arty4004

Hi everybody, Been lurking a short time, reading some great encouraging stories about you all, so I thought it might be about time to say hi. Like most, I've been fighting the battle of the bulge for years, actually since childhood, and lately it's been catching up with me. The final straw came when my wife and I went on a cruise, and I had a hard time getting from one end of the ship to the other. Sad. We got back home, and I started the process of contacting a surgeon that a co-worker recommended, having had the lap band herself. First, we found out I had gal stones, and he removed my gal bladder. Then the adventure took a turn for the worse, as I tried to get my health insurance to pick up the tab for the band. After trying for a year, I've given up, and am now self paying. I guess if I've gotten myself into this, I've got to get myself out. The good part is my health insurance has gotten a doctor to make recommendations for setting up a criteria that others will have to meet in order to have it covered. Anyway, here I am, through all the hoops, and self paying. Today is my day, and around noon, the adventure begins. I look forward to getting to know you all, and wish you all the best. Arty

Thanks thinnerme, it gets better everyday.

Hi Donna, I too am glad I got the band, and am doing fine. Hope all is well, and look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Greg, and thanks. I didn't feel too lost, but I did feel a little down, that I'd let myself get to the point of surgery being my only possible savior. I felt bad for myself, but then remembered, I'm not alone in this, there are litteraly thousands of people just like me, who are needing this help. We're a segment of the population that are readily descriminated against and made fun of. But that's about to change, for me, and you, and many like us. There was a mini series on HBO not too long ago, "Band of Brothers". I say, from this day forth, we have a common bond, and are now a "Band of Brothers, and Sisters". I'm proud to say, I've joined the band.

Thanks Sallyjo. Doing great up here in the great Northwet. Got a couple of friends and relatives down your way. Y'all stay cool.

Thanks littleroo1. Starting to feel back to normal. Got a long way to go, but made the first step.

Thanks. It's been a week today, and feeling better every day. Got my check up tomorrow with my surgeon. All is good so far.

Thanks Lottie, I'll look into that. It's been so long, and I've gotten impatient playing the waiting game with my insurance company. But, I'm still going to press them to get it excepted and covered, so the next person will have it easier.

Hi everybody, A little about me and where I'm at, then a question. I've got my pre-op appt. this thurday, Aug. 9th at Evergreen Hospital here in the Great Northwest, Washington. I've already met with the dietician and psychiatrist, and had a sleep apnea study done, as well as an echocardiogram. If all goes well, we set the surgery date at my appt. I've been trying to get my insurance co. to make an exception, which has taken over a year. Each quarterly meeting they bring it up only to find yet another way of delaying a decision. They've now gotten a professional to make recommendations at the next meeting for a criteria that would have to be met. I can see the writing on the wall, this meeting it will be under advisement, next meeting it will be voted on, but for some reason, it will be shelved untill the next one, and voila, another year goes by. Bitter?, me?...not much. Anywho, this is just a quick history of where I've been, and there'll be more as I post the long trip back to healthiness. I look forward to getting to know you all, and am happy to join you all on this great adventure. Finally, my question. Without insurance financing this, it's going to be my out of pocket expense. To those who have had to self pay, what was the way you financed it? To those that had the cash, congratulations, but I'm looking at taking out a loan, and wondering about the ways to go about it. I can probably take out a loan against my house, but am wondering if there are other alternatives. From previous appts. with my surgeon, he gave me a figure of about $17,500. This includes all adjustments after as well. I see some of you have gone south of the border, but I'm too close, and am happy to have it done here. I should mention my surgeon had to remove my galbladder last year, and was great. So, let me hear from ya'll, and we'll be talking soon. Thanks, Art

Thanks Kat, Looking forward to sharing the journey with ya'll. I see you're close to goal, congratulations. I look forward to meeting everyone. Art