work_in_progress

I'm new to this "blogging" thing, but I'm gonna give it my best shot. I'm on a mission to get healthy, and beautiful along the way would be so nice. I'm a 43 y.o. mom of 4 young men. One of which is making me a grandma in August. Another reason to get healthy. I've been researching the lapband procedure for over a year and have scheduled my surgery for May 14, 2009. I have to wait that long because I'm in nursing school and that will be the end of the semester. I will be flying from Atlanta to Denver to see Dr. Kirschenbaum. (total $9950) It's a savings of around $3500 overall and being self pay every little bit helps. My BMI is currently 36 and I have about 90 pounds to lose. I have plantar fascitis, arthritis pain in my hips and knees and I suffer with depression. I'm hoping all these things will resolve with weight loss. I'm planning to start a high protein, low carb diet two weeks prior to surgery. The hardest thing for me is going to be giving up those dang diet cokes! :wink_smile: I'm planning on using Atlanta Bariatrics for my follow up and fills. Problem is they won't even make me an appointment until after they see my operative report. Then they'll decide if they'll take me on as a patient. So, hopefully no complications!

I'm new to this "blogging" thing, but I'm gonna give it my best shot. I'm on a mission to get healthy, and beautiful along the way would be so nice. I'm a 43 y.o. mom of 4 young men. One of which is making me a grandma in August. Another reason to get healthy. I've been researching the lapband procedure for over a year and have scheduled my surgery for May 14, 2009. I have to wait that long because I'm in nursing school and that will be the end of the semester. I will be flying from Atlanta to Denver to see Dr. Kirschenbaum. (total $9950) It's a savings of around $3500 overall and being self pay every little bit helps. My BMI is currently 36 and I have about 90 pounds to lose. I have plantar fascitis, arthritis pain in my hips and knees and I suffer with depression. I'm hoping all these things will resolve with weight loss. I'm planning to start a high protein, low carb diet two weeks prior to surgery. The hardest thing for me is going to be giving up those dang diet cokes! :ohmy: I'm planning on using Atlanta Bariatrics for my follow up and fills. Problem is they won't even make me an appointment until after they see my operative report. Then they'll decide if they'll take me on as a patient. So, hopefully no complications!

Thanks Tomster, I was concerned about the gas worsening on the plane as well. All in the name of getting healthy. I'll definitely arrange for a wheelchair. Good luck to you :thumbup:

Thanks for all the replies on traveling home from Colorado. I already have a reservation for the evening after surgery. I tried to change it, but they want another $275 to do that. So, I'll travel home the next night after surgery and request a wheelchair, carry a shoulder bag and move around the plane cabin frequently. Thanks for everyone's help! Lapband people are the best!

Has anyone had any trouble on their flights home after surgery? My flight is around 5PM the following day. Also, was it difficult walking through a large airport right after surgery? I'll be flying into Atlanta, mega-huge airport. Thanks!

Warren, I'll be coming from Conyers. If you could email me directions to szbrown@bellsouth.net I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, Susie

HI Dee Dee, welcome to our forum. I'm Susie, I live in Conyers. My surgery is scheduled for May 14th and I can hardly wait for that day to arrive. I'm self pay and I will be flying to Denver, CO to have my surgery with Dr. Gerald Kirschenbaum. These forums are a wonderful source of information.

When is the next meeting? I'm very interested in joining you all. I'm not familiar with John's Creek so could you tell me how to get there also. Thanks!

Good luck Sommerbrez and Vala on your upcoming surgeries! Please keep us posted on how everything is going for you.

redcat...my BMI is 36 and I also have depression and back pain, hip pain, etc (arthritis). My insurance plan doesn't cover any weight loss surgery. I'm going to Colorado for my surgery because the self pay cost in Georgia is too high. I will get my follow up care in Atlanta. You can email me and I'll give you the details. szbrown@bellsouth.net

Good luck, redcat. Nice to know I'm not the only one in Conyers obsessed with this website. It's so informative. My surgery is scheduled for May 14th. It'll be here before I know it. I was signed up for the informational seminar with Dr. Hart last week but I canceled after I found out my insurance won't cover weight loss surgery. I'll be traveling to Colorado to see Dr. Kirschenbaum for my surgery.

I have Cigna and my policy excludes all weight loss procedures. Very frustrating. I'm still going to have the surgery self pay. $9950 :redface:

Check with your insurance company first to find out if they cover weight loss surgery. If they do, then find out if you need a referral. If you will be self pay, there's an excellent doctor near Denver, Dr. Gerald Kirschenbaum, who will do the surgery for $9950. He's doing my surgery in May. Good luck to you. You'll find lots of answers on this forum if you just look around a bit.

Wondering if anyone has had luck getting their insurance to pay for fills when they don't cover WLS? I saw one post that said they could charge for an ultrasound, injection and office visit and the insurance co. would pay. I'm having surgery with Dr. Kirschenbaum on May 14th and would like to be able to get my fills close to home (and payed would be nice).

That's the first I've heard of an insurance paying for surgery and not fills. I agree with you about the possibility of the doctor being liable if they don't code for weight loss. It would surprise me if they actually do that. Way to go on reaching your goal so quickly! I'm right where you were last year and my goal is also 150. You are my inspiration :wink: Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

My husband's insurance also doesn't cover weight loss surgery. So, I've decided to have my surgery with Dr. Kirschenbaum in Denver, Colorado. He charges $9950 and his fills are only $15 after 3 months. It's perfect for us self paying poor souls. I hope to have my surgery in May. Maybe we'll even get some frequesnt flyer miles, lol. :thumbup:

I have a question about weight loss prior to surgery with Dr. Kirschenbaum. Can they document my weight now and make it possible for me to lose weight between now and my surgery in May, '09? I wish I didn't have to put it off til the summer but I'm a nursing student. Thanks for any replies :thumbup:

I checked with Atlanta Bariatrics and they will evaluate your post op report if you have the surgery with another doctor and then decide if they will take you as a patient. They charge $150 for fills. I'm considering going to CO for my surgery because I am self pay.

HI everyone, I'm from Conyers and I'm new to this website. I'm considering surgery and trying to become well informed. I'll be a self pay. I'd be interested in knowing what other self pay patients have paid in Georgia. What do fills typically cost with surgeons in Atlanta? Thanks! :tt2: