Dont' know where to go best

Hi everyone -  I am new here and just started researching my options to get rid of that excess weight, I am carriing around since I was 12. Turinng 50 at the end of this month - its time for a drastic change!!!! Had cervical cancer last year with all the horrible treatments from chemo to radiation etc. Lost 30 lb in the process and was happy. Well, as I felt better, it came right back. But the treatment also provided me with 3 years of medicaid insurance (none otherwise) Questions: Where do I go best for lab band surgery, who do i consutl, what does it cost, is medicaid maybe asisting in payment? I have tried everything under the sun, as a teen sometimes even successful for a while, but not lately. My husband agreed to sell a piece of our land to pay for it, if it had to be. Anyone with good advice , please

Medicaid will usually pay for lap band surgery if you qualify medically.  Dr. O'Brien at Sanford did mine and he is absolutely wonderful and I've heard very good things about Dr. Thaemert at Avera.  So basically, it depends on your choice of hospital in Sioux Falls.

Hi, thanks so much for replying so fast. Do you know how expensive it is there if medicaid does not pay? And is Dr Thaemert more reasonable. I am an hour S of Rapid City.

Out of pocket you are talking around $15k give or take.  I would assume Dr Thaemert's rates would be about the same. I have had no problems with the band so far.  I am 10 mos out and have lost 70+ pounds.  Best thing I ever did.

another question - di you have any problems afterwards and how are you doing now?

Hi hun and best of luck in this journey you are begining.  It is a difficult one.  I believe Sioux Falls or Mitchell are the best places to go for the banding.  I do know that medicaid is very picky and will only cover hospitals that are "Centers Of Excellence"  So be sure and check to see if the hospital that you do choose is one.  I am not sure what it costs.  There are two Dr.s in Mitchell.  Dr. Reynolds and oh....I forgot the other guy.  Anyway, I met them when my hospital decided to start doing lap bandings and they were both very nice!  Good luck!

Hi, and thank you for answering and your support. I am going to have an interview on this in September and then I'l see where to go with this -

If you are in and around Sioux Falls the third Monday of September, stop by Sanford (SVH) at 6:30 PM.  They have an informational meeting that is terrific.  It meets the third Monday of each month right before our WLS support group meets.   I had RNY with Dr. Graham.  Do you have insurance.  You'd be surprised - it may cover your WLS.  I didn't think mine would, but Dr. Graham and his staff went to work for me and three months later, I was on the losing side.  I'm now down over 150 lbs and have lost almost as much as I now currently weigh.  My quality of life has increased 100 fold.  I cannot begin to imagine my life without WLS.   Don't wait any longer...check out your options now.  You owe yourself that much at least.  After checking it out, you can make an informed decision.  Good luck.  I'll be thinking of you.

HI, DID YOU GET RESPOSE TO YOUR QUESTIONS?..I AM SURE WHERE PRINGLE IS LOCATED, BUT MY DAUGHTER IS CHECKING INTO SURGERY AND SHE CONTACTED MEDICAID AND THEY WILL PAY FOR THE LAP BAND SURGERY BUT ONLY WITH DR.OBRIAN IN SOO FALLS..BUT FROM ALL I HAVE HEARD, HES GOT A GREAT REP. WITH LAP BAND SURGERY..GOOD LUCK TO YOU..

Hi hairbender 1, I scheduled surgery for next week in Denver and am in the middle of the pre-op diet, doing good and excited to get this on its way. They are starting a support group in Rapid City. Thanks for all the support and  suggestions.