Step One

Hi guys.. This is my first post,,I just found this page today and I have so many unanswered questions. I'm just starting my journey and hopefully it won't be an unfulfilled one. I am a 41-year-old married mother of two and I am desiring to have the lap band procedure. Don't have any health issues as of yet but I feel like they just around the corner and I really wish to have something done to help me lose this weight before any health issues begin to show themselves. I have done much research and I truely fill like Lap band is the way to go for me. I have a 16-year-old daughter and a 3 year-old son. Here lately I have felt so limited in what I have been able to do with my family. I am at about 300 pounds today, the heaviest I have been in my entire life and it just makes me so sad. I want to be here for my kids, when they grow up.. and at this rate I won't be. Ok.. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and I know without even going through all the hassle, they will not pay. There is a clause in out policy that states they do not cover weight loss procedures. But I am so desparate to have this procedure done that I think I just want to get a loan and pay cash for it. Has anyone out there just done that? If so without having to go through all the waiting on approvals from insurance and such I wonder what sort of time frame I am looking at and can anyone reccomend a surgeon in Springfield Missouri. I would appreciate any input anyone has. I know I want to have this procedure but I really don't know what the next step is. Thanks

Hi, Peg! Our story sounds very similar. I'm 40 and have a 4 year old son. One of the main reasons I had my surgery was because of not being able to keep up and play with him. Like you I had no co-morbidities w/the exception of my knees started acting up last summer. Dr. Edwards at St. John's did my surgery. I cannot say enough good things about him and his staff. Honestly, I haven't heard a bad thing ever said about him. I had my surgery on 2/19. I was fortunate that my insurance paid but I got in just under the deadline of them deciding not to cover weightloss surger any longer. You really need to go to the 2 hour seminar that Dr. Edwards' gives. It'll give you the costs (last June it was $16,500 but I don't know if it's gone up since then), insurance institutes that will lend money for the surgery, and you'll get your packet of requirements with the paperwork to fill out. Since you will be a self-pay, I'm going to say it'll depend on you how fast you get surgey. There's quite a bit of paper work they require you to fill out plus appointments w/a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, psychologist and a full one day class/seminar. It will tell you everything they require in the packet. If you want to get a headstart, I'd call 820-3800 on Monday and ask them to send you a packet. You can read my profile if you like to see what I've been through thus far w/the surgery. As of right now, it's been nothing but a positive experience for the most part. Good luck and please keep in touch.

We have a great support group in Springfield that meets once a month and the next meeting is Monday night , the 26th at 6:30 till 8:00pm....it is located at 2620 Battlefield, Springfield. it is in the community room at the police/fire station on Battlefield. You can learn a lot from these support meetings too. And make some friends that are all in the same boat , so to speak. Will be looking for you . This is the best decision i have ever made for my life , I feel like i did 20 years ago. Jan

Thank you for the info.. I'd love to try to make it up for one of those meetings.

Peg, I, too, recommend Dr. Edwards. He's a wonderful person and a fantastic surgeon. I love him!!! And I tell him that at every appointment!!! I had Lap RNY and have had zero complications. Having the surgery has given me a new life. I had type II diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol and all are gone. It's a true miracle. I had surgery on 12/26/06 and have lost 40 pounds since then and have about 40 to go. I have lost a total of 66 pounds since I started getting ready to have the surgery. Keep coming to the boards and if you can every come to the Circle of Friends, do it!!! We have had visitors drive as much as 4 hours each way to come for the support. Hugs and love and best luck to you, Lana