ccweeks

such an inspirational thread!!!! i hope we keep bumping this up to the top. i will add a few of mine to this great list! (i have chosen to wait to have my surgery the friday just before thanksgiving to avoid taking too many days off) i have made this choice because: -no longer do i want to worry about people dreading sitting next to me on an airplane -i want to wake up energized and ready to live every day -of my health. i have horrible migraines and am ready to bid them adieu.

i think they would be concerned about the anorexia. I am sure your dr would be interested in knowing how long ago you were anorexic and what type of treatment you got. Also, this is something that should be discussed during the psych. eval.

i didnt have to fast for my bloodwork (although it would have been best because the numbers were skeewed), but DID have to fast for my GI.

No, no. I'm not scared. I was actually trying to make the OP feel better. :biggrin: Sorry for confusing you!

I look at it like this (i'm pre-op): I think of being overweight and all the complications that come with carrying this extra weight. I think about huffing and puffing, sweating, people looking at me, feeling insecure, not being able to cross my legs as well as a skinny girl, my breathing being cut off by my too tight jeans and then I KNOW I can deal with the after care for my band. I know that I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I stay on track and don't drink sodas, eat stuff that will stretch my pouch, etc. To me, the benefits of this surgery faaaaar outweigh (no pun intended) any hesitations I have of how the post-op will go and how my life will change further. HTH!

Hi everyone! I'm going to be banded by Dr. Hart at True Results in Atlanta. I will be self pay (part financed / part cash) so I have less hoops to jump through. Last week I did my blood work, ekg, and chest x-ray / upper gi. Next week I will be meeting with the nutritionist and I will be ready to go! However, I do not intend to have the surgery until late October / early November. I'm trying to save up cash right until the last minute and I also have a packed schedule where I can't take any time off from work just yet. I look forward to reading everyone's posts!

Hi everyone! I'm going to be going through Dr. Hart at True Results in Atlanta. I will be self pay (part finance / part cash) so I have less hoops to jump through. Last week I did my blood work, ekg, and chest x-ray / upper gi. Next week I will be meeting with the nutritionist and I will be ready to go! However, I do not intend to have the surgery until late October / early November. I'm trying to save up cash right until the last minute and I also have a packed schedule where I can't take any time off from work just yet. I look forward to reading everyone's posts!

How much did you hate it?!?!?! OMG!!!! I had mine this morning and thought I would puke. 1st I drank the alka-selzer stuff and then they told me I couldn't burp...nearly impossible. Then I drank the liquid chalk (awfuuuuuul!) and they kept making me roll all over to coat my stomach. Then I drank another chalky drink that was a little thinner and rolled around some more. Finally, Water. Then, they tell me to take a laxative b/c I'm not going to be able to poo and when I finally do, it's probably going to be white (from the chalk drink). How much did YOU hate it?!?!

I think the thing that bothered me the most was that it was such a fast process and I was laying down in this tight space and all they kept telling me to do was to roll this way, roll that way, drink this, keep rolling, roll back. I got confused a lot and really felt sick to my stomach. I didn't realize I'd have to get another after the surgery...boo! I was hoping that was my first and last experience with it!!!

First of all, welcome! I would probably post this under the Insurance / financing board...and make the title "Anthem BCBS Lumenos of Wisconsin." I think there is a better chance of someone reading it who has dealt with the insurance company there. As far as insurance company's go, you just have to try to speak to a different person. Ask them if it's covered under your policy, that you know each policy is different, and if they direct you to the website, tell them you are having trouble finding an answer to your question there. I hope that helps!!!

It depends on your surgeon and your health history. I am self pay and had my testing done this morning. I asked that they do the minimum necessary for them to feel comfortable performing the procedure on me. They said it all depends on your history and how the EKG turns out. Mine was fine, but if it shows potential problems, then they ask for you to do a stress test.

I'm looking at October or November, too. I'm self-pay, so I have less hoops to jump through. They asked if I would like to have it sooner, but I have so much going on between now and October that I really can't take the time to slow down! I'll do 11/20 if my doctor has an opening...otherwise, I will do October 16th, 23rd, or 30th. 11/20 would be ideal b/c 11/25 & 11/26 are holidays so I won't have to take the time off of work!

i hope my reply did not come off like me telling you that you shouldnt complain bc some have to pay more than you. i just meant that its remarkable how many of us are going through financial hardships yet are finding ways to make this work. and you can, too!

Congrats! Tomorrow will be such a big day for you. Keep us updated on your progress!!!!

I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the news you were hoping for. Money is tight for many of us. In fact, my insurance doesn't pay for ANYTHING so I'll be spending $15,000 of my own money (that I don't have). My plan is to put $500 away per month in savings and finance the rest. Maybe you can put $100 - $200 away each month or paycheck? Cut back on spending certain things and put the money towards your surgery? I'm sure you'll find it really rewarding in the end :wub: Good luck!

Hello, friends. Just spoke with my insurance and it looks like I will be 100% self pay . So, I'm trying to see what others paid for their banding so I can a. find a surgeon i'm comfortable with at b. a decent price. Help a girl out! Thank you!!!!!!!

Looks like I'm going to be self pay. Just called Aetna and they said I'm not covered what-so-ever. Anyone else have a similar experience with Aetna or another insurance company? If so, how did you finance it? What are your payments like? It looks like I'll need $18k. Any assistance would be much appreciated.