Hi, my name is Kim and I am seriously considering having this surgery. I am scheduled for a seminar next week and will make my decision from there. I will be paying cash for it (taking out a loan) and I just wanted to get a little feedback from everyone. I have researched it until I am blue in the face and would like to get some advice from people who have actually had the surgery.

I am 5'6" and weigh 230 lbs. I have yo yo dieted my entire life with little or no success. I have Insurance, but with my BMI at 37 I have to have two medical conditions along with my weight for my Insurance to cover this. I am gonna pay $15K for it and that is everything and 15 months after the surgery for adjustments.

How soon do you need an adjustment? How often? Any suggestions, thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Kim, I was a self-payer too and have never regretted it.

As far as fills go, you usually get your first one 4-6 weeks after your surgery. From there, how often you get them really depends on you, as it is different for everyone. Some people only have one fill and lose all the weight they need, others need more. For myself, I have found that I need a fill after about 20 pounds lost, but again, that is just me.

Let us know when you get your date.

Hi Kim,

You will get a ton of info. at the seminar. Make sure you ask lots of questions. I think each surgeon is differant as to when they do fills. Read the posts here and you'll see what I'm talking about. It might also be differant because you're self pay. I had my first fill 5 1/2 weeks after my surgery. It didn't hurt at all and took about 10 minutes all together. Before my fill I had lost about 14 pds. The first week after my fill I was down another 6. My next fill is in two weeks and was scheduled about 4 weeks after my first fill. My surgeon said that he gives fills when I am getting hungrier and not feeling full for long periods of time.

I hope my response was helpful. Getting the band was the best decision I could've have made. I still have to work at losing weight but my band helps keep me from the overeating I have always done. I wish you the best as you move forward.

Jenn

I self paid too. I actually fly from NC to Colorado for my fills. I have my second one in a few weeks. The thing you have to remember is that a person your size will only lose about a pound per week if you average it over a year. But you have to ask yourself, can I lose 52 pounds by myself over a year? Probaby not. And you have to ask yourself, can you keep your weight loss off without the help of the lap band? Probably not. It will take some time, but it will work. I am giving my self 2 years to lose the rest of my weight. And I am ready.

As you see by my stats, I've had a total of 5 fills. To be completely honest, I think my last fill tipped me over a little, but I am NOT going to get an unfill. I am being very very very careful with my eating and working with it. I am within 10 pounds of goal and am going to stick it out. If things are still a bit uncomfortable when I hit goal I will rethink getting an unfill, but with 10 pounds to go, I know there is some "wiggle room" for my band if I lose. I was a self-pay (BMI in the 38 range) and knew that fighting with my insurance was going to be more than an uphill battle...I was not prepard to tackle...finances aside, if you can squeak out a self-pay, your journey will be a LOT smoother. All in all, best decision I ever made in my life....major major regret is that I couldn't have done this ten years ago. How my life has changed! To mutilate a Sally Field quote.... "I like me! I really really LIKE me!"

I self paid too. I actually fly from NC to Colorado for my fills. I have my second one in a few weeks. The thing you have to remember is that a person your size will only lose about a pound per week if you average it over a year. But you have to ask yourself, can I lose 52 pounds by myself over a year? Probaby not. And you have to ask yourself, can you keep your weight loss off without the help of the lap band? Probably not. It will take some time, but it will work. I am giving my self 2 years to lose the rest of my weight. And I am ready.

I was banded in NC Why do you fly to Colorado?

I was banded in NC Why do you fly to Colorado?

There is an excellent doctor in the Denver area, Dr. Kirshenbaum, who charges less than $10,000. I considered flying there, too, but was able to find a surgeon in my area who was affordable, especially considering the cost of travel.

Thanks so much for all your replies. That is alot of money and I just wanted to make sure the surgery is worth it. I know it will be alot of work on my part too, and I am ready for it.

Tarheeluv....I am new to this site, but am in the beginning phase of pre-surgical eating. I really am not hungry if I keep my protein up. I am just writing to say how much I like your logo...I went to Chapel Hill in the 70s..Have great memories there. Met and married my Hubby. Now, I am getting ready to embark on a new phase of my life. I have so many co-morbidities...I have actually outlived both parents ages at death. I am having mine done because I have decided that I can't keep yo-yoing forever. My BMI is at 37, but insurance has agreed to cover the band. Will keep you posted. Hope you will stay in touch. Best of luck, and keep cheering for those Tarheels!!!!