I would be awfully cautious about paying up front before insurance approves. Is he speaking just of his fees alone? I live in MN and my surgeon wanted 25% of his surgeon's fee up front, which I gladly paid. But only after insurance approved use of my particular surgeon and procedure.

ObesityHelp is pleased to announce that Susan Maria Leach -- weight loss surgery patient, talented chef and author of the award-winning book "Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery," -- will be the keynote speaker at our third National Convention. The convention will be held May 20-22, 2005, in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, and will also feature three live cooking demonstrations with Susan Maria. We hope that you will join us for this chance to see Susan Maria at work and for all of the other fabulous opportunities to learn, share and have fun that this convention will offer. Don't miss out!

Please visit the ObesityHelp Events Web site for more information about this exciting event.

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Want to try some of Susan Maria's great recipes? Click on the cover image below to visit the ObesityHelp Store.

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Hello, I live in Texas and have tried unsuccessfully for the last 8 months to get insurance approval from Blue Cross Blue Shield TRS of Texas to have the gastric lap band surgery. In Texas the cash price for hospital and doctor is $10,300. I'm curious as to what the cash cost is in Arkansas. Anybody have any idea? I appreciate the help. -Kristi

Hang in there honey. That happens to everyone. Trust me it happen to me and I was only 2 weeks post-op. Plus I started to gain weight. I was so depress. But by the end of the 3 week that darn scale move. And I was happy again Look at it this way you are down 67 pounds. Some you didn't do before. SO it's all good Just hang in there and everything will work out. Nice to meet you Maria