Sugarbear

Hi Penni60 I am so glad you are doing good. hang in there with the healthy eating, you sure don't want to gain back what you lost. How much was that and how long did it take? Will you get rebanded when you heal? I think they say about 6 months. Where will you do it if you decide to do it again? Sugarbear

Hi Wannabealoser. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. The doctors in Texarkana appeared to know what they were talking about. We mostly got to hear him, she was in surgery and only came in during our question and answer session. I want me and my husband to get banded at some time. We found out our insurance pays a very minimal amount towards the surgery. It is my understanding the hospital (Wadley) won't give any break to self or nearly self pay, also the doctors give a little break, if I understood correctly. I talked to someone in their office. Don't recall the name. I would have to come up with about $13,000. I know it is worth it but still have to come up with the cash. I hope you do well with your surgery. It is my understandin a lot of it has to do with following your doctors instructions to a "T." Take care of your band. Good luck. Please keep me posted on how everything went. We still want to do it, but it might be a while longer before we can swing it. (one at a time).

For some reason I am getting replies and questions about tztmamas bill of $75,000 for her surgery. Don't know how that happened? Anyway it was certainly too high. The banding cost that I have heard of and researched has been about 16,500. (With the exception of Mexico). Even at 16 to 17 thousand is pretty stiff when your insurance is willing to pay next to nothing. My said "up to" $4,000. Sorry for the mix up tztmama.

Penni, how are you?

Most of the surgery cost I have cheked out is around 16,500. Hospital, doctor and all. That is in Arkansas. (USA)

Thank you for the reply. My insurance coverage for the procedure is very limited. Then on top of that the coverage would be less because it would be out- of-network. I am planning to get a letter of medical necessity for my husband and myself. We are both considering the lap band and have attended your seminar. When we get the letter they will be sent to our insurance along with a letter from me. I hope our insurance will consider this surgery more seriously than they obviously do now.

:phanvan Haven't been here in a while. Still considering surgery but have now found out my insurance is going to pay very little for the surgery. I am going to write a letter to them along with a letter of medical necessity. Hope that will help. They make me sick sometimes, after what we pay for it and then they want to pay practically nothing! I am wondering how much difference there is in cost between the doctors especially if they know you are self pay or nearly self pay? I am also wondering how Penni is since she had to have her band removed?

We sure don't have much going on in Arkansas with bandsters do we? I am not a bandster yet but I am working towards that by the first week or two in Jan. I thought there would be more info comming out of Texarkana, that is where I attended my seminar. So sorry about Penni having to have her band removed because of erosion. Wonder what all causes that? I think I have the right Penni. I read the post but maybe it wasn't the same one on this thread? That is kinda disheartening and scary to someone who is trying to get up the nerve to do it. I am learning a lot on this site. Any more info would still be appreciated.

I guess everyone has seen pennys post about the erosion and having to have the band removed. She said to follow the rules and take care of your band. Exactly what causes this and now what can she do after healing. Can she have another band? What are the causes of the erosion? I have attended a seminar in Texarkana, TX and have filled out my client info. I am waiting to hear from the doctors there about an appt. for a consult. This is kind of disheartening and scary.

I am curious to know why, as popular as this procedure has become, that it isn't done at St. Michaels ? I am also wondering if you will ever be able to eat "normal" again after being banded. I know much smaller portions, but I am talking about being restricted from eating many foods that you may have eaten before surgery. I should have asked at the seminar but didn't think of it at the moment. My insurance doesn't use Wadley, just St. Michaels, I mentioned it to the doctor, and he said they have ran into that before and worked it out, with the insurance company, I guess. I wasn't sure about that answer from him. I should have ask him to clarify it better. There were many people wanting to ask questions, I didn't want to hog to much time from him. He mentioned that the company that makes the band is particular about who performs the services with the band. Anyway thanks for the info and any other you come up with.

Thank you Leigh Ann. One other thing...do you know why they do not do the lapband at St. Michaels Hopital? It is only done at Wadley in Texarkana.

Leigh Ann, after surgery are any foods forbidden? Not just right after surgery, I mean forever? Do you ever resume eating normally, just smaller portions?

Wanabealoser, Yes I am considering it even more now that I attended the seminar. Ask questions about some of those horror stories. It would be good to write those down before you go. They answer questions at the end of the seminar. If they are too personal go up and ask them afterwards. I think there were more positive stories than bad. I still have questions but will ask the doctors when I have a consult. I have filled out the patient information page but haven't heard back from them yet. I am planning to talk to them soon after the first of the year. Have you heard much about the doctors. They seemed very professional and confident in what they do. Good luck what ever your decision is.

Thank you for the info. We attended the seminar in Texarkana, 11/22. It was informative. The Doctors that do the surgery there are a married couple. They usually do it together, unless one is called away for emeregency surgery or something like that. I am wondering if there are some foods that you may never eat again such as steak and breads. Are you able to remain healthy on such little food intake per day? Thanks for helping me out. Sugarbear

Just wondering about the chat? I am not sure I know how to use it. Doesn't seem to be anyone on or either I am just not doing it right.

Hi. I have been researching the lapband. I have an appointment Nov. 22, to go to a seminar that is led by two doctors that do this surgery in Texarkana. I would appreciate any info on these doctors. Also what is a "fill" Is it something you have to go back for often? What are the serious risk of having a lapband, if any? Thanks .