Getting Started - What to expect?

[nickieb 0]

I'm about 5'0" and 200 lbs. Diets have worked, but I always give up after a couple of weeks and 10 lbs., mostly because it is difficult to make "regular" meals for the family and special meals for me. Not only is it time consuming, but it is hard on the budget as well.

I guess b/c I'm not quite 100 lbs over weight, I'm worried I'd be shot down right away (I have trust issues with doctors, as it seems they tend to immediately dismiss my opinions - wrongly so with 2 of my son's pediatricians). I'm not sure if the issue is with me being oversensitive or them being jerks, but to me it feels that doctors (and other people) think that because I'm fat, my opinions aren't important or can't be correct. I think if I were 3 inches taller with the same proportions, I would be 100 overweight (my frame is more medium than small - I think if I weighed 100 lbs I would look skeletal).

My questions: What are doctors looking for when deciding whether one qualifies for LB surgery?

How much time does it take to get approved for surgery, and then how much time elapses before one actually has the surgery?

I have health insurance that I need to look into for coverage, but in case they don't cover it, what can I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance,

Nic

[*susan* 1,709]

The biggest thing they are looking at is what your BMI is, and if you have any co-morbidities.

As far as the time it takes, it really does depend on whether or not you have insurance. If your insurance approves the surgery, many of them require you have a specified amount of months of a supervised diet before they will allow you to have the surgery.

My insurance did not cover, so I was self-pay. I went to a seminar and then had my psych. eval, nutritional consult and sleep apnea study done within a week of the seminar. Then I met with my surgeon, who immediately approved me. I immediately started my pre-op liquid diet and was banded two weeks later. During the pre-op time, I also had an EKG, blood work and physical done.

As far as cost, I paid $16,500.00. Everything in the first year was covered under that. Now that I am past my first year, I pay $50.00 for office visits and $150.00 for fills. There are less expensive options available, such as in Mexico. I suggest you do your research and find a good surgeon who will be able to meet all your needs.