WhimsicalClay

6/1/06 My journey into lapband surgery began sometime in May 2006. I remember doing just a little bit of research on it and taking about it at Shrinemont to Hollie Mion. Shrinemont was May 15th- 21st so I know it was at least on my mind during that time. When I got home, I started doing more research and found Dr. Greene's AWL website. I learned that he held monthly meetings and I decided to go. The surgery seemed like something that would work for me. I knew I didn't meet the health requirements and that self-pay might be my only option. I remember speaking to him at the end of the meeting and asking about my BMI which was 36.6 at the time. He said they wouldn't weigh me anymore and just use my current weight as the basis of my insurance submittal. I made an appointment with Wendy Colbert, his right hand. It was much later that I learned that my insurance would not cover the surgery. I had heard somewhere that the surgery costed $24,000 in the US and about $9,000 in Mexico. I was mentally preparing myself to pay $24,000 so it was a great relief when I found out it was only $14,000, yeah right, only!!!

6/1/06 My journey into lapband surgery began sometime in May 2006. I remember doing just a little bit of research on it and taking about it at Shrinemont to Hollie Mion. Shrinemont was May 15th- 21st so I know it was at least on my mind during that time. When I got home, I started doing more research and found Dr. Greene's AWL website. I learned that he held monthly meetings and I decided to go. The surgery seemed like something that would work for me. I knew I didn't meet the health requirements and that self-pay might be my only option. I remember speaking to him at the end of the meeting and asking about my BMI which was 36.6 at the time. He said they wouldn't weigh me anymore and just use my current weight as the basis of my insurance submittal. I made an appointment with Wendy Colbert, his right hand. It was much later that I learned that my insurance would not cover the surgery. I had heard somewhere that the surgery costed $24,000 in the US and about $9,000 in Mexico. I was mentally preparing myself to pay $24,000 so it was a great relief when I found out it was only $14,000, yeah right, only!!!

Oh man that was a great post. I had exactly the same experience. Except mine must have been with Satan's sister!! Not only did the PT torture me on the machines but she made me run around a small room with windows so that everybody in the gym could see me suffer. She had me doing lunges, crunches, and hopping - like a frickin bunny!!!! I signed up for a one year membership and 6 weeks of personal training...I've never been back. Oscelyn

Hi everybody, Just wanted to pop in a say hello. I just completed the first 34 hours of my two-week liquid pre-op diet. I'm getting hunger headaches but other than that, things are going ok. Of course I'm excited and looking forward to August 28th!!!

I flew last night from Dulles airport in Va to Burlington Vermont and the TSA had everything flowing very smoothly when I checked in. No long lines, the only delay was getting clearance from the tower to take off. You can't take any type of Fluid items on the plains with the exception of certain meds and baby formula so put all that stuff in your checked luggage. I brought my ipod and had no problems at all. I arrived 3 + hours early for my flight just in case, but was through security and check in, in less than an hour. Spent 2+ hours sitting around just waiting on the plane. Yesterday morning was worse but the seem to have had everything under control by 6;30 yesterday, at least at Dulles.

Hey Pjk! Looks like there are 3 of us that I know of being banded that day. Where are you located? What is your drs pre-op requirements? I'm on Protein shakes 2 a day and one meal up until 8/13, after that, it's all liquids. Also have to give myself shots to reduce the chance of blood clots. Have to take an oral med to reduce the chance of vomiting after surgery. Another oral med to reduce the possibility of yeast...what else(?). Have script for Pepcid to reduce acid reflux. Oh, and the body wash that I have to use for 4 days 2x a day before surgery. Does your doc require any/many of these things? Look forward to losing with you!

Hi Coyotegirl Yeah, it is very hard and my doctor has very strict requirements. I keep sabatoging myself!!!! I have to lose 8 more pounds by the 28th. I go totally on liquids from the 14th - 28th! Now that's going to be hard. Will stay on the boards to get the encouragement I'll need.

My surgeon also requires a lot of pre-op test. While my insurance company does not cover any weightloss surgery, they did cover 100% of all the testing I've had done...including an EKG, echo, ultrasound, bloodwork, chest xray and I'm probably missing one or two. I was required to see a nutritionist as well as go to a cardiac rehab center and exercise. All of this had to be documented and returned to the surgeons office before he would even schedule a date for surgery. I forgot to mention that I am self-pay! Check with your insurance company. You may only have to pay the co-payments, seems to me if they are paying for the surgery, they'd pay for the pre-op testing as well. The doc I'm using also requires about 5 pre-op meds which insurance also paid. Once again, I just had to pay the co-pay.

Wow, thanks for posting that! Congrats on your banding and your decision to do it and for losing 35 pounds - forever!!!!! My doctor not only requires the 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet (no sugar and lots of Protein drinks), 4 weeks pre-op he requires that you begin getting use to the liquid phase by having 2 Protein drinks a day and only one meal. I keep questioning if I can do this but after reading your post, I know I will, I know I must. My doctor has also subscribed a new med on the market to keep you from vomitting after surgery. He's also one of the few doctors who requires that you give yourself injections of a blood thinning med to keep the possiblities of blood clots down. congrats again!!! and happy banding~ you're doing great

Thanks Nana! Yeah it is a good month! How are you doing with managing to keep your weight off and/or continue to lose after 2 years? I'm worried about my long term success with this. 3 weeks and counting!!

Thanks Myra for the warm welcome!!! I'm looking forward to it!

I'm new to the group and LBT as well. Being banded on august 28th and looking forward to it!

Hello everybody, I've been lurking for a few days and just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am scheduled to be banded on August 28th by Dr. B. Greene in Rockville, MD. My insurance BC/BS of DC does not cover the procedure at all. As of the 1st of August, I'm on a semi liquid diet, 1 meal and 2 Protein shakes a day. That all will change on August 14th when I go all liquid...really looking forward to that :omg: I am very encouraged by the success and support that is shown with this group and I look forward to becoming as successful as you all have been! Would love to chat with you all and get to know you as we win this battle together. Lett