ben

Ok so the details are according to some criteria that I don't think I'll have any problems meeting, and the doctor I mentioned (Snyder) is currently an in-network physician, so I could go to him (I can go out of network too, my coverage is the same) with a Coverage of 90% Insurance, 10% me, with a deductible of $500.

I did some searching and found a doctor who's not only certified but trains others, has something like 8 ops a week with this kind of procedure... Michael Snyder is just up the road from me - 60 or so miles, so not too bad. I'd rather go to one who has a ton of experience for obvious reasons. I'm debating on calling my insurance carrier in a bit... I'm not sure what to ask or how to ask it... but we'll see. Given my string of luck lately medically, I'm guessing that they don't cover it. But I'll still be as hopeful as I can.

I'm not unfamiliar with this whole idea - my girlfriend's father had it done because of his medical conditions, and I'm extremely aware of his eating habits (what he has to do to make sure he's not sick) and I have to say, even though I know he's had it for at least a year, that I would be comfortable with the steps needed to take to accomplish this with the band. I'm on medication for a low thyroid count, but in all honesty the medication makes me feel like crap after I've been on it for about two weeks or so (at any dose - we've tried all of the popular ones). I'm also a gout sufferer, though I'm very careful about what I have in my day to day lifestyle and that really minimizes it (I can't have soda for example, because the sugar is what sets it off for me). My lifestyle is unfortunately pretty stationary in nature. The closest gym is about 30 minutes drive (55 MPH average...) away from me, though I do have an active membership to my local YMCA, and I love to play in the pool. I've been in there as long as 4 hours some days. So here are my questions... does anyone know anyone in the Colorado Springs area that has had this done, and who did they use? I'm a little timid about asking my gf's dad, I've struggled with the weight since I was younger - I wasn't a childhood obesity problem, but I was heavier up until my teens, and then after that it just poured on. I'm 6'4" now and I can only guess at my weight (I think 380? I have to stand on a standard scale and estimate how many ticks over maximum that it goes, and that's the only reason I have any idea how much it is) and secondly, how do you go about finding out how to pay for such a thing? I've already got several thousand in dental bills I need to worry about... I'm not sure what to do if this procedure is going to cost me out of pocket, it will probably discourage me completely ($200 here and there for fills and whatnot I can manage, just not the $1000-at-a-time-wallet-punishments) So with that all being said - hi everyone...