I'm going to my WLS Seminar #1 tonight! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

everleigh · 10-07-2009, 04:00 AM

Originally- I was VERY excited. Now I'm still ready to attend but sad because it doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to afford to get banded before the holidays. Dh & I are still going to the seminar since its required at some point @ both dr's I'm looking into. Its a little less fun now that I'm pretty sure it may be a while before its gonnaa happen for me. (I explained in my blog.)

Anyway- anyone have any good experiences with self pay situations on credit? Who did you use?

Thanks all!

Cee99Cee · 10-07-2009, 01:53 PM

sorry I didn't go thur self pay but I will bump you up so it doesn't get lost

everleigh · 10-07-2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks CeeCee! I appreciate it!

So Dh & I went to my first WLS seminar. This one was held tonight in Houston for the Davis Clinic (Drs Robert & Garth Davis.)

We arrived and I had to sign in. (I had to 'register' for the free seminar ahead of time by phone so they already had my name.)

I was handed a folder with an info sheet & a couple flyers about the realize lap-band and another on payment options. In addition there was more set of stapled papers that gave instructions on what to do after the seminar in order to prepare for a one on one consult.

Dh and I sat down. There were about 40 people there, mostly what I assumed to be potential candidates for wls. The seminar was held in the part of the hospital that's being renovated. Although the downstairs was stunning, the 6th floor where the seminar was held was dark & a little creepy. Dh said it reminded him of the final scene of Fight Club when they're standing in that office bldg.

Anyway, Dr Robert Davis (the older one) was the only Davis there. He gave an excellent powerpoint presentation explaining & detailing the history, reason, and methods of wls. He thoroughly described the available options. His presentation was about an hr long.

He then asked for questions which apparently was the cue for all the oddballs to ask questions. Its not that there's anything wrong with asking q's- its just that everyone asking wanted to share their weight loss story. I wanted to get info & my dh started getting antsy.

Dr. Davis did too. He answered questions one after the other and politely listened to story after story. I thought that was nice. I was hoping to meet him since I'm a fan of his show, 'Big Medicine' but he hightailed it out quickly & left his assistant to finish the seminar.

It sounds like a preop diet is mandatory no matter which procedure you have but more concerning than that was that he is not a fan of lapband. Lapband is the only wls that my other drs say I can consider.

(more---> )

everleigh · 10-07-2009, 11:37 PM

(continued)

Dr. Davis said that there's no long term 'how long does my band stay in there?' standard. He said if someone needed the band, he will perform the surgery but he isn't a fan because of the very low significant weight loss, lack of lasting effects, necessity of 'fill' appointments & maintenance, as well as the likelihood of a revision surgery.

That made me slightly confused as to why there were 2 different types of Realize lapband flyers in the folder, but whatever. No big deal.)

Despite his views on Lapband, I feel that he gave a good argument against it without criticizing those who choose it. Like I said, I won't have the GB option so its likely Band or nothing.

At the end of the seminar, his assistant rattled off some instructions, most regarding getting insurance approvals. Since mine isn't covering it, dh & I left. I tried to hand my info sheet in but there wasn't anyone else to take it (& I wasn't leaving my sheet with my name, weight, & insurance info on a table in there.)

I am scheduled to attend Dr Jason Balette's wls seminar on Monday morning (my mom is going with me to this one.) I think I'll know which I feel is more suited to me after that.

I really liked Dr. Davis though- he seems to REALLY care about his patients & people who struggle with weight issues in general. I'm glad I went.

Oh and if Dh was on the fence about it before- after attending the seminar, he's a lot more supportive of me getting wls now.

I'll post another thread seperately when I go to the other seminar.

Cee99Cee · 10-08-2009, 06:08 AM

I myself went to the seminar thinking band but after the sem. and consult I went with the by pass and it was the best decision I made now there are many success stories for the band it is slower my story was I had hb, sleep apeana, HC, Diabetes and a BMI of 39 I had my surgery in March and now 6 mos later I am down 80 LBS off all medicines except vitamins and feeling great good luck on your journey