Dr Domkowski, Sebastian, FL

[LissainFL]

Anyone here been banded by him? He's been recommended to me by my best friend, who is a nurse and has worked with him. I just thought I'd check and see if anyone had any actual experience with being banded by him, or with follow-up by him.

[MoOrLess]

Hi Lissa, I don't live in your area but hopefully someone will see this and respond.

[LissainFL]

I'm going to add to my own thread. Maybe it will help someone else in the future. I went to Dr. Domkowski's seminar tonight in Palm Bay. He had several people with him, including Rebecca, his insurance/financial specialist, and Dr. Durkin's wife, who presented about plastic surgery after weight loss. Dr. Domkowski presented a relatively short slide show on the Lap Band and on Gastric Sleeve procedures. He gave benefits, costs, and possible side effects. Rebecca talked about insurance approvals and shared that she hates being told "no" by insurance companies. She said she and her staff will work diligently to help patients file insurance appeals if necessary. They also noted that, while Dr. D used to do after care for any patient who came to him, now his liablity insurance will only let him do after care on his own patients. This is contrary to some information I had found from a few years back about Dr. D.

My impression of Dr. D and his crew was that they were caring, compassionate, REAL people. They talked to everyone on our level, without being condescending like many doctors can be. They made everyone there feel that there IS hope for our obesity and that Dr D and his office would be our biggest cheering section to help us lose the weight. A couple of previous Gastric Bypass patients were there. One had Roux NY(sp) from a different doctor and ended up with Dr D after having complications. The other patient had a GB in 2001, then ended up banded over the GB in 2005. Both were very complimentary to Dr D and staff.

My best friend attended the seminar with me. She is an ER nurse at the hospital where Dr D practices, which is how I got his name to start. She didn't share in the seminar, but she's told me that she has seen Dr D come into the ER at all hours to take care of LB patients in need. For me, that was enough of a recommendation, but I am surprised by how much I liked him so far. Dr D is a really good public speaker and seems very passionate about WLS options.

So far, so good. Now I'm waiting on Rebecca to get back to me with info about whether my insurance will cover my surgery, then I can book a consult with the Doc to discuss surgical options. One thing I really liked is that Dr D is willing to do whichever procedure the patient chooses, but he will also offer his opinion on which surgery will work best for each individual during the consultation. :)

[MoOrLess]

It sounds like an excellent start on your journey. I can't emphasize enough how important a good relationship with your surgeon is, and truly makes a difference in your banded life.

[LissainFL]

I have to say that Dr. D's office works fast!!! I filled out the insurance paperwork last night at the seminar and had a call back from them this afternoon by 3pm. I was afraid it wouldn't be good news, and it's not. My insurance BCBS of IL/Central States Health and Welfare Fund (hubby works for UPS) has a policy exclusion for WLS. They don't cover ANY WLS surgery, which means, according to Marisel at Dr D's, that they won't even cover it on appeal. I guess that means I have to go self-pay. :(

I did make an appointment for my consultation on June 2, 2011, at which time we'll (me and the doctor) decide which surgery to do and I'll get scheduled for nutritionist and psyche visits. Both are required before I can get my surgery scheduled, but Marisel said I could be through with all of that and be in surgery by the end of June or beginning of July. Yippee!!

Now I need to figure out where to post a question regarding scales that weigh people over 300 lbs.

[MoOrLess]

I'm sorry to hear about the insurance exclusion. Quite a few people end up self-paying. Just be sure to know what is included in that dollar amount, such as future adjustments and after-care in general with your surgeon.

I'm not sure about scales, so many people just weigh at their doctor's office, but I'm sure there must be a decent scale out there. Sorry I'm not more help.