any help needed

momdhd · January 17, 2009

i just found out about the band in nov odd thing is i had two dr's in 2 weeks say it might be something to check into. so i got appointment went to see if its right for me but the lady at the front desk wouldn't even let me see the dr said my insurainse want cover it so she wouldn't see me i just wanted to know if its right for me. i been online for 2 months and found a place that cost 12500 and i want to go but some people have good thing to say and bad. its big when you have to decide to take everything out of 401 and saving and leave only 50 dollar then things go wrong then what? I just want to take my 2 year old out to play and not get my aunt to do it. thanks for any help you can give me

Kat817 · January 17, 2009

Well right now you are doing the best thing you can, and doing some research!

The band is an awesome tool to help you with weight loss, if you are willing to work with it.

The first thing you should do in my opinion is to talk with your insurance carrier yourself. Possibly the receptionist was wrong, perhaps it is an insurance that that particular office prefers not to deal with.

There should be a number on the back of your insurance card you can call and check out your benefits with.

The next thing that comes to mind---is the fact that you are talking about totally depleting your 401K. I understand the all consuming desire to be banded (did it myself!) but keep in mind with the Dr. you are checking in to---and if there is negative be VERY thorough in your research----but find out if any fills or adjustments are included in his price. If not and you cannot afford the fills, then your band will be in place but will not be working the way it is designed to work. Fills from what I have read on here and experienced myself, run from $150.00 and up. Some get good restriction early, and others take 5, 6, even 8 fills to get to their own sweet spot. So however you choose to finance, make sure you tally in the cost of filling the band to make it work.

If the price you found is for a surgeon out of the country, make sure you find a Dr. to do your aftercare closer to home. I had my surgery done in Mexico, but have a more local Dr. do my adjustments, and follow up care. Make sure you have the Dr. set up BEFORE having surgery! Sometimes they are hard to find.

I in no way am trying to dissuade you from being banded, I 100% support it, it has made the most amazing differences in my life---but it is something you have to be committed to, as you must see the Dr. regularly, you have to be diligent with your diet for weeks before and after surgery, and even when you are back to a normal diet, there are often food issues that you must deal with, and learn to avoid some foods that just slide through the band (ice cream for instance).

Read up here on this site, check the Dr.'s area to see if the Dr, you are considering is listed, and see what has been said about them.

Go to a seminar---most surgeons require them before an appointment anyway. You learn a lot of helpful info there, and if you remain on the site here, you will be able to go to the seminar armed with lots of good questions, to ask the Dr.

Hang in there, and keep reading and researching! Don't give up! You and your 2 year old are worth figuring it out for!!

Welcome to LBT!

Kat

momdhd · January 17, 2009

i called the insurance company my self when i left there and they said no. the dr i found is 5 hour drive from here but i dont no how to check to see if everything checks out i found it on a site called right weight its for self pay and it does cover one year fill. where do i go to check on here?

Kat817 · January 17, 2009

I would start with the Dr. threads and see if anyone used him or has heard things about them.

Then there is a section for each state. Talk to others in KY see who they used, and what they heard.

Just keep digging---it can't hurt to know as much as possible going into surgery!

Kat

momdhd · January 18, 2009

i only found 1 thing and i didn't like what they where saying to good when i first started out i was looking for price and realy was going to extreme to pay for 12500 i was taking everything we have and thats a lot with 3 kids never realy check any thing out just the price now i'm lost because this is a big thing and i was just worried about price so now what i don't no what to do next. the price has to be right or thats it i have no way of coming up with anymore. something it me hard when i made appointment in ky and they said i had to go to IN but the dr in KY.

mnfarmgal · January 19, 2009

momdhd did you check in Dr. Kershenbaum in Denver his price is $9950 that includes a consultation with him and his nutritionist, I've talked to both of them and are very helpful with any questions you have, and Natalie the receptionist is very helpful also, I am self pay, at 1st I was looking into Mexico but decided to stay in the states(husband doesn't like to fly) Good luck with whatever you choose.:huh2: