o2bthin

I am just beginning the process of insurance approval since we got new insurance...today! I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end. I'm keeping my surgery date in Mexico just in case.

My husband was able to get us on UHC through his job...today! Now is the next step with the doctor's office.

My question for you all is was there a cap on the amount that UHC covered? My handbook is saying $9000.00 and my surgeon's fees are $17,000.00.

Help! I don't want to be back to square one (going to Mexico).

Did either of you do research on Dr Earl Fox? If you did why did you go with someone else?

o2bthin - who is going to do your follow up care here in the NW after surgery?

I thought about Mexico too but I'm too nervous about flying right after surgery.

I have looked into the physicians here in the NW. The reason I'm going to MX is that I am self-pay. I will be going back to MX for my first fill under fluoro, and either Dr. Neal or Kitty Carmichael (if she gets fluoro) for any other adjustments. I had planned to go solo, and was only worried about driving myself the 3 hours home from the airport, so dh is going with me. I'm comfortable with my decisions.

I'm not banded yet but my expectations are that after I am, I will be on a diet for the next 3 years. I'm not looking for a "magic bullet" to do the work for me, but help in sticking to it. My biggest problem with dieting is hunger, and I'm hoping the banding will help with that.

It could be that your problem is your fill isn't correct. It could also be that you're not dieting. I heard of a device called a Body Bugg that can calculate your calories burned. As long as you're burning more calories than you're consuming, you should be losing weight. Do you have foods in your cupboards that are sabotaging you? Clear them out!

How active are you? Did you see a nutritionist before surgery? Contact your nutritionist or find one. How about a few sessions with a personal trainer to kick start your exercise program. Think of your doctor, nutritionist, trainer, etc. as your own "health team" and they and this board can be your support group.

I think your expectations of the band were not met. Set new goals! Good luck Andrea. You can do it!

I'm on the Olympic Peninsula (think Victoria BC ferry to Port Angeles). I'd love to meet up with any fellow bandsters.

Somewhere I'm reading to keep calorie count around 800 for 36 months after surgery. I think 1700 is high. I know I won't be doing sugar.

There are ways to built credit, and companies to will loan on less than perfect credit. Or....maybe you could save towards your surgery? If you took out credit, you'd have to pay it back with interest. Could you save $400.00 or $500.00 a month in a HSBC account (6% interest) for a year? It would put a huge dent in the cost. How about searching for a job with a company that has good medical insurance? HTH.

The reasons for having surgery.....I've been giving a lot of thought to this over the past few days. There are a lot of little reasons for wanting to lose weight. I have been 100 # overweight for 18 years now, about 75 # overweight for 25. Being able to hike, bike, run, ski, skate, snowboard have been distant dreams for as long as I can remember. I never wear dresses anymore, much less heels. When I went on a cruise 6 years ago, I skipped the formal nights, and dressed in slinky pants and big tops the rest of the time. I don't participate in school projects and activities. I feel self-conscious everywhere I go, with my kid's friends, etc. I stopped going to church 1 1/2 years ago.

But more recently, I have developed several health "risks" or problems associated with my weight:

1. Diabetes

2. Arthritis

3. Heel spurs/foot problems

4. Hypertension

5. Depression

6. GERD

7. sleep problems

8. Inactivity

But the biggest motivating factor for me is more personal, but I will share here. I lost my mother in November. She was the same size as me, was becoming very sedentary after retirement. She had a hysterectomy and laid on the couch for 4 weeks afterwards, developed a clot and died suddenly and unexpectedly. I think it had a lot to do with her lack of activity, depression and refusal to take care of herself (she had blood sugars over 300 in the hospital and denied having diabetes and refused to treat). She was in denial about a lot of things.

So, I'm jumping into this with both feet. I'm scared s**tless right now, but I know that's normal. I think if my mom was here, she'd be doing this with me.

I'm not banded yet, but from what I've read, you won't have restriction until the first fill because there is nada in your band!

OMG too funny! Literal coffee spew on the fat guy!

Fortunately, I work at home. I have my own business. I will tell my friends and customers that I am having gall bladder surgery, if they ask. My worry is what to tell people when I start to lose weight. I'll tell them I'm low carbing again---lost 30 pounds doing that a few years ago---but that may not work forever.

I'm sorry for all your troubles Jainee. Your husband is very immature. You two do not need to have kids, that's for sure. I hope you can proceed forward with your surgery--that is for you. I would not trouble the waters with dh until that was accomplished. Find yourself a good network of support, because you will need it if you can't find it at home.

Please explain the difference between a regular 10 band and a VG band? Thanks.

My insurance (Tricare) excludes the LapBand. I hear that they might start to approve it this year, keyword MIGHT. My dh's part time job at Home Depot has insurance that excludes the LapBand (even though someone mentioned that theirs paid).

I am going to Mexico too. My procedure will cost $7000.00 and I used flier miles for my airfare. No delays, no red tape, no jumping through hoops. I like that. This is going to sound opinionated, but oh well. My honest feeling is why support surgeons in the U.S. when their fees are over-the-top and they are nonsupportive of the Mexican doctors who train them? If their fees were reasonable or they offered a cash discount, I'd stay here. I just don't want the hassle of fighting with insurance. My out-of-pocket cost will be tax deductible and we need the deduction.

The best of luck to you on your journey.

Congratulations, you're doing great!

Janiee, medically supervised diets are not required with self-pay.

For the record, Lap-Bands can be found south of the border for $7000.00.

That being said, it sounds like your dh isn't on board with your surgery. Do you know why? Is he fully informed? Scared? Insecure?

How is your relationship otherwise, if you don't mind me asking?

Absolutely none of their business. Bring your own food and join them. When they see you losing, they'll start bringing salads!

Hi. I'd just like to introduce myself. I've been reading lots of this boards for the last few weeks. I live in WA, married and have 2 children (teens).

I'm just embarking on my journey. I have a tentative surgery date of April 16th in TJ at the Huacuz Surgery Center. Airfare is booked. Passport papers are sitting right in front of me. I'm really excited!:clap2:

Any other bandsters in the Northwest or anyone getting banded in April who need a buddy?

Okay, here we gooooooooooo!