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AGGHH!! I am very frustrated with the hospital that is doing my surgery. They so kindly sent me paperwork explaining that they charge a $500 non-refundable "program fee" to help cover the cost of materials and pamphlets before the surgery can be done.... I would think they could somehow include the $500 fee in with their $16,000-$22,000 surgery... Like the hospital can't afford pamphlets and materials?? Or... maybe afford to charge it in with the insurance? I already have to pay a minimum of 10% of the surgery out of pocket. (Plus I pay $120 a week to have the insurance on myself.) I just don't understand? Has anyone else had to pay a "program fee"?? I am very irritated with this. whewwwwww.... thanks for letting me vent lol.... ~Kerri

wow wow wow... That is crazy?! $50k.. Did you have to pay 10% of that??? that blows my mind.. I am glad to learn the hospital that I chose isn't the only one who has this "program fee" .. It sounded odd to me at first, but I guess if that's what they do.. oh well:) I'll take my own advice this time, and "suck it up buttercup".. lol Thanks all!!:eek:

Thanks all:) You are great help! ~Kerri

Hate to eaves drop, but I am dying to know what OH is?? lol Thanks:)

Hi All:) I am still new to this and have only posted a few times, I hope I'm doing this right! I have attended the mandatory seminar that is offered through my hospital, as well as had the referral from my doctor sent out. I have my first visit with my surgeon and the psychologist tomorrow. I have concerns about what I say to them both, and how I say it. I am afraid it will jeopardize getting the procedure?? I have a 43 BMI and my only medical condition is GERD and a hiatal hernia. But... I have a huuuuge family history of obesity, heart attack, diabetes, hypertension.... Has anyone been nervous about their appointment for these reasons? I am so afraid I will say something wrong or not have "enough" medical issues. Thanks in advance! Peace, Kerri Marie

Thank you so such Faithmd and sewenup1!! I, unfortunately, have been 100lbs overweight for 5 years. There are 3 major reasons that I want this surgery.. 1- I am petrified that I wont live to see the age of 40 because heart attacks in my family have been with 3 people under the age of 50, 2 over 50. Not to mention the other health risks that run in my family... 2- I want to feel accepted by people, as well as myself. I love who I am on the inside, and that person simply doesn't match the person on the outside. Also, I work in a structured environment where I should be a role model to the young adults with development disabilities that I am working with. They look up to me, and cherish the time I spend with them. This makes me feel really good, but.. how can I be a role model for healthy eating habits and self control, when I can't take my own advice?! 3- I want to have a child within the next 3 years, and my current weight and health would make my unborn child and myself at risk. Also, I am sure I would never lose the baby weight, and be larger than I am now, and what kind of life would that be for my child? I guess my plan for tomorrow is to just spill my guts to the doctor psychologist. They have my family's history already from my doctors office. I am currently trying to gather dates of the diets I have been on and the weight loss/ re-gain that I have dealt with... Oh boy! Thanks again for the advise, and links to more info, I REALLY appreciate you time! I feel so thankful to have found this forum, it has been a wonderful tool for me:) You guys are great!

Congrats! How exciting! I have my first appointment with my surgeon on Friday, and hope to get an idea of how long of a wait I have until I am in your shoes:) Best of luck to you, and congratulations! ~Kerri

Congrats Deb! 9 lbs is amazing! Keep up the good work, and best of luck to you:)

Hi Goldie! I too have my first appointment on Friday!! I have been looking into this surgery for 2 years now, and I finally have the insurance (and ambition!) to move along with things. Also, I went to a seminar that is required before getting an appointment, there was so much information to take in, but one of the things I remember the surgeon saying is that they do 3 (I think 3..) stitches around the band to hold in in place.Thus lessening the change for slippage or erosion:) Just wanted to share. Best wishes to you on your journey!:rose: ~Kerri

Wow! This is a wonderful, oh so familiar, well told story. Thanks for sharing sewenup1! :rose:

Hi everyone! My name is Kerri, I am 24 years old and I live in a small town in central Maine. Just to share a bit about myself and my situation... I have been overweight since I started grade school, and have been put on numerous diets and exercise plans to lose weight. I graduated high school in 2001, and shortly there after I gained 60lbs. I have a huge family history of heart attack, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and so on... I have tried several diets through my adult years, some successful, but the pounds eventually creep back on. I have been waiting for full time status with my job for over 2 years now so I could sign up for insurance and try to get the lap band. This is something I have been looking into for a long time, and at this point I feel is the best option for me. So far I have been to the mandatory seminar put on by Maine General Hospital. Also my PCP has agreed to the referral. (yay!!) Before the referral would be accepted, we learned that I needed a current physical and blood lab done. I have my appt. for the blood lab Monday Sept. 17th, then the physical on Monday Sept. 24th. I was really frustrated to get appointments for September, as my previous appointment to get the referral was August 13.. I feel like now the ball is rolling (slowly.. but it is rolling:), and I am soooo excited the appointments are here so I can have my referral sent out. The surgeon that I will be meeting with is Dr. Huy Trieu MD, from Maine General Hospital in Augusta, Maine. Hopefully things go smoothly from here on out *crossing my fingers* and I can get in soon with the bariatric center, and get things going!! I am on here often, and look forward to meeting you all, I think this site is wonderful! ~Kerri

I have talked with 2 representatives from my insurance company (Harvard Pilgrim) and also talked with the doctors and office staff at the seminar about my insurance. They said that so far they have had good luck with my insurance except for one situation when they approved the surgery, but not the fills. I also work with a lady who had the lap band covered through our company insurance, in which case they covered 90% of her surgery itself. At this point, if I were to be denied by insurance, I would be willing to refinance my house and pay out of pocket.. (Which obviously is not my first choice, but if it came down to it:) Thanks you much for your input! P.S. I HATE the word "obese" as well... I have always felt like I carry my weight fairly well (if that is at all possible with a 43 BMI..) and my (very small) doctor kind of burst my bubble when she referred to me as "morbidly obese".. I could have crawled under a rock.. Thanks again for your input! :)Kerri