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Susan, I was self pay at 16,500 also. I did not recieve any bills for blood work or anything..... I actually had to go through 3 or 4 different sessions of blood work and had to do my medical work up in his office twice. I was found to have Hyperparathyroidism and had to have surgery before I could have the band. Make sure and call the Drs office and ask. By The Way..... the band is so worth self pay!!!!! you will not be sorry. Lois

Blair, Going to the informational seminar is pretty standard, My dr had one every other week, one during the week and one on the weekend. I took my boyfriend with me, and he finally "got it" on why I wanted to go this route. It also made such a difference to be able to see and talk to the Dr. He answered almost all of my questions during his session. I was going to go through insurance, but there was so many hoops to jump through and I was going to have to wait at least 9 months, so I decided to self pay. Was it worth it.... YES.. YES AND YES AGAIN. I know once you make the decision, you want it done now. Use this time to gain all the info you can and start working on life changes... ie.. eating slow, no liquid during meals, no snacks.. ect. Good luck on your journey. take it a day at a time.

Best of Luck to the both of you and welcome to LBT. Let us know how you are doing.

Kristy, Yes you can lose 200+ pounds, there is a forum here on LBT for that weight loss amount. 200 Lbs+ try that and see if it brings it up for you. good luck to all of you. Lois

Lane, Congradulations on taking the first steps to a healther you. I am not as far in the process as the other two gals, but I do have one thing to add. I wish I had understood that it takes many fills to get good restriction. I just had my 5th and now have restriction. Until about my third fill, I COULD have ate the same amount as before surg. Notice I said could... there was no restriction. I chose to only eat certain amounts and be very picky about what I did eat."healthy". I now understand what so many people mean by "working with the band". You have to control what and how much. The band is your partner in weight loss, it makes it soooo much easier. I am so glad I was banded and look so forward to being part of the onederland club very soon. I have 23 lbs until I reach 200. I could have never done this without my band. Lois

Hope I can do this so it is not to big.. someone fix me if it is . the long sleeve shirt pics were taken Dec 20th. at the start of pre op. surg was jan 3rd and short sleeve pics were taken April 20th

Vantastic....... What an inspiration, I can only hope I do as well as you... thank you for sharing

Good luck to all of you that will be banded. You can do this and you will be so glad you did. take it a day at a time... ok... a minute at a time. RELAX... let us know how you all are doing. Lois

I was banded Jan 3rd and will have my 5th fill today "monday". Hope this is the one that sets my sweet spot. I am ready. Good luck to you all.

Kim, I completely understand how you feel. Here is my story. I was scheduled to have the band in Aug. Started my two week liquid diet, and the day before surg the office called me and told me there was a problem. My blood test showed that I had high calcium levels and the Dr would not do surgery until I found out what was wrong and got it fixed. Come to find out I had hyperparathyroidism and had to have one of my parathyroids taken out in Nov. I was absolutly devistated and cried for days. It was for the best, I could have had serious Cardiac problems during surgery. I, like you had taken sick time off. Thank god my boss was able to stop the process and I could go ahead and work. It was hard to explain it to co-workers since they did not know why I was taking time off. I have since had my band Jan 3rd, and have lost 58 pounds. Please hang in there, waiting just makes you so much more ready and informed. Good luck to you and so sorry this happened.

It was scary, expecially when I found out what COULD have happened during surg. But all is well now. THANK GOD FOR MY LAP BAND DR. He was concerned about ME... not the money. I was self pay. Good luck on your journey, please let me know if I can help you out in any way at all. Lois

