Lap Band anyone?

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I recently talked about my visit to Lubbock. I was getting more information about knee-replacement surgery for the future. Since I am mostly “chair-bound” and have Lymphedema in my legs, he wanted to get all potential problems out-of-the-way before surgery, which means I need to lose another 100 lbs. before surgery can be scheduled. Sigh… Being chronically obese all of my life, this was not  unexpected news. What was new, was his recommendation to have lab band surgery to help me to lose the weight.  Since the suggestion came from the doctor, I actually listened and then looked into it.I talked to a couple of people who have had it done. One has lost 100 lbs. this year and the other over 60 lbs. I watched the dvd , read the brochure and then called them.

There is no longer a doctor in Amarillo who does the procedure. There is someone here who can adjust the band after you have the surgery. There is someone in Lubbock who does it, and the price for the procedure is $14,000. My information recommended going to Dallas. One of the men who actually helped to  invent the procedure is practicing there. He charges $9,500. I remembered how crippled I got just riding in the car and getting in and out of my wheelchair for the trip to Lubbock. I wondered how I would fare during a trip that takes 3 times longer. I called the lap band people, gave them my insurance information and waited for them to contact me with either good or bad news.

After playing phone tag and answering machine tag for a couple of weeks, we finally connected today. The news is… Blue Cross Blue Shield will not cover this procedure. So…I won’t be going to Dallas after all. Mixed blessings…