Regnu

Has anyone had the band done with a diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus from acid reflux? I was going to have the band done in two weeks, but just had the upper GI done and found this out. Have not talked with my barriatric surgeon yet, waiting for some tests to come back. I really think the RNY is more drastic than I want to loose weight. I have Tricare for my insurance and they will not pay for VSG, you have to have it done at a MTF. The cut off age for the MTF in my area to do a VSG is 55 and I am 58. I was wondering if Tricare would pay for VSG if other two surgeries are not an option. Probably not.

My doctor said 30 min before and 1 hour after.

I knew I did not want gastric bypass, too extreme. Also did not want to deal with all the malabsorption issues. I was really looking at the VSG, but my insurance will not pay for it. Still considers it experimental so I'm opting for the band. Sometimes your insurance dictates what you can have unless you are self pay, then it is your decision.

Resolution is to be sucessfull with the band. Surgery in January. I have seen a lot of people that have done really well with their weightloss.

First visit was very uneventful. Doctor just went over some paperwork I had filled out. Asked which surgery I was looking to have and then went on to setting up appointments and having all the pre-op tests. Make a list of any questions you might have for the doctor.

I sent you a message on your profile with my email address.

Sorry to hear about all the problems your are having. I haven't been banded yet, date is set for January 13th. And I just realized that's Friday the 13th!

I saw your post a couple of weeks ago looking for a buddy in northeast Florida. I'm in Jacksonville. Would love to email you and help each other out.

I've only heard of people eating mostly chicken or fish for Protein. Does anybody eat ham or maybe pork. Was wondering if it agrees with the band or is it like eating steak?

It almost sounds like it could be a gallbladder problem if you still have your gallbladder. I had sever stomach and back and should pain when I had the attacks. Towards the end I was throwing up bile because I had a stone in the duct.

Wonder why all the doctors seem to have different pre-op diet. Mine said two liquid Meal Replacements and one lean Protein meal, either chicken or fish and some veggies.

There's any excellent website out there, drsimpson.net. He does only banding in Arizona and has tons of information about the band on his website.

You can get your Protein through Beans, nuts, tofu and other products that are made for vegetarians.

You can probably substitute the cream with skim milk or maybe soy or almond for less fat. Thanks for the link on the powdered Peanut Butter, didn't know powdered peanut butter existed.

Found this site online, tried the chocolate with banana, ice, Water and used Unjury Chocolate Splendor Protein Powder. I also added one teaspoon of Peanut Butter. Tasted Great!

www.projectswole.com/

Good advice!

It looks like it depends what tricare area you have. I am in Tricare South and they do not require a 6 month preop diet. I can't understand why they are different you would think they would all be the same.

I don't plan on telling anyone at work. If anyone asks why I am out, I'll make up something else. Let them wonder why I am loosing so much weight!

It all depends on how fast you loose, how much elasticity you have left in your skin and also the type of exercise you do to help tone. I'm sure if you have a lot of weight to loose there will be some skin sagging, how much depends on the individual person.

Looking forward to band surgery probably next month. I was looking towards the sleeve, but insurance will not cover and did not want to go the whole bypass route. I am wondering what happens ten to twenty years down the line? Is the band supposed to be able to stay in that long. I see on these sites people seem to have problems 2 to 5 years out. Just curious!

Do not have a band surgery date yet. Probably in January. Just curious, does anyone have problems with dried fruit such as raisins? I was wondering if dried fruit would be too hard to break down.

I'm from Jacksonville also. Going through the pre-op tests right now.

I am currently going through the process of taking the pretests for lap band surgery. I really need my several cups of coffee in the morning. Do you have to give up coffee or can you start the morning with it. I really don't feel like eating when I first get up.