Surgeon's Appointment and Costs of the Lap Band

Today I had the surgeon's visit with Dr R, the doctor who will be doing my surgery. I bought my Fiancee along so that he had a good idea of what was going to be done. We chatted for around 45 mins, and I feel well informed about the whole process and of course, what risks are associated with getting this surgery done. I feel more comfortable with the whole thing now... I'm even first on the list for the day to get operated on! Yay Me! If there is a diabetic patient being operated on then they get to go first... but if not, I'm first up baby! Good! I want to get it over and done with. The sooner the better quite frankly!

Just to let you know about how I am paying for this procedure. I am going through the Circle of Care program that costs $6500 for the year. This includes the surgery and follow-up for 1 year including dietitian, physiotherapy, Psychology and Band fill appointments. I also have full private health cover for the hospital visit so I'm only out of pocket for the excess amount of $500. There is also the opportunity to claim approx $1400 from medicare and some more back for the dietitian, physio and psychologist appointments through my health fund. So all up, I'm out of pocket approx $4000. I even got a new job with more pay so that I can pay for it myself. The good thing is, is that I am able to pay it over 1 year, and that if I am able to pay more off then the interest on the remaining payments goes down.

Ok, enough from me. Gotta go Psych myself up for starting my Opti-crap for the next two weeks. Wish me luck!! Will write soon.

14 sleeps to go!!

LBG xx