cher66

I have been researching the lap-band and am considering Dr. Woodhead. I am wanting to know about his after care. are fills covered for life? also has anyone been covered for even a portion of the cost through Pacific Blue Cross? I am interested to find out costs of other surgeons in the area..thanks..ready to make the next step and booking a consult..finances are ready and decision to do it...

I am November 16th as well! so excited..but very nervous!

I hope that you have found a Doctor and got your money back. I got my deposit back, which was only a hundred... not thousands. I found another surgeon after my surgery got cancelled with Dr. Woodhead. I am with Dr. Amson and will be banded November 16/12. I would have been already if Woodhead didn't have to cancell, but all worked well, and the little bit extra waiting I am glad. It gave me time to work on me first... hope all went well with you

surgery was cancelled unfortunately. I am seeing Dr. Amson In Victoria. no more surgeries in surry or Delta for now. So I have has my consult with dr. Amson on Friday, did the Pysch consult as well. stamp of approval so far. now I need an upper GI series for ruling out hiatal hernia that is this thursday. also need an overnight oximetry done for sleep apnea.. then next appointment with the surgeon is August 24. that appointment is when we decide when the surgery will be etc.. I think.. hopefully! I am on myfitnesspal.com now following the calories and better food choices.. so far so good. except the migraines for the last 2 days.. lack of sugar i think.. he wants me to lose 20 lbs by the appointment.. start exercising.. so all is on the go and looking up! anyways hope all is going well with you.. keep in touch! Cher

please don't get me wrong here.. I am extremely grateful that I have a great surgeon! I have been in counselling for a long time. have been researching for the past 2 years, and have family members that have had gastric surgeries, so I am well informed. I am also a nurse for 18 years.. I got the stamp of approval from the pysch consult yesterday as I am doing everything I should be. the Dr. also gave the approval. I am a candidate for surgery. I have a fat mass of 129 lbs.. 49.9% and BMI 45.9 i was just wondering if this was how the first appointments went.. I thought it would be getting measurements, setting up dates for overnight oximetry ( I have sleep apnea) and etc.. I understand that there is pre surgery diets, not a problem..I guess this will happen the next appointment. I guess I just asumed it would be this one.

this morning was pysch consult. He was a nice man. wasn't expecting the tears that came!! I already know why and how I got here in this shape, but today, reality hit hard! hard one to swallow. realizing that I need alot more counselling in order for me to be successful. today also was first consult with the surgeon. I was already prepared prior to arriving that my decision was to get the mid-band. Dr. was great. I was weighed. we chatted about the band and it's success rate. He asked questions on how I got in the shape i am in..( apparently APPLE, not pear) he gave me info on the procedures. also some books to read, and wants me to join myfitnesspal.com. and to start dieting. I should lose up to 20lbs if i follow the 1900 cal. diet.and exercise one hr per day. he said to make an appointment in one month, and decide if I want the surgery or not. I actually was a little dissapointed. I went to the appointment already knowing I want it, fully prepared to go ahead with anything else that needs to go along with pre surgery testing etc.. I am confused. I thought that was what this consult was for? Is this the way all the surgeons start? maybe I was just overwhelmed and didnt understand? any insight? cheers

$15,300. I see Dr. Amson this Friday for consult. they say it will be 4-8 weeks wait for surgery from consult.so not much more than Dr. Woodhead.I hear Dr. Amson is wonderful. good luck to you.

I have recently made the decision to have this done only about 4 weeks ago. I have debated over the fast couple of years..talked about it.. my sister had gastric bipass, i watched her change and decided that was not for me.. i tried many diets that worked for a while then gaining it all back. recently with some back injuries ( car accident) my life has changed drastically.. I have gained 30+ lbs since January, my weight has now affected my quality of life. I can't ride a bike, go for hikes, swimming is out of the question...( it's the bathing suit) I can't play baseball, work is affected as well. and has affected my personal life with my husband as well.. one day I woke up and said today I am going to change my life..I need a life and I no longer can live in this condition.I am 130 lbs over weight. I called a surgeon. every one is different and has different reasons.. I have had a lot of positive responses to this and also alot of negative as well.. You just have to decide if your life and health is most important.. regardless of what people think, how much it will cost...etc.. you will know when you are ready..

my surgery was canceled as well! I am right there with you, complete devastation!!! mine was booked for Sept 5th. they refunded my deposit. and was told to find a new surgeon. I called Dr. Amson in Victoria right away.. close to the same price. and wait time is about the same.. for me it is better anyways as I am from vancouver Island so Victoria is a better travel with expenses and all.. I should have just gone with Dr. Amson in the first place, but i had heard he was really expensive.. It was wrong info.. I hope that you have found a surgeon and all goes well with you..

i have not paid yet. consult next month. i only put $100 down payment. checked my phone no missed calls... yikes I am worried. I am from Vancouver Island. there is a Dr. here. Dr Amson? in Victoria. I have heard good things. he is $18,000 tho.

I am booked now for surgery. I as well can not wait.. my quality of life is more important! iIam scheduled September 5/2012 in Delta

I am booked with Dr. Woodhead for September. I spoke with the clinic this week. I have not been notified of a cancellation as of yet but now am a little concerned...yikes.. so much planning to have it cancelled. I hope that all works out well for you.