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Hi Witteegurl, I am in the Ventura County area. Dr. Helmut Billy is the best around, and has offices not only here but in other areas of So. California. You can probably access his info via the internet, or look in your phone book. Unfortunately, I can't use him because my insurance company will only authorize Dr. Laport in Fountain Valley! It is a very long drive for me, and I am currently in the evaluation and diet pre-band phase. Good luck and let me know if I can help you in any way! Karen

Sorry, I wish I could say something helpful on this subject, but I don't know the cure for insecurity. I do wonder if we trap our own selves within our fatness. When I have been thin, it is like I become a different person in almost every way. I am not afraid of being the center of attention, to walk late into a crowded room, to be less conventional. But beyond that, I become NICER in a way....more helpful, kind, quick to open doors for people or pick up things they drop. I volunteer more and smile more. Why don't I do those things when I am fat? It is like I want NO attention drawn to myself, and maybe that is why I feel invisible? I wish I could find a way to keep the good stuff going whether fat or thin, because I think that is what attracts people more than anything.

Gael, let me know if you can switch the required visits, meetings, forms, etc. to the new insurance. That sure would make it easier for you, and maybe for me if I have to either switch or go self-pay. I have heard that some things are switchable, others are not. Good luck in getting banded before October 15th!! Let us know how things are going! Karen

Donna B, that was a great response! You helped me also with this post, as I was feeling a little unsure about what to expect, too. Thanks for all the info and the sensible way you spoke about the LapBand, the pros and cons. I love this place.... you all are great! Karen

:welcome2: Landgtino! I'm in Ventura County, and not banded yet, either. Do you have a date yet or are you like me, waiting for all the hoops to jump through before my insurance will approve me? I have found so much enthusiasm on these boards and it makes me more anxious for the surgery. I hope you find the same thing here, also! Let us know more about your process! Karen

Hi, This is a long post, but I need to vent! Does anyone have PacifiCare insurance? I can't believe what they are doing now! I had been so excited to find I could get coverage for LapBanding, as I have an HMO. (I was surprised to find out that PacifiCare PPO doesn't cover the procedure! ) Anyway, I spent my last 2 days happily setting up the appointments and getting my schedule cleared for all the long trips down to the city I would be going to for the surgery, when I got a phone call from the surgeon's office telling me that PacifiCare just implemented a new policy: Every potential Lap Band patient MUST go to a diet center set up by PacifiCare and be monitored FOR SIX MONTHS before they can start the process for banding!! :angry I couldn't believe and tried to fight it because of the seriousness of my health issues, but there are NO exceptions. Has anyone else run into this? I have about 100 pounds to lose, so what if I lose some weight on this diet program....can they deny me the surgery because I no longer have the required amount of pounds to lose? If I don't lose weight, can they deny me because I will look like I am not motivated? I am so sad, I cried at work when I found out. I have SO many health issues, as well as knee/foot issues that keep me from walking. I was so looking forward to a "new" life; I want that so much! Now, if I do this, it will be almost a year before I can start. My DH and I just got ourselves out of debt.... should I put us back in and just pay for this ourselves? Help!! I am so depressed and upset....:cry and I am so glad you all are there. Karen

Thank you for the explanation! How do you know all that?? You certainly made it understandable! I guess in a perfect world, all helpful surgery would be covered by every insurance, but since this world is NOT..... sigh... OK, I will try to be patient and understanding! Thanks for your help...

That is wonderful to hear, Jack!! That must be such an empowering feeling.... Congrats!! And thanks for sharing that, it gives me something to hope for! Karen

How brave you were, Jack....Thanksgiving AND Christmas!! Good for you!! You are an inspiration!! I wish my insurance would let me follow your example.... Now that you are banded, are you worried at all about the holidays this year? Karen

Hi Bettina, I DID try to get around the 6-months-diet rule, but my insurance company won't budge!! I appreciate the encouragement about waiting... unfortunately, I already DID think about the holidays....part of me is happy to be able to eat, the other is scared of how much more weight I will gain!! The most depressing thing for me is that for the first time in my life, I was really ready to give that all up and now I can't. I mean, I used to plan my diets around the holidays, birthdays, family trips, so that I could eat during those times. I have finally reached a point where I care more about my health than my stomach and don't want to eat, and now I have to wait. I think I am scared that I will lose my motivation. :girl_hug: I need this group to keep me going. I will be anxious to hear how you and the other newbies do and I so appreciate your encouragement! Thanks for your supportive post and keep in touch....I will be counting down the days with you! Karen

Bettina, How soon till you have your surgery? How lucky for you that you love your doctor!! It sounds like you have a good insurance plan; I wish mine allowed documentation on my weight loss history... I'd have had the band in already! Thanks for your encouragement!! I am counting on the 6 months going fast! I will be looking for an update on your progress, so let me know how it goes!! Karen

Kristina, how are you feeling?? It is so soon after your surgery and you sound like all is well!! :clap2: I am so glad for you! Any problems yet, or surprises? I am jealous.... I want my surgery NOW!!!! Karen :ohwell:

Jack, you have PacifiCare PPO, right? Because the HMO does cover it, but only after you jump through enough hoops. Kristina, how long has it been since your banding? Probably your chance of complications will be small, if your surgery went well. I am more worried about surgical complications, since I have heart and anesthesia issues and feel like my insurance company will not cover anything related to that if I pay out-of-pocket. Pete, do you have a surgery date yet? I look forward to the day we are all senior members of this group and can put at least THIS problem behind us!

