PghMomof3

Just wanted to say that I hope things get better!! Please keep us updated on your recovery and new journey. I read your blog--it's wonderful, please keep posting and giving us waiting for surgery some great ideas and thoughts on your new life! ((hugs))

the only person I've told is my husband and my sister. I really don't want anyone knowing what's going on because some people can be too judgemental, etc. I am planning on just saying that I've changed my eating habits after seeing a nutritionist. I also have a friend who had the RNY procedure and once when discussing the lap band with her a couple years ago she freaked out on me and told me all of these horror stories she heard and that if i was thinking about anything at all it should be the RNY.

I went to my seminar today and since I'm self-pay I get to skip the psychiatry appointment and the cardiology appt. But the woman I talked to told me that I am going to need pulmonary clearance. Why? I'm 36, have no significant pulmonary history, BMI of 39 and I did have a hernia repair done 2 years ago under general anethesia without needing pulmonary clearance nor did I have any issues with the anesthesia or post-op recovery. I'm wondering why pulmonary and not cardiology? Do you think when i have my appointment with the surgeon he'd be willing to wave this expense or is it absolutely necessary? TIA! :biggrin1:

Oh, wow--I'm so sorry to hear about having PEs! I hope you're feeling better and continue to get better. I just figured that if a pulmonary consult is all I have to get, than I guess I should get it! Feel better soon!

if you check on lapband.com and register, it will give you the surgeons near you that are doing the surgery as well as any seminars near you. good luck. I"m just starting this process myself so I can't answer anything other than the price I was quoted at was around $10,600--this is including 4 fills. good luck!

Nope, non-smoking. I understand that insurance requirements are huge--the paper they handed out had the entire process printed out--the letter from the PCP, diet history documented, cardiology/pulmonology clearance, psychiatric visit, etc. But my only requirement out of that is the pulmonary consult. No history of sleep apnea, no difficutly breathing, etc. I mean, I do get short of breath with any type of overexertion, but that's because of my weight, not a respiratory disorder. (I also wanted to apologize for my spelling error on 'waived'...lol!) I guess my confusion is stemming from having a laproscopic repair of a heria secondary to a difficult C-section--I had NOTHING pre-op except an xray and some blood work--no ekg, no o2 sats, etc. General anesthesia, intubated during surgery--no problems. I'm a critical care nurse so I do understand the risks of *any* surgery but I just found it odd that a pulmonary clearance was my requirement above all else. Thanks for your responses, too!

Josette--Congratulations! You've done wonderfully! How did you know your band had slipped?

Hi, everyone--I've been lurking on this site for a couple of months and have been so grateful to see all of the great knowledge you're providing for everyone. I finally got the courage to call a physician's office regarding the lap-band and am now scheduled for a seminar on 2/16. I spoke with the financial lady and am going to be self-pay and was told that this surgery would cost approximately $10,600 which I was floored with because I thought it would be much much more! So, my question is--what do I expect there? Does the physician doing the procedure talk or are these just his nurses/practioner/nutritional specialist? What kind of things should I be asking or making sure are answered? My BMI is at 39 but I have a strong family history of heart disease, I already have high cholesterol and have been struggling with my weight for 13 years! I just want to make sure i have all the questions ready to go and I'm super super nervous! thanks for any infomation you can give me! I'll be here much more now! :nervous

Thank you for your insight, alexandra! I'll keep you posted!

Hi everyone. I'm attending a seminar at AGH on Friday with Dr. Colella, head of bariatrics at AGH. They quoted me a self pay price of $10,600, which I was thrilled with because I thought it would be much more! I'm just curious about whether or not I need a psych evaluation with self pay...???

Thank you very much for responding. The nurse I talked to told me the seminar would be about 2 1/2 hours but since I already talked to their financial person I would not have to stay and talk about that...? I know the only surgery I'm interested in having is the band. my husband would not support me having gastric bypass and since I'm self pay (Health america won't pay for a thing!) the cost alone is a deterrent. After the seminar, do I then make an appointment to see the physician performing the surgery for a 1 on 1? It seems to me that insurance vs. self pay makes a difference in the amount of time spent going through all the motions. At first when I talked to the nurse she told me the first opening for a seminar wasn't until some time in March--once I said 'self-pay' she stuck me in the seminar scheduled for Friday. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to get the ball rolling! Do you know what the usual wait period is after seeing the doctor until having the actual surgery? I'm sorry for all of the questions--there is a lot to know, a lot to get my mind wrapped around. I'm very excited about this journey and want to make sure i do it right! :confused: