Hello all,

I am ready to stop being an eyesore. I am 24, 5'4" and 300 pounds!!! AHHH!!!

I have no idea how this happened... it seemed like it was overnight. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. I was the chubby kid in school for most of the time - one kid even made up a nasty taunting ryhme. I did get thin for a period in high school, through the abuse of ephedra, purging, and starvation. I truly believe I almost died... I was passing out several times a week, but I somehow felt it was really worth it.

Anyways, I got into a serious relationship and got fat again. Isn't it funny how that works? After that relationship ended, I managed to get my weight down again (unhealthily) and was single for a little while. I got into another serious relationship, and the scales starting going up again. Then pregnancy hit a couple years later. Talk about a free-for-all eating spree! I figured... eating for two, I'll breastfeed and all the weight will come off... HAHA! NOT!!! I haven't lost a pound since delivering my daughter. And she is 19 months old!

So, I've decided to get the lapband surgery done. I will be paying for this privately, my health insurance does not cover any type of weight loss surgery. My family will be helping, as they are concerned about my health.

I have not yet contacted a surgeon, and after reading some of the information on this forum, I am a little scared! How do I really know who is good and who isn't? I will hopefully be able to get this done outpatient, to save $$. I don't think that Mexico is an option for me, only because the idea of going there to have surgery sounds insane! (That is not meant to be an insult to those of you who have done this, I'm sure that the same thoughts ran through your head before you went under!)

I don't know... I guess what I am looking for is some comments from others who paid privately. How long did it take before getting the band placed? What would you have done differently?

Thanks,

DQ

I didn't get my surgery done privately- I was lucky. But I knew that I could not live the way I was living--and if my insurance wasn't going to pay--I had my back up--that's right--savings. I am nine months out from surgery--and this is the first New Years that I am not making a resolution about my diet--I am so proud of myself for doing this. Believe in yourself girl--I was you 9 months ago--the FUTURE IS YOURS!!!!!!

Hello all,

I don't know... I guess what I am looking for is some comments from others who paid privately. How long did it take before getting the band placed? What would you have done differently?

Thanks,

DQ :eek:

DQ, I paid out of pocket...wrote a check and never looked back. When I think of how much it USED to cost to feed me, to continue buying clothes to cover my expanding arse, and the impending health concerns, paying for LB was the smartest money I'd spent in a long time.

Seems it took about 1 month of seminars, dr meetings, tests and scheduling before I had the surgery. Your mileage will vary depending on doctor, and their system.

What would I have done differently? Like everyone else, would have done it much sooner. I could of been enjoying every aspect of my life rather than riding my own self destructive pity train.

Do some research, committ, and hang on! Life will never be the same...and I say, THANKFULLY!!

I was also self pay...it was a HUGE decision, but I am only 2 weeks out and feel happy! Something that I have not been in a long, long time...

Since I was self pay, I interviewed several doctors. I just went with my gut, who I felt the most comfortable with.

I ended up going with Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum in Aurora, CO. He is very reasonable (comparable to Mexico).

Good luck in your search!!!

Brandy

Do the research on the Internet--I know there are websites with blogs / forums to discuss Bariatric Centers / surgeons. Find one close to you-- besides all the initial workups, the followups after with the fills would be a pain if you chose someone hours away! (Even though I've seen threads where people are traveling three to four hours!)

Good luck in your travels! :eek:

MS. Diet Quenn when you are paying privately, the process will move rather quickly. I paid for mine and there were no hassles or complications. Good Luck.

I was self pay with family help. I'm like Cindy wrote the check and never looked back. Good luck and do your homework and make sure this is what you REALLY want. Good Luck!

Nancy,

Amazing weight loss, congrats! You should be very proud! I know it is still work, hard work, and you have much to celebrate!

Just go for it! I was a self pay and once I had my money lined up, I scheduled my preop appt and had surgery 2 weeks later. I would do it again in a flash. Just remember to think about the after care and fills. It was worth it to me to pay the extra. My cost was all inclusive. I don't have to pay for any fills or any extras. As long as I go to the clinic at the hospital where I had the procedure, the fills are free. For the price I paid, the doctor even repaired 2 hernias. One other thing to remember is that most doctors won't perform fills or work on people who had their bands installed by other doctors so you might have trouble getting fills. Just do your research. Good Luck.

Nancy,<br /> Amazing weight loss, congrats! You should be very proud! I know it is still work, hard work, and you have much to celebrate!

<br /> <br /> THANKS Cindi!!! I feel wonderful. You have reason to be proud also. Congrats!<br /> <br /> Yes when you are self pay the process is much faster. So do your research and ask all the questions you can. The more prepared you are the smoother it will go. I don't regret it for one moment. <br /> The morning of my surgery Dr.Lopez looked at me and said, "blue eyes stop crying... I'm going to fix you up" And he did. AND my reflux went away. I know people complain about reflux but mine went away. <br /> Good luck!