roadrunner

Hello, I'm new here. I found this site when looking at gastric by-pass surgery. I didn't know about the Lapband until recently. I like the idea of it because it is not to invasive. I've been thinking about doing some thing but the thought of major invasive surgery put me off. I went to my primary care doctor 2 days ago and he gave me the name of a Dr. to see here in Tucson Az. I called to make an appointment and was told by the person on the phone I'd have to attend a class before I could see the doctor. That's ok with me I want to learn more. But I was put off by the fact that she said if I had the LapBand done they would not submit to my insurance even tho I have already checked with them about the coverage:faint: . That sent me reeling because she used the words "we couldn't be bothered" To bill for this surgery:eek: . As I have no idea how much this may cost it blew the wind out of my sails so to speak. I have had and on going problem with weight and right now at 5ft 3 I weigh 262. I have been seriously giving my all to loose for the last 2 years by gym visits 3 times a week and kept a food diary for a year yet lost next to nothing. Finally my doctor told me to stop stressing out about it but that's hard I now am on diabeties meds, blood pressure is high and I feel like s---t right now:( . I've signed up for the class but now I'm worried maybe I can't afford the surgery if I have to pay and then collect from my insurance. Maybe I'm just worrying over nothing. I just don't know but with my usual luck that would be another not so funny joke pulled on me:confused: . I've read a lot of your posts here but never talked guess it's time now for that. Anyone who would like to share information with me I would be very happy to hear from you :help: ....thanks, Diana

Hello, I came here after you posted on my post. You guys are talking like you actually saw the Dr before you have your seminar is that true? I was told by the Tucson Dr.s office that I had to go to seminar before seeing the doctor. I'm glad to find you all and don't feel so alone since coming here. I just wish we didn't have to go thru so much just to get something that will change our medical life for ever. .....Diana

I just cut out a notice about a lapband Seminar here in Tucson at the Omni I'm going to sign up for it it's on Nov. 4th. It's going to be the doctor you gave me the link to. I can't remember who suggested I call the Doctor back to clearifiy the remarkd made by the Tucson dr's office and must say they didn't set my mind at ease. this time she argued with me as to weather my insurance would cover lap band and questioned why I would want lapband. I also thru searching found another gastric surgon in tucson and she argued that with me too. I had an appointment for one of the first doctor's seminar for the 26 of this month I cancelled it. I really don't know how the doctor is but after two converstaions with one of his staff members I really have a bad feeling about dealing with him. I really was hoping to get a surgon here but what the heck my husband says we can go there for two days....I'm going to look for the AZ part of the board....much thanks to you all Diana

I was one line last night until 2:30:typing: reading about lap band and even found another Dr here in Tucson besides the other two I was given by my PCP. Several of the people on his website even had my insurance and said they had no problem being ceritfied one even shared her surprise at being certified in a week. Of course I won't depend on that but it would be nice:) . I found so much information thru this site I'm excited again about the prospects of actually seeing results with the surgery:clap2: . I have been so frustrated after going to a dietician for two years and the gym 3 days a week and not getting any real results. I've kept a food log and everybody just says I used have lost more weight but I haven't. My PCP told me to stop beating myself up over it but I'm 63 now and I want to get rid of these lbs. and the lap band is the route I wish I had know about years ago. Hugs:girl_hug: to you all!!! Thanks for the site link I'll go there too.....Diana

Wow!!! thank you so much.....all of you. I've been amazed at how you support each other and these answsers have been awsum. I read them all to my husband and he was so impressed with your posts. Reading them has reminded me of what I always tell others when they are down about something but isn't it funny how you forget when it concerns you? kat187 thanks so much for telling me about the site to check my state, Randi I'll sure use that link you sent,Karen thanks for the good wishes and Lauren thanks for starting this chain of careing when I didn't know where to go or who to talk to I thought about all of you......Diana

LOL I would have done better with that too I think! The air head I had was just to perky and full of info I didn't need to know. As far as the elipical I did get up to 40 min. before I gave it up. It just seems to be spread eagle facing the whole gym. The would not face it towards the huge window that looked out over the dasert and mountians. So I said bye bye to that. I think you need that intimidation in the begining but if it continues it can drive you away too

thanks so much for the info this thing sounds good I'm learning more about it every day.......

