JessS

Hey guys! Long time member first time talker. I finally, after years of waiting for the right insurance and financial situation, got my surgical date for May 5th for the LapBand. I am super dooper excited! To help my family and friends understand what's going down and also track my recovery and weight loss, I've made a blog. It's still in Beta mode, the template is done but it's not populated with much content yet. But while I get the site launch-worthy, I'm wondering if any other banders out there would like a shout-out link, and maybe link back to me. So many of you have already motivated and inspired me, and I'd love to be able to network.

Let me know what you guys think!

Here is a sample preview of what the blog looks like so far: LapBand Bandwidth

Actually, to be fair, it could cut more than 5k off the overall cost IF, and it's a big if, I get accepted. Not only because subsequent complication costs would be 93% covered, but because I could afford to go to a surgeon in town (out-of-pocket would be 17k or more) instead of going to someone hours away much less in Mexico.

For reference I am 23 (24 next month), 5'5" and 250lbs. I've been exercising and dieting for the last couple years, although I've never had my weight loss by a doctor/nutritionist.

Through my dad's work I still have Principal Financial Group, and will be getting my own coverage with the same Providence Preferred plan. They do not exclude all weight loss surgery, but becoming approved could take 6mo or longer. This is the information they need in order to consider approving me:

Age

CPT Code from dr./surgeon and his fee.

Patiant History of Morbid Obesity/ Document Medical History of Failure to Substain Weight Loss

6/12mo supervision by family health care practitioner and nutritionist. Nutritionist visit once a month. Family health care physician visit once every three months to review results of 6month.

Opperative risk evaluation by surgeon.

Reviewed by a licensed mental healthcare provider (to be deemed mentally fit for surgery)

Arrange two-year follow-up strategy plan to maintain weight loss.

So if I get started now it could take six months to a year to be possibly eligable for the surgery. But if I am it could cut more than 5k off the overall bill.

So what do you guys think? Worth it? Similar stories? Anyone with Principal or similar coverage?

Hi! I'm in Newberg, OR. I'm currently dealing with insurance and finding the right Dr. Welcome to the boards!

Cool! I'm just down Tualatin-Sherwood road from Newberg. You and I should chat or text sometime and see if we can do some of the hard work together.

HI there,

I am pretty sure but I am not certain, that my dr. is the least expensive in Oregon. I had my surgery for $10,000. Where do you live in Oregon. Dr. Tersigni is a great doctor. There are people coming from all over that go to him. Is your insurance paying for it or are you a self pay?

Not sure yet how much my insurance will pay. I only have one year left on it. But 10k sounds like a nice price. I live in Tualatin, work in Portland. Do you have an instant messanger we could talk with sometime?

Thanks everyone for the welcome. :mad:

Hey there! I haven't looked very much into local surgeons yet (that's coming on Wed). Did you have yours here?

Hi there. My name is Jess and I live in Oregon. I am 23 (24 next month). I am 5'5" and ~250lbs. This month I am going off depo prevera and eliminating all carbonated and alcoholic beverages from my diet. I already exercise three to four times a week (going to do more soon). On average I lose maybe a pound or two a month, but gain double that in muscle.

I am considering lap band, and have been doing research on it the last couple weeks. I even got to watch it done through a streamed video. In the next week or so I'm going to be inquiring of my doctors a specialist I could get more information from. In the mean time I was wondering if there was anyone here from Oregon or the Northwest area who I could ask some questions of.

Nice to meet you all, hope to hear from you soon.

Jess