MeganAnn

I was banded on June 28th of this year by Dr. Stephen Malley in Overland Park, KS. I have so far lost 15 lbs. I received my second fill yesterday, and they got it too tight. Lost 3 lbs overnight, couldn't even sip water. Really awful. I went back this morning though, and they removed 1 cc and it made a huge difference. I guess I truly believed that the weight would just fly off. It's taking a little time though. I've always been a little inpatient.:whoo: I started at 232 lbs, & because of my bone strructure, I think I would look great somewhere between 145-155. I think the best advice for anyone out there researching is that this is not necessarily "easy". It is a wonderful tool to help us achieve weight loss, but there is still a lot of work involved. It is a very emotional journey. Good luck to anyone considering. And if there is anyone out there considering Dr. Malley, you couldn't ask for a more caring physician or nursing staff. He's very quiet, but he listens. And he's a very casual person. Not your normal pompous ass in loafers, driving a Mercedes, only willing to give you three minutes of his "precious" time. Dr. Malley is one in a million.

As a person who works in insurance for a living, I can tell you first hand, that if your insurance says that it is not a covered service, your done. There are no appeals. There is a big difference in the them denying your claim, and you appealling 6 times, and them finally approving, than the statement that it is flat out not a covered service. Unfortunately, it's the big name insurance companies that are doing this. When you think Blue Cross Blue Shield for example, the immediate general thought is that it must be great insurance. It used to be. Over the last couple of years BCBS has really starting declining in their coverages, raising copays and deductibles, and denying services. If you have any sort of choice in your insurance or possibly by coverage through your spouse, check into it. I was very lucky. I have Humana HMO-that's right, an HMO and they cover it, and it took only one time. My only out of pocket was a $200 surgical copay. Another thing you do, is check with several physicians on their cash price. I know that my insurance wa billed nearly $26000 for everything. My Dr's cash price which also includes everything, $16000. For the average Joe, still not affordable, but more doable. Good luck. It will be a hard journey, but you will succeed. Keep your head up.