I hope so for you too.All you have to do really is make it clear to whom ever is showing you how to use the machines that you are not 21 anymore and maybe you won't do all the machines they show you. Start with the treadmill and bike and do that for quite a while until your ready to go on. Most people make the mistake of believeing what a gym professional is telling you is true and that's not always whats best for you. Basiclly a gym is helpful because they have the equipment. If you were to buy any one piece I can almost be sure that you will only used it so long and stop. It's nice if you can have a buddy to go with ya don't have to stay together when your at the gym but it is a motivater to have someone going with you. You help keep each other on track. Bottom line is a gym is there to sign up people and make money. After you've joined they really don't care if you continue, this may sound callus but that's the truth. Most people who join a gym never use it until their dues are all paid. Just ask around I'm sure you'll find out that lot's of people signed up for a gym plan but were paying for it long after they stopped. A friend once told me she got the most out of a YWCA then she ever got out of a gym. Gyms now adays are like social clubs and you usually can't hear your self count because of the loud banging of the music. I don't want this to sound negitive but those are facts and now you know some of them, it's great you are excited about starting I wish you all the luck in the world.

Right back at ya Elisabeth. Glad to meet you:girl_hug: . I don't know a lot about this as I said. What are the fill's everyone talks about? Are they injections to the unbanded area? I imagin there is a fee for that proceedure. I see that your Doctor is in NY State I used to live in central NY and really never heard about this when I was there. But then everybody wasn't saying "we" are all to fat.:suspicious: Have you ever noticed these are all "thin" people????:heh: It's so funny to me because as a child I was extremly thin. The doctor told my mom I should eat lots of fattening foods and I took Vitamins and ........yuck:fish: fish oil pills:faint: and trust me if you neved have taken them don't! Anyway I could never gain weigh that is not until my first preger's I added 80lbs. to my 110lbs. Yes I finally lost weight but stopped at 135. The second time around I gained 11 lbs. and wore my old clothes thru most of that time. I'd like somebody to explain that one to me.:help: Most of the people I have met have all said they were overweight from childhood on. About then is when my husband reminds me we are both very different from everybody else;) . Thanks for answering my post I'm a blank sheet with most of whats associated with the lapband so any information is helpful:cool:

Sounds just like what happened top me! Except my:mad2: Satan was a Satanest that probably never weighted more than 100 lbs. Young and perkie if ya know what I mean. My "first" time was at 60 and I too am a nurse who thought of all kinds of ways to introduce this so "happy" person to my world. Shejust thought it was so wondeful someone my age would do this sort of thing. I was there to support my husband after his second bi-pass and we both thought maybe I could start some more weight loss. I remember that leg machine so well.... she made me put my legs one at a time in it and adjusted the tention button and then told me to pull my legs together 12 times. By the third time if I could have gotten off of it by myself they would haved been calling 911 for her not me. I was also signed up for 3 times a week but I was fortunate that I had not enter into a contract with her my first session was free as we were in a hosptal run fitness center. Needless to say I didn't hire her. I did my ownj thing as I could not tolerate her "cheerfulness" every visit. Have to say that was the smartest thing I've done in a long time. Did I loose weight you must be asking ....nooooo! But during that time I stumbled onto free classes for Tia-Chi and it was my savior. I've recently bought some tapes as now that we don't go to the guy anymore I also didn't go back just for the classes which I now would have to pay for. I too walk and as far as I can see I'm a lot happier. Right now I'm about 258 lbs and have weighted 251 lbs. for 6 years,my primary care doctor told me to stop obsessing over my weight and just do what I can so right now I want to take off that extra 7 lbs. I have been thinking as of late about this lap Band surgery. It sounds good as it's not as intrusive of any other bariactric surgery and it doesn't entail changeing how are bodies work. I'm here because I want to know more about it from people who have already done it.....Thanks:cool:

Not sure just where to start here but the first thing I need to know is much more about the Lap Band. I read about "fills" and don't know what that means. I understand the concept of the lap band and the thing that sounds good to me is the fact that it's not as intrusive as other methods. I have checked with our insurance and they said I'd have to pay 1,000. dollars I think and the rest would be covered. I'll have to check that again. I saw one post quoting 15,000 dollars is that the cost? I'm wanting to loose at least 100 lbs I'm 5foot three and weight 255. I have battled fat for a while now and I was rasied in a home where food was strickly monitered by a mother who finally found a diet that helped her loose weight. I think in some ways as a adult I eat things just becasue they are there and I can:hungry: . I would appreciate it if you all could give me information on the pro's and con's of what you have done....Thanks