New...& had 1st appt

Hi,

1st let me introduce myself.  My name is Steph, 32, live in Providence, have a 14 yr old son, & considering the Lap Band.

I had my 1st apt yesterday with Dr. Pohl. He game my to-do list.  I'm still very undecided.  I'm even scared to call 'cause I don't know if I even need a referral for the tests.  Don't have money to pay out of pocket so I need to make sure.  For quiet some time now, I have been going back & forth about wls.  I really don't know what the right decision is.  I scared of cutting off my right hand to save my left, if you know what i mean.  I have some health issues.  Nothing major right now I feel.  HTN, high cholesterol, Asthma which is to be expected really.  No diabetes or anything like that.  

I haven't made it too the support meetings.  I was a little confused.  I didn't really know if I could 'cause I didn't have wls yet. and the last couple of months I kept forgetting.  I really want to meet people who have done this.  I really want to know the in and outs of all this.  I guess I'll probably schedule the appt's and do that until I make up my mind. 

Thanks for listening,

Steph

Hi Steph, welcome to the board.  Dr Pohl is awesome!!!  If your health insurance requires referrals, you will need them.  Otherwise just call and schedule the doctors on your list.  I had the lapband and it is the best decision I have ever made.  It has changed my life! 

The support meetings are for everyone.  So go and check them out.    Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.

Hi Steph  and welcome! 

You have come to the right place to ask questions. Everyone here is willing to help.  You mentioned paying out of pocket.  Do you have insurance?  If so, I would contact the insurance company to see if they cover the surgery, and what exactly and specifically they require you to do to get them to approve the surgery.  The tests themselves can be kind of pricey.

Only you can decide for yourself if you really want to have the surgery or not.  There are plenty of forums here on OH to get answers to general questions you might have, and you can also search the web to get answers to your lap band questions, if you are looking for general information.  If you have specific questions, check out the lap band forum, or ask some here.

Good luck on your journey, whatever you decide.

Cara

Welcome Steph!  You tok your first big step already, now you just need to decide if it really is for you.  Support groups and this forum are great places to ask all your questions.  A lot of pre-ops go to the meetings as well to ask thier questions and get advice from others.  They get to hear the good and sometimes the bad as well there.

As the others stated- I would call the number on the back of your health insurance card and see if weight loss surgery is covered under your plan- and if so, what are the criteria.  Knowing up front can get rid of huge obstacles down the road.

Good luck in your journey, and again, welcome

Hello Steph,
  Welcome to  OH  in Rhode Island message board.  You came to the right place for questions.  I had gastric bypass by Dr. Pohl last April.  You picked a great doctor.  I know he changed my life.  About  if you are covered for this  you need to do what everyone else has been saying and call them to see if it is all covered.  I too had  the high colesterol, high blood pressure which since my surgery is  now gone.  I am walking  everyday without  lossing my breath.  I guess you could say wihout making this a long message I got my life back and Now you have taking your 1st step to get yours back and to be there for your 14 year old son.  Good luck and any question feel free to ask us.  We are one big happy family hear.

Lisa

Thanks, everyone for your support.

Well, I do know that the surgery itself is covered. and i'm sure the tests are too.  It's just a matter of finding out what i have to do to make sure the pay. It's going to be a long, interesting journey I'm sure.  I've gone back & forth wanting it and then no I didn't.  Now, I back to yes, I do, I think.  I'm going to make the appt's.  At least I will be doing something rather then standing still. 

Steph

Welcome Steph!  I have not  had surgery yet myself.  And i totally feel your pain!!  LOL    This is such a major decision in your life you just can't take it lightly.  I have been going back and forth  on whether to have the lapband or the bypass.  Its tough.  I have the cholesterol and the BP and the asthma, but i also have the diabetes.  That is what makes me go towards the bypass.  But anyway,  I went to a support meeting last week and it was awesome.  You'll meet some terrific people.  I enjoyed meeting my friends that i chat with here at OH.  That was really nice.  And i have to tell you, I have learned sooooo much from everyone here at the RI forum.  They really tell it like it is so you can be fully aware of things.   Good luck on your decision.  I too have a 14 year old son, plus a 12 year old daughter.  And i do think of them too with this.  It will also force me to teach them to eat better and not to get into my situation.    See you around the board!    Eldy

Welcome to the board Steph.
Do your research, go to the meeting, discuss your options with your surgeon. 
Make sure you are doing what's right for you and your lifestyle.  
Good luck!

Hi Steph!

Welcome to our Forum! As you've already read, you've come to the right place for Q&A!

The support groups are a great place too. The three local ones are...

Miriam Hospital - 4th Tuesday each month - 5:30-6:00 Lapband - 6:00 - 7:30 Everyone

Roger Williams Hospital - 4th Thursday each month - 6:00 - 7:30 (plan on staying later, we all chit chat after the official meeting)

Rhode Island Hospital - 1st Wednesday each month - 6:15 - 7:30 - November is a WLS fashion show!

I started going to the support groups several months prior to my RNY. They are there for EVERYone at all stages of all WLS procedures! Even supporters like family and friends of the person considering/having the surgery!

Definitely talk to your insurance company prior to going to all your recommended appointments. If you don't have insurance, speak with Dr. Pohl's staff about financial options.

We're here for ya! Any time!

Jules