babyk

thanks :] i know she had the lap band surgery forsure. that's about as far as my knowledge goes. i didn't really know her. (i met her a few times briefly) but i have no clue. I hope my posting hasn't offended anyone. i am not blaming her lap band for her death, i am just expressing a concern that i had because i thought it was going to make my family uneasy about it.

as awful as this may sound...i was more upset because the day the lady died, was the day i had planned to tell my family that i wanted to get the lap band. i was worried that this would hinder my chances of getting support from my family (as awful as this may sound) ofcourse it's sad that she died, but i agree, she could have died of a heart attack or anything else for that matter.

i was never given the details unfortunately. (and really don't have a way of finding out because the person we know told someone who told us. ) i don't think anyone was suppose to know but we found out. i just heard that she had complications with her lap band and died in her sleep. i am sure there were other factors involved. sorry for not clarifying.

i have awful stretch marks and i was wondering if they will become any "better looking" as i lose weight....

I have chosen Dr. Korman and his team to do my lap band surgery. Has anyone had any experiences with him or his team. Good or bad??? Please Share!!

thanks everyone. i definitely want to go forward with the lap band i was just really upset because yesterday i had plans on telling my family about my decision so it didn't really help my case that someone had just died from it. fortunately, my family didn't even bring her unfortunate experience up. they agreed that it is something that i should do and have decided to support me :]

hey!!! i am in the valley as well! i live in simi valley though. i am looking for a support group. where in the valley are you?

so yesterday was a little nerve wracking i found out that a friend of a friend died from complications of her lap band (i was not given any details) yesterday was also the day that i planned on telling my family that i am having this done. long story short i ended up getting support from my aunt, whom i did not expect to approve of this AT ALL. her and i are very close and her opinion means a lot to me. she let me know her concerns and told me to "educate my self, do it, and do it right!" my whole family has had a very hard year with the tragic accident that killed my father in october of 09. i have put on 80!!! yes 80! pounds since then.... nice to know i have the support of the people that mean to most to me. thanks to all of you on here as well. you all are so supportive and provide great advice!

thank you! and thanks for all the advice! o no...that is awful. i am sorry for your loss as well. it is scary to think that last year i had actually lost about 40 pounds and was training for a half marathon and now i am 100 pounds heavier then that weight and am miserable just walking in the heat. i have 2 appointments this week and 2 next week. then my paperwork will be off to the insurance company for approval. :]

I plan on telling my family tonight. I really do not want to but I am going to have to because my mom is the subscriber on my insurance. I don't mind my family know I just don't want them to tell other people. Anyways I was wondering how I should tell them? I am only 20 so they still think I'm required to listen to them. (I live on my own, work full time and go to school fulltime)

I am trying to begin this process... What should I do first? I looked up my insurance's requirements to have the lap band. So far, I fall into those requirements. However, it states that I need to have a written letter from a doctor. I found a list of doctors that are covered from my insurance to do this procedure. Do I make an appointment with one these "approved" doctors or an outside doctor? I guess I am hesitant but I am scared to get denied from a doctor that is related to my insurance. What should I do?? any replies are greatly appreciated :]

SO I just got off the phone with the insurance company and I am a bit confused. I have Blue Shield/Blue Cross PPO insurance with a $6,000 deductible. I have already paid $3500 (for other medical stuff) Therefore, I have $2,500 remaining until I meet my deductible. The guy form the insurance company said that I would have to pay the $2,500 BEFORE the surgery (if I get approved) and that Blue Shield will pay anything after that. I am confused. I was always under the impression that I am obligated to the $2,500 but not until AFTER the surgery, when the bill comes????? Please some explain this to me. Also, I am assuming that my next step is to go to a surgeon that is "preferred" by Blue Shield to set up a consultation, where the surgeon can then submit a request for approval from the insurance company? is this correct?? any help is greatly appreciated.!!!!!!!! :grouphug:

i am really sorry to hear of your loss. stay strong and keep your head up. maybe go for a nice long walk to clear your head. think of all the good memories you shared with her. then treat yourself to a nice bubble bath. i'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

wow! i bet if feels so good!!! i can not wait to get approved by my insurance and start the journey with the rest of you!!! :cool:

so i went straight to the surgeon and they are handeling all of the paperwork for me :] i have to have a few tests done such as a cardiac clearance and UGI...along witht he nutritionist appt and psych eval. thanks for all the advice :]

sorry this took so long but i really appreciate everyone's replies.. i have to pay an $800 doctor fee and the rest of my deductible which is around $2,500 on the day of my surgery. this is alot of money but fortunately i will be able to take care of it. i do not have a co insurance. i am on my mom's insurance from her work. we have pretty crappy insurance to try and cut the cost of bills. (that's how it was explained to me by my mom) :]

thanks for all of the great advice, i really appreciate it! i told my mom and she was really happy for me in the sense that she thinks i would greatly benefit from having the lap band. although I really appreciate her support, she will support me in anything i do because she feels guilty. (she hasn't been much of a mom to me, my father was killed in a car accident in october and she is already dating, knowing it hurts me) anyways i do not mean to sound mean when i talk about her but she would never tell me she doesn't agree with anything i want to do.. my aunt on the other hand...my dad's sister. her and i have always been very close and she has been more of a mom to me then my mother. she is very opinionated and i am really scared of what i should say or do if she does not approve of me doing this. i am going to get the lap band (if i am approved by my ins.) regardless of what she says. i just know without her support it will be difficult.

wow great job everyone!!!!! keep up the great work!!!! <3

Thanks!!! My bmi was like a 39.1 i weighed in at 243 with clothes on. I'm 5'5

I just got done with my consultation. I was told to gain a few pounds by next wednesday, when I go in for a few tests. I have to complete my psych eval. And my meeting the nutritionists. They are sch for july 21st and july 27th. After that they are going to submit my paperwork to the insurance company. I'm excited but still nervous. I haven't told any of my family and I have to pay $3500 by the date of my surgery

yayayayayayayay!!!!!! congratulations! <3

i have my consultation today. i am really nervous. i am afraid to say the wrong things. are there any type of "diets" or anything that would make the doctor feel that we wouldn't be a good candidate? for example, i have depression/anxiety problems. will that make me any less of a candidate? any help is greatly appreciated :]

I have my consultation tomorrow and I am really nervous. Any helpful tips? I'm scared of not saying the right things and saying the wrong things that will result in a denial from the surgeon. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPo insurance. I live in Los Angeles County and have a $6,000 deductible. I have already paid $3,500 this year in other medical expenses. Does anyone have any experience with this type of insurance? What was your outcome? Were you approved? If so, how long did it take for you to be approved? thanks :]