Hi all! I have been thinking about LapBand for the past 4 years and I am so going to go for it! Now that I've decided to do it, what should my next step be? I don't really have a lot of support for my decision...so any advice would be great!

Also, I've read several threads about making sure that you get the correct band (i.e., the one approved by the FDA). Can someone remind me what that band is? Thanks so much.

If you have insurance then start the insurance process. If you don't then start a search for a doc and get it done.

Hi Helmss,

Not sure what it is like overseas, but it seems pretty easy in Australia. I have also made the decision to get it done - I'm totally out of other options! I just have to see the surgeon and his team of psychologist, nutritionist and anaesthetist in January, then it is just a couple of weeks until the surgery date. I have insurance, so it shouldn't take too long.

Good luck with your journey, perhaps we can support each other as we seem to be at the same stage.

Jen:clap2:

I waited about 2 years also. There was something called a stomach pacemaker which had an appeal to me, but it never got approved. I was getting fatter, and had to do something. The lapband seemed about the best thing for me at the time.

Good luck with your banding.

My first step was to see if my insurance company covered the surgery. If so, the next step would be to see what surgeons are in your area. Investigate each one (or just choose one!) and call their office / Bariatric Center to see when and where the next seminar will be.

The seminar, which around here lasts 3 - 4 hours, covers every question you could possibly have about the banding (and even bypass also) with professionals that will tell you what your future would be like.

From there, my Bariatric Center took over, scheduling all my pre-op testing (and I had to see a nutritionist six times for my insurance company).

Good luck to you, now that you've made your decision...