Randgalt

I've tentatively selected Dr. Lavin in Louisiana even though I live in California. I got a great feeling from him on the phone plus he's a lot cheaper than some of the doctors near me. Should I be concerned about how complications will be handled? His office told me that I'd need to go back to their hospital in Louisiana if complications arise. Is that common? I know a lot of folks go to Mexico. Is it worth around $4K (travel factored in) more to have it done locally? -JZ

My CPA told me that you have 60 days to repay the loan - and that means exactly 60 days. The money has to be back on the 59th day.

emlefe - great post. I'm so excited about getting sleeved for exactly the reasons you lay out.

FYI - I recently found this video that mentions leakage as the biggest risk with VSG. However, it's substantially reduced if the surgeon reinforces the staple line. I'm still pre-op and will absolutely make sure my doctor does this.

Dr. Thomas Lavin. BTW - they tell me that the price includes everything as well as complication coverage.

I live in California, Dr. Cirangle quoted me around $18K so I'm going to have it done in Louisiana by Dr. Lavin. Their quote is $13,600. BTW - I'm self pay.

Out of curiosity, is it causing weight gain for you? Also, do you find that you can eat a lot of junk or does the sleeve stop you from gorging?

I got a good laugh out of that

My wife and I did it. For me, it's like everything else. I'm able to do it for a while but I lapse - I can't maintain it.

My understanding is that water makes the food slide out of the sleeve easier thus you don't get the benefit of the restriction.

I'm at the early stages of my VSG adventure. When I joined this forum I set up a ticker and was deciding on my goal weight. How did others here choose a goal weight? Is it a weight you'd be happy with? Is it your ideal (based on BMI) weight? Is it your high school weight? What's realistic? In high school I was 150 and would be thrilled to hit that. I chose 160 as I'd be very happy there. According to the standard BMI charts I should be 140 - I don't think I was ever that thin in high school.

I'm wondering whether I will or not. One of the reasons I'm doing VSG is that there are, technically, no food restrictions after recovery.

I live in Monterey

Doh - I'm doing that. I'm mentally not counting calories like I used because I'm telling myself that I'm going to get the surgery.

My mother did in order to get her gastric bypass covered.

43 per hour for me. I just started using CPAP this week and it's made a significant difference for me. I'm sleeping _much_ better. I don't wake up groggy.

That's really encouraging. One of the things keeping me from saying yes to the band is situation just like you talk about. If I know I can nibble a bit and not lose it, that helps my decision.

Try to get a sleep study done. My BMI is 37 and it turns out I have Sleep Apnea so Blue Cross will cover it.

I had my first meeting with my Bariatric Doctor, Pamela Foster, today. We meet for well over an hour and it was very informative. I haven't decided to go ahead with a band yet, but I'm almost there. Dr. Foster was very encouraging and laid out everything very clearly. She's been doing bands since 2001 and does over a hundred bands a year so I think she's well qualified. She said that if I wanted, I could be banded by January. Next steps: get a psych exam, some blood work and check in again next month. Stay tuned...

Thanks. I'm diagnosed with "severe" obstructive sleep apnea. So, I think that should get me coverage. Now, I need to get my mind around actually doing this thing.

"What I want is to be like normal people who can have one cookie and stop" That says it all for me. Once I start, I can't stop.

Even Insurance covered banders have to pay co-pay, deductible, etc., right? I think that can come to $2K which is not small change.

Hey ziggledog, You seem to have the same stats that I do - age 46, BMI around 37, around 230 lbs. You say your insurance covered 100%, I assume you had co-morbidities. Was it sleep apnea? I've just been diagnosed with it and am hoping to get insurance coverage for banding.

gnortenjones, what are the slider foods that are trouble for you?

Hey - another guy here I'm still in the investigation stage. This site is very helpful.