Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Considering Lapband



Recommended Posts

Hello All, I have been looking into banding for the past 6 months and think I'm ready to make an appointment. I have yo-yo dieted for years and the weight always comes back on. Now I have developed high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. In the past 3 months I've started an exercise regimen with a personal trainer and am firming up, but not losing the weight, so have decided that doing the banding and working out will both benefit me.

Our insurance company is BCBS but they have an exclusion in our policy, so don't think I'll be able to get them to pay for it, looks like self pay :cry

My husband is concerned for my health, as am I, but he's not being supportive of the surgery. I've talked to him about it for a long time and finally just told him that I am going to do this for myself because if I don't I may not be around for him to worry about. I'm hoping to schedule this sometime before the holidays.

I live in Katy, Texas and am interested in knowing which doctors in the area have a good reputation, and what kind of costs I'm looking at. I've heard anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 or more. Any info will be welcomed.

Thanks all

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

katylady ---HI

What kind of BCBS? On there web site they say they cover bariactic surgery? Just curious my self I am going to call tom. We have insurance through laborers union and I am sure they will not cover. But I keep hoping. Good luck. I will find out tomorrow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Katylady .. I also have BCBS and they would'nt cover it I tryed for almost 2 years to have them cover it and they would'nt So I went self paid and yes it's more in the $15,000 range but I think well worth it, for me anyway's I did'nt have the high blood pressure but I did have the diabetes, but for me I have been big most of my life and this is the bigest I have ever been at 271 and I just knew it was time for a change and I tried diets and other stuff yes comes off for a few month but then I gain it right back blah .. lol.....And my husbend at 1st was NOT! for me getting it but I didnt care it's my health my body and I am doing it for me.. and my kids so that way I can live longer with them. I am in my 2nd week since I have had it done and I am doing pretty good , I have my doctors appt today at 1pm. to make sure it's all going good tc and if you need anyone to talk to We are here for you!!!!!!

TexasBr@t oh and the dr that did mine was Felix Spiegel and I was banned on Sept 1, 2006 oh and I am near Katy I am off of hwy 6 and I -10

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello TigerLiliy and TexasBr@t. Thanks for responding. Our BCBS is through my husbands union. Our medical coverage is great except for this. Oh well, I agree, it's my body and I'm going to do whatever it takes to be around for my family.

TexasBr@t, how did you like Dr. Speigel? How long does it take to go through the initial process to having the surgery? Does his office provide info on medical financing? I'm ready to do this yesterday!

I'm so glad I found this forum. Reading through all these experiences has me more convinced than ever that this is what I need to do.

I am short, just 5'2" with a very small body frame. Finding clothes is a nightmare for a petite fat woman and I can't wait to be able to shop in a regular store and buy things that don't look like they were made for my grandmother! Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly a spring chicken, but I don't want to look like an old crow.

One worry, my husband has been jealous in the past when I've lost weight, and I think that may be why he's against this. Have any of you experienced you spouse being jealous or trying to sabotage your efforts since you've lost weight? How do you deal with it? We've been together for 30 years and he is my one and only, but I think it scares him. By the way, he's very fit and trim.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

lol that is funny you say that about your husband. 1st thing my husband said was you better not leave me when you get thin. I think cause I have alway been FAT!! with him , I told him you have nothing to worry about I love you.. and will be with you and we are in 13 years of marrage now .And he is very fit and trim too!!! 5'9 180 pounds to my 5'3 271.. lol if he could stay with me well I am fat and he loved me the way I was Well I am not going to leave that man I wont fine anyone better then that anyways!!!!! Well I payed Cash I got the money from my grandma, but yes if you call them they can give you some of the info on where you can get some financing.. Once you get the financing you can get it done that week.. I went in on Aug 28th and had it done on Sept 1st Once they know you can pay , its up to you when u want it done. anyways keep in touch and let us know how everything is going ....

TexasBr@t

Dr Felix Spiegel banned on Sept 1, 2006

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello All, I have been looking into banding for the past 6 months and think I'm ready to make an appointment. I have yo-yo dieted for years and the weight always comes back on. Now I have developed high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. In the past 3 months I've started an exercise regimen with a personal trainer and am firming up, but not losing the weight, so have decided that doing the banding and working out will both benefit me.

Our insurance company is BCBS but they have an exclusion in our policy, so don't think I'll be able to get them to pay for it, looks like self pay :cry

My husband is concerned for my health, as am I, but he's not being supportive of the surgery. I've talked to him about it for a long time and finally just told him that I am going to do this for myself because if I don't I may not be around for him to worry about. I'm hoping to schedule this sometime before the holidays.

I live in Katy, Texas and am interested in knowing which doctors in the area have a good reputation, and what kind of costs I'm looking at. I've heard anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 or more. Any info will be welcomed.

Thanks all

I live near San Antonio, Texas and the cost range you mentioned is about the going rate for my area. The Wish Center here runs a self-pay special for $10.7K; Southwest Bariatrics in Austin is about 15K w/follow-up and fills, and New Dimensions is running about 15.3K as an outpatient w/out follow-up and fills and 20.3K with overnight stay and follow-up care to include fills.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

TexasBr@t, sounds like you and I have a lot in common. My husband and I have been together a long time. Although I was very thin when we dated and were married, the weight started coming on after the kids. I have yo-yo'd for the last 20 years with no success. He has stayed by my side the whole time and I have absolutely no doubt that he loves me. He has never said anything negative about my weight until the diabetes and other health problems began happening, and he still doesn't say anything negative, just that he is concerned for my health and doesn't want to be left alone if something happens to me.

Too bad there's not a WISH CENTER in the houston area, I can come up with 10K much easier than 15k.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi katylady,

I used Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico it was 10,600. and included 3 days hotel and pickup at airport and travel to dr. office and hospital. Great Dr. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×