Guest guest Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Hi, This is my first post. My name is (not my real name but I don't want to double up with someone from this list). I am 31 and live in the Blue Mountains area. I decided to get this op a few weeks ago and looked at the public system (almost impossible and I have contacts) and then health cover (too impatient to wait 12 months)so have decided to beg, borrow and steal and pay for it myself. I know I can get the money together if I'm creative. I'm looking into super release, sponsors from family members and adding on to my personal loan (which is almost paid off). I'm not rich but I have a steady job of about $42K and no dependents. I want to do this soon, very soon. I can't be this weight for another year. I've always been THE fattest kid in school from Kindergarten to 12 and the fattest family member, colleague etc. You name it. I haven't let it stop me from doing the things I wanted but lately I'm getting desperate and must have this procedure to give myself a better chance at life. I recently went on a European trip and paid for two economy seats for my own comfort. It was so embarrassing but still $1500 cheaper than business class. On most flights, I couldn't even do the seatbelt up and had to get an extension. I have so many issues with my weight that I don't even want to tell you how much I weigh lest someone I know reads this (stupid I know). I actually got a shock when I saw that some of you weigh as much or more than I do. I didn't think that was possible. I guess the main thing I want to know is if anyone else has had this procedure done who paid for it on their own. How much was it? $15000- 20000? I'm seeing my GP this week for a referral to Garret (North Shore - I live in Dee Why sometimes) and (Penrith). Can you throw some names/prices at me if you know? Looking forward to being part of this group. Have been lurking for two weeks. PS Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Hi , Welcome to this site, you will just love the support and friendships that everyone will offer you. I had Des do my surgery, my out of pocket was around $2000, but that was with health cover, however if you ring his office they could tell you how much it would be. He is at Castle Hill but also comes to Mt Druitt, he operates each Monday at Baulkham Hills. Don't worry about what people might think of your weight, its not their business and don't need to know. I think the banding is the best thing I have done for myself and don't regret it for a moment. Good luck Barbara 1st post Hi,This is my first post. My name is (not my real name but I don't want to double up with someone from this list). I am 31 and live in the Blue Mountains area. I decided to get this op a few weeks ago and looked at the public system (almost impossible and I have contacts) and then health cover (too impatient to wait 12 months)so have decided to beg, borrow and steal and pay for it myself. I know I can get the money together if I'm creative. I'm looking into super release, sponsors from family members and adding on to my personal loan (which is almost paid off). I'm not rich but I have a steady job of about $42K and no dependents. I want to do this soon, very soon. I can't be this weight for another year.I've always been THE fattest kid in school from Kindergarten to 12 and the fattest family member, colleague etc. You name it. I haven't let it stop me from doing the things I wanted but lately I'm getting desperate and must have this procedure to give myself a better chance at life. I recently went on a European trip and paid for two economy seats for my own comfort. It was so embarrassing but still $1500 cheaper than business class. On most flights, I couldn't even do the seatbelt up and had to get an extension.I have so many issues with my weight that I don't even want to tell you how much I weigh lest someone I know reads this (stupid I know). I actually got a shock when I saw that some of you weigh as much or more than I do. I didn't think that was possible.I guess the main thing I want to know is if anyone else has had this procedure done who paid for it on their own. How much was it? $15000-20000? I'm seeing my GP this week for a referral to Garret (North Shore - I live in Dee Why sometimes) and (Penrith). Can you throw some names/prices at me if you know? Looking forward to being part of this group. Have been lurking for two weeks.PS Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Hello , Welcome and you will not find a more supportive bunch of people anywhere. I tell these guys things I haven’t told anyone else, any I haven’t met some of them! I totally understand where you are coming from with the weight stuff; I still won’t go on rides as I am sure they will tell me I am too big. I was too big for a ride a few years ago, and haven’t gone on one since. I would love to go on a plane and put the table down and have a space between the table and my gut, not have my gut as the table extension, or raiser, then you cant eat as all your food is on an angle and falls of the table, so you sit there and hope no one is allocated the seat next to you.. I want to sit in a plastic chair and not feel like I am going to take the damn thing with me, as it is now super glued to my outer