I'm thinking about having the lap band surgery. Help, how do i go about starting this process?

Read everything you can get your hands on -- become an informed patient.

Get to your PCP to get his/her thoughts based on your health history.

Find out about your insurance coverage.

Many questions can be answered here. I'd suggest reading the FAQs. However, keep in mind that no one here knows your situation better than you and your health care team.

Best of luck to you!

Hi Kaye:

Another thought is to try to find a free seminar in your neighborhood. I think you just have to put your zipcode in on the main lapband site. That's how I found my surgeon and it's working out great.

Good luck.

Sue

I strongly recommend going the sales seminar as noted in previous replies, also, go Youtube and see the surgery via video -- keyword lapband -- very interesting. It shows the surgery and the fills, also it shows a little negative about it. Their are a few books via AMAZON -- key word lapband. I had the surgery 6 months, down 50 lbs, 10 -15 lbs to go. Good Luck.

You can also go to Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures to locate a seminar and doctor in your area. Most doctors require you to attend their seminar and have a letter of reference from your PCP before they will see you.

Research what you can beforehand, but keep in mind what has already been said and also that you can't believe 100% of everything you read on the internet.

Ask your doctor any and all questions you have, no matter how "stupid" you may feel those questions are. It is part of his and his staff's jobs to give you information and answer your questions.

Pick up and read any and everything you can find on the surgery you are considering when you go to your doctor's office.

Hope this helps and good luck to you!!

I would absolutely advise if you intend to have insurance pay for your band, you call your insurance company, card in hand and ask them about YOUR policy and YOUR policy number and whether YOUR policy covers adjustable gastric banding.

Often you may find that someone who has the same insurance company as the next person may have a specific exclusion to weight loss surgety on their policy. That is why it is SOOOOO important to call your insurance company FIRST if you plan to have them pay.

While you are on the phone, ask WHO THEY WILL PAY FOR YOU TO SEE.

PLEASE do NOT go to an information seminar and meet a doc or the staff and really liek them without knowing if you can have the surgery done by them. Often insurance companies will only pay for you to see certain surgeons. Once you know who you can go see, then go to OH or put the name in the Advanced Search feature here and see what you can find, then schedule a couple of free seminars and meet a couple of docs before making your decision. This is your life and your body. You have to be comfortable with the surgeon, as well as the staff.

GOOD LUCK!!! :biggrin: