Laparoscopic Gastric Banding – My Choice
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding – My Choice
My journey began a long time ago. I had intended it to be a solitary journey because I wasn’t comfortable with people knowing that I had undergone Laparoscopic Gastric Banding. A select number of people were privy to this information and were eagerly awaiting my transformation and I was happy with that. Recently though people have been asking questions and I am now ready to talk to them, to answer their questions and as a result I have been made aware that lots of people out there in cyberspace are interested enough to hear my story and share my journey, so here goes.
My catalyst for change came about three years ago when I was working in a surgical ward of a wonderful hospital and I started meeting patients coming in for Laparoscopic Gastric Banding. I didn’t know much about the procedure but I was thankful that I worked with an amazing team of Nurses and Doctors who shared their knowledge with me, so I started a quest. Every patient that came in I would ask their permission to share their story about why they had decided to have this procedure, after all it is a surgical procedure and all surgery comes with risk of complications. When I stopped working in that hospital I had gained all the knowledge I needed to know that this procedure was what I wanted and needed to have. I just had two problems to overcome.
My first problem to overcome was that although I had met dozens of patients before and during their operation I hadn’t met anyone after their operation. So I didn’t know how easy the transition was.
My second problem was how I was going to fund the operation, as it is very costly. I had medical insurance and I knew they would fund some of it but I would still have a gap to pay. I remember ringing up the Surgeon’s rooms. I had already chosen to do the operation with Associate Professor Peter Nottle, I had seen his work, met him and he came highly recommended. After finding out how much it was going to cost me, my initial thought was, “Yeah right, that’ll never happen”.
As part of my personal development journey I have learnt that if you want something badly enough then put it out into the universe and wait and see what unfolds and that is exactly what I did. I am not sure what you think about fate and timing and being in the right place at the right time, but it certainly worked for me.
Over a matter of three years my life went on a magical journey where I could visually see one piece of magic fitting in with another. The people I met as a result have been the key players in my transition and I can see why I had to do what I had to do to make each step fit in place. I was introduced to an amazing lady who had Gastric Banding done and through her she told me of several people she knew who had Gastric Bandings and then all of a sudden I was inundated with stories of dozens of people who have totally transformed their lives as a result of this procedure.
Isn’t it funny how you start to focus on something and then everywhere you turn you are bombarded with likeminded people. As a result of being introduced to these people I found my answer to how I was going to pay for it.
For those of you reading this and live in Australia, I can tell you that you can pay for this procedure even if you don’t have medical insurance. There are two options that I know of (there may be more). There is a finance company called Mediplan that will lend you the full amount or the out of pocket expense. You can access your Superannuation through (APRA) for either the full amount or the out of pocket expense. Check the websites at the conclusion of this article.
Everything seemed to gather momentum and once the universe had clicked all the pieces into place life took on new meaning. I became so focused, so positive and radiated an aura that attracted other likeminded people who had other plans for me. (but that’s another story).
I can say that as a result two of my closest friends have also decided to have Gastric Banding done and together we will become a force to be reckoned with.
This journey started when I was 18 years old and now at 48 I can honestly say my life is just beginning.
This series of articles are the direct result of people wanting to know more about Gastric Banding and they have asked me to write these so that others out there who may not have heard of Gastric Banding, or may believe that they can’t afford it, or are sick of being overweight and not sure of their options.
My next article will be focused on the preparation for the operation and the recuperation. The articles after that will be focused on my rebirth, my life as I lose weight and how I deal with any obstacles that come my way.
I encourage you to leave comments and ask questions. I am not an expert in Gastric Banding but I will do my best to find out the answers to any of your questions.
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Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
http://www.laparoscopicsurgery.com.au/lapband.html
Mediplan
Accessing your Superannuation through APRA
Your Destiny Unfolds with
Rodney & Vicki Williams
