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Thank you everyone for the answers. You're giving me a lot of food for thought (pun intended). I don't get a lot of vacation time so I'd saved up for the surgery and already have it scheduled and now my family is doing it's first ever reunion so that's why I feel like I can't skip out on it. If I don't do the surgery as planned it'll be another year before I have any vacation saved again and my dr. says I need at least 7 days away from work. (That'll be the week before we leave) We're heading to a lake that's about 4 hours from home so I think I can get out of the swimming, boating etc. but also didn't know if I'd be stuck lying in bed. We're each in our own cabin and only sharing one meal a day with the family so as long as I know what I can take or what to expect I guess I'll be ok. I had these images of throwing up everything I tried and never being able to get out of bed so you are helping me feel a bit better about that. I am sure I'll tell be telling some people like sibs eventually but didn't need to spread the whole thing to my whole gossipy family. Thanks again.

I'm sure you all tried a zillion diets just like me and I remember well that every time I'd deprive myself of anything (pop, sugar, carbs, whatever) that I'd always go through some kind of withdrawal. Last two diets I actually tracked it and it seemed between days 7-10 I suddenly got my energy back and felt like I could actually do this. I KNOW we'll all feel better eventually - hang in there. I think you all are so very brave.

I am self pay also and once I'd gotten my paperwork turned in they told me a could pick any date at least two weeks out - so that I could do the liquid diet before surgery. I chose the date I did since I have the whole following week off but it did mean waiting a little longer for surgery.

I'm scheduled for the end of the month. Dr. Hansen also has a yearly fee you can do instead of the per-visit and if I remember right it was $300 or so. I have been to several different seminars but I liked him the best.

I am scheduled for the 29th. Is anyone else a little scared? I have a couple friends who've done it and it wasn't until yesterday that I felt nervous. I have to do a 2 week liquid so they're starting me June 15th and I'm nervous about that too. It's going to be ok right? And I'm going to live through it right? Haha I'm only half joking. Eek

You are giving me hope too. Thank you for your post and CONGRATULATIONS!! I've been pretty diligent about diet and exercise in the last year, more so than ever in my life and it's been discouraging not to lose much weight (read 19 lbs since Oct) so I am awaiting my band date (probably in June) and the tool it will give me to continue the road I'm on. I love how you said tool. You are inspirational. Congrats again!!

Just wondered if there is anyone current on here that was recently banded in Utah? I'm going with either Dr. Hansen or Dr. Alldredge. I had planned on south valley surgical until I found out Dr. Hansen had moved into his own practice so now I might just go with him and I think his is called Cedar something. Anyone with opinions? I've done my paperwork through both and just waiting to hear if I'm approved and then hoping for a June surgery date. Anyone out there from Utah? I'm also quite interested in pricing for fills, etc. after the first year. I'd love some Utah info. Thanks in advance!

I am waiting to hear if I've been approved but they are planning on a June date. I am excited for you. I hope your clinic offers follow up support and classes and maybe that will help with re learning how to deal with food. Good luck!

Thank you for your answers. I did finally make it to one of the seminars and it looks like self pay is $11500 here in Utah. I have about half of what I need saved and will just keep plugging along. They did give me lots of options for borrowing and also said Flex Spending DOES qualify so I might wait until January but was REALLY hoping to get the surgery by summer. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

Just wanted to introduce myself! I'm Tara, I live in Utah and I'm looking forward to surgery. I haven't yet found a surgeon as I'm currently saving but hope to have the funds before the year is out. Disappointed my insurance doesn't cover WLS as I desperately need it but trying to just get over it and take care of myself. My BMI is 46 and it's been a full 10 years or more I've been this obese - ever since my first child. I can't wait to get to know the rest of you here and so grateful to have found this board! Also, I do CrossFit and it's the hardest thing I've ever done but I've been at it nearly a year (about 3 days a week) and I feel healthy and strong except for my weight so there's that

Just saw that your surgery date is tomorrow and wanted to say Good Luck!!

I would really like to talk to someone who can help me figure out cost. My insurance does NOT cover any wls. I am planning on self pay. I have documented attempts at programs such as weight watchers, plus 10+ years of morbid obesity so I think I'm ok on all those fronts. No one can seem to tell me what to expect to pay. My aunt had the surgery 4 years ago and she paid about 13,000 for hers but even she won't give an exact amount. Because I am self pay I need to know and I don't feel I can choose a location or surgeon until I do. Why won't anyone discuss it? I'm already decided to do it, it's just a matter of saving. I'm thinking most about south valley surgical in sandy utah but haven't yet been able to get to one of their seminars, planning to make it to the next one. I've already been to a seminar at two other locations and neither one would give me a cost for self pay. Anyone have ideas? Also, I heard that wls can be tax deductible, does anyone know for sure if this is true and someone else suggested that I could put up to $5K on my flex spending if I elected it before the year started (say I waited until Jan of next year)... does anyone know if this is accurate? Thanks in advance I'd really like to have someone to discuss this all with.