Second Opinion Appointment...MMPC

Okay... Here is the skinni.. I have an appointment at MMPC on June 21st for a, I guess what you call a Seminar.  I was told to bring my insurance card and some papers they are going to be sending me in the mail to fill out...Now my questions are:  After I listen to them talk about the surgeries they have to offer and what not, and I going to sign up for a Dr appointment? Do I have to buy there food to eat??? Are they going to try to have me loose weight on my own??? Can someone that has been there please explain the process to me. I have a friend that went there and she said that she has to buy there food, and are making her loose weight on her own first.  But I would like some information from someone who has already gone through it. Please adivse with your comments. Thanks a lot...

Hi Jodi, Well first off this is the orientation meeting that you will be going to.   At this time you do not have to pay for anything until you decide you are ready to continue on with the program.  At a certain point in time you will have to buy their bariatric foods but this is for the two weeks prior to surgery and the 2 weeks post surgery.  This makes sure you get all of your nutrition in.   What I would suggest for you at this meeting that you go to is get your ducks in a row.  If you have any questions this is the time to ask them  now.  Ask the person who is speaking about the different surgeries and the the best options of them and what are the side effects.  Now is basically the time to put all that extra information you have learned about and had fears about to the test.  Just remember this is the beginning of a long process towards weight loss surgery.   If you need any more help dont hesitate to email me I will be here to answer your questions.  Also I just got done having revision surgery by Dr. Foote..  Of course I highly recommend MMPC.  My husband and I both are bariatric patients of MMPC and are the leaders of the bariatric support group in Hastings twice a month.  We are affiliated with MMPC and Little Victories Support Group.  You can also email me at [email protected] Good luck, at your meeting and remember this the time to ask questions and m ore questions... Peace Out Linda U.

Hi Linda.. thanks SO much for the reply and the answers you have given me.   Now, at this orientation, i can make a Dr Appt??  If so I am going to.. I need to get the ball rolling.  As for all the questions I have, Do I have to ask them in front of everyone?  OH man.. I dont like to do that.. I will if I have too.  Anyways, I already have my mind made up that I want the Lap band.  Nothing is going to change that.   Can I ask you how long from your orientation date to surgery date??  Also, what INS do you have?  People have been telling me that Prioriy Health is a bear to work with.   As for the support group you and your husband are ahead of, can Pre-banded people come?? Or is this just for RNY's.  If so, do you do weekly, bi- weekly email to let people know when they are.  I would like to come to one to see what it is like.  Please let me know.. a I willemail  you my personal email address if need be. Thanks again for all your help...

Hi Jodi, If you are uncomfortable asking questions in front of the group you can asked them at a later time.  But more than likely you  will have others there that will be asking the same  questions as yourself.  I had the RNY surgery  from orientation to the day of surgery it took three months.  But remember what is three months compaired to the rest of your life.  Yes the drs. will set up different things to be done.  There is always some testing that needs to be done but most drs. are vampires and they all want your blood. lol.  Our group is not limited to RNY our group is for weight loss support no matter how you are doing it wether it be surgical, medical, or even on your own...We are all in the same boat so to speak and have all the same issues.  Our next meeting is on Sat June 30th at 11am please feel free to come and join us.  We meet a Pennock hospital adjacent to the cafeteria.  I to shall be at MMPC on the 21st i have my surgeon checking on my surgical sites and dietician appointment.   Good luck in your decisions Peace Out Linda

Jodi,  I have bcbs of michigan, I have heard from others that priorty health can be a stinker.  But put your faith in mmpc.  They can dot the I's and cross the T's

