Getting Started- Have Some Questions

[Jlewis229 191]

Last night Out of the blue, my mom offered to pay for the lap band surgery for me. I had said something about it a few times to her in the past couple years and now my dream is coming true.

I'm going to the seminar on Wednesday.

How long from the seminar to surgery date will it take? I'm hoping I can get this done FAST (within a few weeks) since I am a self pay patient and don't have to go through the insurance crap and can do all of my evaluations and tests anytime since I'm not working much right now.

I am 5'9" ans 269lbs, My bmi is 39-40 I have high Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chronic Back and leg Pain from bulging and degenerative discs. I'll be 27 on the 22nd of June so I don't see any problems at all for the Dr to be willing to do the procedure.

Also what questions should I ask for those of you that have been through this? I really can't think of anything off the top of my head since their is so much info out there on the lap band.

Thanks!

Johnathan

[mrsclooney918 47]

For me, it took about 9 months. But that included every test ever created by the medical profession that might be related to lap band surgery. But I got approved on the first try.

[Jlewis229 191]

That's quite a long time. Why so many tests?

I'm hoping within a few weeks since its self pay, and I've heard from a few others that it's possible so I guess I'll find out Wednesday.

Any questions I should ask that you can think of?

[Terri jg 2]

Last night Out of the blue' date=' my mom offered to pay for the lap band surgery for me. I had said something about it a few times to her in the past couple years and now my dream is coming true.

I'm going to the seminar on Wednesday.

How long from the seminar to surgery date will it take? I'm hoping I can get this done FAST (within a few weeks) since I am a self pay patient and don't have to go through the insurance crap and can do all of my evaluations and tests anytime since I'm not working much right now.

I am 5'9" ans 269lbs, My bmi is 39-40 I have high Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chronic Back and leg Pain from bulging and degenerative discs. I'll be 27 on the 22nd of June so I don't see any problems at all for the Dr to be willing to do the procedure.

Also what questions should I ask for those of you that have been through this? I really can't think of anything off the top of my head since their is so much info out there on the lap band.

Thanks!

Johnathan[/quote']

I too was self pay went to the seminar on a Tuesday, surgery was following Thursday good luck

[Jlewis229 191]

Terri that is awesome and I'm hoping mine can be similar to that! How are you doing? How long has it been?

[NoMoBand 278]

Not sure how they handle self pay, but, I would advise that you do all the nutrition consults. These consults will educate you as to what and how to eat. The change in how you eat is the toughest thing to learn and they will educate/prepare you. Insurance will require that you can prove that you've tried to lose weight on your own, but, without permanent results, so, that part is omitted with self pay and probably take the longest. The psychological evaluation looks for issues with serious dependency with food. Think of it this like an alcoholic and dependency with liquor. If you have a serious issue with food, counseling may be a requirement before the band.

I would advise to find out how much fills are and how many are included with the their asking price of the surgery. Ask if they do them under floro or blind fills. Find out what kind of band they use (lapband or realize band). Find out how aggressive they are with fills (how many cc's they put in at a time) and also at what frequency (usually every 6 weeks). Find out if fills are done by the doctor or PA (makes no difference, but good to know). Ask the doc how many bands she/he has done. Is the bariatric program certified a "center of excellence" or how close they are to getting their certification.

My best guess is a month or so, but, I'm just guessing. Good luck to you. This is a big step and I can assure you will help with disc issues. Jake

[donna12 742]

Last night Out of the blue, my mom offered to pay for the lap band surgery for me. I had said something about it a few times to her in the past couple years and now my dream is coming true.

I'm going to the seminar on Wednesday.

How long from the seminar to surgery date will it take? I'm hoping I can get this done FAST (within a few weeks) since I am a self pay patient and don't have to go through the insurance crap and can do all of my evaluations and tests anytime since I'm not working much right now.

I am 5'9" ans 269lbs, My bmi is 39-40 I have high Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chronic Back and leg Pain from bulging and degenerative discs. I'll be 27 on the 22nd of June so I don't see any problems at all for the Dr to be willing to do the procedure.

Also what questions should I ask for those of you that have been through this? I really can't think of anything off the top of my head since their is so much info out there on the lap band.

