Lap Band Seminar - 8th March - Wesley Hospital

I was reading the sunday mail yesterday and the first page I turned had a advert about a lap band seminar at the Wesley. Did anyone see it? And if so are they thinking of going? I want to go but I dunno, I read that they tell you about the pre op and after the surgery, the cost and what to expect. I already know what the pre op will be like, I know what it will be like after surgery, optifast and mushies for god knows how long lol and as for the cost, I'm one of the lucky ones, I probably won't be paying anything. So yeah question is did you go to a seminar and how did it help you in your choice for the Lap Band? Thanks

Nope. No seminar. I just did a lot of research and found out all the information for myself. I think the seminars are basically to reach out to people who have no clue what's involved and might be curious, but if you're already part of a forum or online group, chances are your questions have been answered anyway.

I didn't see the ad, but if you are interested in finding out more, go along. It's not going to hurt, and I presume it's free, so it's not like it's going to cost anything.

As for being "one of the lucky ones" and not having an out of pocket, I wouldn't be too sure about that. Unless you are being banded as a public patient, there is likely to be a rather large ($2,000+) out of pocket expense. Most health funds cover a fair chunk of banding, but they don't cover the whole lot.

Best of luck to you.

Actually I am being banded as a public patient, and my doctor has told me that she is going to write to the board of doctors and ask for my case to be approved, so basically I'll be a specialty case as I need to loose weight for future stuff that will be coming up that will give me a better chance at life

Awesome. Have they given you any idea on the timeframe? I understand that the waiting list can be anywhere up to 5 years long (maybe longer). Although there was one lady on Ozband (I think) who only had to wait two years. So maybe you will get lucky.

Well I've been told numerous times that I'm a speciality case, I'm big but not the biggest person ever, I'm 115kg and luckily for me it's not just on my stomach it's everywhere so I look balanced and not as big, because of stuff that' will happen in my future, I will msot likely be looking at a lung transplant my doctors want me in top shape so that I have a good survival rate, I have been told by 2 doctors that within 3 months I'll most likely be banded but seeing as though I actually havent got my referral to the surgeon yet I'm guessing possibly around July, The hospital I go to there trying to get Lap Band approved for the state or whatever and have that specific hospital able to do it, at the royal brisbane hospital the waiting list is about 2-3 years so I know what you mean but the hospital I go to they dont routinely do it, although the doctor I will be having has done hundreds which is great so all I need is to be referred to the surgeon and that'll start the ball rolling I suppose :biggrin2:

I hope it all works out well for you.

If you are looking at the op that soon, I would go to the seminar, and soak up as much info as you humanly can between now and then. Because even if you read everything, and listen to every story you can, it still wont be enough. There are always surprises, but you want to minimize them, if you get my meaning? The more you can find out before, the less you will have to learn later. Don't be afraid to ask 'dumb" questions (there are no dumb questions, by the way, we all have to learn) and just absorb everything you can.

Good luck.

Thanks I appreciate you replying to this thread, I did ask a stupid question a while back like if during the mushie stage you could have weetbix like when you add the hot water lol stupid but another lady said that you can just not to add to much sugar or milk which is good =)