Lindergale

Since you know about all of Patty's post then you know she she had been in the "banding" process since March. Wanting the band after you have been through 7 months, approved for everything and told 7 days before your surgery that you'd have to pay the part insurance didn't pay is different from "wanting it now".

Is it normal to tell the op they owe " the part insurance won't pay 7 days before the surgery or no surgery"? You would think they would give you this information in the "information seminar". Waiting until after EVERYthing is done and I mean EVERYTHING.... including pre-opt is unacceptable and about as close to a bullying tactic as I ever ever seen. Patty, you may not be thin but you are NOT bullied either. I'm not sure I'd want something like that doing ANYTHING to my body so maybe you are better off for it.

I beg to differ. I think there IS something we can do. I called information (free 411) for Dr. Mejias in Athens, GA and he is listed. He is with a group called Athens General... his number is 706.548.5488. We could call and tell him how unfair we think it is that he tells patients 7 DAYS before their surgery their payment is due. Maybe it will change things for other patients. Can you imagine going through EVERYTHING we go through to be told 7 DAYS before surgery that we have 7 days to pay all that insurance won't pay or NO surgery. I commend Patty for walking out. I'm not sure I would have been strong enough to do it. We can show our support by calling... that's the least we could do. MAYBE he will change his policy and not do this to anyone else. Yes, he may still ask OP to pay upfront but he should give MUCH more notice.

Penny, I am in the midst of making the decision b/t lapband and bypass. Please email me and let me know what you find out about bypass vs. lapband. Thanks, Linda

<TABLE class=tborder id=post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 id=td_post_ style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e9e9e9 1px solid">Nykee, I read your post on Why am I fat and feel that we would be GREAT friends because we have so much in common. Reading your post made me realize why I'm fat. My mom was killed in a car wreck when I was 10 and my life changed over night. My parents were divorced so I was sent to live with an aunt and uncle. They had a daughter 6 months younger than myself and If I wanted peace I knew to put her first. Also, my aunt told me that just before my mom died, she was planning to leave me with my grandmother and move to Texas with her boyfriend. I felt abandonded in every sense of the word. I eat so that I'll be a good mother and not ever leave my boys. They are now 15 and 17 and soon will be leaving me. I've got to get a grip on this thing! Thanks for sharing. It touched me deep inside... where the fat is! <!-- / message --></TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e9e9e9 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #e9e9e9 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #e9e9e9 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e9e9e9 1px solid"> </TD><TD class=alt1 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e9e9e9 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #e9e9e9 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #e9e9e9 0px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e9e9e9 1px solid" align=right><!-- controls --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Wow, only 3 weeks out and already such a boost in confidence! That is VERY encouraging to this prebander!

<p>I am confused. Have you only lost a total of 16 lbs since you were banded? </p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>LG</p>