lap band

[leadiaz 0]

Congratulations on your weight loss! That sounds great! Was your BMI between 35-40 or 40 and higher? I just feel like I need to get as much information as I can. Are you talking about the support group meeting that Pinnar's have? I went to an informational meeting by them. Were you scared? I'm a little apprehensive! Dr. Pinnar says the surgery only takes 45min to 1 hour? Did you go home the same day or stay the night. Even though you had insurance, did you have to pay for it first?

Thanks again,

Lea

[Guest cutiekatrush]

Was wondering if you knew what the cash cost was for Dr. Pinnar? Thanks!

[prince 0]

Sorry i have no idea and would not want to quote you a figure. It has now been three months and I have never been so happy in all my 54 years, I have lost 50 lbs so far and look good.

Della

[vamaid 0]

I am not sure, but I think Dr Kramer, who practices with Dr Sass, does lap band.

[Joyce in VA 0]

I am scheduled for July 6th to have this done by Dr. Sass. He will have a proctor there with him on that date because we will be his first. As far as I know my insurance will pay for this. We should find out this week. I have been very pleased with his staff. I understand they are working up many gastric bypass' and that I am not his only patience. They have been most helpful with any questions or concerns I have had. Dr Sass is a wonderful person. I may be wrong buy I don't beleive Dr. Kramer has finished training to do this yet. He too is a very nice person. Either surgeon would be great.

[leadiaz 0]

The cash cost for Dr. Pinnar is about 17,500.

[Guest colleen9362]

Does Dr. Pinnar's costs include free fills post-surgery? Or are there additional fees? I am trying to determine cost over 2-year period for fills between having surgery here in States vs. in Mexico. Thanks!

Colleen

[leadiaz 0]

I'm not sure but you can call his office and ask questions. I think it covers may be 3 fills?? I had my surgery on August 12th; little uncomfortable today. Got on the scale and 10 pounds is gone from when I weighed in on Friday. What insurance do you have? Dr. Pinnar's No. is 703-709-9701. I think he charges $300.00 per fill too. I know he is not cheap. They are a good group of nurses and doctors though.

[Guest colleen9362]

I am going to Dr. Pinnar's info seminar this Wed. night and had the cost of fills as a question to ask. I have UHC, but have less than 5 months left on policy - have to get my own insurance since I'm self-employed and have been cobra'g for a while now. Does he do fills for patients he didn't do surgery for?

[leadiaz 0]

That I'm not sure about. You can ask any question you would like at the meeting.

[Whoyah 0]

Hello Everyone,

I just had my Lap-Band surgery 8/02/2005 with Dr. Terracina and so far I have lost thirteen pounds. He had "installed" the banding with 2ccs of solution which may have given me a jump start. However, I know my stomach capacity holds more than the half cup I was expecting. I go in for my first fill on the 31st of August and was informed by his nurse that I will definitely feel the difference. I am ready! I see that HarleyNana has also had her surgery at the Weight Loss Surgery Center, for me, I cannot express how at ease these professionals made me feel about the entire process. I do not have insurance and paid all expenses up front. The surgery was out-patient which was GREAT! Those who had the bi-pass had to stay almost a week--that alone should tell ya something about how agressive the procedure was.

For me, exercise is still difficult to begin. I really need help in this area. My feelings are that I need to lose some/more weight before I begin. I know excuses, right? lol. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself to you all and let you know if anyone has questions I will happily share my experiences about this procedure. I know I have made the right choice.

Whoya

[Macabella 0]

Way to Go Whoyah!!! I am going to get banded on September 9th. I was wondering if your doctor put you on a special pre-op diet??? Take Care and the best to you.

Macabella

[Guest Ditzy*Bell]

Hi,

I just found this site... I have been banded for a little over 5 weeks, going to surgeon this afternoon for follow-up.. feeling great, and on 'My' scale, down 35 lbs..(will get real weigh in at office..)

[Macabella 0]

Hi Ditzy*Bell,

Congrats on your banding and weight loss!!! How did it go at the surgeon? I am doing the ten day pre op diet now and go for blood work this Friday. I am so excited to get banded!!!! Take Care Ditzy and keep up the good work!!!!

[Whoyah 0]

Way to Go Whoyah!!! I am going to get banded on September 9th. I was wondering if your doctor put you on a special pre-op diet??? Take Care and the best to you.

Macabella

No special diet at all before surgery. Actually, I had many last suppers -- all of my favorite foods. lol. My surgery was at 10 am and, of course, I couldn't eat anything before the operation. Well, when I finally got home and settled in, I had a cup of chicken broth and who would've thought it would taste so good. I remember thinking mmmmmm this is heavenly then passed out for the night. Later that week I begin to eat Tomato Soup with 1/2 can of skim milk. That really seemed to fill me up more than the broth based Soups. And thank heaven for wal-marts' sugar free popsicle's for 1.50. I think I bought 4 bags and still have some in my freezer.

I just went in for my first fill and Dr. Terracina hit the port the first try--Thank heavens! I'm up to 5ccs now and I noticed I could only eat a half of a tomato sandwich instead of the whole thing--yeaaaa! It's working and I'm not hungry anymore.....

Good luck with your operation and healing. For me the worst part was the next day I had to return to the hospital for the Barruim (I think that's how ya spell it) ex-ray and couldn't drink anything before, which meant no pain pill. But I survived.