I posted a message earlier to introduce myself. Now I am just freaking out because I am soooo scared and unsure what to do. I cannot stand being this big. I have tried diet after diet but no success. I am on Medicare and last time I checked they were not paying for this procedure. They pay for gastric bypass but not the LB. I am going to call again tomorrow. Right now I am just feeling down, depressed and all alone. I am scared to have the surgery but scared not to.

Thank you everyone for all your post on this site. I have been reading them for the past several hours. Maybe there is hope for me yet.

If you didn't feel like this you wouldn't be normal stuff4tt. Seriously, if you've done all the research and feel confident in your choice of surgeon, if you understand the band rules and have decided you can live within those parameters, it's time to give yourself a break and stop worrying. If you want to see more people who are in the exact same place you are, go to the Introductions forum. Almost everyone feels exactly like you do. I know I did before I got my band.

Welcome to LapBandTalk and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Medicare DOES pay for bariatric surgery...but there are often waiting lists for that service because Medicare pays so little. At my DS surgeon's office right now there is a one-year wait for--I THINK it's Medicare, but it could be MediCal, to get into the first appointment. But that's no reason to not get started.

Figure out what you want to do and then start asking around for others who have already done it. The path will become visible. (But don't let your depression swallow you up...it's hard to see the future from inside a dark hole!)

Welcome to LBT!! It's great to have you here!! I hope you find this a place full of info, fun, & encouragement. LBT has been a lifesaver for me. I didn't even finish your post b4 I thought of Dody. She was approved for the lapband via Medicare. She can give you some pointers. Just look under members for her name....Dody. In the meantime, I will let her know your looking for info.

Hang in there and keep your chin up. There is ALWAYS hope and light at the end of the tunnel. God bless you and your journey!!

:welcome:

My surgery is booked for 17th July and there are days when I'm excited and thrilled about the surgery then I have days when I'm PETRIFIED!!!!!

I think this is a normal roller coaster of emotions that many people go through prior to getting the surgery.(I hope so)

Hang in there!

I posted a message earlier to introduce myself. Now I am just freaking out because I am soooo scared and unsure what to do. I cannot stand being this big. I have tried diet after diet but no success. I am on Medicare and last time I checked they were not paying for this procedure. They pay for gastric bypass but not the LB. I am going to call again tomorrow. Right now I am just feeling down, depressed and all alone. I am scared to have the surgery but scared not to.

Thank you everyone for all your post on this site. I have been reading them for the past several hours. Maybe there is hope for me yet.

Medicare most definitely pays for the band. I know that to be fact as I'm being banded under Medicare. The only hitch is it has to be a center of excellence, and that is why I'm with family in Tennessee to be banded at Vanderbilt. Call Medicare and find out the centers of excellence or google it. It is well worth the time, and Medicare is now paying much better for the band. I will be left with a remainder of $300.00, and that is great.

Please don't give up hope. You will require an extensive physical but that is great. I'm on hold right now for some other medical problems, but I hope to join the banded before long. If you have any questions at all feel free to PM me, and please let me know what state you are in.

Good luck to you,

Dody