ImGonnaLose

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. If my mom had just asked first, I probably would have said it was OK. At least if it had to happen, she told someone who is supportive. I'm sure I'll tell people in the future, but I want to wait until I've actually made some significant progress!!

:party:Jazzy Junes! * New members as of today in pink 2 Best of Luck! Deb, Realme, LeighDee, BIG T, Mandi Jo, Kitcatnap, Jajeanne, BanTam, Utahgirl, Strikeuptheband, katkeen, kellystidham, wrestlersmom, kristin1975, pjanesville@cha 3 Huggie Bear, Steveamy0503, elvisfan, nicolerose, YoungNY, leepizz, Nuali, photobuf, Marlinda, STAN77, mrsjackson :thumbup: 4 Sellie, jills_adopting, ebinsc, Hunzi, jlck98, Alleyoppvolley, Anewkim, Snappymonkey18, Terrier Mom, Snakerivermusic, SanDiegoPhotog, marinemom :thumbup: 5 Irish Ladybug, Cadets 71, LMarie_MD2b, jkpenny376, Imagoofball, Lady Zique, mekadig, MsScorpio67 :thumbup: 6 Kristybandy, Cathychatts, eagerbandim, mamamarie, luigismama, pitter, Peacedove, Shorty184, WVaCat, jessbychurch :thumbup:9 Bando, gardengrl, flirtyangel, vzghj3, Hayley, CarrieC, CarrieD, Hayley, Katies, 1000words, pubrownsugar, justbob, ladybuy 238, LeslieR941906, beckyltriplett :thumbup: 10 Jules, Shaxmom, rearea1222, To Be Free, twinmommie, Anglesphere, acadang, bandme08, Olive424, nancyb2003, Jillian68, micountryfarm aka stacey , kjillcarr, Barbarosa, allana, JeffR, Dino, Samantha39 :thumbup: 11 triser72, Mowree, aalves, jdrocks226, larakathyleen, Detroitdame75, PRCowboy, hopefulmom25, hippiechick, jeremiahsmommy :thumbup: 12 cris3, Angelyco, WannaDance,Susanm, Long2bThin, MissWilde, Jewellj1, gina s, Dee 79, Diz, Ebeth0013, sks613, CPSimonton :thumbup:13 BATassbandita, elvisfan1219, KatW, cramadan, Greatlyblessed, amyz, greythope, cantwait2bfree, ch4life :thumbup: 16 babbs 3772, Phoenix, kdaniels11604 :thumbup: 17 TX Diva, Apples2, KerryConnor, Shome, iteachurkid :thumbup: 18 KathyStrick, JamesRN, kRiStI wItH a I :thumbup: 19 BigJedda, larinshine, ImGonnaLose :thumbup: 20 Rhondawood63 :thumbup:23 Little Debbie, Mariamomof2, brubear, Yesindeed, sweetrepose, RAINWI :thumbup: 24 Snuffy65, trtobiassen, Music Mom :thumbup: 25 Tennessee Mom, dj bryan, Hollins2003, Sunflower00 :thumbup: 26 :thumbup:27 TexGal, nellie ray, Kalaipahoa, Susie70, kpa88, Armywife4life, lillygirl, onnie67, cherieinnv :thumbup: 28 KPA88 :thumbup: 30 maguirre67, Tai68, MS.MAURA NY, Brian, daniml, afisher4band TOTAL 166 Note - Just fixing my spot - somehow I my name ended up on the wrong date. Thanks, Marianne

As SanDiegoSusan mentioned, the lower your taxable income, the more you will be able to deduct. If you have a 401k plan, increase your contribution (if you can afford the lower take-home amount). I just increased my pre-tax payroll deduction to the max my employer allows in order to lower my 2008 income for this reason. Just be careful - I think there might be an IRS maximum that you can contribute to your 401k each year. -Marianne

Hi. I got my date today - 6/19/2008!!! -Marianne

I've chosen Dr Nick Nicholson in Plano. I'm hoping to have surgery on June 19th. His cash-pay price is $15k, which includes fills for life, as well as coverage for complications that can be fixed on an out-patient basis. -Marianne

Thanks for the replies. At this point I'm leaning toward True Results; I hope to have my final decision made this week. -Marianne

Hi. I've been reading the forum for several weeks, and am about 90% sure that lap-band is the right decision for me. I need to lose about 115 lbs. My employer has a WLS exclusion, so I'll be self-pay. I've gone to two seminars, and am torn between the two surgeons (Dr Nick Nicholson in Plano, TX, and Dr. Frank Felts in Richardson (True Results)). The cost is the same, but Dr. Nicholson's includes fills for life and complete coverage for complications (if the complication can be resolved with day surgery, and no hospital). The True Results package is only 10 fills (which may be enough, anyway), but I'm told that they try to code any complication-related procedures so that they would be covered under insurance. Dr. Nicholson does fewer lap bands than Dr. Felts, and I have a feeling that the True Results after-care program may be better, since it is focused on lap-band only (the Nicholson Clinic does about 60/40 bypass/band, and the support groups are mixed). I think I should probably also consider Dr. Benavides (also True Results). He's got more experience than Felts, but I hear Felts has the better bed-side manner and rapport with the patient. Does anyone have any opinions on any (or all) of these doctors and their overall programs? This is such a hard decision, and I have a tendency to second-guess myself. Thanks! -Marianne

I'm going to be self-pay, and am wondering what kind of "extras" to expect. I've been quoted $15k by True Results, which includes after-care of 10 fills or 2 years (whichever happens first). I know I have to pay fo rmy pre-op tests and stuff, but I'm concerned that there may be other expenses. Also, how likely is it that I will need more than 10 fills? Thanks, Marianne

Thanks, everyone, for all of the replies. I really need to get this done, but the money part just scares me! Now I've got to figure out how much I can afford to pay each month so that I can pick my loan. -Marianne

No one has any thoughts on these doctors?