Stesti

:wave: Hi Everyone: I'm being banded on July 14th with my friend, Colleen. I'm ready to go and start the liquid diet on Friday. I found sugar free lifesaver popsicles tonight. They're awesome! I feel prepared and a little anxious. I think that's to be expected. Best of luck to you all.

It's great to see someone from St Louis! My friend and I have an appointment with Dr Wagner next week and would love your feedback. We are currently scheduled for sugery July 6th at Des Peres with Dr Minkin. We are getting very nervous due to the fact that they seem quite disorganized. We're ready to jump ship and would like your imput on Dr Wagner. Sarah seems totally on the ball. Thanks so much, Stefani and Colleen

Thanks for all of your help. My friend, who I am being banded with, comes home from vacation tonight. I'll present her with all that's been going on and we'll try and make an informed decision. I just want this new part of our lives to start as soon as possible.

I along with a friend are scheduled for surgery on July 6th in St Louis. We are confident in our doctor's skills but are finding that he and the hospital aren't very organized. There has been much confusion about the total cost of surgery. For example, we will be billed by Radiology and Anesthesiology for their services in addition to the hospital fees. (we are self-pay) No one could tell me how much these fees will be so I had to personally call these people to ask what their fee was. We were also unaware that our first few fills would be done at the hospital which is $600-$800 a pop. There is another doctor in St Louis that specializes in Lap Band and I contacted his office today. His staff is impresive, organized and very up front about money. And he happens to be less expensive. Fills are $50 in office and $133 at the hospital. I have scheduled us appointments with this new doctor next week. I guess I feel disloyal to our existing surgeon but am beyond frustrated with the run around that we have recieved. I'm emotionally prepared for a July 6th surgery date and if we switch surgeons that date will change a week or two. Has anyone out there been through something similar and has anyone had Dr Van Wagner as their surgeon in St Louis? Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi Bug: Thanks for the information. Our insurance picked up our pre-testing and our surgeon's after care is for just 6 months. Do you mind me asking where you are having your surgery and the quote the hospital is giving you? We are in St Louis. Thanks so much.

I am self pay and being banded on July 6th. MY pre-testing was picked up by my insurance. My tests totalled $2800. I believe my doctor sumbitted the tests as something other than pre-testing for surgery.

My friend and I are scheduled for surgery on July 6th. We are both self pay and the hospital keeps adding expenses that we were not anticipating. We've heard that you can negotiate fees when scheduling surgery. Has anyone out there had any luck negotiating reduced prices with the hospital? :phanvan

Terrible day today. Derek showed up at my door at 3AM. What was he thinking. He wants to get back together and I said "no way"! He's threatened by my up coming surgery and I think he uses my weight as a control issue. I'm scared and he makes me doubt my resolve and follow through with this surgery. I keep thinking....what if I gain the weight back? I want so badly to win this battle. Took a nap this afternoon and woke up thinking that I CAN do this and I Will be successful....watch me shine!!!

Terrible day today. Derek showed up at my door at 3AM. What was he thinking. He wants to get back together and I said "no way"! He's threatened by my up coming surgery and I think he uses my weight as a control issue. I'm scared and he makes me doubt my resolve and follow through with this surgery. I keep thinking....what if I gain the weight back? I want so badly to win this battle. Took a nap this afternoon and woke up thinking that I CAN do this and I Will be successful....watch me shine!!!

Hi, this is my first post. I got the ok today that I will be having surgery on July 6th along with a dear friend. I feel so lucky to experience this with her. I'm looking foreword to learning as much as I can before surgery.