Hello.

I found this looking for risks on the lapband surgery in google, came up with this site lol.

I am glad I found it as I hear all the great testimonies.

I been overweight all my life, well not when I was born, but you get the picture

I have no insurance whatsoever, have to save my own money. Have over 6000 saved and hope to be able to have 4000 more by the end of the year, assuming Christmas will go easy on me

I thought about going to Mexico to get mine done, would mean I have almost as much as needed, but. I worry about finding someone who will do follow up with me, and if something goes wrong with it, no one will want to touch me unless I am dying or something. So for security I do it here in US.

Was wondering for those who have had it done. What kind of test you have to have prior to scheduling,, how long it takes, let's say from the first day you walk in the door, to the time you have the surgery?

I am wondering if I should start scheduling at least an appointment right now, so as soon as I have the money they can give me a date.

I also find very little support from my husband, as he is at his perfect weight. Any of you had family critisize you for this?

I find my self not wanting to tell anyone about this.

Geesh, all this is such a big descition, and all emotions rush in.

I will post my date as soon as I get one, but it will be a while

Rackel:help:

Rackel,

I figured it was costing me about 240.00 a month to keep my 265 lbs up. My secret spending on food. I am a self pay too.

It was the best decision of my life. The best money I ever spent.

I went to my first seminar in May and had my surgery in July.

I could have had it in June but I delayed it for stupid reason.

Make sure your surgeon isn't one (just my opinion) that is fill happy. My surgeon said his average patient takes two fills to reach goal. I was an average patient.

I told everybody. I heard some negitive remarks but I lived.

pm me if you want.

edie

Hello.

I found this looking for risks on the lapband surgery in google, came up with this site lol.

I am glad I found it as I hear all the great testimonies.

I been overweight all my life, well not when I was born, but you get the picture

I have no insurance whatsoever, have to save my own money. Have over 6000 saved and hope to be able to have 4000 more by the end of the year, assuming Christmas will go easy on me

I thought about going to Mexico to get mine done, would mean I have almost as much as needed, but. I worry about finding someone who will do follow up with me, and if something goes wrong with it, no one will want to touch me unless I am dying or something. So for security I do it here in US.

Was wondering for those who have had it done. What kind of test you have to have prior to scheduling,, how long it takes, let's say from the first day you walk in the door, to the time you have the surgery?

I am wondering if I should start scheduling at least an appointment right now, so as soon as I have the money they can give me a date.

I also find very little support from my husband, as he is at his perfect weight. Any of you had family critisize you for this?

I find my self not wanting to tell anyone about this.

Geesh, all this is such a big descition, and all emotions rush in.

I will post my date as soon as I get one, but it will be a while

Rackel:help:

My doc does it for $9950, he's in Denver. See his site in my signature. Quite a few people on this site have used him. A couple threads have info about him.

My opinion on telling people is: don't do it right away. Once you tell people you can never un ring the bell. If you want to tell people you can, but no need to rush into it. I've told almost no one and I plan to keep it that way. There are a couple threads on this forum about keeping it a secret - or not. You may want to look for those.

There's lots of info here. Try running searches for past discussions, and posting questions for new discussions.

Good luck.

Mark

I was going to suggest Dr. Kirshenbaum as well.

I finally got all my insurance stuff settled but I was researching self pay options for awhile and he was #1 on my list.

Hello all

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. This is a big step for me, because, is something I said I never do,, but like many say in this forum. I want a life. I am turning 40 in June, and I want to start my life finally. I have two little kids and I want to have fun with them. So figured if I do this early January, by summer I should have lost some,, any weight loss has always given me energy, so i know this will too. And I love excerisze, I just gotten so big anymore I can't do it any more.

I am actually in Oregon, and the place I have chosen is well knows for their surgeries on this and bi pass. They have a Christmas special for 10000 and I hope they will let me in the deal if I start doing the pre-requirements on December .

Here is their website if anyone is in Oregon and looking for a place

Bay Bariatrics - Steve Tersigni, MD - Coos Bay, Oregon

And I just called them and asked them for a information pack on all the details.

I am still scared about this, but I see it this way,, at 400lbx, yeap 400.. I have no choice, I be dead in a couple years if not less. So what I have to loose besides fat? :guess

I know hospitals over charge insurance company's but I just got my bill today for the hospital charges. They billed Blue cross $43,000.00 WOW and that's not including charges for the DR.s. Maybe your state has insurance you could buy cheap. PA does! Good Luck on your journey:-)

Mine was $35,000 just for the hospital. After in network discounts the hospital only recieved $5,500 from the insurance company, I paid $1,500 to the hospital.... None of this was for the Dr's or lab or other stuff.. just hospital...

Crazyyyyy

I too am a self pay. I live in Florida and from what I understand, very few if any approve any type of bariatric surgery. The cost was 16,000 but I went to the #1 surgeon in the Tampa Bay area and the the best hospital; Tampa General.

This is my 5th day from surgery and it is a challenge to get all the Protein that the surgeon wants me to have. I don't seem to have a problem getting food in, I measure everything because I am afraid of overeating and stretching my new pouch.

I didn't tell anyone for a long time because I was afraid of negative responses. I had tried WW for 2 years didn't lose, didn't gain. So when I announced the procedure to my monthly Bunco group, (yep, am a middle age Mom) everyone supported me except for one. She was new to the group, didn't know me or my situation. However, one of my long time friends educated her quickly. I did tell people I had to have a liver biopsy and that I was seeing a dietcian for food allergies. So when I start to lose weight, PLEASE GOD, that would be the reason.

BTW, this site has been a great help to me for recipes for stage two eating.

Good Luck,

Fran

Well Hello,

I had to pay for my surgery myself. I looked high and low and finally decided to have it done in Mexico. I had worries but I am so happy I made that choice. I got better care there than I ever had in any American hospital ever!!! As far as post op. You can get it. How do you think people who move cities get it???? There is a Fill Center USA that provides doctors all across the country. Also you can just call Doctors in your area, many will take you. Also most fill are done by nurse practitioners. My surgery cost $7,000.00 inclusive of all tests, hospital, everything. Also, you can usually count on your family doctor to help as well. I was just banded Nov 26, 07 so I am just beginning my journey. I just wanted to let everyone know- if you need to pay for the surgery yourself - you can get the very best care in Mexico. Also, they have been doing the lap in Mexico much longer than in the US so many of the Doctors are very experienced.

Another vote here for Dr. Kirshenbaum. He is really great and offers the $9950 price to discourage people from traveling to Mexico. I have the utmost confidence in him.