Considering Lap Band--35yo 224

[Guest DAY1995]

Hey guys,

I'm from chicago and am currently considering lap band any thoughts ideas' suggestions..

Who did yours how did you feel afterwards ??

What was recovery time??

Has anyone ever had Unicare Cover it??

Thanks

[farmgirl 0]

Hi,

I have been researching alot, I live in central Illinois and the Wish Center is right there in Chicago and self pay is around 11,000. Don't know about the Unicare. Lots of stuff here to read about the procedure. Good Luck

[Jammin & Losin 1]

I took a week off after my band surgery. It took that long to start getting some strength back... don't rush the healing process. If you are in a position that you can take at least a week or two you shoul. You need time to heal and it will be hard going back to work on liquids only.I was very sore for about 3 or 4 days and after that I got better really quick.

I had my band done locally Memphis Tn. about 20 miles from where I live, but there are alot of people that have gone to Mexico and have done great. It depends on what your pay situation is and what will be better for you for your follow up care which is very impotant.

There are lots of old posts that have info on recovery /fills/food/ ect... just stay awile and read up on some of these subjects it will answer alot of your questions. Use the search box to locate a certain subject you are interested in.

I wish you lots of luck in your reasearch and with getting your band.

[mom2mygirlz920 0]

I had my surgery done on May 31. I made the decision ratherly quickly to have it down. I first started looking into in mid-april. Well since my orientation meeting in April, I am down 22 lbs!!! AWESOME DECISION!!! GOOD LUCK

[FRECKLES3 1]

I Am 25 And 286 Lbs. I Am Going Through The Ropes Too!!!! I Wish You The Best Of Luck And Health!!! I Have Been Researching For Over A Year To Make Sure That This Is What I Wanna Do And I Am Ready.....i Just Hope I Get Approved And All Goes Well!!!

[Madeline's mom 0]

I had a very easy recovery with very little pain. I feel like this surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I did have my doubts during my first two or three weeks but the surgery has been such a great success so far for me. I can honestly say that I feel this surgery has enabled me to make much better food choices I can no longer eat the same foods that made me fat.

[PFernandez 0]

The band is without a doubt the best decision anyone can make for themselves. It may take longer to lose the weight then most bariatric surgeries but it is by far the safest. The pro's far outweigh the con's.

I would do it again without hesitation even with all of my trials and tribulations.

I have lost all that extra weight and gained a healthier happier ME

[missred3347 0]

Hi! Lindsey here.....I'm in central IL and getting my surgery done in Chicago within the next month or so. I researched for almost two years before I started interviewing Doctors.......Dr. Raspanti at Swedish Covenant Hospital was my final choice though. Ada Guerra is the head of the program there and is banded herself. You can look up the website for Swedish Covenant or just call - - - 1-773-878-8200 ext.7700 Ask to speak with Ada - she's is a wonderful woman and SO helpful - even if it's just for information!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! ~Lindsey

[Guest Pally]

Missred,

I am in Chicago area and researching some docs there also. Is your doc affiliated w/ any specific programs? Did you self-pay, if so, can you share the amount? Did they help w/ insurance submissions? Did you get pre-surg education? How about fills - any costs or package deals? thanks for any info you can share! Hope you are well.

[Guest TORRIA]

Hi Everybody,

Im Considering This. So Far I Only Know Of Mibc. Are Fills Painful. They Sound Horrific.

[keri 0]

Hi-

I had my surgery at MIBC with Dr. Horgan- I don't have a fill yet- but have heard from others that fills aren't so bad- everyone's experience is different.

My surgery and experience there have been great-

Best wishes to you.

[KarenB 0]

My fills are no worse than a regular shot. Less painful than a flu shot! Depends on who does the fill. I've heard some bad stories, I think it depends on the experience of the "filler" My person here always hits the port on the first try & doesn't even use Flouro. Dr. Martinez in Mexico is the fill king, but it's not always easy to get there from NY.

[missred3347 0]

Hey! Sorry for the late reply - been extremely busy around here and haven't had much of a chance to sit down at my comp. Anywho - - - My Dr. is affiliated with a specific program, but they just changed the name of it and I can't remember off hand - - Self pay will be 16,000.00$ - *yikes! I know!* Ada and the whole team is EXTREMELY helpful in this area though. They have been there with me every step of the way to help me get everything submitted to my insurance company. I'm still waiting to hear back, as it can just take FOREVER sometimes. *patience patience patience* I can say, through experience with other Doctors/clinics, that they have been BY FAR the most thorough. Dr. Raspanti met with me for an hour and a half and gave me any and all pre-surg. education that I could soak up. He is such a wonderful man and Doctor. The entire fee of 16,000.00$(self pay) or *I THINK* 25,000.00$(insurance, with 3,000.00$ deductible) includes all hospital time, including surgery, overnight stay, all of your needs while in the hospital, the actual band itself, the first year of checkup's and fills........I think that there might be a few more things I left off, but Ada will gladly tell you anything you want to know if you give her a call. Sorry if I'm rambling too much in this post - just got off work and I'm exhausted. Let me know how it goes! Hope I've been helpful!!! ~Lindsey

[missred3347 0]

Hey! Just wanted to know if you got my e-mail last week??? Sent it to your hotmail addy. Hope to hear from you soon. ~Lindsey

[Guest DAY1995]

Thanks Lindsey, I'll look into it.. I really want to do this but unfortunately I don't think my Health Ins will cover it.. They specifically have a claus against anything for morbid obesity.

ana