I've finally made a life altering decision and now it feels as though I'm stuck in limbo. I've joined this forum so that I can get some feedback from those that have gone thru the process and also from those that are at the beginning like myself.

I decided about a month ago to have the lap band procedure done. Spoke w/my personal doc about it and he endorsed the idea and referred me to a local surgeon that heads the Bariatric program. Unfortunately I have to go thru the free "informational session" before I can even meet with the surgeon. Is anyone else coming up against this? I'm kind of feeling put off and more than a little annoyed seeing as the next free session they can get me into is July 8th. Am I just being too impatient?

If you can afford it, go to Mexico. Dr. Rodriquez did mine. You just schedual and go! No hoops to jump through.

Juliacleone

I had to wait 2 months before my seminar...and I still have to do a 6 month diet for my insurance. The wait is worth it. The more you learn before your surgery the better you will do. I would wait it out. Good luck!

I did an informational meeting one-on-one with a nurse, and then got to go to a seminar. After that I got to start the other qualifying things, like the Psych Eval.

It'll be about 3 months between the first appt and my surgery date. I'm using the time to find out everything I can so that I can be successful for the long term. Don't get discouraged, just look at the time as an opportunity to prepare.

You can have two trails of thought. One, if you have already researched well and are ready now, you can go to Mexico like I am in 9 days to have it done. I am going to Dr. Kuri and he is excellent and I am very happy to be going there.... just make sure if you choose Mexico, that you have aftercare available in your area before you choose that route. You can also decide to go through the waiting with the current surgeon and take this time, if you haven't been researching everything there is to know about being a lap band patient (before and after) and take this time to do so and practice all those good habits that you MUST HAVE in order to keep your band long term and be healthy and meet your goals. Either way, good for you for making this decision... I can offer lots of info if you are interested in going to Mexico.... Where are you located?

Kammi in Everett, WA

soon to be banded 5/27/08

Hi and welcome to LBT!

Attending the seminar first is pretty standard. A lot of questions will be answered there that would take a lot of time out of the doctor's day if he had to answer them individually for every patient. In the mean time, research the procedure and make sure it is right for you. Use the time to educate yourself so you can make an educated decision when the time comes. Good luck!

I've finally made a life altering decision and now it feels as though I'm stuck in limbo. I've joined this forum so that I can get some feedback from those that have gone thru the process and also from those that are at the beginning like myself.

I decided about a month ago to have the lap band procedure done. Spoke w/my personal doc about it and he endorsed the idea and referred me to a local surgeon that heads the Bariatric program. Unfortunately I have to go thru the free "informational session" before I can even meet with the surgeon. Is anyone else coming up against this? I'm kind of feeling put off and more than a little annoyed seeing as the next free session they can get me into is July 8th. Am I just being too impatient?

That does seem like a long time before the next info session. Any other docs in your area that you might go to? Also, patience is a virue here. I started my journey to lap band in march, and I'm just finally getting to the point where I can schedule surgery. Then, after surgery you have to be fully healed to start getting filled. Remember, this is a process, not an event, and this will give us time to prepare and practice for the lifestyle changes we'll have to make. I know it's difficult, but we'll get there. As confucious says, "The Ox is Slow, but the Earth is Patient". Not sure what that means, but I think it has something to do with persiverence.

Are you going through your insurance to have the procedure done? Going through an informational session is not unusual. Having weight loss surgery is a big deal and I guess they want to make sure it's something the person really wants to pursue before they see the surgeon. It's hard to be patient, I know! I tried going through my insurance but they put me through so much red tape that I finally said FORGET IT and had the procedure done without them. It'll be worth it - still early yet - I was just banded on May 13th. Good luck to ya! This is a very helpful website, isn't it?!

I am going thru my insurance to have the procedure done. At least I hope I am. I have spoken w/the company and they are sending me some "corporate guidelines" that must first be met before surgery can happen. I live in NY so Mexico isn't really an option @ this time. I was talking it over w/my husband and I think I might be just too impatient. I'm just so sick of the yo yo diets and just hopeful that I'm not going to get discouraged and gain even more weight before surgery!

Thanks to all for your thoughts on my original post. This is proving to be a worthwhile site to gather thoughts and info.

Blair,

Going to the informational seminar is pretty standard, My dr had one every other week, one during the week and one on the weekend. I took my boyfriend with me, and he finally "got it" on why I wanted to go this route. It also made such a difference to be able to see and talk to the Dr. He answered almost all of my questions during his session. I was going to go through insurance, but there was so many hoops to jump through and I was going to have to wait at least 9 months, so I decided to self pay. Was it worth it.... YES.. YES AND YES AGAIN. I know once you make the decision, you want it done now. Use this time to gain all the info you can and start working on life changes... ie.. eating slow, no liquid during meals, no snacks.. ect.

Good luck on your journey. take it a day at a time.