Hello Everyone!! New to the board.

 Hello my MD peeps! My name is "Silent" and I'm currently looking into getting the lap band.
I've been big my whole life but recently my weight has really just shook up my life. I want the life I deserve to have.

Anyway, I have a few questions. Why should I choose your surgeon? What makes him/her the best? Also has anyone financed the surgery out of pocket? I'm not sure if my insurance will over it.

Thanks everyone

Welcome. My name is Allie, I'm 24 in Harford County. And I'm a whole 4 days out of RNY gastric bypass. :) I had surgery with Dr. Singh at St. Agnes. He's got a really great personality, and he actually founded the bariatric program at the hospital. I'm not sure how many bands he's done, but he's done well over 1,000 RNY procedures. I was very happy with my experience, but there are plenty of really great hospitals in MD. I'm sure everyone else will have some great input to give you.

I have Kaiser, so if you don't, my recommendation won't matter.  But wanted to welcome you to the MD board! 

I'll offer some unsoliceted advise as well... Research, research, research before you commit to any surgery.  And not on a Dr website as they're likely to be biased.  Every surgery has it's risks, so which is best for you?  And on the boards here... you'll notice the fantatics that 'trash' other surgeries.  Don't listen to them and make your own decision.

Best wishes on  your weight loss journey!

I would definitely recommend my surgeon extrodinare!!!! Dr. Andrew Averback who is currently St Agnes Director of Bariatric Surgery department. As a matter of fact a friend of mine who had Lapband surgery with him in 2008 suggested him to me. I originally had scheduled Lapband surgery with Dr. A, but eventually changed it to Gastric Bypass (thank god I did at least for me).

Now if you're looking for someone who can tell zanny jokes, have you busting a gut and call you sweetie pie and honey....well that's not him, but he's a GREAT surgeon. he's professional, kind, knowledgeable, great with a knife (surgery scars look almost not there) and not to mention how many bariatric surgery's he's done, which is well over 1300. Now if someone does anything 1300 times without mortality and with  low morbidity...Now that's who you need cutting you open.  He also has what is called a "Center of Excellence" several years in a row. That's not easy.

Think less about personality and more about responsibility, care and plain old "know how". This is your man. Trust me I know!!!