buttocks. I think you get the idea. I had the band nearly two years ago, and don’t regret it. Dr Ritchie did my band, some doctors don’t like their name mentioned on sites, I told Dr Ritchie I would talk abut him on here, as I was happy, and after it is my band. I trust this guy I have nursed his patients post op many years ago. He can be aloof, but he does explain things to you. He does banding at St Luke’s at Potts Point, and at Sydney Private at Ashfield. He is approx $2600 out of pocket including the gas man, I think. Good luck with your decision, let us know how you get on. Anne -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I am glad you think that about him too Elaine, I like him also. I always feel I have to warn people about his possible bedside manner, or bluntness!!! I like that. Maybe that is what I was trying to say. I will blame it on the lack of sleep. I don’t know how Rob and Troy do nights all the time, I am too old for them! Anne -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 , I was banded in December last year and my surgeon was Dr. Crawford. He operates at the RPA and the Mater. The approximate costs he gave me were about AUD$ 11500 and this included theatre fees, assistant, band, anaethetist and so on. You might be able to claim some back from Medicare. I had private insurance and was about $3000 out of pocket. He does not charge for any follow up visits/fills and the fee also includes consultations with a dietician at the Mater (I saw her 4 times so far at no additional costs !). His secretary is an angel and I always got an appointment within 48 hours. I live in Dee Why and I'm happy to meet you for a coffee and answer any questions you might have. Or you can send me an email or call me if you're more comfortable with that :-) Cheers, > > Hi, > > This is my first post. My name is (not my real name but I > don't want to double up with someone from this list). I am 31 and > live in the Blue Mountains area. I decided to get this op a few > weeks ago and looked at the public system (almost impossible and I > have contacts) and then health cover (too impatient to wait 12 > months)so have decided to beg, borrow and steal and pay for it > myself. I know I can get the money together if I'm creative. I'm > looking into super release, sponsors from family members and adding > on to my personal loan (which is almost paid off). I'm not rich but > I have a steady job of about $42K and no dependents. > > I want to do this soon, very soon. I can't be this weight for > another year. > > I've always been THE fattest kid in school from Kindergarten to 12 > and the fattest family member, colleague etc. You name it. I haven't > let it stop me from doing the things I wanted but lately I'm getting > desperate and must have this procedure to give myself a better > chance at life. I recently went on a European trip and paid for two > economy seats for my own comfort. It was so embarrassing but still > $1500 cheaper than business class. On most flights, I couldn't even > do the seatbelt up and had to get an extension. > > I have so many issues with my weight that I don't even want to tell > you how much I weigh lest someone I know reads this (stupid I know). > I actually got a shock when I saw that some of you weigh as much or > more than I do. I didn't think that was possible. > > I guess the main thing I want to know is if anyone else has had this > procedure done who paid for it on their own. How much was it? $15000- > 20000? I'm seeing my GP this week for a referral to Garret > (North Shore - I live in Dee Why sometimes) and > (Penrith). Can you throw some names/prices at me if you know? > Looking forward to being part of this group. Have been lurking for > two weeks. > > > > PS Thanks for the tip. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Hi Anne,I really like Dr Ritchie and dont find him at all aloof - he really explains things so well and I trust him completely.I was done at St Lukes and it was a very nice hospital and everyone was very nice.ElaineI think you get the idea. I had the band nearly two years ago, and don’t regret it. Dr Ritchie did my band, some doctors don’t like their name mentioned on sites, I told Dr Ritchie I would talk abut him on here, as I was happy, and after it is my band. I trust this guy I have nursed his patients post op many years ago. He can be aloof, but he does explain things to you. He does banding at St Luke’s at Potts Point, and at Sydney Private at Ashfield. He is approx $2600 out of pocket including the gas man, I think. Good luck with your decision, let us know how you get on. Anne --No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM--No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I also find him very honest!I am glad you think that about him too Elaine, I like him also. I always feel I have to warn people about his possible bedside manner, or bluntness!!! I like that. Maybe that is what I was trying to say. I will blame it on the lack of sleep. I don’t know how Rob and Troy do nights all the time, I am too old for them! Anne --No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM--No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.9/773 - Release Date: 22/04/2007 8:18 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.