31 JANUARY 07

At beginning of the New Year I had an AHA moment where I just knew that gastric bypass surgery was not something I was ready to do. But I have Kaiser insurance that covers the bypass and not the Lap-Band.

It occured to me that I also had insurance through my (soon to be x) husbands' policy, so I started making the calls, inquiring into cost and what my financial responsibility would be. I was ready to book a consultation with a surgeon in Northern California, when I found out THAT was no longer an option. Hmmmm.

So now I had to decide if I could pay for surgery myself. I started investigating surgeons in MEX assuming US prices were too high.

As it turns out, US prices are about double those in MEX - give or take a couple thousand dollars. But if I was determined I could make it work.

In the end, it just makes more sense, for me, to use a surgeon close to home - that has a fabulous reputaion - and more experience under his belt than most other surgeons, no matter what country you're in.

So tomorrow I have a consultation. I'm excited, apprehensive, giddy, nervous and the whole gammut of emotions.

I'm still enrolled in Kaiser's mandatory pre-bariatric class. It's informative for any WLS patient. My classmates aren't enthusiastic about my decision to have the Lap-Band. Maybe they are dissappointed it's not an option for them. But I understand and support them in their decision too.

NOTE:

To those who have questions about Kaiser and the Lap-Band...

I've been told the following by Dr. Nina Lott at Kaiser San Diego Positive Choice Center:

Kaiser SoCal will be offering the Lap-Band when they find a surgeon, who may not be local. It is a requirement for Medicare/Medical and Kaiser is a provider for Medicare/Medical.

And as far as how I would be viewed after having the Lap-Band placed (on my own) - I've been told that I am a Kaiser patient and they will treat me as necessary.

So here's to jumping in with both feet!

Thanks for the great information about Kaiser. I have found that Kaiser does not do breast reductions, hip and knee replacement surgeries without strings attached. Lap band seems to be out of the equation completly for them. They make people jump through hoops with thier hopes up high that they will still be able to get a lap band but to no avail.

Good Luck in finding an excellent surgeon.