mpope

How long was your time span between the seminar and the surgery?

I have BCBS of NC and haven't started that process as of yet, but wondered how much, on average, you had to pay out of pocket to cover co-pays and what not?

Yesterday I faxed over the initial weight log to my PCP that I'll need to take to the seminar, and already got it back and filled out this morning. WOO HOO...just one more step closer. Is the psych eval, nutritionalists and all that stuff based on your insurance company or does everyone have to do that?

Are these required no matter who the doctor and/or insurance is? I was hoping so. I'd probably want to go either way, but wasn't sure if all insurances required this before they'd approve you?

Thanks so much for the info. That certainly HELPED.....thanks again.:smile2:

MIchelle, I would like to add you to my myspace page if that's ok. You're a true inspiration. You look awesome. I added your blog to mine and also posted on your blog. Can't wait to see more progress pics. :smile2:

I haven't attended a seminar yet, so maybe this question will be addressed then, but I have wondered HOW, after the surgery, you suddenly, don't have the DESIRE to eat like you did before the surgery? Is that the purpose of the band? I don't mean to sound idiotic here, but I've worried about that. Am I going to go to eat like I do now and just get sick and throw up or is the mindset different w/ the band? I don't feel like I'm making any sense here and I apologize for rambling on, but I think that's my biggest concern at this point. I eat a lot of carbs now...is my desire for carbs going to lessen or will I still eat carbs...just LESS of them?

Hi Leslie, sorry to hear about your troubles with the waiting game. I'm new to this process so I don't know that I've got a lot of insight at this point, but I also have BCBS of NC and I've heard they are fairly good about moving stuff through. Where in NC are you?

I'm planning on using Dr. Enochs. Bariatric Surgery, Lap Band, Raleigh - Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina Haven't been to see him yet (waiting on seminar) but I've heard GREAT things about him. Good luck.

Is that based on your weight, your doctor, or your insurance company?

Hi everyone. My name is Mellissa. I thought I had posted on here, but I guess I just read and got so excited, I forgot to actually post. I live in Clayton...am married to THE best man in the world (ok, I guess I AM a little biased), and have a 16 year old son who is the light of my life. I have met with my PCP, but am waiting to get into the seminar. It keeps moving. Now it's going to be May 13th. :biggrin: although I'm going to TRY and get into the 6th seminar.... wish me luck. I am really excited about this...and get more so everyday.

So, how do you find another one close by/or not so close by. : ) I just assumed you had to go to the one your surgical doctor did. :confused2:

Thanks so much for the peptalk. I needed that. I did call back and ask about any cancellations on the 6th. They told me to keep calling back everyday b/c more than likely someone will cancel...I thought that was nice of her, so that's my challenge for the next week. :wink2: Good luck to your hubby. Keep us informed...:tt2:

So I was suppose to attend the seminar last night and we had a family issue come up that kept us out of town longer than we expected and we missed it. I called to reschedule and the next date I can get in is May 13th. :confused2: Seems like FOREVER to me.... I tried to go ahead and make an appt. with the surgery doctor and they said I needed to go to the seminar first. I was hoping for something to progress quicker.....:wink2:

Elisabeth, good answer. That's just a given for me... :thumbup:

I've tried to think about this whole process and make sure that I DO think about it and think it through. What I'd like to know is what do you WANT out of this process? I want to be able to get up in the morning and put ANYTHING on...and NOT have to pull, stretch and triple check in the mirror before walking out of the bedroom... that's it....:thumbup:

Cla, I am going with Dr. Enochs out of Cary. I've heard great things about him. Bariatric Surgery, Lap Band, Raleigh - Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina They're having a seminar at his office this Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. if you're interested...or have you already been to one?

Ok, so I had my appt. today with my PCP to discuss this procedure. He was 100% FOR it. He said my blood pressure was starting to become an issue (I've never had BP issues before) and that he knew we'd tried everything and it just wasn't working. He said to go to the Seminar (which has been moved from next Tuesday to this Sunday in Cary) and start the process and let him know exactly what they needed HIM to do and he'd get it done. I'm really excited. It's kind of starting to become real now. :thumbup:

I guess I felt like I needed to tell people b/c the weight might come off really fast and obviously since they've known me overweight for so long, they would KNOW something happened. I guess if it's fairly slow or not at warp speed, then I can get by not telling everyone.

I have discussed this with my hubby and he is supportive of me either way I decide and in the end, that's all that really matters. But I've mentioned "wanting" to have this procedure to my best friend, who is fairly open minded, and she calls it a quick fix. She says if "you'd just eat right and exercise you'd lose weight". Wow, if it was JUST that easy...would any of us be HERE? :confused2: I love my BF, but she's really into natural foods and says I'm too "acidic" and I should drink barley grass or some junk. I don't know what that is, but I'm pretty sure I'd rather not. How do/did you get over the it's a quick fix remarks? :thumbs_down:

Hi Amanda. Sounds like we are from the same area. I live in Clayton and work in Raleigh and plan on using Dr. Enochs. I've read a couple of threads of people that love him and have great things to say about him. I'd love to have someone close by to go through this journey with. Let me know if you're interested in chatting. Good luck to you. mpope@smithdebnamlaw.com is my email.

THANK you guys so much for answering my questions. I hated to ask it because I didn't want anyone to think I hadn't done my research. I have been reading alot about LB, but I guess b/c I haven't attended a seminar ( I go next Tuesday, the 29th in Cary) and/or haven't really talked to my PCP about it, some of this information can be foreign. : ) Thanks again. I'm really getting excited. :redface:

Thank you SO much for replying. I hope to be banded in '08 too. : )

:embaressed_smile:I keep reading about "fills". I have read about them but can't quite figure out exactly WHAT they are?

Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina Just wanted to get some opinions...