clarityseeker

I'd love to go -- I'll be traveling alone, too.

Welcome. I am relatively new to this community, too. I also have UHC, but all weight-loss surgery is excluded from my company's policy. So, I am going the self-pay route. I started investigating the lap band back in 2001 right after it was approved by the FDA. Now, five years later, I'm finally doing it! I have an Upper GI tomorrow and hopefully, if all goes well, my date for surgery is Aug. 2 with Dr. Spivak. I wish you luck in fighting the insurance battle.

My doctor gave me a pre-op diet to follow that is mainly higher in protein, lower in carbs. I know that I probably won't be able to eat bread, etc. after I'm banded, so there is definitely a part of me that wants to eat some before I have surgery. What is the purpose of the "pre-op" diet other than to get "ready" for a new way of eating?

I am a lawyer by day and taxi driver, housekeeper, counselor, dr. mom, etc. (but not a cook) after my "day job". I am a single (widow) mom to 4 kids ranging in age from 18 mos. to 16 years. I love this thread -- it's so interesting to find out more about my new friends!

Thanks for all the great input. I feel a lot better about it now. I think I can deal with it one way or another. For the guys, I love the "I have some male problems", but I probably wouldn't have the "guts" to say that. I had considered some vague reference to "gastrointenstinal problems" and leave it at that. Hopefully, that sounds yucky enough to keep most people from follow-up questions. If not, I could describe my "symptoms" -- wet farts, uncontrollable diarrhea, etc. That would probably put an end to the conversation fast. LOL. On an editorial note, it is unfortunate that there are so many people in this world that think it's okay to make extremely personal inquiries into one's life -- whether it be medical, emotional, family, etc. I am a very open person and probably say too much, but even so, there are those who have absolutely no shame about asking me anything. Oh, well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised -- I haven't gone to the bathroom in my own house without an audience in 16 years (since my first child was born).:grouphug:

I may have seen some discussion about this before, but not on my specific issue. I am self-pay. I met with Dr. Spivak and he wants me to have an upper GI before having the surgery. I'm not even sure why. Anyway, I would like to have my insurance pay for it. So, I am going to see a gastro doctor and ask him to do it, but I am going to need a medical reason for it. I have heartburn occasionally, but I don't really have any reason to think that I have a problem with my upper GI tract. I have United Health Care. Does anyone have any experience in getting pre-op testing done with insurance covering it, even though you are self pay for the lap band? Any information is appreciated.

I think I will be having mine August 2nd. I'm excited, not scared -- yet. I am going on a cruise right before, so the lady at the doctor's office told me to have a good time on the cruise but try to lose some weight before I go.

Melissa -- thanks for the advice -- I did what you did and I'm scheduled to have the UGI next Wed. Dr. Spivak's office faxed me over an order and I scheduled it right away with River Oaks Imaging! You rock!:clap2: Jessica

Thanks for the replies. Melissa -- I have UHC PPO, too. Who did your UGI? Jessica hoping to be banded in 8/06

I have Panic Disorder and had much the same experience as DeLarla, though not quite as severe. I tried everything -- therapy, self-hypnosis, every anxiety drug available and then, about 10 years ago, my PCP had me try Paxil. It literally changed my life. I went from having multiple daily panic attacks to having none. I have changed dosages over the years a bit and I do also take Xanax, but frankly, I don't plan to stop when I get banded. I know the Paxil has contributed to my weight gain -- along with having 4 kids, not enough time to exercise, and a love for food. But, I am not willing to get off it when I get banded. I know I can lose weight -- I've done it over the years, but not been able to get it all off and/or maintain it. So, I hope that I can lose weight with the band and still take the meds. The Water treatment is extremely interesting, but I can't take the chance right now to change what I'm doing. So, anyone with experience on SSRI's and being banded, I'd love to hear how you are doing. Thanks!

I live about 3 minutes from Dr. Spivak's office and I'm hoping to have him do my surgery -- I'm self-pay, unfortunately. Anyway, technically, I'm south of Houston and will be looking for a support group -- hopefully soon. I have to say after reading all of the posts, I am a bit more apprehensive than I was before. I had researched the surgery several years ago and didn't do it b/c I couldn't afford it. Reading the boards, it seems that there can be lots of problems, but I know the statistics are good. Looking forward to getting a date!

What is "low profile"? I wouldn't want the port to be visible -- and where is it located exactly?

No, unfortunately, I'm going to be self-pay.

I'm new to the forum. I haven't had the surgery yet. I went through the whole process of evaluation, etc. a few years ago and didn't have it done b/c insurance wouldn't pay. Then, I lost some weight going to WW and exercising A LOT. I was cycling several days a week including 5-6 hours on Saturdays. Then, at 38, I found out I was pregnant with my 4th child. I gained a reasonable amount of weight, but have had difficulty taking it off -- I'm one of those people who loses about 10 lbs of baby weight naturally and the rest may as well be regular weight-gain. So, now my son is 16 mos. old and I am still struggling, so I'm going to give myself the surgery for my 41st birthday. I want to be healthier and live a long time! My son will be graduating from high school when I am almost 60 -- I want to be here and healthy. I'm looking forward to getting information and support from others that have gone before me. Thanks in advance!