Ravenesqued

Yes, Yes!! YIPPEEE!! I am also getting banded on September 10. I just found out 2 hours ago. I am so elated I am ready to just jump out of my skin.

You go girl!! you are a true inspiration of feeling good on the outside to match how you feel on the inside. He will see that and it wouldn't matter what size you are. You did this for yourself and I have no doubt that the new confident, beautiful you will shine through and all fears set to rest when he sees your smile. Relax and just be yourself.

I am waiting to get my surgery date and am concerned now about my stretchmarks and elasticity of skin. After 50 pounds lost have any of you experienced your skin back to almost normal or do many of you feel that you have to have that skin surgery? The doctor told me (Dr. Ali at Fountain Valley Regional from Dr. LePort's office) that it is a myth that losing weight slower and drinking water will bring back the elasticity in your skin. This was very discouraging for me. I would love to hear from any of you.:thumbdown:

Starrgirrl, I am teary eyed thinking of what you are going through and wondering what I would do. I would do exactly what you want - to stay banded. My prayers are with you and you have to let us know what happened. My fingers are crossed and the angels are close.

Yes, yes, yes! I am so interested in meeting up. I haven't been approved yet for the band and will know more once I meet up with my doctor on Weds. I live in Fullerton and work in Cerritos. If it is after the 21st of this month, my schedule is open. Please keep me in the loop!

Hello Ventura County!! You mentioned Fountain Valley, I was referred through this forum to see Dr. Liu or Dr. La font do those doctors sound familiar to you? I am more excited to get this done than ever!!! I meet with my doctor on Wednesday. I am scared to close this forum out for fear I won't find you guys again.

Hello Denise, Its me again from Fullerton. I just read that you were going to Dr. Oliak that is where I wanted to go too. He wants to charge me $6K out of pocket and my insurance covers $10K. I got approved through Citibank for the $6K but I think if I go through my doctor I can go to a hospital and have everything covered. I wish you luck and keep me posted!!!

Hello Denise, I am from Orange County as well, Fullerton. I meet with my Doctor on Weds. to see if I get her blessing. I went to a clinic to inquire about the Lap band and they want me to pay $6K out of pocket with my PPO. So, I decided to go through my doctor so my insurance will pay. Looks like we both might be tracking the same since we are at the same starting point. I wish you luck and pray that my doctor says Okay to me. You are right this site has really helped me and I cannot wait to get banded. Do you know what slime is? There are a lot of words used here in the forum that I don't know what they are. Oh well, hope I learn at my meeting as well - If I get to go. What doctor are you going to? What city? Were you referred?

Paula, Congrats on getting this done. I am also 39 years old and just scheduled an appt. with my doctor hoping for the blessing to go through the insurance company. I have PPO and did the mistake of finding a clinic that wants me to fork out $6K when I know the insurance will pay for most of it. So, back to the drawing board. My appt with my medical doctor is on June 11th then from there I am hoping to get pushed through the process quickly. I might have the band around the same time as you if I have to do the 6 month thing. I will continue to see your progress. I am really liking this site.

Hello all! I am 39 years old and so excited to get the lap band. I just decided yesterday to do it and told my family who is also excited for me. Now I have PPO and did not go through my doctor I went right to Dr. Oliak in Orange and have all these appt. set up and ready to go for end of August procedure. So, I went through Capital One for additional financing of $6K that I need and only $10K was paid through my insurance. I am being offered a 19.99% interest rate- they are crazy. I think this particular doctors office charges a lot of unecessary things that my insurance will not cover. So, my question is two fold: Have any of you had PPO insurance and went through your doctor anyways? Can anybody refer a lapband doctor to me in Orange County?

Just joined to learn more about what 'real' people are going through. I just received financing today and will attend a seminar on July 12th. I am anxious and hoping that your voices will soothe and encourage me during the next few months. I will be going to Dr. Oliak in Orange, CA with the blessing of my doctor. So, no going back now. I can say good bye to 70 pounds in no time.