New- I SO want LBS ???

I am so over weight & it's causing depression, sleep issues, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, breathing issues- just everything! I HATE being over weight and I have tried so often to drop this. I have dieted. I do well, loose about 30 pounds and then it comes back on. I have a friend who has had lap-band surgery and is doing so well. But she was double insured so it cost her nothing to get it done- her fills for the first year are included.  She had her surgery in Everette Washington Are there any Drs here in Alaska that do lap-band? Are there any Drs. in Alaska that can/will do the fills? I live in Alaska & have Premera Blue Cross. "Heritage plus 1" Has anyone else had experience with this insurance?  There is another gal I know that had the surgery a few years ago and she had this insurance and it did NOT cover hers. But she is younger (early 30's) and I'm not sure she had the health issues I have.  I am almost 50 and I really want to be here to see my last child grow up!  All of my extended family has died at early ages (43 -57) from diabetes, heart attacks & cancer.  I am getting very scared :( Thank you in advance

I would like to give you some encouragement. I am also in the "over 30" group and had developed type 2 diabetes, hypertension and a host of other problems. Had WLS in April and have turned the corner. Am down nearly 70 lbs. Feeling GREAT and am getting exercise.  Not sure why you are considering lapband but you may want to check with Dr. Todd's office if you can get in there.  Have you talked to Dr. Snyder? He is who I truely recommend. Him, Robin and Erin are a wonderful and supportive team.  Good luck in whatever you decide. Camai

Thank you! I am in SE Alaska... not sure who the Drs are that you are referring to? Are they in Anchorage??  I would have to see someone from Juneau or Seattle I assume because we are closer to these areas than Anchorage. I have a friend that had the lap-band and she is doing so well. But she was covered double w/insurance. The other surgeries scare me a little- though I'm really unsure what the RNY is... looks like a LOT of folks are having this. I'm really just in the very early EARLY stages of looking into this so I have a LOT more earning to do. I did see there is a Dr Miller in Juneau that does the RNY... sounds like he was up north before Juneau & seems people like him/his work? I know if I could get some of this weight off of me I would have the energy I know is IN me! I just cannot gt it off on my own :( I have tried so many things. I have been on Atkins diet, the cabbage diet, the soup broth diet, Phen-Fen, and most recently Meridia- which worked for about 3 months then all of a sudden in just *stopped* :(  I so want my HEALTH back! I have a boy turning 13 in a week and a half and a daughter who was 6 in April. And honestly, with my family history- I am amazed with my living past my 47/48 birthday. I was 49 in April... I want to LIVE!!!  I feel stuck here though- I just know my insurance will not pay any of this and I cannot pay :(  I am ANGRY at myself for letting this happen and worse yet- for not being able to so it MYSELF so I don;t HAVE to be turned down by the insurance company :(  There is another gal in my town who has had lap-band and she use to work where my dh works- so had the same insurance as us- they did not cover ANY of her surgery. It cost her 18k.  But we have put a lot on our cards for hospital/doctor bills with having had two children with health issues. We caught up a bit and then adopted a babe- which used a lot  again- then we bought a house. Now we are not doing ANYTHING but are having to pay off this debt. There is no way I can pay cash for it :(   It's NOT that we live wild... we haven't had a vacation since 1993! But cir****tances just kinda stink sometimes and ya get buried :(    BTW... the health issues my babes had- I have read COULD have been due to my gestational diabetes... I so *hate* being fat Anyhow, thanks so much for your support!  What type of surgery have you had?   

Thanks... just me again. I found the info I was looking for in our insurance packet... guess my thoughts on this were just a pipe dream. I've got to center on other things at this point... this has just really bummed me out. It was the only hope as I cannot afford to pay out of pocket  They would rather pay for all the diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues etc.  soooo disappointing :(  This is what it says; Obesity Services Treatment of obesity or morbid obesity, including surgery, and any direct or indirect complications and aftereffects thereof; services and supplies connected with weight loss or weight control. This exclusion applies even if you have an illness or injury that might be helped by weight loss.

Hang in there... I had to change jobs twice over ten years before I finally had the surgery. I don't suggest it for everyone but I finally had the RNY in April. I would do it again. And yes, the doctors I suggested are in Anchorage. I don't know any physicians down there in SE. Have you thought about Elvarado or one of the big centers in Seattle or California? Quite frankly, I was considering having the surgery done in Singapore and had investigated the surgeons over there. I was pretty desperate too I guess. I also have adopted babies.  You have to have faith... and know you're not alone in this journey. Camai