Angie4b1g

OH my, I never considered the fact that I wouldn't be able to use my spa for a while! Not that I've used it at all in a month, but you know ... forbidden fruit and all. I better soak it up til surgery. LOL

I wouldn't think it's negotiable. A GOOD number of lap band patients are self-pay, so I'd imagine they have a price for that.

I'm not a real fish lover, either. My favorite fish recipe is just cod, topped with salsa, and then baked. Super healthy and YUM!

Good luck! Sounds like the plan a quick turnaround. I bet you'll be happy to be able to recuperate in your own bed!

The first time I read that I was trying to figure out how she got pregnant by her MySpace page.:ermm

I was probably the smallest one at the seminar I went to and I was like YAHOO. Not very often I get to be the skinny person!

Anytime I've ever made it to goal, my boobs have shrunk considerably, but it seems like they are always the last to go. I bet as you get close to goal you'll find them much smaller! I know I will need to get a lift eventually, but I don't anticipate needing a reduction once I lose the weight.

Good luck! I hope you get a perfect fill

Sometimes I think it's just better to self-pay. Insurance companies are so crappy!

Oh my gosh, good luck!!!! This is the beginning of a new chapter!

Guess it's time to introduce myself. You might notice from my registration date that I'm not exactly new around here. I've put a lot of thought and research into this, spent months waiting to see if we got an insurance change that would cover it, and finally just decided to self pay and go for it! I go for my consultation on the 17th. Woo hoo! I'm 37 and married with 5 kids. My oldest will be 15 next month and my little one is 3. I think dh wouldn't mind another, but I told him I'd think about it when I reached goal. I'd hate to try to carry an 11lb baby at this weight (I breed em big!). We live in NE Ohio. I'm traveling down to Cincy to Dr. Curry for my surgery. I'm also a photographer, so prepare yourselves for hourly photographic updates. Ok, maybe not hourly. What else do you need to know? I'd like to lose about 80 pounds, but I'd settle for 90. :clap2:

Thanks everyone for your candor. It's good to see the varying degrees of pain so I can go in with an open mind!

I think they only do the surgery in Cincy, though. Fills in Columbus. I have until Monday to make up my mind, that's when I told everyone I'd call back. :confused:

Unfortunately, none of them are extremely close. Synchrony is about 5 hours drive. The ones that are in Cleveland won't take me because my BMI is "only" 38. Right now I'm waffling between Synchrony, Dr Curry, and Dr Kirshenbaum. Price isn't the be all end all of my decision, but when you're talking a $10k difference, it's impossible to ignore!!

That's pretty smart! I'll check it out!

Thanks everyone! Finally heard from SVCH and they said I'm not fat enough (BMI is 38). So I guess I will pick one of these others. Gaining weight to lose weight is pretty stupid, as fun as it would be. :hungry:

I assume I'd only have to go there once? I guess I wouldn't mind flying for the surgery, but I don't want to be flying out for seminar, consultation, dietitian, every fill, etc.

Cincinnati is a bit of a drive, especially if I have to make the trip several times. If I start the process today and self pay, how long would you estimate until my surgery date?

Thanks! Geez, that seems long. I've already been to the seminar at SVCH, but now they can't find my file. I was going to stick with them figuring I was one step further than anywhere else, but if not then I'm not attached to them too much.

Since my insurance is worthless, I've decided to go ahead and self pay. Anyone from Ohio (I'm in Cleveland, but willing to drive some) self pay? How much was it, and how long did it take from first appointment to surgery without all the insurance hoops to jump through? I was going to go through SVCH, but I can't seem to get them to return my calls, so I'm not feeling it. I've spent 2 years researching and considering this, now that I've mentally committed, I just want to DO it and quit screwing around! Thanks! Angie