Any Advise??

Hi Michigan people! I'm going to MMPC next monday for a orientation seminar.  I am very interested in the lap band system.  Anyone out there had this group of Doctor's???  Any advise-I have Priority Health Insurance and a BMI of 45 and no serious Comoridities.  Thanks for any help!

Hi! Welcome! I'm also going to MMPC-great surgeons!! Most of the staff is great too! I also have Priority Health & my BMI is around 43 but I'm having duodenal switch(should be getting my date today, keeping fingers & toes crossed). I went planning to have the band but changed my mind about 15 minutes into the presentation:) My advice is to listen carefully & take notes, ask questions if you have them!! Have you gone thru the 6 mo supervised diet?  If you have any questions, feel free to pm me!! Lisa

Thanks-Lisa.  No I haven't done a 6 month supervised diet lately.  I guess I'm not sure what qualifies as supervised.  In 1992 I did Optifast at Butterworth hospital.  And I just quite going to Weigh****chers after a year there with a loss of only 15 pounds. Do you think I'll have any trouble getting approved with Priority with no comoridies????  Thanks. Jody

As long as your BMI is 40+ & you "comply" with all of Priority Healths requirements, you'll be fine! Whenm I started the program, by BMI was only 40, pushing 41(yes, I've gained weight since then:) & I don't have any comorbidities. They required me to do a 6 mo supervised weight mgmt program thru MMPC-you'll probably find that out when you get your folder at the surgical seminar(or you can call Priority Health & ask them-have your ins card handy). I think it's a standard requirement. Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, etc don't qualify because they're not medically supervised. Don't get discouraged if you do have to do it, though. It does go by pretty quickly. Looking back, I'm actually glad to have gone thru it. I learned so much about myself & my eating habits. It's only going to make me more successful w/my wls. There's another seminar for the weight mgmt program that they can set you up with-ask, they're very helpful. I started the program the last week of Sept last year & am scheduled for surgery in July. Oh, "complying" means attending the required meetings/appts(you're only allowed to miss 2) & making an honest effort to follow the program. They break down the cost for you in your folder(surgical & diet).

Oh, & I wanted to suggest that you add "MMPC" into your topic title. There are quite a few of us on here so you want to get their attention!!

Thanks again Lisa.  I'm so anxious to get started on this journey.  I pray this will be the one for me.  The medically supervised part sounds like what I did in 1992.  I had to go every week and see the Doctor, blood work, drink protein shakes and I lost almost 100 pounds, but after 8 months it was back.  I hope Priority will consider this and count it even though it was so long ago.  I'll let you know how things go.  Jody

Hi Jody - I don't have Priority Health, but my surgeon is Dr Baker at MMPC.  All of the docs are great.  Dr Foote did the orientation that I attended.  Like Lisa, I was there with the mind set of having the band.  I walked out wanting the Gastric Sleeve (AKA VSG) and got it on the 3rd of this month.   I have put together a morning support group/coffee meet at Rivertown Crossings tomorrow.  Most attending are MMPC people.  I am not sure what all surgery types or insurance they all have.  You are welcome to attend to meet some other WLS people and ask questions.  We are meeting at 10:30 by Maui Wowie in the food court. Good luck to you! Gwen Lisa - Please join us too if you can!  The more the merrier!!

Thanks for inviting me-but I'll have to pass.  I work 5 days a week at least for the next year. I have two kids I'm putting through private school.  I am curious though-why you guys changed your minds about the band?  How long were you recovering at home?  Wow-so much to learn about this. I love this message board-thanks for the input! Jody

I was drawn to the band because it was "reversible" and least evasive. During the orientation they will go over the pros and cons of each surgery. Leaving there I was intrigued with the gastric sleeve, but still leaning toward the band.  Then I got on here and did some research.  I found that the gastric sleeve was more in line of what I wanted. Why I decided against the band: 1. Having to go in for fills or adjustments and that each visit was $$ (we are a one income family) and just maintenance in general since I live about 40 miles out from GR & have 3 small children 2. Higher risk of infections because of the port (like any port - I just hadn't really thought about it) and the fact that it was a foreign body inside me. If my body didn't like it what was I going to do? (goes along with #4 & 5) 3. That it is sewn in - I didn't know that  ahead of time.  I don't know why that didn't feel right to me.  I ended up with a ton of little staples.  I am just weird about things. 3b. Even though it was reversible, it really isn't intended to be removed unless needed. Plus although it appealed at first, I know I needed a permanent tool in order to keep it off for life. 4. That it could slip 5. And that there were enough people going from the band to another surgery that it bothered me. I knew I only had one shot as far as insurance goes and didn't want to take my chances. That all being said. There are a lot of people happy with their band, have had no complications, and have had great weight loss success. Complications can happen with any of the surgeries that is just a calculated risk. The nice thing is that there is less down time with the band. Some people even go home the same day of their surgery.  Knowledge is your best friend when deciding on which WLS is right for you. At the orientation they are not going to try to talk you into one or out of another. If you decide to have WLS you will meet with a surgeon and you will discuss which route may be the best for your situation. Some preexisting health issues (and what your insurance will cover) may be a factor of which surgery(ies) are available to you. You may want one and the surgeon may say another one is better suited for you. I think if you do your homework and you know if your situation works with that particular surgery, they go with your decision. This is a great site with a lot of information. You can pop into any of the forums and ask questions. Good luck on your journey!

Hi Jody! I went to an MMPC seminar with Dr. Kemmeter & I was very impressed with the way they run things. I would have gone there if it weren't a 4hr round trip for me :(  As for Priority Health insurance, I would advise you to go to their website, review the Priority Heath Obesity Policy & either save or print a copy for yourself. It outlines in great detail exactly what is expected of you prior to applying for authorization. As for your co-morbidities, it'd be better for you to NOT downplay them--you need to play the insurance company's game :)  Hope this helps. I'm still a pre-op & hoping to take a seat on the loser's bench in August. I won't hold my breath since I haven't yet gotten official authorization. Take care Michele