My BMI is 39.3 and I am hoping to make an appointment with a doctor tomorrow morning.

My insurance will not cover it so I am going to be self-pay.

What is a realistic time frame for surgery? I would LOVE to have it done by October 5th. (Today is September 18th)

I am also looking for a doctor in the Houston area, so far I have turned up Dr. Spiegel & Dr. Spivak.

I am miserable. I have tried everything, every diet, every drug, I exercise, I did Insanity....I miss feeling good about myself.

Self pay is usually much faster than insurance pay- I've seen some go through in as fast as two weeks. It really depends on the tests the surgeon requires you to undergo before surgery.

I am not in your area, but know that True Results is pretty popular down there.

I am actually not living in the Houston area right now, but Colorado. I just feel like there are more skilled surgeons in Texas (I swear there are NO overweight people in Colorado!) I would be able to fly back and forth as frequent as I needed to....I am calling True results in the morning. Right now I am scheduled to fly home on October 8th but I can switch my flights if needed.

I'm here in Houston, and I was banded by Dr. Christopher Reilly through True Results. He is based at the West Houston Medical Center, but the True Results Office is located in the Medical Center and has a Surgical Center there that they use too. It should go quickly since you are self pay, but I don't know what kind of tests you will have to have before. Perhaps you can call and they can tell you so you can get all that done before your trip here. Good Luck

I was banded in Houston by Dr.Wilenfeld. His office (936) 441-3133. It didn't take long to get a date!

Lol. Colorado has the least obesity of any state. I noticed when I visited. Then saw stats that confirmed. I saw people riding bicycles up unbelievable elevations. Saw teens running trails like billy goats. I loved it. Off subject. Sorry

I just wanted to update.

I had my consult with Dr. Felix Spiegel on Wednesday, I was banded on FRIDAY. This has been quite the emotional rollercoaster, and a little bit more painful than I expected. I also had an umbilical hernia he had to repair.

I have a bunch of questions, but I will go the right forum for those! Thanks everyone for commenting

I have also been recently banded and can empathize with the pain. The day I had the surgery I felt no discomfort and was amazed how good I felt when I was recovering from anesthesia. Though the next day I woke up and was shocked at how uncomfortable I was. I ended up having to go back to the doctor two days later partly because I was in extreme pain because the medication that they gave me wasn't working but moreover because one of my wounds needed cleaning. But now four days out, I'm starting to feel much better. The pain will improve with time.