Hey everyone!

I've been considering the band for about a year, started my preliminary testing last September and found out about a week ago that my insurance approved me! They are going to pay 90% (I have Blue Cross PPO) which is awesome because I could *never* afford it myself - at least not presently.

My surgery date is February 4th (having it at Cedars-Sinai hospital with Dr. Nishi) and I am SO excited!

I had this strange and still undiagnosed upper abdomen pain that started last fall. I had every test possible and they all came back normal and/or negative. After some antibiotics, repeated acupuncture and a serious reevaluation of my life (trying to deal with stress mainly), I've been feeling much, much better recently. All my doctors (I have every specialist known to man) are very excited about my surgery and don't seem to think my weird stomach pains will affect it at all.

Prior to this past October I had never been in the hospital. If I had been approved for surgery before having all the tests I did last fall I would have been scared out of my mind. Now, though? I've been poked and prodded and pricked and put under anaesthesia twice so I'm actually not very nervous for surgery. I think the timing has been amazing.

The one thing that makes me nervous is the catheter since I've never had one. Any advice?

I'm so happy to have found this forum - everyone seems so caring and supportive!!

Oh, I'm at 230 right now and I'd like to be around 150 - I'm 5'5".

My daughter just had the lap band surgery with Dr. Cunnen who shares same office as your Doctor. They are a tremendously professional group. You will be so glad you went there to do this.

Hi,

I had my lap band on Jan 3rd, and I did not have a catheter. I was first patient at 7:30 and was home by 3:30 that day. I am not sure they do catheters for this procedure.

how did your surgery go?...i too am hoping to get mine done at cedars...i have consultation in 7 days..

i also have bcbs (ppo 10)...what sort of things did you have to do to qualify with them??

thanks, tiger

Hey everyone!

I've been considering the band for about a year, started my preliminary testing last September and found out about a week ago that my insurance approved me! They are going to pay 90% (I have Blue Cross PPO) which is awesome because I could *never* afford it myself - at least not presently.

My surgery date is February 4th (having it at Cedars-Sinai hospital with Dr. Nishi) and I am SO excited!

I had this strange and still undiagnosed upper abdomen pain that started last fall. I had every test possible and they all came back normal and/or negative. After some antibiotics, repeated acupuncture and a serious reevaluation of my life (trying to deal with stress mainly), I've been feeling much, much better recently. All my doctors (I have every specialist known to man) are very excited about my surgery and don't seem to think my weird stomach pains will affect it at all.

Prior to this past October I had never been in the hospital. If I had been approved for surgery before having all the tests I did last fall I would have been scared out of my mind. Now, though? I've been poked and prodded and pricked and put under anaesthesia twice so I'm actually not very nervous for surgery. I think the timing has been amazing.

The one thing that makes me nervous is the catheter since I've never had one. Any advice?

I'm so happy to have found this forum - everyone seems so caring and supportive!!

Oh, I'm at 230 right now and I'd like to be around 150 - I'm 5'5".

how did your surgery go?...i too am hoping to get mine done at cedars...i have consultation in 7 days..

i also have bcbs (ppo 10)...what sort of things did you have to do to qualify with them??

thanks, tiger