the best me

If your insurance pays for the Lap Band, they should cover the cost of the maintenence of the band, which includes fills. Check with your policy, not just your insurance company, since not all plans within the same company have the same coverage. You should be able to do this online. The code for LapBand is 43843. Good luck!

Blossom, you just reminded me, I noticed you are from Denton, Tx. I lived in Carrollton from '85 to '91 and graduated from UNT in '91. My sister went to Lewisville HS. Things have changed so much since we lived there I'm sure I can't get around anymore. I have family in Leonard, so I'll be visiting the area sometime this year, I hope. Anyway, Hello to Denton for me and great NSV! It will happen more and more, just be so proud!

Look how great you are doing! You are getting so close to your goal...good job! Go Bobby, go Bobby! (I just did a cheer dance for you) Yay!

Woohoo! Edit your signature! Congratulations!

Please don't be sad and discouraged! Awww! I feel so bad! You have come to the right place, just keep searching around and asking questions, you will get the hang of the band, figure out how to use it, and do great! Everyone here is so nice and helpful and encouraging and FULL of great ideas about how to make it work. Don't quit! You can do it!

Good job you guys! Your tickers look awesome! Now just make sure you have all the important stats...surgery date/doctor/where your from or anything else. Edit your signatures and add in the stats. Now, when you figure out how to make your picture an avatar, let me know! I have a scanner and have never used it. Duh. Looking good everyone!

Hey Brenda! Post an "Introduction" so we can get to know you-you don't have to tell eeeverythiiing.......just the stuff about your weight loss goals and plans. This site is the BEST resource for information and especially support. Welcome!

My local Dr. here charges $12,000 but that does not include the cost of the hospital, anesthesia, nutritionist, psychologist, hospital labs, ect. By the time you add it up, it's around 20,000. Then add on your aftercare costs...it's getting pricey. I'm so sorry about what happened Dwayne. What a nightmare. From what I have gathered, Dr de la Garza is not associated with Dr Rodriguez, and those that have seen Dr Rod have had a good experience, but dig around in here. I am worried because Tarafeena is seeing de la Garza next week. I will e-mail her and tell her to check this out. Again, so sorry Dwayne. I think about the risks alot, since I haven't been banded yet and I'm planning to go to Mx. I don't want to regret it, or leave my husband with two kids to raise, my kids without their mother, because I am so miserable being fat. I would rather be here fat than to risk what you have encountered and lose my life. But the benfits if all goes well...man, I am praying lots lately. Thank you for your story.

I went online to BCBS and registered. Then searched my plan for the IDT? or CDT? code for Lap Band surgery which is 43843. My plan came up with weight loss surgery and I was able to read about my coverage. Mine did not cover Lap Band. Yours might and it will give you the criteria. You just need that number. Good luck!

So, how'd it go? Did you ask about the band? What did your Dr say? I'm gettin 'cited for you. I go next Fri to my PCP...let me know what to say/not to say.

Do it! it will be easier and more comfortable to exercise and lose the annoying last bit. You have come so far!!! Way to go!

Yippee! Will look for you when you return. Blessings to you today.

You are not too "big" for the Band. And there are plenty here 300+, or at least they used to be, but now, they've lost it! I have heard of cysts on incisions in peoples' colons (a friends husband is a doctor) and other complications. My grandmother, who is now 92, had a section of her colon removed due to cancer. She was in her late 70's at the time and I went to see her in the ICU. She was there because of a leak, had to wear a colostomy bag for months until the infected area healed, and I did not think she would make it. It really seemed impossible. Just watching her made gastric bypass an absolute NO for me. It's already scary enough to risk surgery to treat my obesity. I will not allow my insides to be cut, cauterized, re-routed, stapled, hooked up here and there, whatever. No way. But I will wear a Band. I think it's a good idea to go to Extraordinary Bandsters...they would be able to tell you the truth about the Band for very High BMI's. You are always right to allow yourself to question and rethink your decision. It's important to own it. But don't panic. Good luck and keep us posted!

Now I keep singing "Say, say,say, wha-choo want" but I guess that's Paul McCartney, isn't it? He can have elevator music, I guess.

