Loads of questions

Hi.... I just registered here yesterday, and I had some really warm responses in my mailbox this morning, how wonderful!!! Thanks! I have a load of questions, and am really so excited I don't even know where to start. I am looking to have the Lap-Band. Right now I am 5ft. 3 and weigh 296 lbs. 42 yrs. old and I believe that that puts my BMI at about 51. Anyway, I am scheduled to attend a seminar this Saturday, and have my Psych Eval on Tues (24th). I am a bit nervous about that, just because ..... aren't we all a little nuts? I mean isn't that what kind of helped me get into this situation to begin with? My word! What if I answer the questions wrong? Okay, I need to relax and breathe.:-( I am wondering about cost, insurance, how long does it take to get a surgery date? How long til I can get going? I have been looking at a lot of before/after pictures, and would so love to be at the point where I could be comfortable enough to get in front of a camera. But mostly I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. Thanks for letting me carry on. Stump

Hello Karen and WELCOME!! You have lots of questions and we have most the answers...lol My name is Debbie and I had Lap Band on 01-26-07 and am doing just fine with it. I will tell you not to get into any rush about having wls (weight loss surgery)....theres a process we all go through and it may take awhile! Do you have insurance or private pay? That will depend alot on how fast you get in for surgery, insurance companies like to drag their feet! Do you know which Dr you will have the surgery with? I had Dr. Hornbostel in Sedalia do mine and I am very happy with him. As for the psych test it is alot about nothing, they just want to make sure you know what your getting yourself into having wls and I'd say with you getting this far you must already know. Just remember, it's not a magic pill, it's a tool to help you lose the weight your wanting to lose and as long as you don't abuse it, you'll make your goal! Good luck and stay in touch so we know how your doing! We are here to answer questions you may have, to support you along the way and to pray you through the good times as well as the times when it gets a little rough! May the Lord Bless you and yours, Deb M

Dear Karen (or Stump), Hi there My name is Janet (shaking your hand) and I had the RNY on 11/29/06, I lost 44# right before surgery and have lost 90# since. Total of 134# WOO HOO!!! Although I am not a bandster-I just wanted to say welcome. Im sure you have done some research and then after you attend that first seminar-they will go over everything with you. Each surgeons office is different in what they require-but I had my surgery with MO Bariatrics-Dr. Fearing in Columbia and she was/is awesome-I would not have changed ANYTHING about her and her knowledge-LOVE her to pieces! They told us at our seminar (which was July 8 06) that the FASTER you got your packet into them with the requirements-the faster you would get started. We had to have a letter from our PCP and such and then upon our first visit-they went over everything with us-then we went to our psych etc-some did it before they even went to their initial consult. Just make sure the psych is licensed-that plays a BIG role and if they arent-you will be doing it again-along with more waiting time. Ok-I dont know who you are seeing or which seminar or what insuracne etc-so I cant really help with answering any of those questions-LOL...All I can say is that most likely IF your insurance covers the surgery, they cover pre-testings etc-with whatever copays/co-ins you may have (deductible etc) and with our surgeons ofc, they usually just billed you for those copays etc-and then had a half day class w/NUT, Nurse, Excercise specialist and dr there-it was like $293 or something like that-BUT, we also had another option (which I took-and saw them all individually in my own town to save another trip etc up to Columbia)....My g-friend, who was at the same seminar as myself-she got in ASAP and had all her testing done-and surgery was Sept 29th...then-I had my first consult on Aug 29th and my surgery was Nov 29th. Took me longer to get in due to some things going on here....so-it all depends-I had gone around and around with one insuracne and was denied 4 times-I started my process in Dec 2005, so I waited almost a year with all the hassles-just keep your chin up and know we are all here for you and have been through it-and we will help any way we can-ok? Good luck and keep us posted-Love and prayers, Janet