Wow - Okay well I'm new to this forum, not really sure what I'm doing. I am 38 yrs old, and have 7 1/2 weeks until I am banded. I have read everything I can find on Lap Band surgery, and feel prepared medically............ but mentally - I am scared!! I am scared that if I put myself and my family through all of this, and it doesn't work - what then??? I am 114kgs (sorry not good with pounds - I'm Aussie) and am not very tall at 5ft 4....... putting my BMI at 45. I have waited 10 months for my insurance period to expire, so I can get this done, I have tried every other weightloss plan/diet known to man, and I have researched every detail............... why then do I feel like screaming or crying half the time, and excited the rest...................I feel lonely, and scared! I can't see myself losing the weight, and changing my life like so many of you have....... it does not seem real.

I don't have many close friends I can talk with, and the ones I do have don't understand.................. I'm hoping for support and motivation from this forum, and I look forward to getting to know you all - Cheers Karen

Perth born and bread myself!!!! Who is your surgeon you're going to see??

I don't know yet - just made the appointment with my GP to get the referral. I've been thinking about it for a long time and talked about it with him a few times and have tried many other options but reading this forum today gave me the courage to bite the bullet and go for it! I'm already excited! Any recommendations/warnings about surgeons in Perth?

My surgeon is Dr Stephen Watson. He's done over 1200 of these procedures and is apparently one of the best in WA in his field. He works from St John of God Hospital in Murdoch.

I'm still alive, so he must be doing something right!!!!

Ahh cool - I was looking at St John of God's because I live near Murdoch and like the hospital. I shall check him out further. Thanks.

Keep us posted on what happens - I am really excited for you - it's been the best decision of my life - GOOD LUCK!!!!!

dear all,

Hope this helps this is what I received from the SIOS centre here in Ashfield re expenses for Lap Band Surgery without insurance:

SURGICAL AND HOSPITAL COSTS

FOR LAP-BAND PROCEDURE

AS AT MAY 2007

WITHOUT PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER

If you are not with a private health fund, the following expenses apply.

SURGEON’S FEE $3,975.00

(ITEM NO. 30511)

ANAESTHETIC FEE $1,200.00

(ITEM NOS.17610, 20791, 25000 + TIME)

ASSISTANCE FEE $ 745.00

(ITEM NO. 51303)

CONSUMABLES/DIETITIAN FEE*

(8 VISITS INCLUDED) $ 580.00

HOSPITAL EXPENSES $8,822.00

(ACCOMMODATION CHARGES, THEATRE FEES, PROSTHESIS)

SUB TOTAL $15,322.00**

LESS MEDICARE REBATE (APPROX) $1179.00

TOTAL (APPROX OUT OF POCKET COSTS) $14143.00

(Please note: fees charged are subject to change).

This amount also includes all follow-up consultations including adjustments.

** This amount applies to patients without private health cover. A Medicare rebate is applicable for the surgical fee, surgical assistant fee & anaesthetic fee only.

then there is this:

Medical Expenses Rebate

The medical expenses tax offset may be available if you have out of pocket medical expenses over a specified limit in an income year.

The tax offset is 20% - 20 cents in the dollar - of your net medical expenses over the $1,500 threshold amount after deducting reimbursements, which have been paid or are payable by Medicare or a health fund.

Medical Expense Claims

A rebate can be claimed if the expenses are incurred for:

·The taxpayer him/herself

·The wife or husband or de facto spouse

·Any child of the taxpayer under 21 regardless of separate net income

-Any other person for whom even $1 of a notional rebate has been a dependant can be claimed, including:

-parents, parents –in-law

-child, housekeeper, and

-invalid relatives.

Claimable medical expenses - Operations

Expenses relating to your operation paid to any of the following will qualify for the medical expenses tax offset:

·Legally qualified medical practitioners, nurses, chemists or a public or private

hospital.

How to calculate your claim

Complete the following steps to calculate your claim:

1.Add up your allowable medical expenses for the year.

2.Subtract the amount you received back (or are entitled to receive back) from

Medicare, your private health insurance fund or other entity/individual from your

gross medical expenses. This is your net medical expenses amount.

If this amount is less than or equal to $1,500, you cannot claim a tax offset for your net medical expenses. If it is more than $1,500, then continue:

3.Subtract $1,500 from your net medical expenses.

4.Multiply the remaining net medical expenses by 20 per cent

For further information contact your accountant or Australian Taxation Office Homepage

Thank you Striver!

dear fanny here are the details of costs with health insurance: I am with medibank private:

WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER

SURGEON’S FEE $3,975.00

(ITEM NO. 30511)

ANAESTHETIC FEE $1,200.00

(ITEM NOS.17610, 20791, 25000 + TIME)

ASSISTANCE FEE $ 745.00

(ITEM NO. 51303)

CONSUMABLES/DIETITIAN FEE

(8 VISITS INCLUDED) $ 580.00

SUB TOTAL $6,500.00*

LESS MEDICARE REBATE (APPROX) $1179.00

SUB TOTAL $5321.00

LESS PRIVATE HEALTH FUND REBATE (APPROX) $300.00**

TOTAL (APPROX OUT OF POCKET COSTS) $5021.00

(Please note: fees charged are subject to change).

*This amount applies to patients with private hospital cover in a health fund.

A Medicare and Private Health Fund rebate are applicable.

**You will need to check with your health fund regarding your entitlements for your particular cover.

This amount also includes all follow-up consultations including adjustments.

Thanks again, Striver. I'm probably gonna be up for the full whack but as Rastis said, what price health and happiness?

Hey Karen - you asked me lastnight "how I was weighing in", and I forgot to answer that question - "3kg (6.6pds) lighter - oh yeh ah ha - oh yeh ah ha." In 6 days - I am pretty stoked about that - YEE HAH GRANDMA!!!!!!!

Go Rastis! Go Rastis!

Hi All,

I'm scheduled for Oct 30 to get banded. I am having the same feelings. Scared, nervous,excited and more. This site really helps. It makes me feel normal! It has been a long time coming but all and all I'm ready!

Goodluck on Thursday Fanny Adams - I hope it goes really well with your GP!! Are you getting excited?

LOL! Excited isn't the word! I can't wait and reading this site is just making me more and more sure about this decision - both the good stories and the bad! I would be in at my GP's today if I could, but I'm still up on site and won't be home till Wed night. Doctor's appointment is for 10am Thurs morning , earliest I could get! Meantime, I'm haunting this board, just to keep in touch with that excited feeling

I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear from you on Thursday to find out what is happening. Make sure you let us know as soon as you find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care and hear from you soon.

PS-Bet you won't beable to get to sleep on Wednesday night - it'll be like waiting for Father Christmas!!