Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 08:21:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Barbara Bingham <email removed>

Hi Leah,
Some people can get their insurance to cover their band, but it is not common.  

I went to Tijuana to get my band and paid out of our savings. At the time it
cost $6500, and I thought that was a pretty cheap way to stop the diet roller
coaster, although I seriously felt like I had fallen off the roller coaster and
was only heading up the scales at that point. My surgeon's name is Dr. Kuri,
and I am happy with my choice. It was quick and relatively painless.  I was approaching size 22 and now wear an 8/10. I started at 228 and am now in
the 140's somewhere. I just had a tummy tuck and breast lift so I haven't
weighed for awhile.  

The band is life changing, and I liked it because I have two young children and didn't want to risk the more extensive weight loss surgeries that might have been covered by our insurance. With the band you are able to digest all your food the same way and get all the vitamins your food offers. To me that was very important. I wasn't interested in getting injections of vitamin B-12 or having chronic digestive problems. But, I wasn't at the highest weight I might have reached. Had I been nearer to 400 lbs. I might not
have cared about those issues. I am so glad I will never know.   

You've found the right place to learn about the band and local doctors and anything you might want to know. I started reading the posts about 3 months before my surgery and felt pretty comfortable with what I could expect including any possible side effects.  I am from Tacoma, Washington and have no idea what surgeons are in your area, but I think there might be a list in our archives. 

Look around, you'll find plenty of information.

Good luck,
Bar-Dr. Kuri 8/18/00
228/14?/130

Wayne Note:  Thanks Barbara