Bell1138

I have suffered from heart burn for years, and I have a very sensitive stomach that I have miss treated over the years. I am so afraid that maybe I have an ulcer or maybe I have an ulcerated esophagus. I really hope I pass all my pre op testing; I really want to get this surgery. Has anyone else had these worries before pre op testing?

Thank you so much for your response. I could use any words of encouragement.

I was wondering if after losing the weight, is the port visible? Is it possible to wear a bikini without seeing the port, and can you feel the port.

Thanks for the response. I don't plan on smoking any more. I still have to go through the entire process in order to have the surgery, I think I atleast will have over a month before my surgery.

Mrs. Deering, how long were you without smoking prior to surgery. I am a social smoker, and I am worried about the anesthesia. I wish you luck, I think it is a great decision you have made. I have also decided to quit because I am beginning my process in order to get the surgery.

Thank you for your replies. I really hope I do not have to stay overnight because I have two small children and they have never had to sleep without me. I will have my husband and my mother to help me with the children, but I know that they get worried if they don't see my for a long time.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I have not been checked for a hiatal hernia, but I guess I will find out when I do the upper GI. I would hope that my acid reflux does not get any worse after the surgery. I take Nexium everyday and I have my acid reflux under control.

I was wondering if I can still have lap band surgery if I suffer from acid reflux. I have been on Nexium for about a year, and I have my acid reflux under control. I was wondering if I would still be a candidate for the lap band surgery?

MissyMS, I am glad to hear that you made it. I am sure you are excited to start your new journey, I wish I was in your shoes right now. I had my info. session tonight, but it was rescheduled because the doctor was on call and he was called to the hospital. I wish you a wonderful new life. I am glad to hear that someone else had my same anxiety about general anesthesia. Thanks for the support.

What do the pre op testing consist of for the self payers. I know the insurance companies require more testing. I would appreciate any advice or input.

My insurance does not cover the surgery; but the doctors office did inform me that they did work with a company called Health One, which is a elective surgery credit card. I already called them and had my paper work done; I was approved for the amount of the surgery, which is 16,500. Dr. Gonzalez office does work with all types of insurance companies, and they are even willing to fight the insurance company in order to get your surgery approved. I know the surgery is a bit expensive, but they are the best in South Florida.

I live in Miami, fl, and I am considering lap band surgery. If you research you will find that there is a group of bariatrics surgeons at a bariatric center in Miami, called H.O.P.E Center. One of the surgeons is Dr. Anthony Gonzalez he is the first surgeon in Miami, Fl to perform single incesion lap band surgery. I have an appt. for an info. session tomorrow. He is one of the best surgeons in the entire country. He is the Chief of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital. Do some research and you can read some more about him; I also considered Strax, but after I did some research I realized that the surgeon that perfroms the lap band surgery is not a bariatric surgeon, he is a plastic surgeon; I am not very comfortable with that. If you need any other information please let me know.

Thanks Kiz. I will definitely be asking if my pre-op test will be included in my contract. How long did it take from your first consultation to your surgery date, and are you happy with your results? I really appreciate your input.

Wow! That is amazing. You have gotten me really excited. What test did you have to do before your surgery? Did you have your surgery done in the United States? I live in Miami, Florida, and will hopefully be having my surgery with a great surgeon here. I really appreciate you responding to my post thank you, and by the way how are you feeling?

I am excited about going to my info. session tomorrow. I have already been approved for a credit card to finance my lap band surgery. The doctors office told me that I would be scheduled to meet with the surgeon one week after the info. session. I was wondering how long does the process take? I will be self pay, so I do not need to wait for approval from the insurance company. i would appreciate any infor. from other self payers.

I was also considering doing the lap band surgery at Strax in Ft. Lauderdale, but I did some research and the doctor that does the surgery is not a bariatrics surgeon, he is a plastic surgeon. I personally prefer to do the surgery with a bariatric doctor. I don't know where in florida you live, but their is an excellent doctor in Miami, by the name of Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, he is one of the best or the best bariatric surgeon. He was the first bariatric surgeron in South Florida to perfrom the single incesion lap band surgery. I have an appt. next week for and information session. I really like the idea of not having 5 different incesions, this doctor performs the operation through your belly button. I spoke to the surgery coordinator this week and she scheduled the information session for me, and she also told me that he surgery would cost 16,500. I will be self pay, she also gave me the number of Health One, which is a company that gives loans for elective surgeries.

I don't want to be awake during the anesthesia, but I thought maybe I could be under twilight. I know that general anesthesia is rather safe these days, but I am so scared of something happening to me because I have two small children.