bellyfatgone

Did you end up getting banded by Tran? I am scheduled for next monday dec.28th. Just wondering how it went.

After reading everyones comments about the fasting, I have to say that I am glad I don't have to do it. I am at the lower end of the BMI so I asked if I could just do slimfast for the week. They said that was fine. I did it today and stuggled with just one day! All those who have done it for a week or longer ...congrats. That shows a lot of will power and you should be proud of yourself. I bet your post op will be easier because of it.

My date is the 29th too. I go in tomorrow for my preop appt. and probably start the optifast as well. Good luck to you.

What is the website for the free shakes? I'd love to find them. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks realtruelady, I have had 2 c-secs and back surgery, but I'm a little more nervous about this one. Maybe it's because the other surgeries weren't really a choice like this one is.

Hi everyone, After a long process with the insurance, I just got my approval today. My surgery is now scheduled for Dec. 28th. I'm a little nervous as I'm sure everyone is with everything happening so quickly now. How are all you recent banders doing so far? Anything I should know?

Yes, I went to Eric's seminar then realized he wasn't in network so I found Robert. When they made me sign that I would pay the $2500.00 program I started doing research and found most Dr.s don't charge more than a few hundred. I am now on my last month of diet and am ready to have surgury with Bluepoint surgical out of Fair oaks.

Hi everyone, I'm sure there are other threads with this topic, but I couldn't find them. I'm not very good with the search tool. Anyway, I have 7 year old twins and a 5 year old that I are asking me questions about all the appointments that I'm going to. I've tried to give as little info as possible, and they know that I want to have surgery soon, but they don't know why. I was just wondering what other's have told their children about the surgery. I pretty much eat what I want right now and I don't want them to ever think that they can eat what they want and just go get a surgery to fix it later. Any ideas?

yes, they seem nice. But the program fee has gone up dramatically since you had your surgery. It is now $2500.00!!! I have switched surgeons and am now going to a center of excellence hospital/surgeon.

I have done most of my preops that are necessary, but my surgery was pushed back because my insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet. My plan is to be banded in November, but I'm wondering if I should find a new Dr. The reason I'm considering this is I remember signing a paper that said I would pay a huge sum of money prior to surgery (I think around $2,500) not covered by insurance- for program fees or after surgery care. Will I end up paying that even if I found someone else? My Dr. now is Dr. R. Pinnar in VA. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Linda, Did you find that the Dr.s were easily available there? How long did it take to get an appointment there typically? and how soon after insurance approval did you get your surgery done. Lots of ?'s I know, but my 6 month diet will be done the end of Nov and I'm hoping to get surgery done in Dec. before my insurance starts over again in jan. So I need to find an available doc.

Evie...did you know that Barry Greene is the same Doc who works for Dr. Pinnar in Reston? Unfortunately both offices (advanced wt loss surgery and advanced wt loss solutions) are out of network for insurance. I also know Dr. Pinnar charges around $350 for the first office visit which is not billable to insurance...not sure about Greene. I'm still searching....looks like I will end up going to Baltimore to stay in network. I just haven't seen much on here about those Docs. I'm considering both Johns Hopkins and Univer. of Maryland med ctr. Does anyone have an input on either of those two locations?

did you end up going to Dr. Pinnar for surgery? I'm doing more research on local Surgeons because I've heard that most others don't charge that $2500 fee. Just wondering what others are doing.

I just called to see what the program fee was for and they said it covered 1 year of follow up nutritional appointments which they do not bill insurance for. I've been trying to research other Docs and it just seems such a pain to switch. Maybe it's worth the $2500 at this point....or maybe not.

can I ask how much you paid? did he charge any out of pocket fees and do you get nutritional counseling?

And who was this surgeon....I may have to fly to WA to get it done huh?

I would go to him but I am self pay and he is $7k higher than where I am going in Michigan....tomorrow! You will not have to start all over again, and if you have insurance why did you pay out of pocket for you evaluation? That makes no sense.... some of these doctors are playing a game and it makes all doctors look bad.... good luck. Good luck tomorrow!

The psych was out of network(long story) and so I had to pay upfront and have my insurance reimburse...they did pay $220 which made it a little easier on the pocket. I will check out Dr. Greene. Thanks for the tip.

WOW! My Psych Eval was $350.00!!!

Thanks for your comments. I'll have to check into other surgeons in the area to see if they charge anything. I know that everything seems to be more expensive in Va compared to many other places, so maybe it's the norm.

I'm soooooo bummed!!! Well it looks like the surgery might not work after all. Last week my surgeons office called and told me I was approved but this morning I decided to call my insurance to double check everything and apparantly they haven't recieved anything! I'm not sure what all the mix up was, but I'm super bummed now expecially since my mom just booked tickets for her to come stay with me afterwards for a few days. It makes me wonder if the office did that on purpose expecting that I wouldn't research it and have to pay out of pocket after the fact.

Hi everyone, I just recently got approved and have started telling friends and family what I'm doing. Unfortunately, my family members have only given me negative stories of banding problems they've heard of. I know they are just concerned, but I also wonder if there are more complications that I'm not aware of. I thought the percentage of complications were pretty minimal. On another thought, I have 3 young children ages 7 and 5...how much should I tell them?

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm glad to get those percentages as well restlessmonkey! I know I read them somewhere, but could'nt find them again. It will be nice to tell them and let them know I've done my research as well. Unfortunately, most of them could use the lapband as well and maybe they will reconsider after I have mine done.:laugh:

Hi Everyone, I've been reading threads for the last month not really believing my insurance would approve me for surgery. I just snuck by with a bmi of 35. Anyway, I am so excited to be approved and get started on my weight loss journey. For those of you out there that think there's no way your insurance will approve you, you may be wrong. It doesn't hurt to try. I also think it helps to have a surgery staff pulling for you which I think Dr. R. Pinnars office did.

BCBS . It was about a month ago that I went to the seminar. Good luck to you too.