Forum

Stephanie,

I did my GI test last week.  Not sure if you've done yours already but it's no big deal.  The first small drink was similar to Alka Seltzer, all bubbly to get some air in your stomach, and then I had to have two small drinks, one at the beginning and the other part way through, of something that tasted like Kaopectate…but you don't have to have much, I never found it a problem at all.  I'm seeing Dr. Tang and he explained that this test is required because it will show him if there is anything out of the ordinary with your stomach.  Once in a blue moon he has come across a stomach that isn't a suitable shape for banding, but if he hadn't done the GI first he wouldn't have known this until he was performing the surgery, and then you'd still have to pay even though you weren't banded (maybe not the whole amount but I'm sure it would still be significant.  My GI shows that I have a hiatal hernia, so that will definitely have to be taken into consideration, but at least Dr. Tang is now aware of it.

One requirement that was added since my initial visit was that if you're not having your surgery in a hospital, but rather in a clinic, you are required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons to have a psychological assessment done…took care of that one last week and apparently I'm relatively normal – LOL!

If you're in a really big hurry you might want to consider seeing if you can change to Dr. Tang…once he's got all the tests he needs I can pretty well be done within a couple weeks.  I had a tentative date of July 15th (just got it even though I'm still wrapping up a few tests)….but I've requested that it be held off until the end of August because it works easier for me.

You said that you're paying so you can avoid dealing with MSP…not sure if you're aware or not but if you're doing the band you have no choice but to self-pay, not covered at all by MSP.

I know it sucks to have to wait longer than you expected but I look at it two ways:  first, I sincerely feel bad for those people who desperately want the surgery but have to wait up to six years, we are so fortunate to be able to pay for the band ourselves..and some of these people were told they'd have to wait one year, then it changed to two, then three, then the surgeries performed was cut in half, so it's four or even five years…and secondly, as for the tests, I'm very impressed at everything that Dr. Tang has asked for, he's being thorough so hopefully nothing unexpected arises and the surgery and recovery goes off without a hitch.

Oh, one other thing about the GI test….I am in Nanaimo so it was being arranged through the hospital here….received my letter advising me that my appointment was during the first week of August….well, I really wanted it done sooner so I had my clinic fax the requisition to Parksville X-Ray….got in that same week.

Susan

Hi Stephanie,

Fellow Amson Bandster here.  Okay – I totally hear and understand your frustration.  Let's just agree that you aren't exactly dealing with the A-Team at the office.  I had the same problems as you are having; although the scope was the first thing my GP ordered for me when I was waiting to see Amson for RNY some 4 years ago.

In answer to your questions: I requested Lap Band surgery on November 2, 2009 and Ailsa told me that there would be no more surgeries til 2010.  I called again on December 7, 2009 and told her I was ready to go for Jan 2010 and she gave me January 20, 2010.  But she had forgotten about me in the interim. So, it's not exactly personalized service with a smile, just keep the end goal in mind. 

As for the scope, they had told me right away I would need that and I had had it done years prior which was fine with them.  I think it is just to make sure you are anatomically correct, and that your stomach can tolerate the band.  Just a formality – once again, grit your teeth and bear it.

Trust me, when you are losing weight, it will have all been worth it.  Give us an update if you can…