misslofly
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1 years has passed since you registered at LapBandTalk! Happy 1st Anniversary misslofly!
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I'm really interested in the long-term effects of having the lap-band inside the body. How long have you had the lap-band? Did you lose all of the excess weight? Did you keep it off? Was there a time when you gained some or all of the weight back? Have you had any complications? If there is any other info that is important, please include it. Thanks for all the help!
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First Consult done today
misslofly replied to misslofly's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Now that I think about it, it was a little like herding cattle! I wasn't really bugged by it, except that my room was very bright and white and the chair was uncomfortable. How was everyone's first consult? Does it compare to my experience? I guess I was expecting everything to be very individualized and not in a group setting, but I wasn't uncomfortable with the initial group setting. My consultant said she was going to email me yesterday but I haven't received an email yet. I wouldn't really expect her to email me on a Sunday, but she said she would. Today my job is to call the center in Marina Del Rey (where the surgery would take place if I go through them) and get the cost I would have to pay. Even though I'm not to sure about this place, I still want to get a price so I can compare to other places. Have a good day everyone! -
Thanks for all of the information! I went to my consult at the other place and they told me I would have to go to Marina Del Rey for my surgery because otherwise my insurance won't cover it (although my insurance will only pay for $380 of the surgery through them).
I'm definitely going to check out Dr. Irani. In fact, I went to the website and filled out the form on there, but I'll probably call next week. I already missed the monthly meeting at Mercy SW, so I'll have to wait until next month for that.
I would absolutely love to use you as a resource! I don't know anybody personally with the lap-band, so I'm a little in the dark. It would be great to hear your experiences and since we're from the same town, it makes it even better.
Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you!!
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I had my first consult today. I had contacted www.weightlosscenters.com and found out there is a location in my area. It wasn't bad, except I waited for a LONG time! There was about 20 pages to fill out, then the surgeon came out and discussed the procedure with us in the waiting room. We then did our height and weight and were sent back into our own rooms. From there, I waited about an hour until the surgeon came in and talked to me. The night before I had written out a list of questions, health issues, medications, and previous diets to bring up when speaking to the surgeon. I froze and didn't really ask a whole lot of questions (I do this alot and then think of everything after I miss my chance). After he left, I waited about another 30 minutes until the consultant came in. She was very nice, however I have learned to be skeptical of ALL information given to me by anyone! I do my own research. The consultant told me my PPO insurance (Anthem Blue Cross) would only pay for $380 of the procedure and I would have to travel about 2-3 hours away to have the procedure done. I would have to pay between $1500 and $3000 out of pocket. She suggested I change my plan to something that would allow for more financial coverage of the procedure. When I got home I looked at the different plans that are offered by my employer. Then, I noticed that the out-of-network fees for all of the plans are $380 max covered by insurance after I meet my deductible. From what I've read on here, in-network surgical centers are covered by insurance (and a large portion of the fee is covered). Of course I still plan to follow up with getting all of the information needed for this place (since I'm not really insurance-savvy and don't know if my assumption is correct), but I'm also going to get information from another place. If I don't find anything that won't require a large out-of-pocket expense, my journey will have to take a break until I'm able to afford it. I'm crossing my fingers it will all work out though!
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Irani is one of the most experienced if not THEE MOST experienced in town. He has been doing LB since it first came out. I LOVE HIM and is PA Kristen is amazing too. I usually just go to her. Please use me as a resource. We can get together sometime and talk if you like. Im pretty much an expert by now. I do tons of research and Ive gone through a lot during this year with it. I would love to tell you all about it and answer questions that a doc might not be able to tell you!
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Hey! Good luck at your consult! Best thing I have EVER done. I Didnt shop around too much for a surgeon. I know several people who had LB done and then have talked to random people and every single one had Irani or went through Bakersfield Medical Associates (his company). There are 3 surgeons there. I also knew I wanted to go through Mercy Southwest and so I went to their info meeting and they go through bakersfield medical associates. I was super impressed by them and fell in love with the bariatrics dept at Mercy SW.
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Hi!! Thanks for adding me to your friends. I'm from Bakersfield too and we're the same age!! I'm looking in to getting the lap-band and have my first consult scheduled for tomorrow at a place on Stockdale Hwy. I found it through weightlosscenters.com. Have you ever heard of them? I read that you had your surgery done by Dr. Irani off of Truxtun Ave., but did you shop around before settling with Dr. Irani? Hopefully I'll find out more info at tomorrow's appointment, but I like to do my own research.
By the way, Congrats on the weight loss..all your hard work is paying off!!
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Hi everyone! I'm getting ready to go in for my first consult with a surgeon this Saturday. Of course I'm nervous, but I don't really have any clue what I should expect and ask. So for this, I am begging for help! I did an internet inquiry through weightlosscenters.com and the next day I got a phone call asking me to call them back. So I did, and I scheduled the consult. The person I spoke with over the phone said the consult is free and there won't be any pressure placed on me. What should I expect? What are some good questions to ask? Will they want me to do any testing that day? They are also supposed to discuss my insurance coverage on this day since I submitted all of my insurance information already. I'm really looking for as much information as I can get my hands on. So thanks in advance for your help!!
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Seeking advice and information
misslofly replied to misslofly's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Thank you for the information. I'm actually 10lb. more than I originally guessed in my last post. That makes me 220lb. It's been a few months since I weighed myself. I've decided the get the ball rolling today and call my insurance company. Hopefully they'll lead me in the right direction and not give me a run-around. It sounds like you've had a pretty good experience with them, so I'm hopeful. It sounds like its going to be a long process, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. Thanks again! -
new to the process... and overwhelmed already.
misslofly replied to MissMaryMert's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am also new to the process. I am also wondering where to start. It seems like there is such a long process. One of my bigger concerns is the cost and whether my insurance will cover it. If they don't, I'm not sure I'll be able to afford a large out-of-pocket cost at this time. This is stressing me out alot. I'm also afraid that I'll run into someone trying to lead me in a different direction. I'm not too familiar with my regular doctor, so I don't really know what her feelings are on this type of surgery. Ok, I think I've made up my mind: I'll call my insurance and talk with them and get recommendations on where to go from there. I'll do this tomorrow. Good luck to those who are going through this same process and are feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully we can stick together and help eachother out through these times! -
Hi everyone! I am fairly new to the lapband community. I've been interested in it because over the years, my weight has fluctuated and slowly increased to where it is now. I'm 5'4" and about 210lbs. That makes my BMI about 36. I know the lapband procedure is recommended for people with a BMI of at least 40 or 35 with other health issues. I'm not sure if I qualify because of this. I have yet to speak with my doctor about the possibility of WLS. Over the last few years, I have struggled with depression but lately I have felt much better about that issue. But the depression and body-image issues are still major factors within my life. I have insurance: PPO from Anthem Blue Cross of California. Has anyone had any experience with them concerning this surgery? I have many questions about people's experiences with the surgery, before and after. I've heard of food getting stuck. I've heard of not being able to drink Water while eating. Any complications that have come up. I'm very interested in every bit of information I can get ahold of. Please, don't be afraid to tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly! Thanks!