I have to put my two cents in.... I started my journey january of 07. I researched and researched and went to differnet doctors. I CHOSE SELF PAY, one because I did not want to jump through the insurance hoops. I did not have to wait 9 months to have the surgery. I was very close to diabeties and was not willing to wait. Number two, I would have had to have the surgery at the hospital that I work at, and I really did not want everyone knowing my business. My Dr also performs surgery at New Hope Bariatrics. I had my surgery done out patient. No problems. I dont think that self pay patients are at any more risk than insurance patients. The Dr I chose is a leader in Lap Band surgerys in my area and has even TAUGHT other Drs to do the band. I was scheduled to have my band in Aug of 07. I had all of the medical testings done that a Insurance Patient would have. In those testings they found that my Calcium was way high and cancelled my surgery a few days before I was to have it. I WAS SELF PAY AND MY DR CANCELLED. I found out that I had Hyperparathyroidism. I would have been at a Huge risk "cardiac" during surgery. Thanks to god that my Dr CARED enough to cancel... was I mad.. hell yes. I had spent two weeks on a liquid diet. But the way I look at is that my Dr may have saved my life twice. 1st. during surgery, and 2nd. banding me so I can be healthy. I had my left lower pararthyroid removed on November 9th. I was cleared from my Lap band Dr to have surgery in Jan of 08. I had my surgery on Jan 3rd of 08 and have lost 58 pounds. You have to weigh the options, do your research. I feel my Dr treats each patient the same, self pay or insurance. I also have free fills and unfills for a year.. After that time.. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I do not have diabeties and off of blood pressure meds. You cant put a price tag on that. Good luck to everyone.... Research, Research, Research..... Lois Holcomb

Hello Gwenn, First of all, congrads on your upcoming band date. Just relax and take it a day at a time. Not only are there chat rooms. But there are forums that are age specific, band date specific. I found that talking to people that were banded around the same time really helped me. Please remember that everyone is different and everybodys body is different. so what works for one person, may or may not work for the next. Always check with your dr also. Dont let anyones story scare you,some people have a tendency for Drama and overexageration. Best of Luck to you. let us know how you are doing. Lois

Officeslave, I was banded on Jan 3rd of 08 and wish someone had told me that I would not have restriction and that I would be hungry until a couple of fills. IT IS HELL, but you will make it through. I have had three fills and now feel restriction and my hunger is in check. I was so dissapointed and questioned my decision for about a month. BUT NOW.. I am sooo glad.... Just know that the hunger and no restriction is NOT forever. Lois

Zee, I think it varies from Dr to Dr. plus I think it makes a difference if you have co-morbities. You might check out a few Drs in your area. Lois

I am sooo sorry for your cancelation. I was canceled the night before my surgery. Had been on the two week liquid diet also, and 24 clear liquids. No one could understand my disapointment, you have to have your mind in the right place.. and I was there.. ready to go. Unfortunitly, My cancelation was due to medical problem they found. Hyperparathyriodism, in which I had to have a Parathyroid removed before I could continue with the band.4 months later I was banded. It was so worth the wait. So hang in there, I can tell you that you will be so glad you waited it out. Take a deep breath....... IT WILL HAPPEN. Lois

Congrats on making the decision to be banded. From what I understand the pre - op diet varies from Dr to Dr. I had a two week liquid diet. Some have two meals liquid and one small light meal. It is up to your Dr. I dont know if the amount of tummy fat makes a difference on pain. sorry. As far as the port goes, I am just now losing and I can not see it. If I lay back and tighten my tummy muscles I can feel it. It did take a few weeks for the port pain to go away FOR ME. Like I said I am still pretty new also, banded Jan 3rd, but I dont think bread, pasta and rice get along with the band. I have not tried any of these yet. EVERYONE is different like you said. what one person can eat, the next one might not be able to. I am still learning myself. good luck to you. lois

I have worn Lane Bryant for years, and even worked for them for a while. Like alot of retail stores,you have to watch sales. I never buy reg price. I am still wearing some of the knit tops I bought there 4 years ago. the fabric is wonderful and spots just do not stay. I buy all my underwear and bras there, they last forever. Again, never buy reg price, just read those coupons and use them. ask for help if you dont understand them.Of course how you wash them makes a difference. Read the labels and get the correct size to start with. With working there, I am here to tell you that customer service is number one with the company and employees. They are so nice. The only complaint I have with them is their catalog. If they are going to be a full figure shope, they need to have full figure models. There are some beautiful full figure women out there. I have said my peace.....

