Hi! I've been cruising this site and doing lots of research on banding and am very hopeful to get into the 30-35 BMI Study with Dr. Waldrep. I'm going to the "open house" talk at Sutter Medical Center tomorrow with my husband to get the particulars. I just turned 40 last August and have two small boys, aged 1 and 4, and I'm greatly feeling the negative effects of 70 extra pounds! My current BMI is 34.1 and I'm in good general health (low blood pressure, low cholesterol, no hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) so I think my only chance at banding is through the study. I've been overweight all my life and have been a yo-yo dieter most of it. I get obsessive when I start a diet and usually succeed, but then I sabotage it all and go back to old habits. I generally eat healthy but it takes a lot for me to feel full. I think the band will be a great tool to help me keep the volume down! Are there any bansters in this study? Any who got banded with Dr. Waldrep? Any nearby in east Roseville, California?

Hey, you're up in my neck of the woods - Northern CA!

My BMI was around 37 when I got my surgery. I self-paid. I think you are right that this study is your best chance of getting others to pay for your surgery.

Sorry, no experience with that particular Doc. I'm in the East Bay and work on the Peninsula.

Actually, the study doesn't pay for anything... but I would never even be approved for surgery anywhere else since my BMI is under 35 and I have no adverse medical conditions. I will be self-pay but there are some extra tests that the FDA requires for the study and those will be included in the price I have to pay. The self-pay price at this office for those with a BMI over 35 is $14,101 (the insurance price is $30,000) which only covers the pre and post op appt. and the surgery. It doesn't cover the pre-op tests and the fill visits after surgery. The study is $19,000 and includes all pre-op testing (including the extra tests the FDA requires), surgery, all pre and post op appts., and the entire first year of follow-up visits and fills (once a month). From what I've researched, that seems pretty standard for the US. Besides, I wouldn't even be able to get banded by a US surgeon with a BMI of 34 anyway. I really hope I get approved for the study! Wish me luck!

Well if you don't get in, lots of surgeons will take a self-pay who is a "lightweight". My surgeon would band you and his price is around the same (14k - give or take) but I believe it includes a year of aftercare. Some US surgeons use the international standard of 30 BMI instead of the US standards.

In my case, I was self-pay but my insurance has covered all my pre-op testing. We put it down as being for "morbid obesity". They covered my after-care prescriptions too. I've heard of that happening a lot. It just depends on your insurance.

Anyway, the study would be cool and probably closer to home, but if you don't make it for some reason, consider shopping around.

got banded Oct. 29! Yeah!