One last question, Funny.... what is "HTH"???

Yes, I am sure they have an ulterior motive, and I am almost ready to give in to their evil plan.... BUT the possible complications aspect of the surgery keeps me holding onto my insurance policy!! I appreciate your help, thanks! Karen

What a great idea....wish I HAD been following a doctor-supervised diet, but for the first time in my life I have a doctor who is so wonderful and understanding that he has basically just let me alone about my weight for a long time. He was so shocked to hear about the 6-month-diet requirement because he says that it is obvious I have been battling my weight for most of my life, and that if they would just allow him to send them my record of those battles, this would be over. Pacificare won't allow that, unfortunately. But what a great reminder for any potential banders to get their doctor to follow and document their recent diet history. Wish I had known about that!! Thanks for posting!

Kristina, thanks for the info about financing. I am SOOOO tempted, but am just afraid of any complications (I have other health issues) that won't be covered if I don't have the original surgery through an insurance company's authorization. Have you had any discussion about that? That is good to know about the tax write-off.... more food for thought!! Thanks for posting! Karen

Don't you find it just amazing that some insurance companies are helpful in getting this surgery for you and others are not, especially since losing weight is supposed to be the cure-all for so many ailments? The really amazing thing I found out about PacifiCare is that their PPO plan will not cover it, only their HMO plan.... now why would that be?? Makes NO sense! I have thought about paying out of pocket for the surgery, but am worried that if I should have complications and need additional surgery, PacifiCare wouldn't cover it because they didn't authorize the original surgery. Have you found that to be true? Thanks for sharing your insurance stories.... makes me feel like I am in good company!

That is great news, Pete! I am really happy for you! When will you be having your surgery? Unfortunately, I have had both the surgeon's office and my PCP try to get around the 6-month-diet rule and my insurance won't budge. The funny thing is that PacifiCare will only pay for the surgery on the HMO plan, not the PPO, so that is not an option for me, either. I will be going in 2 weeks to meet with the surgeon and try to see if there are any more options. But good luck with your process. I am glad you found a way around this the problem! Let us know how it goes... Karen

Welcome Pete! Wow, you are on the fast track towards getting banded. I am jealous! I didn't know there were sizes for the band! Can anyone explain that? Yes, I think this is a wonderful site, also. I have learned so much and I have only been a member for a couple of weeks. I can't wait to keep reading and learning! Good luck with your pre-surgery process and keep in touch! Karen

Hi Peanut, Welcome to this great site! I joined just recently, and have found so many posts that have made me anxious to become "a member of the band". Unfortunately, like you I have to go on a 6-month diet first, and feel really frustrated because I am motivated to get banded NOW. Is that how you feel? Good luck on your wedding planning! At least getting your "wedding" band will keep you busy while you wait to get your "lap" band!! Congratulations! Karen

Dianne, that is such a bummer when you can't go to the doctor and get a physical problem resolved when you are ready! Can't your doctor refer you to a surgeon within your plan? It seems unfair that you have to do all the legwork. This is NOT elective surgery! As for your questions, I do not believe I spent more than 1 night in the hospital. I do remember having to wear tight hose for a few days, but the fact that I don't remember much else tells me it was really not anything traumatic and I never had any problems with it. I have a couple of slight scars where they made the incisions, but none of that horrible aching and heaviness I used to have with the veins. I think the surgery is worth whatever you have to do to get it. Keep complaining to your doctor to help you find a surgeon! Good luck and let us know what happens, OK? Karen

I had the veins stripped on one leg about 8 years ago. I had the really huge, rope-type veins that ran the length of my leg. My doctor was afraid I would develop deep-vein clots so I had the surgery. I really don't remember it being bad at all! In fact, I really don't remember much about the recovery, so I think it wasn't very long OR painful. I think my leg just ached a bit. So go for it! I am so glad to have the "ropes" gone for good! Oh, and I weighed about 230 pounds when I had it done, so I don't think your weight has much to do with it. Good luck! Karen

Hi and thanks for the advice! When did you have your banding done? My understanding is that this is a new policy....the 6-months-diet-center thing. It started in July!! I was a day late, a dollar short, apparently. It is so new that neither my PCP or the bariatric surgeon's office caught it until after I had everything set up. And yes, they were going to cover everything, and I already have a "paper-trail" of all my health issues, that is why I thought I could get around the rule. But after spending an hour yesterday with PacifiCare on the phone, I was told "No exceptions" to the new rule. I know, I could just do the diet and try to pass the time until the surgery, but I have a leg with so many issues and I need surgery, but can't until I lose weight. So if I do the monitored diet, I will be putting the leg/knee surgery off for a year! I am at a painful crossroads.... Thanks for your help and I am glad you got in "under the wire"! Karen

Thank you for the uplifting post! It is good to hear success stories like these and I am so glad you are feeling so good. I can't wait to feel like that also!! Thanks for sharing.... Keep posting your good news! Karen