vucarre

My BMI is only 32 at this point. I was at 35 two years ago. My husband talked me out of the surgery and I went to Duke Weight Loss center for 2 months and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I kept if off for about a year, but never reaching my goal of losing 60 pounds. Lasy year 2010, I started CEAHOW (which is like overeaters anonymous) and again, lost 30 pounds but never reaching my goal. I want to have the surgery now because I know this disease is progressive and I really dont want to wait until my bmi is 35 again. I would like to avoid the problems I have at that weight, which are lower back pain, and slight incontinence along with the problems I currently have, which are, high blood pressure and acid reflux. My insurance will not cover it so I am going to pay myself. Here in South Africa, it is only about $10,000.

So, I am hoping I am not the only one in this boat!!

Hello,

Not sure you are still using this site as it seems you may have had your surgery and achieved your goal. Question is, how did you get your husband to support your decision? I havent talked to my husband about for about 2 years. He wanted me to try other things. I did. In the last two years I went to a weight loss center and lost 30 pounds -- half my goal. Kept it off for about 9 months. Then I start something called CEAHOW, which is a fodd addicts group. Again, I lost 30 of the 60 - 70 I needed to lose and I am rapidly putting it back on. I am turning 47 and I do not want to spend the rest of my life battling my weight like this. But, my husband is so against it. I really dont know why. He always has some lame excuse that Kanye West mother died during surgery --- even though she had an underlying heart issue and was warned not to have a procudure but did so anyway. Hardly comparable cases. Anyway, I am not sure what his real objection is because he let his daughter get breast reduction surgery at 16 even though he was advised she was a little young and that she should try losing weight. So, he just paid out of pocket. Yet, he acts as if I am crazy. I also need sinus surgery, he is against that also. I would love some feedback on how to get at the real objection and over come it. Because I need this surgery.

My DH is against me having the surgery. He will not even talk about it with me.

I had a first cousin who had the gastric by-pass surgery about 8 years ago. She started out pretty good at first, then she got to where she couldn't eat. She would throw up everything. She ended up malnourished and was put in the hospital for 3 months. She has permanent nerve damage in her legs and it is very hard for her to walk. She has gained all but 100lbs of her loss back. However, when I talked to her about the lapband, she was very supportive of it. DH just worries that something similar will happen to me.

He also has problems with his weight. He diets and looses down about 70lbs, then when he stops watching what he eats, he packs it back on. He has yo-yo'ed like this for the past 12 or so years.

I also think he might be a little jealous if I loose weight. I have always been heavy. I think he is secure with this and he knows if I loose weight then men will notice me. But, I want to do this for me and my family. I want to be around to see my kids have kids and so on. I'm tired of being FAT!!

I have returned my application packet to the surgeon. I am waiting on a reply. My PCP has already done a referral and the letter of medical necessity and the insurance has already approved it. I had foot surgery earlier this year, paid all my deductibles and out of pocket expenses for the year, so all expenses from the lapband surgery will be covered 100%. I just hope I can get it all in before the end of the year.

I am very jealous of you. I am at the cut off also and I have struggled with this most of my life a nd I desperately want the surgery but my husband is pretty much refusing that I get it and I am so disappointed. He really does not understand this struggle. He has no idea what it is like. I would like his suppoert but it is really hard to do it wiht no suppoert. I really wish you all the best and I wish I was in your shoes. Best wishes to you!!!!Keep us posted on your progress!!!!

I am scheduled for 5/14. Is anyone else scheduled for about the same time? I am not scheduled to talk to him for our initial consult until 4/30. That seems like that is cutting it pretty close. I am scheduled to talk to the nutritionist 4/28. Did anyone have there initial consult so close to the scheduled surgery date? Also, did anyone do any background check on him before hand? Just wondering.

That sounds like reflux to me. I have to clear my throat constantly after I eat if I lay down or if I am sitting in certain postions and I was diagnosed with reflux. I take over the counter zantac or pepcid tabs and they work pretty well. Talk to your doc about taking something like that. I am not banded yet but I do worry about the reflux after the band.

Best wishes BB in finding a supportive doctor. This is a progressive disease and it is better that you do something about it now at 22 than live the next 20 years getting worse. I am 44 and I know. It will only get worse. Don't give up! Keep looking for someone in your area. If you cannot find anyone, broaden your search. Again, best wishes!!!!

My family is moving to S. Africa so I am considering have the lap band done there. Also, with the exchange rate it will cost about $10,000. Fills are $50. Just looking for anyone who may have used him. Thanks!

Hi styliani,

Can you give me the details on how to contact your Dr. in Belgium?

Thank you so much!!!!

Vu

Have your parents terminate you from their policy. There will then be a letter or some sort of confirmation of termination from the insurance co.

"REBANDED MAY 24 2007"

Lizrbit....if you don't mind me asking, why were you rebanded?

You really have to shop around. In Charlotte, a Dr. I am considering requires a $1200 program fee. He requires nutritionist, psych eval with some special 166 question test that costs $120 to score, body fat analysis, & exercise plan. Even self pays have to pay this fee and insurance cos. do not cover these items. I would imagine there is some benefit -- but I think these things can be done less expensively elsewhere. But, for me, I don't care what it costs -- I am getting the band.

MamaJava.......Good for you!!!!!!!!

Shampoo just got her band done in Mexico last week and she lives in ATL.

Here is a link to what she has written about her experience Feb 26 Surgery - Lap Band Forum. You may want to contact her and find out where she is planning to get her fills.

My family is moving to S.Africa that is why I am considering getting it done there.

I am going to have to pay for the band myself. I just want to get an idea of what others are paying in other parts of the US. Also, please give me your dr.s name.

In my area, Charlotte, NC, Dr. Voellinger charges about $16K for the surgery and a year of fills. He also charges a $200 application fee and another $1200 for nutrition, psych eval & body fat composition test which are all mandatory. CMC Charlotte charges $15K for everything and year of fills and they seem to be just as good. However, my BMI is not high enough for them.

I am also considering a Dr. in South Africa, Dr Constantinos Sofianos. drsofianos@iafrica.com Obesity Unit South Africa holistic approach to management of Obesity. They charge about $10,000 USD. I will be getting more info. in the next few weeks when I visit.

Thanks for the info!!!

lsuza how are you educating anyone when you are name calling? Have you no other tools to get your point across without stooping to insults?

Nurses probably cannot do fills. If they could, they would be doing them. Surgery is the best use of a surgeons time. All time the dr. spends doing fills, is time he cannot do surgery. It would benefit the dr.s practice if someone else could do fills. So, it must be a procedure that has to be done by a dr.