Newbie Here from Australia

[justwaitin2b 0]

Good morning Striver - what an honest entry - nice to meet you too! The difference with having the band - will be that you won't regain the weight you lose - anyone can do the liquid diet thing, or personal trainer thing - but as soon as you stop, back comes the weight plus some!! The band is designed to be a change for life, it is flexible and adjustable - but will always be there to help, where will the personal trainer be in 7 years time??? You sound ready - let me know what you think of the book........... hugs Karen

[Ginaki 0]

Hi Ginaki, It will cost me $3500 and this is the amount the surgeon quoted and HBA when i asked about it...I had my surgeon app. on Friday and he has pencilled my surgery in for November. why isnt mine under pre-existing.....or is it because of the time i have spent in the fund that covers the qualifing period.. am excited and scared at the same time. regards maccy

Hi maccy, have u been in the fund for a year and over? thats why its costing u $3500 , health covers waiting period is one year for pre existing ailments then they will cover u...

If u havent been with HBA for a year please let me know and ill switch to them and only pay $3500 instead of $12000..

[Chickie 15]

Wow! So many Aussies coming out of the wood work! Welcome everyone!

[justwaitin2b 0]

so Ginaki - you are choosing to pay full price, rather than wait the 12 months waiting period for new hospital cover?

I only had extra's cover, and upgraded to Medibank private hospital cover in October last year, that's why I needed to wait the 12 month period before weight loss surgery would be covered.

Maccy has been on hospital cover health insurance for 10 years, that's why she does not have to wait the 12 months, it is already covered by the last 10 years.

gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.....was getting confused, so went over the posts - correct me if I'm wrong...... cheers Karen

[maccy 0]

Hi striver, i am with HBA....i even went in to see them and asked what the cost was with type of procedure...the surgeon quoted me $3500 out of pocket and booked me in then and there.....assuming all the blood tests come back ok..no one mentioned a waiting period...oh well...cheers maccy

[sewenup1 0]

Hi,

I'm another newbie from Aus. I have my first appointment with the surgeon's team next Tuesday, the dietician the week after and then the following week the doctor.

I'm probably repeating something you already know, but for those without health insurance, if you have a super fund you can access it through APRA. I have private insurance but will still have to pay between $4,000 and $5,000 so though I would see if I could get it from my super.

I'm also from Sydney and I'm seeing Dr Liebman and NSWLS.

Danna :hungry:

[sewenup1 0]

Wow! So many Aussies coming out of the wood work! Welcome everyone!

Hey Chickie,

You look great in your photo. You must be really pleased. Gongrats.

Danna

[Chickie 15]

Hi Dana! A big hello from Brisbane!! Welcome to LBT.

[Chickie 15]

Hey Chickie,

You look great in your photo. You must be really pleased. Gongrats.

Danna

(bowing theatrically) Thank you!

But I feel better than I look, and that really is fantastic. Again, welcome!!

[ozzy greene 0]

hi All,

Yes amongst the sun and surf in Australia we get fat and fattter..

I am here to find out more about Lap Band surgery.

I have done some research and am pretty satisfied after 30 years of trying to lose weight that this is probably a last resort to save my life.

I am giving myself one year - thats how long health care takes to pay for any pre existing health issues down here - that one year i hope to spend learning as much as I can about the surgery in order to make post op as successful as possible.

I am looking forward to meeting all the success stories on the forums and also the people whp are trying.

I hope it will be a productive experience for all.

kind regards

M:)

Hi M Striver, I am Bob 42, 5foot 10 inches and at 353 in June 2007. I NEEDED the band. I got it in Toronto, it is not covered by government insurance (O.H.I.P) paid $15,000. on Aug 7 I was banded. I am now 284 pounds. I am happy. It reminds me not to buy "bad" foods and I can not over eat like I used to(whole pizzas and daily 5 litres of pepsi. It is a wonderful tool to help. I highly suggest it to anyone in need.

Good luck to you ,Bob