najah27

Call the office and ask for an appointment for the decision visit. Once you meet for that u still have to wait back from ur insurance. I was at Chapman's office on Friday and he was swammped. I told him I am trying to get this done by the end of the year so I won't have to pay another deductible. Since I have BCBSNC, they got me in to see him prior to the seminar. He said my insurance takes 3 weeks for an approval. Don't wait around for them for scheduling call and make the appointment cause they seemed very busy.

Thanks for the input. I will stick with the band as I originally planned.

I am 31 yo married mother of 3. I am in the process of getting insurance approval for lap band surgery. I met with my physician this week and he is really trying to push me towards the gastric bypass. After careful consideration and discussing the surgery with my family, we all feel the lap band is safer and a healthier way to go. I am joining the support group because i want to be as informed as possible prior to my surgery. I don't want to gain any unrealistic expectations and I feel this is the best way to go about getting the knowledge I need. I am very excited to have the surgery. Although I am 95% happy with myself right now at 278, I know that being slimmer means being healthier. Currently I don't have any health disparities, but for my children's sake I would like to keep it that way.

I think it all depends on your insurance. I went with ECU and paid $40 co pay. They told me no matter the procedure the nutritionist charges $125 upfront.

How much exercise do you do weekly? My doc said it would be difficult to lose that much so quickly and I want to be prepared when I go for my decision visit.

I am going thru Dr. Chapman in the same office. He too is trying to discourage me from the band because I beleive they are just more comfortable with the gastric and it is more convienant. (Less follow up) I know one of the staff members and they both came highly recommended. I choose Dr. Chapman because he is older and more experienced from what I was told. He told me himself he has done hundreds of lap bands vs thousands of gastric. Hope this helps