Hi all, Just thought I'd introduce myself. Hubby and I are in South Florida and we are attending an introduction seminar this Wednesday evening and one at a different center next week. Then we'll try to make an educated choice. We are going to have to be "self pay" because my insurance does not cover any bariatric procedures. I'm hoping it will cost around $10,000 but probably won't know till next week. Hubby and I have gained and lost a lot of weight, but the past 2 years have been really tough for us both. Lose 5, gain 8; lose 12, gain 15.

Looking forward to participating in this forum.

Deb and Greg in South Florida

WELCOME TO THE SITE; MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL ONLY PAY IF YOU USE A SURGEON THAT IS

AFFILIATED WITH A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE. BE CAUTIOUS IN YOUR CHOICE...TALK TO PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA. GOOD LUCK....

Google any doctor you consider. I look up their ratings and also check to see if they are certified in baratric surgery instead of being just a general surgeon.

Hi, SW FL here. I go to SMH Bariatric Center. I really like everyone there.

Thanks for the warm welcome! We have found a certified Bariatric Surgeon who is located right around the block from us and in the same building as our primary care physician. We have the info session next Wed. Really getting excited about starting this journey. We've almost got our financing in order and that should be completed by next week. So we should be good to go!

Deb. Let me play devil's advocate here.

As one who went self-pay, I will give you some information.

Since insurance companies will require extra testing to determine necessity and feasibility (and perhaps reasons to exclude), self pay gets their surgery quicker. I know from the day I went in for my initial consultation to the surgery day, I waited 2 weeks. Literally, I was starting preop diet almost immediately.

Such things don't give you much time to consider all the options.

You will be told all about how lap band is reversible. Yeah, maybe... if you want to go through surgery again, pay for a procedure that will cost equal to or more than your initial surgery. In other words, for private pay, it's not necessarily reversible without medical emergencies.

Your life will change. There will be foods you absolutely cannot eat with ease. I can't tell you what it will be for you. For me, it's Pasta (ok, that's good), its seeded foods (what good is a weightloss plan without tomatoes), most fruit.

You can never go out to eat, go on a cruise, or dine anywhere without scouting out where the restroom is. (we're polite calling it PB, or productive burping.... the fact is, you're going to throw up; often times even if you haven't over eaten).

Because of the gastric changes, there might be some unforseen problems. I have been having for 4 years chronic bad breath... and my dentist will say it's not dental... it's gastric.

2 months ago, I had an umbilical hernia repair that my surgeon said started 4 years ago during my lap band. (yes, I knew it, but let it go, only going in when it strangulated and I lost 6 inches of intestine in the repair). IN other words, the 12,000 surgery has now cost me 50,000.

Loose skin. If you lose a great deal of weight (like the 130 I've lost), you'll have a lot of sag, even with exercise. For me, that's not a huge deal, but don't let the ads of people wearing bikinis fool you... you will not lose that much weight and ever be ready for swimsuit season.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it... if you want to have lapband, then go for it. But go in fully aware about the decision you're making. It is a great tool if you want to lose weight (but it will only work if you use it right).

But again, be aware of all the facts... it's not just about the weight you lose... it's about the full life changes.

Steve, thank you for playing Devil's Advocate. I definitely want to hear the good with the bad. There are a few things that I really have no problem with. Being nauseous and having gas is an everyday occurrence for me now, with eating habits. I need to change them and need to be strong. As for bathing suits - I live in South Florida and I literally never go to the beach or pool. I'm way too overweight, and it's just not important to me because I have issues with fair skin and skin cancer. I'm very familiar with hernias and the extra skin is also not an issue. I'm not looking to be a super model, I just want to get off all the BP meds I'm on, I want to be able to go for a walk with my husband without pain, I want to be able to move to the mountains and walk with my dogs.

I know if I continue on the path I'm on, I'll never see those thing I wrote about above. If this doesn't give me the skinny body I would love, I'm praying it will give me back better health than I have now and the ability to walk with my husband and my dogs and share the beauty of where we live and where we hope to live,

Once again, I am very thankful for the cons, as usually you only hear about the pros. I will definitely keep your comments in mind as I continue the researching process.