amruiz03

Hello my name is Amanda, I from a po-town in Texas (Memphis), but currently live and work in the middle east (Kuwait). I came to Kuwait in 2008 with the thought of only being out here for a year. HaHa who was I kidding. I was a single mom and no support from her father. (Surprising huh?) My goal was to make a better life for her. She is currently living with my mother and step-father (awesome parents to me taking over my toddler). They didn't want me to bring her with me and have a nanny that we didn't know or trust take care of her.

My lap-band research started in 2008, but me trying to get everything paid off back home kinda put things on the back burner. I lost weight on my own the first year. Working crazy hours and very long hours. I was working swing shift so I didn't know if I was coming or going. Unhealthy to lose weight that way I know.

In 2011, I meet up with a great group of ladies here in Kuwait. One right after another were getting banded. We all talked about it and supported each other. I so I was back on track. Now it was time for me to bring it in gently to my other half. He was a NO GO .... until March 22, 2012 we sat with at he doctors office weighed in at 112.5kg. Dr Khalid Ayyash talked about how he was going to insert the device and told me to lay down. He took his pen and showed him, I will cut here and here (I felt like a etch and sketch), but she can go back to work on Monday. I was like wow! He asked for my insurance information told me it will take about a week to hear from the insurance. I went ahead and started my labs on 26 of March, just to get a jump start on the things. Dr Ayyash looked at my sonogram and blood work. He told me you will have to do a crash diet starting on Friday the 30 of March. Liver was to fatty .... He gave me a mix of greens with apple juice... freaking wonderful blended salad is what I called it.. (Roman Lettuce, Parsley, Spinach, and Green Apples blended with Apple Juice). I drank this solution every time I felt hungry. Mmmm Yum yum ...(FYI I started my crash diet on Thursday)

We waited about two weeks to hear from the insurance. Dr Ayyash called and asked to meet with us. He told us well insurance denied you because of your BMI wasn't in the right range, but your overweight. I was in the dumps, but I have been saving for this reason. I asked what will I have to pay out of pocket. Dr Ayyash said well with labs, booking OR, booking a room, and lap-band around 2000 Kuwait Dinars (converts to 7202 US dollars). I mentioned to him it may have to wait until I come back from the states because I am due to leave in May. My other half looked at me the more you put this off the more your decision will fade and something else will come up. Not to mention I already started lab work as well. On 10 of April we meet with the Lap-Band guy and handed over 890 Kuwait Dinars (converts to 3204 US dollars), talk to the Anesthesiologist for a weigh in 109kg, book my room, and book my OR 60 Kuwait Dinars (converts to 216 US dollars). Dr Ayyash saw me in the hall and see you Thursday on the 12 of April be here by 0730 to check in. We get to the hospital at 0715 on Thursday the 12th. Receptionist greeted us and asked for the remainder. I handed over 1200 Kuwait Dinars (converts to 4321 US dollars), he told us on check out if there is anything left we will return when she checks out.

I was suppose to be out later that evening, but the doctor wanted to take precaution since I had a hard time waking up. So I was released early morning.

Ok break down of out of pocket expenses:

Saved 2000kd (converts to 7202 US dollars)

Consult 20kd
Blood work 15kd
Sonogram 15kd
Lap-band 890kd
Anesthesiologist 30kd
Booking of room and OR 60kd
Nexflux 14kd
Baby Tylenol 2.5kd
Extra bed in room 10kd
Dr Care 643.5 kd

Total amount 1700kd (converts to 6121.7 US dollars)
Received from hospital at check-out 300kd (convert to 1080 US dollars) Woot Woot shopping money!!!!

After the first week I thought I made a huge mistake doing this. I felt week and hungry, but my girls kept telling me we are all in this together. After the little hump in the road I was full force excited about my choice. I had lots of enegry, I would it my very tiny lunch and take off for a walk.

I am about to leave on my vacation on the 11 of May 2012, Dr Ayyash thought long and hard about me leaving right after a fill so he decided we do the fill on the 30 of April instead. That way if I have any complications I will be in country... Good idea why didn't I think of that. I guess that is why he is the doctor and I am the patient.

I am still enjoying my journey!!