I'm new to this forum. I am interested in get banded but need to learn more about it before I go see a surgeon.

Welcome!

I started with talking with people I work with who have had it done. They all said to find a doctor who does this type of surgery for a living because they are more familiar with how to do the surgery and to attend a seminar in my area to see if it was actually something I really wanted to do.

This forum is a very good place to talk to others who have had it done and learn. Internet research is another tool I used.

Good luck!

I second RangerGirl's advice.

I perused the site for quite some time (LOTS of information to be found here. Check out the pre-operation section as well, it has a lot of answers to basic and not-so-basic questions those of us who haven't been banded might think of!)

If you have insurance, call and see if Weight Loss Surgery is an option for full or partial coverage and what the requirements are. Some require a year or 6 months of a dr observed special diet. Others, like mine, just need a BMI of over 35. Most will have a specific network you need to use and/or specific doctors.

You can start there, and then call up that hospital that is 'in network' and request a seat at the next seminar, which is a free 1-2 hour group presentation. You'll get a packet of information detailing the seminar and other information, and it should also include a packet of cash pricing and loan information, if you aren't covered by your insurance. Each hospital is different, but most cut their surgery down to $17,000-$25,000, which usually includes 1 year of fills/unfills post op as well. Most seminars will have the RN in charge, the doctors who do the surgeries, and a few other key people to present the seminar, as well as past patients who have undergone the surgery (they also did Q and A with these patients at the seminar I went to) and some even have a Plastic Surgeon do a presentation as well. They also pass around a real lap band on a stomach model so you can see what it actually is.

Ask, ask, ask. I just turned in my preliminary paper work that I received after the seminar. For about three weeks I've been glued to this site, asking questions, reading, and even starting my own blog. I am nervously awaiting the newest part of 'me' to arrive. I wish you luck on your journey!

if i had the chance to do it all over again....i would defenetly would have chosen a different surgery lapband has way too many complications for alot of us.including not enough weight loss or no weight loss at all my advice is to reserch all your options before you commit to one.i am currently going to have my second surgery now is going to be the gastric sleeve wich is another 13,000 plus 17,000 that i already paid for the band.now i think gastric is what i should of had done from the beginning but whats done its done.......good luck and much success on your journey....lol