VelvetKiss

I thought I was all set with my choice of a Lap Band Dr and now I am at square one again. I was going to use Dr. Steven Tersigni in Coos Bay Oregon but I found out today that due to my High Weight which is 570lbs he requires you to lose 10% of your weight before he will do surgery. That is 57lbs and if I could lose that on my own then I wouldnt be having surgery. I am looking for a new Dr in either Oregon or California or the area who handles High Weight High BMI patients. I will be a self pay so not only do I want a good Dr but someone who is priced well also. That is what I liked about Dr. Tersigni he was a good surgeon and priced under $13,000 for the Lap Band. Any and all Help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tonya

Thanks to all who posted! I am looking to be banded around Feb I hope and I am on the high weight end of 574lbs, well I have lost some on my own so it is at least 15lbs less now. I have been trying to eat more like a bandster and I am hoping that will help. I wantto have the surgery Lap and not open so I was worried they couldnt do it lap on people over a certain BMI, you all have helped my fears. Thank You!

I was wondering if anyone on the list had a High BMI at there time of surgery? Also were you still able to have it done laporscopically? Were there any difference you had to do then someone with a low BMI? Oh, by High BMI I am talking BMI 59+.

Thanks,

Tonya

Medicaid differs from state to state, you can look up your local website for medicaid and it should tell you if they cover Weight Loss Surgery or not. Here in Oregon I know medicaid doesnt pay for WLS, but I believe you can fight it or if you have medical necessity then they may.

Thank You Princess n thep! I am not able to go out of the house right now due to a complication to my type 2 diabetes but th ebay option sounds good, so I am going to check into that and see what I can come up with and a friend of mine offered to help me sell stuff on ebay. I appreciate all the creative ideas, you have given me a silver lining to my dark cloud. Thank You Again!

I am a newbie here to the board and Well I have been researching WLS for a few years and have been keeping an eye on the Lap Band as I feel it is the best choice for me. I am a larger then most Bandster and I am researching 3 surgeons in Oregon, Dr. Emma Patterson, Dr. Steven Tersigni and Dr. Raul Mirande, I am at the point of consultation and payment options. This is where my problem lies. I am out of work and have been for 2 years due to a disability but Social Security is fighting me and I am in appeals and my loving boyfriend supports us, he has a low income job, but does the best he can, I have no health insurance, in oregon I am not eligible for there medicaid program as they have made it for people with children only now and they do not cover WLS or so I was told and I was going to apply to what oregon calls OMIP which is Oregon Medical Insurance Pool, that is underwritten by Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon and cost alot and they have all WLS excluded for morbid obesity and I do not own a home we rent, we have 1 car and both of our credit is shot due to me being out of work and some past mistakes on him so I dont think we would qualify for a medical loan or a bank loan. So my question is does anyone know of a way to pay for the Lap Band that I may have not thought of? Our families cant help they have little income and I need this surgery in order to be able to drive again and get out of the house to work. Sorry for the long post and any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thank You!

Thanks again! I will have to call his office and get info on the Lap Band, that is the surgery I am considering. I appreciate all the help!

Thanks Nettieb, Does he have a website or where can I find information on him?

I am new to the forum and I live in Southern Oregon and I was wondering about Oregon Doctor's that perform the Lap Band? I was looking into Dr. Raul Mirande and he seems good but I wanted to know if anyone has used him or knows of other good Dr's in Oregon.