Looking for Doctors in the NW Valley

mariem · 05-08-2008, 07:52 AM

I have read a lot (for a year or two) about being banded. I have decided this is for me. Finally my ray of hope was when my husband took a job offer and is starting on June 1 with GREAT insurance and I think one that will finally pay for it! I will have BC/BS
I am in the far West Valley and need some help here.
I have a seminar date set for next Monday at Bridges. I have heard pros and cons about them. They told me I also needed a 6 month diet for BC/BS under my primary doctor's supervision.
First of all, I "fired" my doctor two years ago and havent been sick since so I havent been to the doctor. Well, I lie, I was sick once but I went to urgent care. She is not at that practice anymore anyway so it's not like I can go back to her even if I wanted to.
I need to find a PCP around here to do a medically supervised diet for 6 months and also one who is obviously supportive of the idea of me being banded. One around the Surprise/Peoria area would be best.
Also, if you had to do it all over again who would you select to do your surgery? Are there any doctors that you would never go to because of how you were treated? Incompent office staff etc?
Thanks for any and all help!

snowbird · 05-10-2008, 03:10 PM

I asked a similar question a couple of months ago, and didn't come up with anyone in our neck of the desert.

Here's the link to my thread. A couple of people had East Valley doctors to recommend, but no one in the West Valley.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f24/west-valley-pcps-55452/

I had my surgery done in Mexico and was very happy with my doctor. I live out in Sun City Festival. Please let me know if you come up with a knowledgeable, band-friendly physician.

mariem · 05-11-2008, 09:34 AM

Just out of curiousity, where did you get your surgery done in Mexico and what sort of timeframe did you deal with. Did you have someone go with you? My mother in law is absolutely supportive of this decision and would go with me (she is an RN) my husband however I know without a doubt would be petrified for me to go to Mexico for surgery.
Im almost wondering if it's better than jumping through these hoops and waiting for over 6 months.

WASaBubbleButt · 05-13-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem

Just out of curiousity, where did you get your surgery done in Mexico and what sort of timeframe did you deal with. Did you have someone go with you? My mother in law is absolutely supportive of this decision and would go with me (she is an RN) my husband however I know without a doubt would be petrified for me to go to Mexico for surgery.
Im almost wondering if it's better than jumping through these hoops and waiting for over 6 months.

When people are afraid of Mexico for surgery it really is due to a lack of information. Many Americans tend to let the media spoon feed us information and a fear of ALL of Mexico is really a lack of education on the topic. There is really bad care as well as amazingly good care to be had in Mexico, just like the US. You have to do your research.

See my sig link for more info on how to research Mexican surgeons.

BTW, since you are in AZ you should join us for our monthly (or kinda monthly) lunches! You can meet people from all over the valley that are banded and from all different doctors. Local and out of the country. One gal was banded in ... I forget, it wasn't Mexico or the US. She was not happy with her outcome but I think it was surgeon, not the country she went to. JORDON! That is where she went.

My insurance covered banding but I too, had a six month medically supervised diet, nutrition eval, etc. I went to Mexico, I wasn't willing to wait. I realized that by the time I would have been getting my first fill under insurance by a doctor I didn't want, I was actually at goal by going to Mexico.

SueAZ · 05-13-2008, 07:13 PM

I, too am a west side in Goodyear. My PCP is out of Estrella Medical Group. Not the biggest fan of the surgery but did support and get me a referral to lap band surgeon. I wrote him a letter stating why I wanted this surgery and my family history of obesity and heart problems. He then got me my referral. This was back in January. My surgery date is May 23. I also went to Bridges out of St Lukes. I am still evaluating their program, I hope the support groups will be good. My insurance either didn't require the 6 month or my many,many years at this weight was enough to press the issue. My BMI was only 36 but that still way to much weight to be carrying in my opinion. I just 2 months ago started taking high blood pressure meds. Check, alot of the insurance companies are forgoing the 6 month diet. Good luck on your search.

mariem · 05-16-2008, 10:07 PM

I have my appointment for a doctor in Surprise on the first week of June. Hopefully she is receptive to being banded. I asked all the right questions when I called the receptionist. She informed me that the doctor does have a couple patients who are banded. That's a good sign.
I was originally going to go to Bridges on Monday but after talking to them on the phone I didnt really like the reception I got. I was asked which insurance I have and she just assumed every BC/BS would be the same when she told me I would have to have a 6 month medically supervised diet. I asked when would they actually look into my insurance to see the requirements to make sure I am doing everything I am supposed to. She informed me that it would be till AFTER all the tests and my diet were over with.
I called WLIA today and I was able to talk with the insurance person. She asked which specific policy I had for BC/BS. She informed me that nothing is required for a 6 month diet but I should keep the doctor apointment just in case and Im going to need all the help I can get with this anyway and establish myself with a primary care doctor. My insurance isnt going to kick in for another 3 weeks or so and the woman at WLIA said they will do everything for me as far as telling me what appointments I need to make and the timelines etc. It just seemed so much more organized and less complicated.
Anyone with happy results out there with WLIA or any opinions at all?

WASaBubbleButt · 05-17-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem

I have my appointment for a doctor in Surprise on the first week of June. Hopefully she is receptive to being banded. I asked all the right questions when I called the receptionist. She informed me that the doctor does have a couple patients who are banded. That's a good sign.
I was originally going to go to Bridges on Monday but after talking to them on the phone I didnt really like the reception I got. I was asked which insurance I have and she just assumed every BC/BS would be the same when she told me I would have to have a 6 month medically supervised diet. I asked when would they actually look into my insurance to see the requirements to make sure I am doing everything I am supposed to. She informed me that it would be till AFTER all the tests and my diet were over with.
I called WLIA today and I was able to talk with the insurance person. She asked which specific policy I had for BC/BS. She informed me that nothing is required for a 6 month diet but I should keep the doctor apointment just in case and Im going to need all the help I can get with this anyway and establish myself with a primary care doctor. My insurance isnt going to kick in for another 3 weeks or so and the woman at WLIA said they will do everything for me as far as telling me what appointments I need to make and the timelines etc. It just seemed so much more organized and less complicated.
Anyone with happy results out there with WLIA or any opinions at all?

Just make sure that your insurance covers both doctors. They apparently charge for two lead surgeons, one takes some plans, the other takes different plans, they both take a few plans. There have been people that were annoyed that they had to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket because one of the surgeons wasn't on their plan.

I don't really know details, only what I have read here. But be sure to check into all of that before scheduling anything in case you have to pay one of the surgeons out of pocket.

LapBand4Me · 05-17-2008, 09:54 AM

Hello.....
I had lap band surgery in 9/07. I also live in the NW Valley and have BCBS insurance. I did self pay, I financed it.

I had a hard time finding a doctor that would do a 6 month supervised diet. It's like doctors don't know anything about dieting! It was so frustrating. All I wanted was some basic plan and to go there and get weighed once a month. I love my Dr. and would recommend him for anyone. He did have some advice about dieting and recommended that I try the glycemic index diet. He is a sports medicene D.O. My husband thinks he is great too. Even though I like him I don't think he understood about dieting.

I did get the name of a Dr. in Scottsdale from a pulmonary specialist I go to. If you want her name let me know.

I went to True Results in Scottsdale. They are getting better, but they were new here in the valley last year when I went and they seemed a bit disorganized. It's like they got too big too soon. I went for a fill last week and I have noticed some great changes.

I think if I had it to do over again I would go to Dr. Terry Simpson of Phoenix. I have heard from his patients that he is awesome and their followup care and program is great. He has a website if you google him, just type in Dr. Terry Simpson, Phoenix AZ.

Good luck!

snowbird · 05-17-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem

Just out of curiousity, where did you get your surgery done in Mexico and what sort of timeframe did you deal with. Did you have someone go with you? My mother in law is absolutely supportive of this decision and would go with me (she is an RN) my husband however I know without a doubt would be petrified for me to go to Mexico for surgery.
Im almost wondering if it's better than jumping through these hoops and waiting for over 6 months.

We took off for Vegas for a few days, so I haven't had a chance to reply to you. I had my surgery in Tijuana with Dr Ortiz. He can get you in within a week or two, usually, but he does prefer you to have a preop diet to lose 5% of your body weight.

My husband and I were banded the same day, so of course we had each other to rely on. The cost of surgery includes a hotel room for a friend or family member to go with you. It was a great experience for us. We had gone down to Tijuana with our daughter a year earlier when she was banded, so we knew what to expect.