Hey Jodi! My husband and I both attended the WLS seminar at MMPC in May of last year.  I didn't have my surgery until October because of insurance stuff. I went to the seminar thinking that I was for sure having Lap Band.  I listened with bated breath and by the end I knew I would have RNY surgery.  My best adivse is do your research and listen to not only the doctor giving the seminar, but also to others who have been there.  You will make the decision that is right for you. We saw Dr. Kemmeter at the seminar.  I think that we were called up based on the number given to us when we got there, to talk to the scheduler individually.  I'm going from memory here but I think they scheduled a phone appointment to schedule your appointments.  It only took a week before our first appointments.  At my first appointment with Dr. Kemmeter I was told to lose 20 pounds so that my liver would be smaller for laproscopic surgery.  The cost of the food for the 2 week pre op and post op diet was included in the fee that you are charged.  I think it was something like $600.  Best of luck to you!  Please feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns. Jenn

Jenn..thanks so much for the answers.  Did you get to pick who you wanted for a dr?  My PCP suggested Dr Baker.  He has done the most lap bands out of the 3 dr's there too.  BUt I guess I do not care who does it, as long as it gets done.  Please be on a look out.  I WILL be PMing you to as some more questions. Thanks again...

We chose Dr. Kemmeter because he had openings in his schedule and we were in a hurry, lol.  Both of us are so glad that we got him as a surgeon.  He's been wonderful.  I've actually never heard a bad comment about any of the 3 surgeons at MMPC.  They are all awesome!

Jodi, this orientation meeting will give you lots of information.  If you want to have the surgery there, you will give them your insurance card and then sometime in the next couple of weeks they'll contact you to make appointments for the nutritionist, exercise guy, psychologist, surgeon and any other testing that they might want/need to do. I think that you'll find out that the price you pay out of pocket for the lap band will be more than the RNY because of the fills/checks.  This price includes the 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks post surgery foods.  I highly recommend buying the $20 sample pack to find out what you might or might not care for.  Remember, this is nutritious, high protein food and is not necessarily full of good taste.  It only lasts for 4 weeks so it gives you something to look forward to once the 2 weeks post surgery is over. The surgeon might or might not make you lose weight before the surgery.  Usually people lose enough (about 12 lbs) on the 2 week food prior to surgery.  This is to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgeon to work (lapband or RNY or DS).  If you smoke, you will have to quit because they do test your blood and if you haven't quit smoking, the surgeon will cancel the surgery.  You are in a hurry to have it done but you need to use this time to get your brain turned in the right direction.  I decided right after the orientation that I would begin the program by cutting out the caffeine and cutting out the carbonated drinks.  I also experimented with the high protein foods to see how well I would like/dislike them.  By the time my surgery was done, I was more than ready for the lifestyle change. BTW, I went to the orientation with my heart set on lapband.  After the orientation, I did a 180 and we (my hubby and I) decided on the RNY because of the hassles with fills.  I also plan on moving southwest in about 6 years and didn't want to have to find a doctor out there that could handle the fills.  With the RNY, it's just a lot easier.  I also dump.  Thank goodness because it keeps me where I need to be and I'm not adventureous on eating foods that might not be good for me.  This is what I needed to keep me on the program and I'm thankful that I am sugar sensitive.  A person with lapband does not have this to fall back on, you depend a lot on your own willpower to keep you from eating/drinking things you shouldn't.  Whatever you decide, ask lots of questions because that's what the orientation is for.  I'm sure if you ask it, someone else is thinking of the same question so what you ask will help many others. Good luck and I'll be thinking about you.  Too bad you're not there on the 18th or 22nd because those are my dates.  One is for my 1 year surgiversary and the other is training to be an MMPC support group leader (to go along with being an OH leader).

Such and informative post..Thanks so much Ann!!  I'm sure they will ask me to loose some weight before hand.  I just like the fact that I choose a repitable place to go through this journey.  I dont know about the RNY tho.. My mother had her stomach stapled 23 years ago and she seen the assistant surgeon that helped and he said he was "glad" to see her, because all the other patients her surgeon did surgery one are dead.  She might as well be dead, she cannot eat hardly anything.  YES I know it has changed in 23 years, and has changed drasticly, but I still dont think that is for me.  But you may be right, I might change my mind when i get there and want the RNY.  I will not ever know until I get there.   Thanks Jodi