I am really horrible at keeping up a blog, but I am really going to try to with this one, because this is an important journey I am about to embark upon! So many things will start to happen once I really get started, and I want to keep record of it.

I had heard about the LAP-BAND® when I saw the commercials on tv, but never really gave it much thought. I was once thinking about having a gastric bypass, but the idea scared me so much that I never pursued it.

Last October 2009 I was at my Dr's office, and I saw that there was going to be a seminar about the LAP-BAND®, so I decided to go and see what it was all about. It was a really informative seminar, I got to see and hold a real LAP-BAND® in my hands, and I learned about the differences between gastric bypass and the LAP-BAND®. That really cemented the idea that a bypass wasn't for me!

But.... when I found out about the cost of the durgery, ($16,000), I was thinking that there was absolutely NO WAY that I could pay that on my SSDI income. So I went home kind of dissapointed. I again put the idea at the back of my mind.

In January, I found the folder that they had given me, and I started reading the information inside....my interested renewed once I saw that there was a way that I could pay by CareCredit. I talked to my SO about it, because he would have to be the one to sign up for the credit, but he was not at all receptive to the idea because of the cost of the surgery. I kept bringing it up, but to no avail, he wasn't going to listen!

Then last week, he was reading our insurance benefits, and saw that surgery for morbidly obese people was covered (at least hospital costs) and the other diagnostic procedure would be covered like regular benefits. At that point, he has been supportive of my starting this process. I have even convinced him to go to another seminar with me on April 1st, so he can get the information on the LAP-BAND® himself!

I have made an appointment with the WLIA already, for the 6th of April to go over with them exactly what the insurance will cover, and I imagine they will tell me what the precertifications are that I will need to complete. After I know all that, I am going to hit the ground running.!

I love my band and have enjoyed my LB journey. In 9 months I have lost 97 pounds and they will never come back. Best wishes on your journey. Keep blogging. imaluckydog

keep your head up! if there is a will there is a way! I am self pay. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 67 lbs so far with no regrets!!! I love my band!!!