StacieM

I am on NO way sticking up for your friend, but she is ignorant to the whole picture here, she doesn't realize the good part out weighs the possiblity of complications. Unfortunately most friends won't sit and do the research like we have. I have a friend, with a much higher BMI and medical conditions far worse than mine who thinks i am nuts. I gave her one of the books I have and then she said ok I believe you and support you. She never read the book mind you just knew if I went that far that I did my research. Now the best part... my closest friend who is planning on going with me to MX for srugery thinks i am nuts... well my cousin had a friend who is nurse and went to MX to Dr Ortiz on friday of last week... now if a nurse was willing to do it and in MX it has to be ok... now she is 100% behind me... go figure. Don't let others worry you, people judge but that is their problem don't let judegments get in your way. XOXO

I am not sure about payments, I know they said you could do the financing for the MX deal as well. I am paying all up front so I didn't look into the loans. Good luck.

Hi there would love to share. Originally I asked them if Dr. Owens would see Dr Ortiz's patients cause i wanted to see Dr. Owens locally but couldn't afford his fees. Thats when they told me he does them down there too and then aftercare for one year is included here. I love that idea! I was very comfortable with him and really don't want to have to run across the border if I don't have to for fills. So just call the office and tell them you spoke to another patient of his and they told you $9000 for the surgery in MX and 1 year of care afterwards... Let me know what happens!

I see my doctor on July 12 to get my time and diet instructions so I can't really answer it yet thats why I am asking...

HEy there QueenB I am on the same day as you. Where are you having surgery? And when do you start your pre-op diet?

Ok so I posted in the intro thread but thought this would be a better area. I am trying to find out if anyone has any expereience of using another procedure to cover hospital and anasthesia fees. I had a friend who recently had a TT (No WLS) and got it done for $500 because she had a tubal ligation and bladder repair done at the same time. She didn't need WLS but looks great right now with the TT. She told me to check into all the stuff being covered but the WLSurgeon's fees. I want a tubal ligation and bladder repair is not a bad idea (although i was hoping WLS would fix that). Any ideas here? I am self pay so getting something covered might help! Thanks!

What a great attitude... I am with you on the tool and ready for my new life... BUT... (see it still gets in the way) I am already thinking about the headaches/migraines from caffeine withdrawl and not having the "out" soda gives me. I have been looking for replacements though... I will get there.

Yeah... girl take it when you can get it! Congrats on the date.:clap2::eek:

I am with you, I want to be healthy and happy... I am not so worried abou the procedure but I am worried about some of the lifestyle changes, mostly no soda... it's my alcohol. BUT I want to be runnig around with the kids, feeling good and looking good so I guess no more soda!!!

Thanks those are pretty cool. I have yet to decide what I am getting, but I am ordering the my med one for my 11 year old... he is on numerous medications for asthma and allergies and there are too many to list on a regular ID bracelet. And these are silicone like the "cool" ones everyone is wearing.

If he is a general surgeon he can take the gallblader out... if the surgery is set up through insurance for this reason and then you would still have to pay some fees for the lap band but all anasthesia and hosptial fees would be covered. HE might even cut his fees for lap band since he will get paid for gallbladder... in fact it's becoming more common to have both done at the same time....

And to think, sometime soon (we hope) it will be a SMALL small world after all...

Ok I really am not that stupid, but i take it that's Ontario Canada not Ontario California??? If it is Canada, how is the process like there with insurance? Any easier than you hear for the states?

Sounds like a great deal... i like the idea myself of having the doctor SOOOO close. Makes me feel more comfortable. Is your doctor experienced? DId you feel comfortable with him (or her)?

Isn't it amazing how people think... jsut because we are over weight it must mean we don't excercise. Some poeple are just so ignorant. Well good luck on your surgery date.. we will be waiting to hear.

WOW 10 kids, you have earned my respect. And a midwife, I am so jealous. If I could pick a new career (and not have to do schooling) midwife would be my choice. Well, welcome to August bandsters. Have you started the process?:clap2:

I am waiting to ask my doctor. I want my tubes tied and well if they cover all the hospital stuff and I just have to pay lap band surgeon fees... hmmm

Welcome hope you get your date soon. I don't know about the rest of you but right now August seems so far to me. I am dying waiting for my July 12th apt. Gives me too much time to think about it. Oh well guess I will stick to reading my book (by Dr Ortiz) and reading the message boards.

Have you had your doctor make a referral to a bariatric surgeon or to a Weight Loss Doctor?

Welcome Pratster... I am scheduled Aug 7th myself. Where are you located and where are you doing your surgery? Curious... since you are self pay and know the surgeon is he giving you a break in his fees?

sounds great, where are you at? What Dr?

My girlfriend just did that.. but she is an OR nurse who works with him so he would do it even if he couldnt find a code to bill...

Ok question... has anyone had another surgery done at the same time... ie.. bladder, hernia, tubal ligation? I have a friend who jsut had a TT (no WLS) and she got her surgeon to do it for $500 cause she had a tubal ligation and bladder repair done at the same time? I heard someone else say you might get your insurance to cover the cost of the anasthesia and hospital fees if you are having another procedure done and then all you have to self pay is the WLSurgeons fees.... Any info would be great since i need tubal ligation and bladder repair is not a bad option for me (although WLS might solve this problem). I will post in insurance thread too just in case... THANKS.

Can you appeal their deicision based on your co-morbidities? I think this is ridiculous. There are some people with no other health issues over BMI 40 and they can qualify but if you are under you have to suffer. Makes no sense, it should be based on the whole picture. I am in the same boat as you, BUT regardless my insurance doesn't cover lap band anyways and I am not doing GB.... So will you self apy if you can't beat the insurance company?