Not only is it the carb count. but some breads, rice and pasta will swell in the stomach. If it is not cooked real well and tender. Then you will be fuller and possible PBing. Lois

veggiegal, I was banded Jan 3rd of 08. I decided to do the band, not because I couldnt loose the weight.. but I could not keep it off. I can lose it.. no problem there, but I always.. always gained it back.. plus some. Now I know I can keep it off. As far as the soggy pulverised food... I have had two fills and CAN eat about anything.. except bread... rice... and pasta. Notice I said I can... but I dont. This is a tool to lose, and I am trying to be healthy and change my ways. I have had steak, baked potato, shrimp, but in very small quanities. I have not had anything get stuck. and I dont think it is a stuck where you cant breath. So yes... you can eat normal foods. with the exception of breads,rice pastas. IT IS A CHOICE... I just choose not to AT THIS TIME. On my pre-op two week diet, it was liquids. I stuck with it pretty well. I drank alot of protein drinks, had jello,broth,sf popsickles. After surgery, I was on liquids for 5 days. then went to a mushy stage for a week, then went on to soft foods working into normal food. I hope this helped. please let me know if you have any questions. down 41lbs. Lois

I am still pretty new to LBT but I have noticed one thing. There is a thread of Before and After pictures, I absolutly love this thread. Being a new bandster "Jan 3" I look at those pics for encouragement. I have noticed that lately the older pic pages are gone. I understand that there were so many posts,that they had to be thinned out and that not all of them were of pics. My suggestion is to get rid of all of the old posts that do not have pictures in them. Then leave all of the picture posts. I do not know if that is possible, but I would personally love it. Thank you for listening. Lois

I Just Wanted To Give My Two Cents On Being Self Pay. I Of Course Checked Into My Insurance, And They Also Had 6 Month Supervised Diet Plus A List Of Other Things I Had To Do. I Decided To Go Self Pay. It Is Funny How Creative You Can Be If You Really Want Something..... I Used Part Of My Savings And The Rest I Put On A Card With 3.9%. I Feel My Health Is Worth Giving Up A Little Savings And A Monthly Payment. Good Luck In Your Journey.

Here is one that I found, but not the one I was thinking about. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/some-questions-ask-about-lapband-20272/

The seminar I went to was more of an information type deal. As you came in the room you were given a packet to look at. It had all kinds of info in it. A few ladies got up and started talking and explaining the process. The Doctor came in and showed a video, which was very thorough. When he was done, he opened up the floor for questions. Alot of the questions that I had, he answered during his presentation. They had asked that people not ask insurance specific questions since each and every insurance is differant. there is a thread somewhere that has a list of questions you can ask. if I find it I will send it to you. Main questions,,, how many procedures has that Dr done. In the hospital or a surgery center? How soon do they do fills? Does the price include fills? do they have a cash option? What bmi does that Dr require? What other requirements does that Dr have?How long is the wait once you are approved? Does his ofiice help with meeting the insurance requirements? Does he require a pre-op diet? if so How long? what is involved? I will look for the Thread Lois

Hello, I was banded Jan 3rd and at first I did not want to tell anyone. My boyfriend went with me to the senimar and that helped so much. He now "gets it". I knew my mom would be supportive, and she was. We had a heart to heart, and she understood the emotional side of it all. What I ended up doing was writing a e-mail to the rest of the family "three brothers and families". I explained the band, surgery and pretty much told them that I WAS going to do this. I told them of all the researching I had done,gave them the web site to my Dr which had a video for them to watch. They have watched me struggle with my weight all my life, going up and down.. always gaining it back. I got wonderful support from each and every person.That being said, only you know your family. If you decide not to tell, that is great. You have your husband for support. One thing I will say, is this is not a easy way out. I have worked harder on this band than I have on any other diet. Mostly because I am self pay and I WANT THIS TO BE MY LAST WEIGHT LOSS. Do it for yourself and your health. Lois