You had better slow down! Don't overdo it, you are healing and running around on a whole lot less calories than before, now is not the time to exercise, even if you didn't mean to. I'll let a real bandster give you what for...but I know what they'll say...rest, sip and walk, don't sweat! OOOOO Kevin, your'e in trouble now! Get 'im ya'll!!!

The Beatles in elevator music...fine for Barry Manilow or Hall & Oats, but the Beatles? Noooo, and I'm not a huge Beatles fan either...heck, I like Barry Manilow better, probably, but when I hear it, it just ain't right.

Line dry, everything but socks and panties, you should see my laundry room and bedroom, bras, shirts, pants, exercise clothes, on hangers over the door and on drying racks. It will all get put away for about a day, so I give up. Maybe when shrinkage is not an issue I will dry more, but the dryer really does wear out your clothes faster. As for Becky, I like what Rebeccalee said, hang one up for Becky and dry the rest! You are so cool...does your wife know how much all the women on LBT appreciate what a good hubby you are?

Maybe play a game with the chocolate demon. Spend a few days giving the little devil a taste of his own medicine, then, WHAM! take it away. A pound or two up for a day or two can usually be lost pretty quickly if you spend some time being verrry gooood for the following few days. Beat him at his own game...but not if feeding him a little will send YOU into a tailspin of over-indulgence. Chocolate always calls my name at "that time of the month" so maybe it will pass? Normally I'm not a big sweets person, but...sometimes!!!!! Oh my gosh. I know how you feel!

AWWWW. We love you too Jonathan. I always enjoy reading your posts, you are sweet and funny and a real inspiration. I am, however, having a surprisingly hard time leaving out the "H" on Jonathan...why is that so hard?!! If you guys haven't yet, visit Jonathan's site listed on his signature. It's really great.

Introductions are the best! Nice to meet you! and good luck on the 10th!

Yay!!! Welcome back. Keep us posted on your progress, and glad everything went well for you. Congratulations!

Oh No! Attack of the Alien Port! Sounds to me like something inside you is moving around and shifting the port...dunno...your stomach growling? Are you pregnant...you know, 7-8 months along and don't know it? OK, not likely, but I'd definately be calling my Dr! Someone somewhere is likely to post an idea...lots of nurses and Band Pros on this board. Keep us posted!

Glad to meet you, Shamrock! Thanks for introducing yourself..."two crappy knees and premenopausal" HA! Hope you find all the info you need, this is a great place to stop. I do not have my band yet, but for me the the Bypass was not an option. This I could/would/probably will do. Just do lots of reading of old posts and you will begin to get a picture of life with the band. I am very hopeful. I look forward to seeing you on the boards!

Thanks ya'll. I have been thinking about the storefront window thing and the same thing happens to me when I go to my exercise classes. Big room, wall to wall mirrors, and a teacher who encourages you to "check your form" to avoid injury, which I appreciate, but I get a glimpse of me in my old cotton/lycra maternity bike shorts and my belly overhang peeking out from underneath my long shirt when I have my hands overhead. Yuck. Double Yuck. Maybe that's when I started looking into WLS. I am proud of the 20lbs I have kept off, and in getting together my fat photo album, I can see what a difference that has made. You are right, Kim. I am seeing the inside too. That part I like. It's what my husband sees, GOD BLESS HIM! He would like it if I went around the house belly-dancing! HeHe. Good idea Vinesqueen! I have a full length mirror...under the bed! Marie, I'll let you know when I get that hung. Thanks ya'll. You are such an encouragement!

Okay, I just called Hamilton Weight and got the prices for Ponce. The whole surgery, nutritionist, psychologist, pre-lab work, anesthesia, all of it is $19,192 and includes follow up and fills for one year. He also offers a $2000 one year follow along- great for Mexican Banded folks. This pays for 4 visits, whether office, fills, whatever, so you could have 1 office visit and 3 fills, or 2 & 2, whatever combination. Within the year, if you need more than 4 visits, they are an additional $560 (baby boy was fussing when she said that price so I'm not certain 560 is exact, she might have said 561 or 568, whatever) So I hope that helps you in your search!