Bobbie045

Oh Wow! Everyone has been talking about some mandatory 6 month diet - and i dont understand...i've dieted all my life...and t hey want 6 more months worth? My doctors office KNOWS i've tired for years to lose and have not been successful - I'm so hoping i get approved and they waive that.

Good luck to you - i'm excited FOR you! I am so ready for this procedure...I hope it goes great for you!

Take care...

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Bobbie

Working thru this system, a day at a time...
4/19/08 Found this site, posted introduction/questions
5/2/08 - Meeting with PCP - Keeping fingers crossed!
5/5/08 - PCP Submitting referral to insurance - Keeping hopeful thoughts here!
5/26/08-Approved for Nutritional Weight Management Program only. "Denied" on actual procedure...Going to nutrition doctor and then wewill resubmit for authorization.

Vikki

I am in Huntington Beach and have a group that we have going from individuals off of this site and word of mouth. We meet about once a month at each others house or last time at a park for a picnic. If anyone in Orange County would be interested in coming to one of our meet ups just send me an email. It is so nice to talk to other bandsters and it isn't like the Dr. support groups so we can chat with each other when we meet and just bounce things off each other for tips and advice. We were all banded by different doctors some here and some from Mexico so we all have different dates we were banded. Support is key to making your band a success. You can talk and talk to your family and friends about different things but they have no clue how it feels physically or mentally to have a lap band. Email me if your interested in getting together. Vikki4mymail@yahoo.com

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Banded on Nov 24, 2006 :nervous
Started at 250
Current at 197
04/14/07 2nd fill 4.0cc
09/22/07 3rd fill 4.5cc
03/08/08 unfil 2.5/ at 2cc
4/26/08 fill 1.0/3.5 and sweet spot!! :)
Goal is 170-160
Banded by Dr. Ramos Kelly in Mexico www.obesitybusters.com

Ravenesqued

Hello Autumn, I have been hearing so much about Fountain Valley over this forum that I have decided to go to Fountain Valley for the Lap band. May i ask which doctor you are going to?

Ravenesqued

hahahah Bobbie, you are so right! I was thinking the same thing. I go in on Weds. to discuss with my doctor that I want her blessing to get the lap band. If I get her pre-auth the procedure is done for almost free. If not, I have to shell out $6K to Dr. Oliak in Orange. But if I get approved I am going to Fountain Valley! I am excited and have 48 left to discuss with my doctor. My fingers are crossed and I wish you the best of luck as well.

Ddem

You don't get to decide what doctor to have your procedure done, you will have to go with who your PCP is affiliated with. I have edinger Medical Group and they only use Dr. Khalili in West Hollywood at Cedar Sinai.

I just got my bill in and with Anthem Blue Cross, it cost me $100.00 on the day I was checked in for surgery and all my co pays for the testings. The total cost for the surgery was 55,000.00.

I had to keep up my Cobra insurance since being laid off, that total was $900.00 for 3 months worth.

My portion was a small price to pay when compared to what the insurance paid.

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Ddem

BTW, cash pay for the adjustments at Cedar Sinai is $800.00! I wil need insurance to pay that kind of money!

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NonaArduino

HI,

I was banded by Dr. Francis also. It has been 2 years and I am down 100 pounds. Still have more to go, have been having a real problem stickingwith it the last few month. ALL MY FAULT--BAD CHOICES. I just wish there was a support group closer. I live in La Mirada. gOOD LUCK

Esmeralda

I am in Lakewood banded since 01/2005 if anyone needs someone to talk to I work in Fullerton.

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Esmeralda
DOB: 01/07/05 Dr. Kuri
243.5/153/145
1st Fill 02/17/05 / 2nd Fill 04/16/05
3rd Fill 07/16/05 / Un-fill 09/03/05
4th Fill 06/03/06 / 5th Fill 10/28/06
6th Fill 02/13/07 / Un-fill 05/01/07
7th Fill 07/19/07 / 8th Fill 12/01/07
Total Fill: 2.3 cc

Ravenesqued

Yeah!! I met with my medical doctor today and she approved the lap band. She will put in the referral. May I ask what is the next step? Will I hear from the insurance company or call the Lap Band facility first. I know I want to go to Fountain Valley Regional or Chapman Medical. Any clue on what to expect now and time from now to actual surgery would be greatly appreciated.

Ravenesqued

Hello Autumn, You mentioned Fountain Valley. Is your doctor a part of Dr. LePorts office? I just completed my orientation and working my way through the rest of the process. My psych eval is tomorrow. My orientation is done my doctor visit is July 17 and my diet class is August 4th. So hopefully after that all is well. I will join the Long Beach or Corona Support group because I live in Fullerton but work in Cerritos so after work I could do either. Hope for more discussions with you and maybe we can set up a north o.c. support group.

clusk

Hi All! I live in Anaheim Hills and will be banded on 7/7. I would love to join your group.

Chris

cakegal

I've been approved for Surgery from my insurance, (only nine months after I started this process), and I got a call from Dr. LePorts office, I'm hoping to have Dr. Francis do my surgery. They said they were sending me over to the scheduling department and I should hear from them with in 10 days. Just a little anxious here! Have waited a long time. Has anyone been banded by Dr. LePorts office, and how quick can they schedule a surgery? Weeks, months? Please let me know your experience, I'm dying for information. What's next?

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Cakegal
waiting to be banded
approved
Surgery Date: August 12, 2008

Futr littl Debi

Hi Cakegal,
I'm being banded by Dr. Leport's office. I was approved by my insurance at the beginning of February and they scheduled my surgery for June 2nd. Just before the surgery, my PCP decided I needed to see an endocrinologist before she would sign off on the medical clearance. By the time I got that finished, it was June 20th. At that point, I got back on Dr. Leport's schedule and am now scheduled for August 6th. When they set up the first surgery, she said that Dr. Leport's schedule took a little longer that the other doctor's, but only about another week.
So the moral is to plan on it taking several months to get on the schedule, but know that if anything happens, they will do everything they can to get you rescheduled as quick as possible. And who knows, maybe things are a little slower and you can get on quicker. And that could be a happy surprise.

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~ Debi


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Banded 8/6/08

cakegal

Thanks, not really what I wanted to hear, and yet I'm okay with that. Thanks for responding, I think knowing what to expect is easier than getting my hopes up (again) and then being disappointed. This way I stay Positive.

Thanks again!

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Cakegal
waiting to be banded
approved
Surgery Date: August 12, 2008

tai68

Hey There O.C. peeps...happy to say I was FINALLY banded on 6/30 by Dr. Braverman from the N.E.W. Program and all went well. Would love to know if and when a group is getting together for chit chat and support. I'm really looking forward to being a few more weeks down the line to have a better idea of just what I've gotten myself into but I feel confident that everything will work out just fine!! Thanks and I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July!! ~ Tai

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Finally Banded June 30, 2008 - N.E.W. Program