barkleigh

Hi Everyone... I'm new to this site. I'm seriously considering lapbanding...Have a few questions if anyone has time to talk to me, I would greatly appreciate it.:thumbup:

Thanks so much for the feed back. It's good to know about the pain part. I am such a baby sometimes. And the cost...wow i really appreciate ya'all being so honest about it with me. I did call my insurance company and there's a good chance that i will meet the criteria, however, this all goes through the doc. I've been seeing a lot about Dr. Felix Spiegle....(sp?) He's in the woodlands....closer to me that downtown for sure. Any feed back on him? thnx barkleigh

Hey Jenny...thanks...Dr. Marvin? Downtown houston? Methodist downtown? not willowbrook methodist? I just called my insurance co to see what the criteria is in order for them to pay for it. Morbidly obese, they say..My bmi is 36.9. Sadly enough, money is a big factor in this decision making. I've had a couple of surgeries so no problem there. I had my gallbladder removed (lap) and 2.5 yrs ago I had cx, so I had to have a total hysterectomy...so been there...done that and that was painful after the surgery. What is the purpose of the port? How often do you go back to see the doc? Did you have to be evaluated by a psych and nutritionist? May I ask the cost? look forward to talking to you again...should I just email you directly? thnx...barkleigh (kim)

Thanks Ann...Yes, I do have questions like anyone who may be considering this procedure. I am very interested in talking to anyone is Houston who has had this surgery. I do believe, that first and foremost, I should make an app. with a surgeon and go directly to the source for most of my answers, however, the doctor, more than likely, has never had this procedure done. It's kind of like (for me) going to a male ob/gyn. Doesn't have a clue about what I am "really" feeling...Anyway, I am hoping to hear from someone from Houston. Thanks Best Ever Barkleigh

Hey thanks again for the $ info Patrick. I appreciate it...still would like to know a little bit more about the surgery....

Hey.Thanks so much for the quick reply. I now will pursue the $ end on my part. So you're here in Houston...May I ask who did your surgery? or is this too personal...I don't want to be nosey by any means...I'm a little nervous about this. I have been doing some research. I checked my BMI and it was 35.5, however, I based it on the wt that I thought that I was. Went to Australia for two weeks, came home and weighed 4 lbs more..go figure. Such is my life....Is this procedure painful? Is it done on an outpatient basis? This risks? Someone said something about having a port? Do you know of ANYONE at all that has had any problems after surgery? I don't expect this to be my all time miracle wt loss method...I do believe that it will be a tool for life for me. I'm so tired of being this way, you know? I hate being photographed and being told in a dept store that MY SIZES are over there. So far, I'm just very appreciative of the help that I'm being given here. Thnx.(my online name is under barkleigh, simply because Kim was already taken!)

Hey Ann, thanks so much for the quick reply. I hate to say this but my first question is the $ amount. My health is very important to me, but we all know with this economy, I need to be able to afford this. Know what I mean? Will my insurance pay for it? What is the criteria for most insurance companies? Do I investigate this myself or will the doc's office? Thanks--barkleigh

Hey Ann, thanks so much for the quick reply. I hate to say this but my first question is the $ amount. My healthy is very important to me, but we all know with this economy, I need to be able to afford this. Know what I mean? Will my insurance pay for it? What is the criteria for most insurance companies? Do I investigate this myself or will the doc's office? Thanks--barkleigh