Springfield Area Bandsters?

Midwest Carol · 02-23-2008, 06:35 PM

Hi-

I'm scheduled for Surgery on March 26. This week I get my pre-op and meet with the nutritionist. I would love to talk to someone from this area.

chinatrain99 · 03-03-2008, 02:29 PM

i'm talking to my primary care tomorrow. will see what i have to do for health alliance. i believe i need a bmi of 50 or less. i'll have to lose weight, 65 lbs, to be eligible. i'll also have to use dr hammer in springfield.

CrochetGranny · 03-03-2008, 09:10 PM

Hi Carol, I'm about 60 miles southeast of Springfield and close to your age (I'm 60). Had my surgery in Clinton in July 07. Losing fairly slow, but happy with my results!! I would be glad to talk to you, whatever you need to discuss. I am retired now; used to work in Springfield.

Midwest Carol · 03-04-2008, 02:34 PM

I'm just a little southwest of Springfield. I retired from the State five years ago. Dr. R. is also doing my surgery, but it is going to be in Champaign.

Midwest Carol · 03-04-2008, 02:36 PM

I didn't know that there was an upper BMI limit. Is that just a Health Alliance restriction. Dr. Hammer has a good reputation as a surgeon.

pjn2005 · 03-05-2008, 11:06 AM

Hi everyone! My name is Penny and I am from Windsor,Il.I was banded on Nov.13 at Clinton.I have had a great experence with my band.I havent felt this good in years.My husband had gastric bypass done in 2000 before we met in 2005.He didnt want me to have to go through such a drastic surgery ,so that is why I chose the band.I have no regrets.I would do it all over again.Most people have never heard of the band .I was asked a lot of questions at work and now some of them are looking into.The only bad part is Walmart BCBS wont pay for it.Mine was done through me husbands ins..I had to be on an doctors supervised diet for 6 months.It seemed like a long time ,but was worth wait.Just had my third fill and doing great.I hope everyone has as good experience as I did.Take care.Penny

Midwest Carol · 03-05-2008, 04:24 PM

Oh my gosh Penny, what a great story. Thank you for sharing. I hope we all do so well!

chinatrain99 · 03-07-2008, 01:00 PM

health alliance has the restriction. i'm doing the seminar next week. i'm going to give it my best shot!!!

QuincyGirl · 03-09-2008, 12:45 PM

Hello, I am currently on my 6 month diet (Health Allience) and am hoping to get an approval. I have gone to the seminar but have since learned that I will have to have co-morbid conditions due to my size (38.4) BMI. I actually weighed in at 255 lbs 2 1/2 years ago but have managed to loose 70 lbs on my own. The bad part is that I have now gained back a good deal of that weight (now at 223) but still fall below the 40 BMI requirement. I am wondering if they will use the starting weight back whwen I was 255 or if they will only use my current weight? I considered doing this by self pay but I am really scared about the fact that insurance will not coever any problems related to complications of the lap band. I have had other surgeries that went bad so I know first hand that things can go wrong. Anyway, sorry to keep rambling on,,,,I just wanted to say hi to other people in my area that is going through the same things. The support is wonderfull and I hope the best for us all.

chinatrain99 · 03-10-2008, 09:55 AM

my bmi is 60. have to be 50 before health alliance will do it. i have to lose about 70 on the 6 month diet. gonna be tough, but it's a short-term sufferage. i've done it before, just can't keep it off. maybe, knowing that i only have a 6 month struggle, i can do it...

Midwest Carol · 04-02-2008, 08:33 AM

I am one week out of surgery and feeling human again. Looks like you are doing great with the band. When did you have your first fill, and how many have you had?

DietPepsi59 · 04-13-2008, 06:08 PM

I was just looking around on this site and saw there were other IBC patients. I had my original band on 10/31/06 in Clinton (Dr Tull) and then had to have it replaced due to slippage on 7/17/07 ( Dr R). I have reached my goal, actually I lost more weight than I had originally hoped for. I lost 105 pounds and went from a size 22/24 to a 6. I started at 249 and now and around 144 or so. I have maintained my weight loss since last fall. I had lost 100 pounds by 8/4/07 and have just lost 5 since then. I am very pleased with my results.

Glad to see there are more of us out there.

Terri Branham
Riverton IL
tlbranham@sbcglobal.net

bochs · 04-13-2008, 10:13 PM

Hi to all. My name is Becky and from Springfield. I am having my psyc appt. on April 17, 2008 and then I should have a date at Peoria Surgical Group, St Marys OSF with Dr. Marshall. Has anyone used him or this group for lap band. I am nervous but happy.Does anyone know how long it takes to get appointment for surgery after psyc appt. Oh and by the way Hi Terri from Riverton. I have talked with you just recently. Went to Dr. Hammers support group and it was definitely more informative. Would love to hear from anyone who has done this or soon will.

Thanks
Becky at
ox333@sbcglobal.net

Midwest Carol · 04-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Wow Terri, what an inspiration. Hope we all do as well (but hope to skip the slippage part). I just told Becky that a group of IBC patients are meeting on April 22 at 6:30 at Cracker Barrel in Lincoln. We met last month in Bloomington. Everyone is going to wear a yellow shirt so we can recognize each other. We are going to try to do this monthly at different locations. Watch the threads for Bloomington, Champaign and Springfield. Feel free to join us at any time. I like your screen name. Haven't had a diet pepsi since March 25.

bochs · 04-14-2008, 11:11 PM

Hi, I saw you mentioned Dr. Hammer's name. He didn't do your surgery did he? Do you go to his support groups. I went to his last month, so I don't have to travel to Peoria. I wish I could have had him do my surgery, but when I started this process, he was not doing Lap Band. Anyway I will be glad to get this done and overwith.

Becky