New too all of this!!!

Hello all! I am new too all of this when it comes to myself, I am on here seeking advice and words of wisdom from anyone who can tell me anything or answer my questions! I am a 30 year old very over weight female whose seeking to have the Lap Band procedure. So far I have gotten my pcp referral and an appointment on the 12th of June too meet with Dr. Shina and listen to his seminar. I have Kentucky Passport as my insurance. Does anyone on here know anything about how they handle things when it comes to this? I know that the Dr. Shina accepts Passport, I am just wondering what to expect? I know my pcp doctor and Dr. Shina will explain it all later, it's just that right now I am trying to get a jump on some things! I am 5'7 I weigh 357 pounds and my BMI is 54.  My health problems listed are boderline hypertension, depression, sleep apnea, and a very strong and severe family history of coronary atery disease. My sister had the Lap-Band done in July of 2005 and her health problems were not that bad either. She was on Passport and they had no problem approving her, that is what I am afraid of "them not approving me"...Anyhow if anyone can tell me anything "what to expect?" "what I can ask? "what I should know?" any feedback would be greatly appreciated!   Thank you for reading this! 

Welcome to the Kentucky Board! I can't really answer any of your questions since I went to a different surgeon, have different insurance and had gastric bypass .....but I just wanted to say Hi and I'm glad you're here!

     Thank you for responding even if  you cant answer of my questions! I am glad too, from reading all the posts I am getting a clue on somethings.. Everyone on here seems so nice and very helpful!

Where is Radcliffe?..just curious.  I will be traveling to Tenn. this week.  I may be stopping off to visit a surgeon in Knoxville, if we can get out schedules together that is.

anyway, I will be in Somerset then Frazier, Ky next week..I have a feeling you are over the other direction but not familiar with your area at all.

Hello there and thank you for welcoming me, I am so happy to be here! Radcliff is 25 miles south of Louisville, we are just right off of I-65... So Knoxville is far out of the way from here ....Somerset on the otherhand will take right into the direction of Knoxville...So good luck and be safe on your trip!

Hi and welcome to the KY board!!

 

I can't answer those questions either..I think the best place to start is with the docs office, they will assist you in answering your questions as well as help you through the process.  EAch surgeons office and practice handles things differently.  This is the right place to come for support in the meantime and during though..so please hang in there with us and have a good time getting to know folks...There are a few from your surgeons office who hang out here with us.. Brenda

Hi  I will also be at Dr Shina's seminar on June 12th.   I dont have Kentucky passport so I dont know much about it.  It is looking like I will be a self pay. Hope to see you there. Robin

If you are talking about Kentucky Medicaid in which is what I have as well. The way I was told when I called the 800 number on the back is you are approved for it just as long as it is a medically necessary procedure. In which case you will have to be approved by the surgeon doing the surgery. I hope this helps I am a new member as well and been lurking here for a while.

I don't have passport but I do have medicare. I am seeing Dr. Geller (well at least I've been to the seminar) they still haven't called me for an appointment-what a drag. You should go to the Norton website and download the packet that you will need to fill out. I wish I had known about it before I went to the seminar. I'm not sure if it does any good but at least I would have been more prepared and known exactly what I was going to need to turn in to them. I know that at Dr. Geller's seminar had you had everything you could have turned the packet in to them that night. Anyway, welcome to the sight and we are neighbors, I live in E-town.

Hello.  I am new to the sight also and this is my first reply ,but I wanted to reassure you that all your questions, (from the different surgical procedures to insurance information) will be answered thoroughly by Dr. Shina and his office staff.  I went to a seminar Feb. 28, 2007 with Dr. Shina and I left with a lot of helpful information.  On Friday June 8th (after what seemed am eternity), I received a surgery date  (July 26th, YEA!) and am excited and apprehensive. I am most worried about being nauseous and in pain.  I plan to do everything the doc tells me to. If anyone can tell me how long I should expect to be in pain it will be most appreciated! So, tonim3077 you will get everything you need to know at the seminar.   Dr. Shina seems like a decent person and he has the most experience in this area of surgery. If you have specific questions and need to write back please do so.