i started this process about 5 years ago with dr. davis' group in the houston medical center. i went to their seminar downtown and they verrified my insurance and said i had to do a 6 month presurgical diet. so i did that along with everything else they required before surgery. the day before i went to see dr. davis, his office called and said that bariatric services were excluded on my insurance policy and that i would have to pay out of pocket to see him. i was very upset and agreed to pay the $260 to see him. he said i was a great candidate for gastric bypass surgery (gastric sleeve wasn't an option back then). i was also around 50 lbs lighter when i saw dr. davis too. when i left his office, i called blue cross/blue shield and they confirmed i didn't have any bariatric coverage.... i was pissed! there was nothing i could do.... and i couldn't see financing $25000 at the time!

years have obviously gone by, i've lost and gained weight since then, but now i'm at my highest weight.... and miserable! i have some resources in which i will be able to afford surgery now and MUST take advantage of it. i work for a highly respected group of doctors in the north houston/woodlands area and they refer out to the best specialists in town. dr. jason balette is one of the bariatric surgeons we refer to. i started doing my research about a month ago about dr. balette and the gastric sleeve procedure. when i called his office, they of course make you go to their seminar to learn about the surgeries he performs. i didn't want to go because being in the medical field i have done all my research and understand everything... i just wanted to meet with him because i needed help deciding between lap band and the sleeve.

my friend and i went to the seminar together, she happens to be looking at getting the lap band. the seminar was last night and dr. balette was the speaker. he confirmed everything i knew from research and even gave me more information that i didn't know... so i guess it was a good thing i went! i am convinced that the sleeve is the best option for me. the lap band has never appealed to me nor have i seen too many patients with the best results from it. i sometimes think that people do it because it's their cheapest option.... not what's best for them.

my parents and i went to dinner last night and we talked about my options... they are not too happy with the fact that more than half of my stomach will be removed, to never be put back again. that is exactly what freaked me out when i first learned about the surgery... so i had much convincing to do. tomorrow i will be calling dr. balette's office so i can go in for my consultation... i know mom and dad will want to go too as they are very nervous. in the meantime... im going to continue on my south beach diet and try to lose some lbs before surgery so that the restricted diet post surgery isn't such a shock!

if anyone has any advise for me as i start my "losing streak" i would love to hear it!

lisa