Cold Feet....need help!

Another thing to consider is IF anything goes wrong with your band and you need surgery to repair or remove it, that will also be self pay because your insurance won't cover it if there is an exclusion in your coverage. Also make sure that unfills are covered as well as fills because several people have suffered for a long time because they couldn't afford an unfill when they needed one. It can take anywhere from one or two up to dozens of fills depending on how big the fills are. Many times docs will only give small fills when you are selfpay because then they can make more money from you. If I were you I would hold off and save the money for a sleeve since it is a more effective surgery and once its done it's all over no fussing with fills and unfills. But the choice is yours, I've just seen too many people who self pay for the band have to go back and self pay for a sleeve when the band ends up not working. Be sure to read the VSG board and revision board. Good luck to you which ever you choose.

Today is the 4 year anniversary of having my Lap Band. I have lost 125 pounds and still losing, but at a slower rate. Actually I don't want to lose anymore, but still am losing.

I started at 5"5" and 255 ponds. I know weight between 124 - 129. It can be done! It will not work on it's own. You have to eat right and exercise some. I'm so glad I did this.

Thanks!  Congratulations on your incredible loss!

 I have a similar situation. I was self pay and the visits and fills are included for the first year.  Hope it works out great for you. 

My insurance covered very little... and I couldn't afford RNY (which I didn't want to have anyways) and sleeve is very expensive my doctor doesn't sway you on the sleeve but he doesn't have a lot of long term results on the sleeve. SO I made the decision with the band...

I really sat myself down for a talk... and I asked myself various questions.. I have been overweight for my entire life.. I started to have serious health issues at a very young age ripe old age of 32 I was the brink of diabities and I already had signs of high blood pressure my hands and feet were also swollen.. and I was plain miserable.

I asked myself what did I want to accomplish out of surgery of course
1. Lose Weight
2. Develop a healthy lifestyle
3. Change how I approach food (not for emotional dependance anymore.. yay lets celebrate food.. things suck right now.. lets go eat.. I wanted to end that yo yo emotional and diet cycle)

I told myself if I lose 100 pounds I would be happy MY GOAL was never to be a size 5 or weigh 130-150 though that is the goal for some and good for them and some attain it and some are still working on it.. It wasn't my goal I have been heavy my entire life I think the last time I weight 150 was in elementary school. But you must pose this question to yourself... if that is your goal then attaining with the band will not be easy we absorb every calorie we eat and unless we change our behaviors with food we can eat around the band.

Some people say "well I didn't eat junk food only and get over weight" but bottom line we ate huge portions whether it be salad with dressing or steak or pizza.. we ate in volume and we didn't exercise so the pounds packed on.. if you are a volume eater and that's where you need most of the control then the band will help you. Also I wanted to not just diet with the band I didn't want to be low carb or south beach or cabbage soup, WW or Jenny Craig.. I just wanted to eat more protein, more whole grains, more fruit and more veggies.. and that's what I do.

I'm always trying to make better choices about the food I consume, I try to eat low sodium not too much pre-packaged foods..

And I changed my approach to foods.. I can buy a cant of nuts.. because I will eat that can of nuts in two days.. I can't buy some items unless they are in individual servings.. I can't keep chips, candy, cookies in my house.. but I do keep sugar free jello or puddings and popiscles.. I always have fruit on hand and I try not to celebrate with food and I also learned not to wallow in food.

I love my band.. I couldn't wait another day to start this process but if you feel you want to attain different goals then I would consider other surgeries ..

Hermosa, Thank you so much!  You sound so much like myself!  I really appreciate you taking the time for me.

Cathy

Your welcome.. you can be successful with the band but you have to define what is success for you!!

Didn't you need to get cleared for surgery? I am very obese but no other medical issues and I still need to have an ekg, echo cardio, stress test, endoscopy (sp), and see the pulmonary doc. I would think that even self-pay would need to make sure they are healthy enough. I am just starting this process so maybe that is just my docs requirements but I am glad he has all of them. It makes me feel better that is is thorough.

I wish you the best of luck and will be waiting to hear how your journey is.

After they put me on the schedule, they sent me to a clinic for blood work, an EKG, and a chest x-ray.  Best of luck to you, too!

Cathy

I am very excited for  you. I wish I could speed up the process:)