I have an appointment for banding on december 14. This is the second appointment that I have made. The first was in June of this year...but I cancelled it. My parents came unglued to say the least...so worried about me...they know I can do it if I really try, etc. My husband does not support me in doing this either. To make a very long story short...if this operation was covered by my insurance, I think he would be more positive. I agree $17,000 is a lot of 4, but it is my health that is at stake.

We are doing the Dave Ramsey thing and are following the guidelines pretty well..lots of progress. But having to take out a loan to cover "elective" surgery costs definitly goes against what he teaches. my husband reminds me of this regularly. But this surgery is like the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I have tried to eat right/diet since 3rd grade...that's over 25 years...no permanent success so far. I feel that after all this time...it is safe to say that what I have been doing is not working. I need to change strategies...and the band seems like it will help me succeed.

So...basically...I am getting it from all angles...guilt...guilt...guilt...i would write "guilt" a few more times...but I think I would run out of room.

Anyone else have a similar situation? I feel like I have no support. I have never had to do anything without family support..It is really hard. Any advice???

Hello, i'm Jennifer. Even though you aren't getting support from home you'll find lots of support here. I'm not banded yet, waiting for insurance approval. I mentioned the band surgery with several of my friends I thought would support me. Wrong! so I dropped it. then there are those that support me 100%. My husband is on a need to know basis. I won't tell him until I have a surgery date.

Don't worry, you can do this. Just think how healthy you'll be in a few months.

Perhaps your husband is insecure about himself and feels threatened. Fear of the unknown can cause people that love you act crazy. I'm sure they have your best interest in mind. They'll come around. You just do what you know you have to do!!!

Take care.

I am right there with you!!! Are you my twin? I am self-pay, my insurance excludes it and we live the Dave Ramsey way. I am getting support from everyone BUT my sister who is a doctor. She has never had a weight problem so she can't possibly know what it is like to be me. I have struggled for years. I had a friend do the lap band last year and has been very successful. She is the reason that I am doing this for myself!

You will be fine. Look at it this way, when you have lost all of oyur weight then what will your nonsupporters say then?

I was self pay too. Right after the surgery, I told my primary care doctor, who is a twit, that I had the surgery. His response was "I lost 40 pounds and all I did was eat 6 small meals instead of 4" and he pulled out his drivers license to show me the change. All I could say was "Good for you." People who should know better often don't get it..... so we hang with people who do!

Besty Jane: I guess I'm lucky, my primary was happy that I asked about being banded and was 100% behind me and even gave me the phone # to start the process. My insurance will pay 100% however, some of my friends are another story.

I'm going to do what I have to do for me and everyone esle is on a need to know basis and all they need to know is that I'm losing weight, looking good and much healthier!!

While the on-line support is good for all of us to question and vent don't forget finding a support group that you can attend in your area. The one here in St. Louis is great. We meet twice a month and each meeting we have guest speakers. My first meeting we had taste testing on Protein shakes we can make so we don't get tired of drinking the same old thing. New recipes for fat free dips, tuna ... plus major question and answers period.

Second meeting, a plastic surgeon. Last night a pharmicist. It's great to see others progress and make new friends that can eat all the same things as you.

I'm not banded yet but still want to encourage all!

Misltoe,

I am being banded on 12-19-06 and I have only told a few women friends at this point and my orthodontist. I think I will wait until after the procedure is done to say anything because I need to focus on being positive right now. I keep reading that it is important to have a good attitude so the recovery goes well. I have a laser

I agree with Wheetsin that obesity is a disease. I've been fighting this battle since I was 8 years old. Unfortunately, I inherited my mom's features from the neck up and my dad's body from the neck down! :girl_hug: I am now pre-diabetic and I need to get my weight under control so I don't get any sicker. I don't want to hear about how "lazy" I am, how I'm taking the "easy way out," etc. from people who don't understand that I need this tool to control my disease.

So, here's my advice: :lalala: Block out that negativity. It's time to focus on yourself--I would bet money that you spend an awful lot of your time doing everything for everyone else! It's your time to work on improving yourself. :xena_banana: If no one else likes it, then they can lump it! :girl_hug:

My husband was not supportive my kids were I just told my mother the day before because she had to go with me to drive me home otherwise I told a girl at work at work did not get much support at all but i did it for me and who cares what everyone else thinks i had to make my self feel better about myself in i other words i was desperate i have been on a perpectual diet since age 13 and i am sick of it.

Lapbandtalk is support, great information and people.

Hi,

You need to do this, and not let your husband stop you. My husband didn't agree with me getting the surgery either!

One thing, are you getting the best price possible? I was going for the

$17,000 surgery also in the US and I was having trouble getting my

insurance to cover it. They told me who to go to and they don't cover all

methods (i'm not sure about banding), also they wanted me to gain weight

before I went through with it! Yes I am 100 lbs overweight.

I researched Doctors in Mexico and was very happy with the price difference I saw, and forget the insurance companies and I did not

have to go through 3/4 of the paperwork and pre op requirements.

The hospital in Mexico was great, the surgeon was great, the after-care was great.

giantangel----Hugs

Mexico was GREAT and fun too. After getting the band I went to the beach, drove 1000 miles around the Baha and stayed in wounderfull hotels. My girl and mother-in-law ate at every taco stand. They had a blast teasing me with the smell. I walked all over TJ till 2 in the morning with them. The only trouble I had was pushing mom in the wheelchair up hills. As for the Americans with ignorant ideas, good luck to them. I would have prefered to stay at home in my local area for this. But I felt that waiting untill I saved the money to be banded at home would have been a death sentence.