Hi! Newbie here!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to introduce myself- I live in the Raleigh area and am considering taking the WLS for the THIRD time (never actually got to the surgery part, either due to insurance issues or wimping out)

After many failures, both with traditional diet and the WLS process, I am here again, and considering the Lap Band,

I think I am going to use Dr. Enoch's in Cary/Raleigh, and may possibly have to self- fund (YIKES!)

ANY ADVICE, insight, opinion, etc is SOooOOoOOo Welcome!

If nothing else, I look forward to getting to know some other "Carolina Gals" and gaining motivation from your succeses and wisdom from your experiences.

THANKS!

Hi, My name is Kelly..I live in Wilmington.
I am thinking about gastric bypass, however I dont have insurance..someone on here told me about Vocational Rehab paying for surgery.I have an appt in 2 weeks with them..I will let you know what happens..she said that they paid 100% of her surgery...you may want to check into it...Good luck..

Hi Kelly,

Good to meet you too and welcome to our board.  Good luck with your Vocational Rehab appointment!!! Keep us posted!

WOW! I hope that works out for you!!!

I am between a rock and a hard place- I do have insurance, two different plans. Tricare Prime (which only covers RNY, but you are hard pressed to find a doc that accepts it) And Carefirst through BCBS- which has preventive coverage (like Weigh****chers discounts, etc) but no "reversal"

ARGGH! I hate insurance!!! I pay- just give me the care I need!!!

Hi and welcome to the NC Board!  I didn't have the Lap Band procedure but I'm very happy with my WLS.  I'm sure you'll get a lot of wisdom from those who have had Lap Band, but I just wanted to welcome you!  Good luck and keep us posted!!!

Unfortunately, I had to delete this message due to privacy concerns.

Just thought I'd say hello and welcome to your new favorite website in the whole wide world. You'll find lots of support and information here. Good Luck as you begin your journey (or rebegin as the case may be)

 

- Iris

Hello from the Carolina mountains! 

I found it interesting that you said you are "here again" for a third time.  I have had a hard time this week convincing myself that NOW is the time to sacrifice both the time and the money to have the surgery done, but I just know that if I don't, I will still be sitting here in the same old boat a year from now...and that makes me so sad to think!  Would love to hear more about your experiences.  

You will gain tons of motivation and wisdom from the ladies here...you are in the right place!  Good luck and best wishes!

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome!!

Shauna, what you said about NOW being the time is SOOOO true!

The first time I was serious about this was 3 years ago- I was going through Pre-op testing and getting close to approval. We went on vacation with my parents and my sister's family (to the beach no less- hello bathing suit??) And my family cornered me- and "intervention" of sorts begging me not to go through with the surgery.

(which we all love hearing from your younger sister who is wearing a bikini 6 months AFTER having a baby)

So I gave into the tears of my mom and sister.

After another year of yo-yo dieting, I decided to try again. I went through Dr. Moran's office outside of Raleigh (I had a terrible experience with the office staff) They never verified my insurance, but they told me I was covered. Long story short, I ended up paying all the pre-op testing out of pocket (SHOCKER!) and still had to pay an enrollment fee with Dr. Moran's office. They never claimed responsibility for their carelessness (and lies). So I am out a lot of money for a surgery that is not covered and I can't afford to go through with.

Naturally, I am thinking, this is not meant to be.

But here I am 3 years later, in the exact same position and weight. Dealing with the same frustrations- Know what? Why not me?? I am no longer going to settle for my current situation.
I am 29, I have 2 beautiful kids, an awesome husband and they deserve the best Me, and so do I.

I have coverage for RNY Gastric Bypass, I may just go down that route, but it is a little scary. I like the reversibility of the Lap Band, but truth be known, at this point I don't care if they put a gnome in my belly to eat 1/2 the food!!! (haha)

So that is my "journey" until now. So I am back to research, and decision making, and discussions with my husband.

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS!! I NEED YOUR MOTIVATION!! hee hee- no pressure of course!

The first time I thought seriously about WLS was also about 3 years ago.  I grimaced a smile when you described the family intervention.  My heart goes out to you with all you've been through in your pursual!  I kept telling myself today, during more roadblocks, that anything worthwhile is worth the battle...so I hope you will keep battling with me!  (More on my day today in a post after this!) 

I have contemplated both Band and RNY.  I know each is such a very personal decision but I have chosen to go wtih RNY.  Banders have said I am brave to choose RNY.  I've lost organs and had bodily revisions before...keep joking I'm running out of organs they can take from me!  But, putting anything foreign in my body that can dislodge, become encased, etc. skeers the beejeebers outta me!  That is BRAVE!!! 

Maybe you need to get on the drawing board and patent the gnome idea?!  haha!

I will keep you posted, along with everyone else here, about my journey and where it takes me.  Hopefully this time next year I will be well on my way to goal...and I hope you will too!  {{{Hugs!}}}