Thanks!

Johnathan

I was insurance pay and my insurance BCBS-Cobra runs out June 30th and I went to my first seminar last month and got the ball rolling with my surgeon and explained to their office staff that I wanted it done, my ins pays, let's roll. I had to have a sleep study done, psych eval, Endoscopy and all of this took place in about 6 weeks and here it is and I have my surgery Wednesday. My insurance runs out because of my divorce settlement and I will pick up another policy July 1. Anyway, since my BMI was over 50 I didn't have to do the 6 month dr supervised diet required by insurance, they waived it. I'm 5'2" and weigh 285 now. I had to do a 2 week pre-op liquid diet which tomorrow is my last day of that. That's about all I can share with you, good luck, hope you can move forward quickly.

Donna

[NoMoBand 278]

I just saw a post a few minutes after posting mine It is under Introductions titled Newbie Intro. I know of another person who did this blindly without any idea of what he was getting himself into. All I'm saying is educate yourself as much as you can without just jumping quickly into this. There's a lot to learn. The outcome of the person worked out ok, but, he had one heck of a bumpy road at first.

[Jlewis229 191]

Thanks for all of your input and I think I should share with you that this isn't something I've just decided to do all of a sudden.

I have been wanting this for a couple years and came here because 1. I am just so excited and 2. To find out more info because I'm sure no one can ever be too prepared.

I absolutely 100% know that the toughest part of this for me will just be changing eating habits. Though I've done that Off and on it was never enough to lose the weight, among many times doing weight watchers or Atkins and hitting a plateau and just not being able to move past it.

Again, thank you all!

[Jlewis229 191]

Not sure how they handle self pay, but, I would advise that you do all the nutrition consults. These consults will educate you as to what and how to eat. The change in how you eat is the toughest thing to learn and they will educate/prepare you. Insurance will require that you can prove that you've tried to lose weight on your own, but, without permanent results, so, that part is omitted with self pay and probably take the longest. The psychological evaluation looks for issues with serious dependency with food. Think of it this like an alcoholic and dependency with liquor. If you have a serious issue with food, counseling may be a requirement before the band.

I would advise to find out how much fills are and how many are included with the their asking price of the surgery. Ask if they do them under floro or blind fills. Find out what kind of band they use (lapband or realize band). Find out how aggressive they are with fills (how many cc's they put in at a time) and also at what frequency (usually every 6 weeks). Find out if fills are done by the doctor or PA (makes no difference, but good to know). Ask the doc how many bands she/he has done. Is the bariatric program certified a "center of excellence" or how close they are to getting their certification.

My best guess is a month or so, but, I'm just guessing. Good luck to you. This is a big step and I can assure you will help with disc issues. Jake

Wow those are all great suggestions! Thank you so much! I don't think I'll have any problems passing the psych eval. I really appreciate your input!

[Terri jg 2]

Terri that is awesome and I'm hoping mine can be similar to that! How are you doing? How long has it been?

Ty its been a long slow road, only down 54 lbs. had some family emergencies along the way that threw me off track but I'm back on the right road. Got another fill today too :~)

[Lacey8724 38]

I think since you are self pay it will got pretty fast. But make sure you get as much info as you can first. I can't think of any questions that havent already be stated. But I went through insurance so I had lots of hoops to jump through, and surgery is at the end of this month! good luck!

[Imanurse 27]

Good luck!

dionaw

[daisychains7 427]

Hi Johnathan! Congrats on starting your journey towards a healthier you! I was banded a little under 6 weeks ago. Its hard sometimes but I have no regrets.

I believe from my seminar to surgery day was 10 months. That's because my insurance co required me to do a 6 month supervised diet to qualify. If you are doing self pay, it will be a lot faster. Whenever you meet with the nutritionist (they will have you schedule that stuff after the seminar) ask what your eating and exercise habits will need to be like after surgery. If possible, starting doing some light exercise now. I was honest about my issues (emotional eating, getting take out daily, being a pop addict) because I wanted a realistic idea of what life would be like on the other side.

I would also ask the doctor about potential risks and side effects, recovery, and band adjustments (fills).

Wish you all the best!