SElaine · 05-18-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem

I have my appointment for a doctor in Surprise on the first week of June. Hopefully she is receptive to being banded. I asked all the right questions when I called the receptionist. She informed me that the doctor does have a couple patients who are banded. That's a good sign.
I was originally going to go to Bridges on Monday but after talking to them on the phone I didnt really like the reception I got. I was asked which insurance I have and she just assumed every BC/BS would be the same when she told me I would have to have a 6 month medically supervised diet. I asked when would they actually look into my insurance to see the requirements to make sure I am doing everything I am supposed to. She informed me that it would be till AFTER all the tests and my diet were over with.
I called WLIA today and I was able to talk with the insurance person. She asked which specific policy I had for BC/BS. She informed me that nothing is required for a 6 month diet but I should keep the doctor apointment just in case and Im going to need all the help I can get with this anyway and establish myself with a primary care doctor. My insurance isnt going to kick in for another 3 weeks or so and the woman at WLIA said they will do everything for me as far as telling me what appointments I need to make and the timelines etc. It just seemed so much more organized and less complicated.
Anyone with happy results out there with WLIA or any opinions at all?

Hi Mariem,

I am a cash pay patient, so I don't know much about the insurance process. However, I wanted to let you know I've been very pleased with my experience at WLIA. The surgeons are great.

Also, if you need to do a 6 month supervised diet, they can help you with that. Mike is a registered dietician and has been working in this industry for many years. I can tell you that he's really helped me with my journey.

I think it's great you are researching different doctors. They are not all created equally and not every doctor will be a good match for YOU.

Good luck to you!

snowbird · 05-21-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem

I have my appointment for a doctor in Surprise on the first week of June. Hopefully she is receptive to being banded. I asked all the right questions when I called the receptionist. She informed me that the doctor does have a couple patients who are banded. That's a good sign.
I was originally going to go to Bridges on Monday but after talking to them on the phone I didnt really like the reception I got. I was asked which insurance I have and she just assumed every BC/BS would be the same when she told me I would have to have a 6 month medically supervised diet. I asked when would they actually look into my insurance to see the requirements to make sure I am doing everything I am supposed to. She informed me that it would be till AFTER all the tests and my diet were over with.
I called WLIA today and I was able to talk with the insurance person. She asked which specific policy I had for BC/BS. She informed me that nothing is required for a 6 month diet but I should keep the doctor apointment just in case and Im going to need all the help I can get with this anyway and establish myself with a primary care doctor. My insurance isnt going to kick in for another 3 weeks or so and the woman at WLIA said they will do everything for me as far as telling me what appointments I need to make and the timelines etc. It just seemed so much more organized and less complicated.
Anyone with happy results out there with WLIA or any opinions at all?

marie, I would really appreciate it if you would let me know how your doctor's appointment goes. I am not looking for a doctor to help me with anything specifically band-related, just a PCP who understands the band and will be aware of what it means to be banded. I was amazed when I went to a gastroenterologist in Surprise for an endoscopy who had never even heard of lap band. I was his main source of information!

mariem · 05-21-2008, 03:13 PM

I will surely do so! My apointment is June 4 and I am keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully she is receptive and understanding. If not I am not afraid to tell her what my goals are and what I need in a doctor. If she is unwilling to do so I have no problems shopping around. This doctor is around the Bell and Parkview area. I'll keep you posted.
I plan on going to my orientation for the lap band at WLIA either tonight or Saturday. I was going to go last Saturday but I ended up having "soccer stuff" to do with my teenage son. Forever a soccer mom lol

mariem · 05-21-2008, 03:17 PM

I just looked at your weight loss. For being banded just last October you are doing awesome!
I am 5'9 and around 292 and some change. Been up and down since I was 21. I'm ready for a huge change in my mind and in my eating. 12 years ago I got down to 200 and I was loving life more than I was loving eating. I dont know what happened but I'm ready to start loving life again!

Phoenix · 05-21-2008, 03:29 PM

Hi all,

Thanks for posting that! I'm scheduled (self pay) with Dr. Ortiz in TJ next month. It's still kind of surreal, but I'm doing all the homework I can.

Snowbird, did Dr. Ortiz offer more than one kind of band? Are both the Lap Band and the Realize band available?

Thanks,
Linda (in Avondale)

SueAZ · 05-21-2008, 03:37 PM

Snowbird, if you don't mind me asking, did you do the endoscopy for a certain reason. One doctor told me to do one every year to check on the band. Said to get the PCP to order one. My surgery is in 2 days. Can't wait and hope to have your fantastic results....

Looking for Doctors in the NW Valley

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