Hi! I'm Deborah...I have been lurking in the forums for a bit now and finally took the pludge and scheduled my first consult appointment with Dr Lusco for January 31st! I kept putting it off until I found that my insurance-United HealthCare via UPS covers lapband surgery and they only require the usual BMI and 5 year history of weight issues...YAY!!! Thanks to everyone for great information I have received so far...I hope i don't wear out my welcome by asking too many questions! LOL

welcome and ask away, hugs

Hello. Im sort of new here also but I have found that there are some awesome and helpful people here and they will answer any questions you have. I am in the beginning of my journey and they have been very helpful so ask away.

Hi! I'm Deborah...I have been lurking in the forums for a bit now and finally took the pludge and scheduled my first consult appointment with Dr Lusco for January 31st! I kept putting it off until I found that my insurance-United HealthCare via UPS covers lapband surgery and they only require the usual BMI and 5 year history of weight issues...YAY!!! Thanks to everyone for great information I have received so far...I hope i don't wear out my welcome by asking too many questions! LOL

That's great I'm happy for you. I got a new job and they approve the surgery too with united health care choice but I have to do the six month diet. No biggie though I'm doing my third visit to the doctor on feb 1. I have 3 more months to go and then I'm set hopefully everything goes well for all of us newbies.

Surgeon help in KC... I am ready to take the plunge. I have a consult with Dr. Mallet on the 30th, but the 4 people I know who have the band used other drs.. 3 of them the same dr. Dr. Mallet is the most expensive... Any ideas

Weight loss surgercial center they are amazing! I wil be banded soon

I used united health care and let me tell you it was really cheap! I just got banded today 01/18/13 I wish you the best of luck!! keep us updated

I used united health care and let me tell you it was really cheap! I just got banded today 01/18/13 I wish you the best of luck!! keep us updated

I used united health care and let me tell you it was really cheap! I just got banded today 01/18/13 I wish you the best of luck!! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> keep us updated <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

That's great. If u don't mind me asking what did u pay for was it just the consults or for the actual surgery

Welcome to all the newbies here. How exciting!

You will find tremendous support, knowledge and inspiration here and I hope you all post often so we can get to know you.

Best wishes on your journey's to better health.

Going for my first visit to the Doc Thursday. Told my Husband today and he said let's do this. I will be self paid. Insurance want cover cause I am not about to die. They don't know me to well. If I don't get this I will die! So glad I found this Forum

Well I have made it quite a ways in the week, I have my seminar on February 2nd with Dr. Pitt in Columbia, MO. I am very excited! It's fun to have friends who have been where I am.

Wow you in missouri!

I'm a newbie as well. I've been lurking to reading all the forums. I've had my initial consult and my psych Val is this Thursday. I pray this is the right decision as I have just chosen this instead of the sleeve.

Congratulations on making the decision to have WLS ask all the questions you need - to your doctor, here, Facebook,YouTube!! I spent a year asking questions, researching and watching videos. It is always better to ask then to wonder if you should have asked.

Thank you shrinkingfatchick! I have been doing research for 6 months now. Too much reading can be nerve wrecking hearing about failures. Battling with weight my whole life success has to be the only option.