Hi I am a newbie

[Hottieinthe70s 0]

I have seen tv commercials for lap-Band in my area. I so want to be thin again. I am now nearly 64. One yr left til 65 and medicare. I know what it is like to be slender and pretty. I mourn those old 70s pictures of myself. Ok, I know I can't be 30 again but I want to be healthy and normal size. I have no Insurance and can't get any due to Breat Cancer 8yrs ago. Insurance either rejects me or is outrageously high. I have no idea how I can pay for this. I do have excellent credit and practically o balances on all credit cards. But to suddenly go from o balances to $17-$20,000 scares me more than the surgery. My sister is 6yrs older and a total vegan.( Didn't have any surgery) She was obese a few years ago, now looks great at about 140lbs. I can't eat that way. I just am learning about all this. Fills? How will I ever pay for all this? I need to loose 81-91lbs total. Do I qualify weightwise? Lots to learn.:thumbup::drool::thumbup: At least there are free seminars each week. Forums etc.

Edited September 6, 2009 by Hottieinthe70s

[greytz 4]

Go back to read the older posts on here. There was a Doctor offering free lapband procedure. I don't know the specifics but he had a phone number listed that you can call.

[MaggieGT 0]

Hello,

I did self-pay. Much cheaper to have done in Mexico. Great hospital and doctor across the border from SanDiego. He has been doing it since 1998.

Almost 2 weeks post op and very happy with the band. Found a doctor about a 100 miles from me for post-op and fills.

Good Journey,

MaggieGT

[DianaG 0]

Hi, I am also 64 and just had the lapband surgery in July. I am to have my first fill Tuesday. So we are pretty close in age!

My friend had her surgery in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut and has done extremely well. The only problem being that she has to drive to Kansas to get her fills. The only thing I think she has missed is the after care provided here in the States. This is where I think this forum is so helpful! It replaces an actual Support Group for a lot of people.

So, I hope you check out all your options and are able to join us all on our way to a better future.

[Hottieinthe70s 0]

Fills? What exactly are fills and does it require another surgery anastesia? I think I will have to wait my 13mos for Insurance medicare. I just paid off of all credit card debt and I just don't want 17-20,000 in debt. As for mexico and travel, I can't do that even tho I live in Az. I have 3 dogs I can't leave more than 24hrs with a friend to stop by to check and feed them. So for me, I will get all the info I can and try just eating differently til then. If you have to do 70 [protein 30 carbs, then after surgery only liquids to graduate to foods, I should try that now before I invest so much money and see if I can even do that. And then the two week Protein only? and no food or Water 24hrs before surgery? How does this whole thing work.? I have not been to a seminar yet and know very little of how it all works. I need support before, during, after for this to last the rest of my life.

[DianaG 0]

Hottie, I think a good starting place for you to begin is to go to the top of this page and hit the "Home" button. There on the Home Page, you will find a section titled"Basics for Lap-band Surgery Beginners". Find the topic called "Frequently Asked Questions". Under that topic are sub forums. Click on the 1st one titled "Lap-band Surgery Frequently Asked Questions". When the next screen appears, click on "General Lap-band Information Kit". Then you will see a screen that has a message from Alex. In the message ther are "Attached Files". Click on the one that says "Lap-band ®System Brochure.pdf

This will provide you with a lot of useful information.

Hope it answers some of your questions.