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After looking at so much info and many talk with my husband, I have decided that I want to get the Lap Band surgery. Now I am stuck, I dont even know where to start. Who do I go see first? I know that my insurance will cover all but $2000 and I dont need a referral. I just dont know how to get this rolling. Any help would be so great!!!!!! Heres to starting what will be a great journey <3

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Just Google lap band and your city name and start calling around to get prices. Also, you can look in the forums under your area for doctors and reviews.

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Go to the top of this page and click on "Surgeons". Input your zip code and find popular surgeons in your area. Google or call them to see if they're holding any seminars. Go to as many as you can so you find the one doctor you feel comfortable with. Ask questions, go to support groups before settling on a surgeon. Good luck.

tmf

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Pick a surgeon and attend their seminars. Learn all you can before the surgery.

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Research! I did lots, 6 months worth!

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I started out at one hospital went through their seminar and did NOT like their surgeon! My mom was seeing the only surgeon who accepted her insurance I went to her seminar with her an quickly changed docs!!! Make sure you like your surgeon and look look look around before you settle!

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Couldn't agree more about picking the right surgeon! I went as far as going out-of-pocket because I didn't much care for the insurance-contracted option (came across as very paternalistic/heavy-handed and didn't provide nearly as many stats about his track record). The band itself is just a piece of plastic and silicone, the surgeon's skill at correct/effective and safe placement are much more important, so weigh your options and don't rush :-)

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Thanks everyone for great advise. I am attending my first seminar next Thursday. I am excited and my very supportive husband will be right by my side. I love that there is this site/family that you can go to and get the best advise. I do have to admit I have become a little addicted to this site. I love reading everyones different paths. It really opens your eyes to it all.

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Thanks everyone for great advise. I am attending my first seminar next Thursday. I am excited and my very supportive husband will be right by my side. I love that there is this site/family that you can go to and get the best advise. I do have to admit I have become a little addicted to this site. I love reading everyones different paths. It really opens your eyes to it all.

This site is addictive.. I followed it for over a month before actually signing up

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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