Staff and ask them anything you wanted face to face! After being exposed to this, I couldn't imagine undergoing this type of procedure and not having all of those people behind you. I've seen a Nurse, an Internist, a Behaviorist, a Registered Dietitian (twice!), attended a number of Support Group meetings which are conducted by many of these same individuals (including occasionally the Surgeons!), have had a number of tests done and am scheduled for my Surgeon consult on March 30. All of this (except some of the tests) done under one roof! I feel lucky to have this Practice available to me, as I read about many who have to go a long way to receive this kind of attention. Well, we'll see how it goes on the 30th!
5/14/05
Received a call on Thursday, May 12th from the surgery scheduler. I'm scheduled for May 27th! Only two weeks away. That has triggered quite an emotional whirlwind. Hopefully, excitement will prevail!!
5/23/05
Had my last Pre-op appointment a few hours ago, quick run to the lab for some blood work. Next call should be from the Hospital 48 hours prior to confirm some things. 4 days left!
I've been referred to Dr's Scholten/VanderKolk in Grand Rapids, MI and have also been investigating MMPC (Dr.s Baker, Foote, Kemmeter)I'm looking for any information about them or any other recommendations in the West Michigan area.
3/16/05
I wrote the statement above early last year (2004)and was somewhat disappointed at the lack of response to my request for information. However, I pressed on! I decided to continue with MMPC (Michigan Medical, PC)(http://www.MMPC.Com) as I was impressed with their reputation in general and the "multi-disciplinary" approach in particular. The more I have learned, the more I think the multi-disciplinary approach is the best method going. I've read a lot from individuals who had the surgery and were not given any type of real pre or post op support, education, etc, and it seems that many of them have had problems either losing the weight initially, regaining it later, etc. I understand that the multi-disciplinary still is no guarantee, but I believe your chances of success soar with the size of the team supporting you! I attended an orientation where I was surprised to see not only one of the surgeons, but ALL three! They had (on a weekend, mind you!) a panel of individuals representing most if not all of their team. Surgeons, Nurses, Behaviorist, Surgical Physicians Assistants, Administrative/Insurance people, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists, etc. Not only did these individuals do presentations of one kind or another and answer questions from the dais, there was an informal gathering afterwards where you could "mingle" with the Surgeons/Staff and ask them anything you wanted face to face! After being exposed to this, I couldn't imagine undergoing this type of procedure and not having all of those people behind you. I've seen a Nurse, an Internist, a Behaviorist, a Registered Dietitian (twice!), attended a number of Support Group meetings which are conducted by many of these same individuals (including occasionally the Surgeons!), have had a number of tests done and am scheduled for my Surgeon consult on March 30. All of this (except some of the tests) done under one roof! I feel lucky to have this Practice available to me, as I read about many who have to go a long way to receive this kind of attention. Well, we'll see how it goes on the 30th!
5/14/05
Received a call on Thursday, May 12th from the surgery scheduler. I'm scheduled for May 27th! Only two weeks away. That has triggered quite an emotional whirlwind. Hopefully, excitement will prevail!!
5/23/05
Had my last Pre-op appointment a few hours ago, quick run to the lab for some blood work. Next call should be from the Hospital 48 hours prior to confirm some things. 4 days left!
Member Interests:
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Paul Kemmeter
Dr. Kemmeter seems to be very friendly, knowledgeable and easy to talk with. I heard him speak at an orientation, then at a support group meeting, and finally at my one on one consult at the end of March 05. His office staff has been tremendous so far. They have been friendly and helpful. I have experienced some difficulty having phone calls returned on 2 or 3 occasions, where I called 2 or 3 times over a 2 week period, but these were more administrative-type calls. I have called about medical related items and have received prompt return calls. The entire practice (Michigan Medical, PC-Center for Health Excellence) ( http://www.mmpc.com/serv/cfhe ) has a very structured before AND aftercare program, with Nurses, Internists, Surgical PAs,Dietitians, Behaviorists, Exercise Physiologists, etc. They are all up front about the risks of the surgery. UPDATE: The surgeons have moved and opened there own practice, taking most of their entire dream team with them. See http://grandhealthpartners.com !
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Standard, Federal Employee Program w/PPO
Actually, the BC/BS I have doesn't require pre-approval. If you meet the criteria, the medical justification is submitted with the claim after the surgery. Sounds easy, but at least, if you have to be pre-approved, you go into the surgery KNOWING it's paid for! I've double checked everything with BC/BS several times. (Is the Surgeon "Preferred", is the Hospital "Preferred", you sure I don't need pre-approval?, etc)If you can remove the uncertainty factor, it was a breeze.
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