vjsmiles

No more worrying what others think about my having surgery to lose weight! I made the contact today to set up my consultations with a nutritionist and surgeon! I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin. It's ridiculous! It's time to take charge of my own life! I hope I stay this excited! I know it's normal to have some apprehension, but I'd do it right now if it was possible! LOL!

I haven't been banded yet, and it's for the same reason....afraid of failure. I've failed so many times before, if I do this, I cannot let myself fail again. I am waiting my my "ahh-ha moment"! LOL! I feel like I'm on the edge and need the push to turn my life around. Goodluck with your journey!

I wanted to jump in here and ask a couple questions about Dr. Kirshenbaum. I am not banded yet and was wondering if uses a fluoroscope for the fills? Also, I had asked in a previous post, but got no response about financing with Dr. Kirshenbaum. It looks like to me they work with a couple different finance companies. What method did you find to be the best and if you had to finance the whole thing, about how much was the monthly payment? I don't want to apply for a loan quite yet, until I get my consults, etc., so I'm not sure what the loan terms usually are. Thanks!

I was wondering if anyone who went through Dr. Kirshenbaum can tell me who they got financed through and how much their monthly payments were. I want figure out what I need to do to be able to make the monthly payments before I apply with a financial company. I'm not sure what the best route to go is!

I am not banded yet. Just in the serious thinking about it stage. I've done a lot of online research, waiting for a book on it to arrive, and have seminar coming up next week. I've only talked to my parents, husband, and one coworker about it. The coworker had gastric bypass in 2002, so she is very supportive. My parents and husband are wishy washy. My husband tells my it's up to me, BUT makes sure to tell my that it's a huge lifestyle change that I will have to stick to and he's seen my quit everything else, blah, blah, blah. Like I don't know all that already! If I was able to stick to any other diet plan, I wouldn't be looking into this! My parents wish I wouldn't think I need surgery to loose weight. My dad keeps telling me to eat better/less and exercise. He's close to 300 lbs, diabetic, strokes, high BP, etc. He should know the struggle I am having. I know this would be a huge lifestyle change and there will be ups and downs emotionally and physically. If I were to do any diet/exercise program, it would be the same. I am looking into lab band because I am tired of being fat and battling with my weight. I want to loose weight and be healthy, and from what I have read, the lap band would be the biggest committment for me and something I would HAVE to stick to. I would pay completely out of pocket, so I wouldn't go into this lightly and waste all that money. Anyway, I'm just feeling really alone right now, as I am sure most of you have felt at some point. Thanks for letting me rant, a little! LOL! :biggrin:

I am totally there with you! I have been doing lots of research and will be going to a seminar next week, but I keep thinking, "OK, I'll do this!" and then going back to, "maybe I should try WW again, or try something different this time and then if it doesn't work, I can always do the band." Ugh! My head is a vicious cycle right now. I just keep telling myself that if it's right, I will know when. Also, I'm self-pay and was just told we need a new air conditioner, so that may hold off my plans for surgery a little longer anyway, unfortunately.

Thank you for your responses. I realize that people can fail with the lap band and that is always on option, but I just feel like this is the way to go for myself. I just got really down when the people I love weren't jumping for joy about it. I guess I should have expected it. It is surgery and nothing is 100% guaranteed.

I get my taxes done at H & R Block. I called them last week and asked them if lap band is considered a tax write off. She said it is as long as you have a dr's. note. Anyone had experience with this? Did it help at tax time? I haven't even talked to my PCP yet, but plan to soon.

I get my taxes done at H & R Block. I called them last week and asked them if lap band is considered a tax write off. She said it is as long as you have a dr's. note. Anyone had experience with this? Did it help at tax time? I haven't even talked to my PCP yet, but plan to soon.

I am signed up for a lap band seminar in 2 weeks where I live. The procedure is new to where I live and I haven't been able to find much info on the surgeons. I will have to pay out of pocket and it costs $20,300 here!!!! Plus over $500 for fills. They said if I pay up front, I will get a 25% discount, but that's still over $15,000. By looking at this site, I see Dr. Kirshenbaum is considerably less and I have read really good things about him. Denver is about 4.5-5 hours away from me. I'm just curious what others would do? Pay more for the convenience of being local, or drive for less money and a more reputable surgeon? I will still go to the seminar here no matter what because the more info the better, but I'm really condering going to Denver!

That's exactly what the drawback is for me, Monkey! All the what-ifs! Then I think that at least he has had more experience from what I've been able to find anyway. I will have to finance the surgery and the less money a month, the better! I will just have to keep researching!!! Thanks for all your input everybody!

I am signed up for a lap band seminar in 2 weeks where I live. The procedure is new to where I live and I haven't been able to find much info on the surgeons. I will have to pay out of pocket and it costs $20,300 here!!!! Plus over $500 for fills. They said if I pay up front, I will get a 25% discount, but that's still over $15,000. By looking at this site, I see Dr. Kirshenbaum is considerably less and I have read really good things about him. Denver is about 4.5-5 hours away from me. I'm just curious what others would do? Pay more for the convenience of being local, or drive for less money and a more reputable surgeon? I will still go to the seminar here no matter what because the more info the better, but I'm really condering going to Denver!

I have been overweight most of my life. I remember crying in grade school about being fat and also being teased by boys. I was never obese in school, but chubby. Luckily, most the teasing stopped in junior high for whatever reason, but the weight just kept packing on....and on...and on. I'm now 5'6" and 230 lbs. My BMI is around 37. I am miserable. I have a little girl who will be 2 soon and I'm embarrassed to be in pictures with her, take her to pool, etc. I feel guilty because it's not her fault I'm fat and I'm avoiding things for her because of my insecurity. My husband is 6 foot and 174. He can eat anything and everything he wants and stay the same weight. It's very hard to stick to a diet living with him. I did weight watchers before our wedding and had success, but of course got tired of being starving and gave up...gaining back all the weight I lost and 40 more pounds. My story is probably similar to millions. I just don't know what to do next. Lap band seems like a reasonable option. Obestiy, diabetes, and heart disease runs in my family, and I DON'T WANT IT!!! I'm just so scared of failing and wasting money. My insurance will not cover any bariatric surgery. I've already checked. I am scheduled to go to a seminar in about 2 weeks and I'm excited. I just really want personal stories...with the truth. The good, the bad, the ugly. I really want to be 110% informed befure I make any choice either way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance... Also, does anyone who has had the band live with someone like my husband? How has that worked for you?

Thanks everyone! I've read some blogs which has helped. I have a couple more questions that I haven't found the answers to yet. Since I don't have insurance help, how long will the process take? Will I have the band potentially forever? Also, will I be able to eventually eat "normal" food but just in moderation or will I always be on the more mushy type foods? PS--My daughter and I were in our little wading pool last night and I caught a glimpse of my profile in a window. I looked like I was 6 months pregnant! Ugh!