After two years of thinking about this I have finally made some appointments for lapband surgury, only to find out that my insurance will only allow it after a 6 month, doctor supervised weight loss program. Now I will have to pay for that before I even get to the surgury part. Yikes! I hope I can stick it out....already feeling overwhelmed....anyone else have to jump thru hoops??:wub:

Pick a surgeon first. Most surgeons offices qualify for the medically supervised diet. Not sure how that gets bills. It could be that they consider it part of the larger procedure. Find out from a doctor whom your insurance accepts and go from there.

Yes the 6 month diet, I had to do it as well. I have been trying to have the lapband surgery for 5 years now and I would always get discouraged because of the 6 month diet or something else. So I would start strong and then give up. It is alot of crap you have to go through to get this surgery. It takes time for the office visits and $$ for the copays. But last year I set my mind to it and said, if I want this I will have to do it now while I have insurance. So I went through the 6 month diet, psychologist appt, and some group therapy appt, and I was finally approved. I had my surgery Nov 24, 2008 and have lost 45 pounds to date. I think everyday of my life, why didn't I have this done sooner. I know I am still early on Lapbander, but even if something were to happen to my band, I would definitely go through this again. Completely 100% worth it.

When you get discouraged or fed up, use this website not only for information but as support. That is what I did. The last two months while waiting for surgery I was on this website everyday so envious of the people who already have their lapband. I learned more on this website than my doctor has ever told me.

Good luck to you! You can do it, and believe me it is worth it.

I also had to do the six month supervised diet and excercise. I started last year in July, finished in January. Had my first visit with the surgeon in Feburary and got approved in March with no problem even though I was now under 40 BMI due to the weight loss on the diet. Due to work commitments in April, I am having my surgery on 5/6. Good luck!

The last two months while waiting for surgery I was on this website everyday so envious of the people who already have their lapband.

Oh, that is me right now. I'm trying so hard to diet and not gain back what I lost but its so hard. I want this to be done yesterday!

Can I ask a question? Did you have to pay for the 6 months supervised diet separately or does that get rolled into the overall expense of the surgury and gets covered by insurance. I don't think I can afford the 6 months. I will counting the days along with you. Good luck and thanks for the response

Can I ask a question? Did you have to pay for the 6 months supervised diet separately or does that get rolled into the overall expense of the surgury and gets covered by insurance. I don't think I can afford the 6 months. I will counting the days along with you. Good luck and thanks for the response

Hi cydaisy,

My visits cost me my co-pay, which is $15 each office visit. But yes, if you don't have insurance, it was the cost of an office visit for all six of my appoinments.

Thank you so much for the well wishes. I just had all my pre-op testing done this morning. Almost there!

Hi ,I'm new too I will have surgery on May 18 ,it has been a long journey ....:rolleyes2: But I am almost there . Do not let the stones discourage you.