TeTe2

I have completed all my pre-certification requirements for Lap Band surgery. By 10/30 I will have all my final clearances from the specialists, then I call to schedule my surgery date. As that date quickly approches I am starting to get nervous. I'm sure that's natural. These boards & my local support groups are great. I'm having the most difficulty changing my mind set. I'm trying to get away from my previous "diet mentality" to "a lifestyle change" way of thinking. I try to stay focus on the positives to come & not all the "what if's." The daily interaction on this site helps me realize I'm not the only one- everyone has "been here & done that" & began at the same place. I appreciate all the support, advice & ideas anyone would to share as to what I can expect as I begin my journey.......who would have thought this 36 year old women - just can't wait to become a "loser".....everyone wish me luck!!! :bounce:

I got my surgery date...Nov 15th

I got my surgery date Nov 15th

Just got my date 11/15!

Just got my date Nov. 15th !!!

Hello. I live in Wilmington DE, I am a self pay also. My lap surgery will be done at St. Francis hospital, my cost will be $11,500.00 the the hospital & $6k to the surgeon for a total of $ 17,500.00, this covers all required classes & support meetings & all follow ups & fills for the 1st yr, $250.00 per fill there after. Required pre-certs for them are Pulm, Cardio & Psych consults, 3 support meetings, 3 nutrition classes, 1 week food diary, with no pre-op required wt loss. (The pre-cert appts were covered by my insurance, even when the surgery is not, that included the following tests: stress test, pulm function test & sleep study test.) My last clearance appt is Monday. Wish me luck. Call around, every location is different. They also work w/ a local bank for financing options for surgery. I hope this helps. Good Luck.

I have 3 tattoos. A red heart w/ a red rose through it on my right shoulder blade. A court jester w/ a mandolin on my right ankle and paw prints on my right ankle.

Hey everyone. I too am from Delaware - born & raised in Dover, I currently live in Bear. I go Tuesday for my last pre-cert appt. Then hopefully all is a go. I'm excited but getting nervous. Wish me luck!!!

I am getting my surgery done @ St. Francis. I am a self pay & it's $7k cheaper there than Christiana. So St Francis it is. Most of my family is still in Dover, 2 of my brothers moved to NC. I have never lived anywhere else - I think Delaware will always be home, but I do love NewOrleans, I think I could live there. Maybe?

Congratz on you success. Glad you are doing well. Still waiting on my surgery date. Soon I hope to catch up to you. All the best!

I am a self pay. My insurance (Aetna Select) has any type of weight loss treatment as an exclusion. We have two local hospitals that do Lap Band surgery both hospitals use the same group of bariatric surgeons. The Surgeon fee is $6K, covers all fills for 1st year then $250 ea. Hospital A (Christiana) : cost $17,500.00 pre-op classes & nutrition classes & support groups not included. Hospital B (St Francis) : cost $11,500.00 all classes & support groups included. Insurance covered the req Pulm & Cardio drs appt & the req tests the ordered (ex sleep study. stress test, echo, etc) I also found out self payers do not have such ridgid requirements to qualify for surgery, such as # of required nutrition classes, support sessions etc. So self paying actually worked in my favor. I had only 3 req nutrition classes & 3 req support group meeting that I had to attend, with no begining weight loss requirement. If I would/could have gone through my Aetna insurance I would have been req to attend an additional 12 classes with a begining 10% weight loss requirement. Adding an additonal 2 mos wait. So I drained fmy 401k and I am currently just waiting for my surgery date. Call around - every place is different. Good luck to you.

My mom is very similiar to what I have read. We haven't had the best relationship - old hurts heal slowly - plus we are alot alike. I haven't been banded yet, but she knows about all the nutrition classes & dr appts & everything that goes along w/ being pre-op. She makes comments of support like she's happy that I'm having the surgery, it's the best thing I could do for myself, yada yada yada, BUT now as each of my approvals come in & I'm getting closer to a surgery date & getting a little more nervous with each day. She has started in - "full liquids for a month -are you sure you can do it???"...."you can never have soda again because of the carbination- I don't see you doing that!!!"....."sugar-free & fat-free - I can't wait to see that." I try to rationalize it to myself that I'm sure she is nervous for me too. I think of it as: she's worrying out loud. After all - these are big lifestyle changes to be made - not like all the previous failed diets that I stopped when I had had enough deprivation. I sometimes have to remind her -"Hey mom just be happy for me...stop stressing me out?" Well it lasts for a few days anyway.....

Hey there musical momma! I am currently in Bear but I was born & raised in Dover - ya know one of those "slower lower - below the canal Delawareans" LOL Did you have your surgery done here?

Here are 2 common mispronounced words in Delaware: "amballance....instead of ambulance" "natkin....instead of napkin"