Brandy~

Does anyone have a list of US doctors that perform LapBand?

haha Thank you so very much for the laugh Mrs. I will be sure to remember that one if someone makes a comment to me after I am banded. I don't plan on laying out my life story to anyone I work with since it's none of their business.

Well I know exactly where you are though. I originally thought I had to pay for my own surgery since i had a different insurance....... but then my work just switched insurance so I stopped saving when I found out that they pay for it and signed up immediately for the 6 month dietitian thingy.... SOoooooooo The money saved is for when I slim down and hit the beaches in hawaii for a bit of snorkeling. I will probably spare them the thong and put on a pair of shorts Good luck and let me know what your insurance says... btw my doctor was nice enough to take a copy of my insurance and call them to confirm that everything would be a go as long as I did the 6 months. You might ask your doc to do the same.

I have BCBS and you're fine. They actually have a disclaimer that they review it on a case by case basis. They know some people do the yo yo thing and were not all gonna weigh the exact same.... especially if we have a history of trying to lose and regaining weight. I am currently doing the 6 month thing with a dietitian atm as well. Those are pretty simple I do what I always have..... let her talk, give me a meal plan, smile and nod, walk out and then eat what I wanted to anyway..... I shouldn't but I do because I know I can lose 50 pounds on my own only to gain back 55. I don't wanna follow their whole diet and lose my chance of them paying for it either. If that makes sense. I am sure you're absolutely fine tho.

I am about 5 months out from surgery :boink: Seems like forever....... But I am wondering what the phsyc eval is like too as I have yet to do it.

I have seen threads where many people have mentioned having theirs done in Mexico and the US..... I live in Oregon. I do not know anyone that has had a lap band done. I am trying to find a doctor that would be able to do the surgery for around 10k. I will most likely pay out of pocket (Unless I talk BCBS into it) Could someone link me to the forums that give the reasons why some have travelled and others have it done locally?

I came across a doctor in my travels in Oregon. He is located in Coosbay and does the surgery for 10k self pay: DETAILS: Surgeon $2000 Assistant $500 Anesthesia $1000 Day Surgery facility (including band cost) $6500 These fees do not include consultation, pre-op tests, Education Class, or other miscellaneous charges. His website is here This might be an alternative for those that want to stay in the US on the West Coast. I have met with the Doctors in Eugene, Oregon and now I have an appt for 11/14 to go to Coos Bay and meet this doctor. I will let you know how it goes. I just want to make sure I find the best doctor I can in my area before I settle on one.

Hi! Nice to meet you I just recently began the Quest to band as well! Lapband is a great solution and much less invasive than other weight loss methods. Have you talked to your wife? My husband was extremely worried at first. I think he is ok with it now since it is laproscopic, less chance for infection, low mortality rate, easily reversed and adjustable. It a life changing event not a physically altering one like it would be with bypass... It always gives you a second chance. I have attended a seminar (just yesterday) and am not waiting to hear back from the surgeon if my insurance is willing to preauthorize the surgery. You will love it here on the forums.

I have seen some say they didn't have to do the preop diet and some that do... what determines whether you have to or not? I dont have a seminar till 10/25 so trying to learn all that I can.

Hello! I am not banded YET... I am working on selecting a doctor. I have a consult with 2 different ones to see which one I like best and who can get me in the soonest. My mother is a dietitian so I know where you're coming from as well because she is overweight. As I have told my mother since she is considering the surgery..... it is a great place for her to start and you as well. You could actually help the lapband communities with your knowledge. If I was you I would use the band to make write diets specific to the lapband... and to educate those that have it on nutrition and staying healthy... Putting a metal ring aroudn the stomach miight make us lose weight but it wont give us the nutrition we need... thats where you could come in Thanks for checking in and we look forward to seeing you around the community.

You seriously just cracked me up..... :clap2:

Hmm I have seen posts on here as low as 7500 in mexico.

How much do you need to lose to hit 50 BMI? I wouldnt really suggest doing anything unhealthy if you're going to have a medical procedure done... I honestly think I would just anty up the 5k and get it done right away for your health.

If you have insurance and it is covered I would go find a nutritionist that has some experience with banded patients. If not then you might want to find one that comes highly recommended.

Same as everyone else above.

Hi and Welcome! I am from Eugene and will be seeing a doctor tomorrow here in Eugene for a consult to find out when they can do my surgery..... Very excited.

I think you and I read the same article. I did read a pretty indepth one explaining the benefits of something like chocolate milk after a workout in comparisson to gatorade or Powerade etc.

Ahh goodluck! I go in tomorrow and find out how soon they can do it! I am pushing for it too before the beginning of the year.

I think she is saying for her it makes her much more comfortable to be in the confines of the US boundries and that she is able to communicate easier. I don't think she means anything bad by it cause I kind of got her underlying meaning.... when I myself love different cultures and such I do see where she is coming from as that is part of my fear as to end up going to another country with so many other laws that if something were to go wrong it could go horribly wrong. I am sure the chances are so minor but hey I am on anxiety meds so I am sure that I see too much into some things.

I am really suprised that people are more accepting of the drinking issue. If you're going as far as surgery to better your health I can't even imagine trashing another organ (liver) to feel a buzz.

It's kinda scary for me to leave the country to have something I consider to be serious done... With that said I am seeking to have mine done in the US. My insurance says they will pay if I do the usual.. have BMI over 40, go to nutritionist (already have done) and a see a mental doc (That might get me commited!) If for some reason insurance doesn't pay I have the funds for the surgery set aside (cause I really didn't think insurance would pay for it to begin with) If that happens I have to weigh my fear of going to mexico for the surgery with the cost.

Then start drinking things like Mudslides or a drink thats more filling since your body seems to need 6k calories

well 10 drinks would be about 4k.... so drinking 4k and eating 1k wouldnt take work for an alcoholic.

Oh no hope you're not on a preop diet that could make it take forever

Unfortunate but she will probably find a doc to band you if you do not tell the truth about your alcohol consumption. If you're consuming that much and you own a bar you really should find a new profession....