I've decided to change my life!

[BLUEZBANDIT 0]

Wow Cakes!

You have got yourself lots of great advice there. These girls know where it's at!

Deb

[excarolinagirl 0]

Re) six months waiting period required by insurance:

I can't add anything to what Restless Monkey has said - excellent summary of the US healthcare system.:embaressed_smile:

I will add as a personal note that I am grateful for the waiting period. This gives me time to think about this procedure and get my mind and body prepared. At first, I resented the waiting period but now I am going to enjoy the process as a journey toward my new healthier life.

Dee

[cakes8 0]

AHHH yes.

Very confusing and sounds frustrating.

In Australia if you do not have private health insurance it will cost you $15K with private health $6,500. Then you make your claims from the private health and from Medicare so I will be out of pocket $4,000 or there abouts. Because you have to wait nearly 6 months and fit into a criteria, does that mean your insurance companies foot the whole bill?

What is the price in the US?

Regards

Cakes

[excarolinagirl 0]

My insurance company will not foot the entire bill. I will have to pay 20% and that is after I meet a deductible of $1,000 paid during the calendar year. That means I will have to pay another $1,000 beginning January 1 for services received including office visits and fills. (The deductible varies according to the insurance company.)

I don't know what the actual cost of the surgery will be. I've heard from others who pay for the surgery themselves that the procedure costs are anywhere from $7K to $30K. It will be interesting to see how much my insurance company is billed for the procedure. I won't be eligible for the surgery until February or March of 2009.

[bindi2203 0]

Diane,

I too live in sydney and was banded 5 weeks ago, today. BEST descision i have ever made in my life, and the kindest thing i have ever done for myself, I have lost to date, and this is including the pre op Optifast that i did for 2 weeks, which i only lost 2kg i am now down 11 kgs. I was banded by Dr Cregan, at Nepean Hospital, was in for less than 24 hours, and by day 3 was basically back to where i could drive and go shopping and things like that,

Of coarse you do have some fear and anxiety in the lead up to the surgery, but to me it was a very simillar feeling as to child birth, you are apprehensive and concerned, but you know you have to do it, and at the end of the day you will end up with a new and precious life, only this time it will be yours, Your new life, the one that you always wanted it to be.

like you I was obsessed about food, it was the last thing i thought of before i went to sleep, and the first thing in the morning, I still like food dont get me wrong, but i am so determined to get this weight off, that now when i think of food, it is more along the lines of has this got all the food groups in it that i need, is there enough Protein, vegetables etc. you will truly be amazed as to how your whole not just out look, but relationship changes with food, in such a short time, good luck with your journey and a little bit of advice i can offer is, dont over analyse it, or sabbotage yourself just remember where you are now! , why you are there,! and where do you want to go? At the end of the day the choice is yours. I know for me, that when it got down to it, i feared being fat for the rest of my life, and living the same life that i had done for the last 15 years, a whole lot more scarry than the surgical procedure to have the band fitted. good luck to you

Jo.

[BLUEZBANDIT 0]

Hey Bindi and Cakes: Aussie here too! Did you realise that any out of pocket medical expense over $1500 is tax deductable! So you will need to get a statement from your private insurer and medicare and keep it along with your tax papers. My tax agent put me onto that one! Useful info that people don't realise.

Take Care

Deb

[bindi2203 0]

yes thanks for the information, i actually found out last week at the accountants office, as i was only banded in august, i will have them ready for next years return, good luck with your loss.

[cakes8 0]

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have not responded I have had some issues with my internet, it was disconnected by the telstra man who came to connect my business fax line, stuffed it all up to say the least.:smile:

Bindi thank you for your post my operation, congratualtions on your 11kg loss that is great, close by we should catch up for coffee one day.

My operation is tomorrow at Baulkham Hills Private I am going through the Circle of Care. I woke this morning thinking I don't wanna do this I am scared and feel sick. I knew jumping on here would make me calm down a bit. Today I am doing the Picoprep, mmm nice :cool2:

Your right about the relating it to preganancy, very similar feelings. I will try to stay positive and calm.

Well wish me luck ladies and I will probably be posting an update very soon.

Regards

Diane