HauteMama

Hi everyone! I got banded on Dec 20. It was terrible but I know I will feel better about it once the weight comes off. Boy did I have an experience. On byway to the hospital I got a call from my doctors office stating that the director of HR at my job called asking inappropriate questions. I chose not to disclose of my surgery, my doctors office only stated I was having abdominal surgery for reflux. Well the HR director wanted more information on the procedure and why was I having it? The nurse at my doctors office refused to answer her question and informed her she was in violation of HIPAA. I will be handling that after I recover.

The surgery

This is my experience and my experience only please do not take my experience as what happens all the time. After the surgery was complete and I was in recovery I felt light headed and dizzy. My blood pressure dropped unsafely low. After several attempts to get my BP back to normal range it was discovered thru blood work that I had internal bleeding which meant I had to go back into surgery to check for the blood loss, fix it and give me a blood transfusion. My doctor discovered one of the instruments had torn some muscle and caused bleeding. The muscle was repaired and the bleeding was stopped. I am a thousand times more sore than I was when I initially came out of surgery. I had to spend the night in the hospital, I came home this evening. Right now I'm in a reclining chair that is comfortable. I wouldn't dare try to sleep in the bed. The gas is painful along with the painful incisions. The mess are kicking in now some I'm going to get some sleep.

That's good news MissMarcie!!!

I'm nervous and excited. Sometimes I think I could have lost the weight myself instead of doing a surgery then other times I say you have spent thousand and thousands worth of dollars and tries. Then I'm nervous that I won't lose the weight in the time I would like to lose. I have a total of 60-65lbs to lose. I would like to have at least 40lbs off by May. I'm also nervous about eating. This surgery will make me make better food choices, at least I hope so because I don't want to get sick.

I'm having the lap band with plication.

congratulations!!!! i hope all went well. i'm getting banded and plicated on Tuesday.

Thank you everyone for well wishes. This is the best Christmas ever!!!!

I've been looking into getting a lap band since October 11th. I thought the process would have been quicker being a self pay. I have a friend who went thru the same process with her insurance, she was approved very quickly and her surgery is December 27th.

I'm very excited!!!

I'm excited can you tell???? LOL

Tuesday December 20th.!!!!

My insurance paid for all of my pre-op testing. I went to my PCP for the blood work, EKG, and Chest x-ray. I went to a gastro-doctor for the upper gi and abdominal ultra sound. Cigna also covered the psych eval visit but I had to pay for the results to be written and forwarded to the doctor.

As of this morning everything is in and I go for the consultation and schedule the surgery on December 9th

I started this process to have lap band in October. On October 11th I went to the weight loss seminar. I received the information I need to have for the surgery. I went to my PCP on October 24. I had a chest x-ray and EKG. On October 27, I went to the "lap band" doctor. They requested my medical records on that day. I was also told to have blood work done from my PCP. I had the blood work done on November 7th. As of Friday the "lap band" doctor's office still has not received my chest x-ray and EKG results.

On November 11th I had the upper GI and abdominal ultrasound and those reports have not been sent to the doctor as of Friday. I'm so ready to have this surgery but these doctors offices are holding up my procedure.

I'm considering going to my PCP and physically asking for my EKG and chest x-ray and take it to the lap band doctor myself. I'll do the same for the upper GI and abdominal ultrasound.

This is so frustrating, both offices know I'm wanting to have this done. I want to be banded before Christmas.

So if you were 225 pounds it would be ok? WTF!!! You are doing it to NOT get to a bmi of 40 or more. I have been lucky all the doctors that I have seen (mostly ones my surgeon referred me to) have been very supportive of my decision and they all think its great that we are being proactive.

you are so right!!! then if i got to 225 he would be telling me how i need to do something about the weight. i'm doing it now.

Omg!!! I was having the upper GI done and the doctor asked why are you having lap band surgery? I said because I'm obese. Jessie you're not obese. I said my bmi is 35, I'm 5'2" and I'm 190 lbs. He gave me a judgmental look and went got started. If he thought that would change my mind then he was sooooo wrong.

autocorrect is soo funny. i just re-read this post and I was thinking....who is Jessie??

Omg!!! I was having the upper GI done and the doctor asked why are you having lap band surgery? I said because I'm obese. Jessie you're not obese. I said my bmi is 35, I'm 5'2" and I'm 190 lbs. He gave me a judgmental look and went got started. If he thought that would change my mind then he was sooooo wrong.

I am steadlily losing around 2 pounds a week.

thank you! that is very good and inspirational. I'm hoping to have the surgery in December and I would like to lose at least 40lbs by May. *crosses fingers*

From what my doctor told me, the plication can be unsewn. Not that I would ever want that, but he did say it was possible. I had a checkup today and the doc and I both decided on no fill. With the plication I am not hungry and am losing weight, so I am just going to let this do its job as long as I can. He said as long as I stay within recommended portion sizes there should not be a problem with stretching the stomach and it should continue to work as it has been. I am totally happy with the choice I made to have this along with the lapband and would do it again in a heartbeat. I have not suffered through "bandster hell" as others have waiting to find the green zone. I have no real hunger and so it is easy to stay in the guidelines of how to eat. I love my plication and band!

thats great news!!! have you lost any more weight lately?

Thanks Healthy and Happy !! Congratulations on your success so far, keep up the good work!!! I have decided to have the iLap. I have a few steps this week before I am scheduled for surgery. I'm having blood work, psych exam, nutrionist, upper GI and abdominal exam. I'm guessing I should have the surgery the first week of December. *crosses fingers*

Thank you Bromo!!! My doctor said he can do the surgery as an outpatient. I have more questions I need to ask him. I'm paying out of pocket and do not want to be hit with any unforeseen fees. I can see why an overnight stay would be beneficial.

I've been thinking all night and I have a few questions for you two, if you don't mind

1. Did you have to spend a night in the hospital?

2. Were you able to drink Water pretty soon after the surgery without any problem?

3. Is it necessary to have the lapband or can you have the plication alone?

4. Have you had any lapband fills?

5. Can you give me an example of what you normally eat?

Thank you all so much. There is not a lot of information out there, I just want to know what to expect from those who have experienced it.

I also had this procedure done and I am with bromo on this. I have had fantastic results, and am not hungry at all. I have had absolutely no complications so far (knock on wood). I have not been sick or had any stuck episodes either. I am feeling fantastic and my weight loss has been great. My ticker includes my pre-op liquid diet also. I was banded about 10 weeks ago, so I am very pleased. I am in the 100's now instead of the 200's and it is a great feeling. I no longer have to shop on the plus side of the store. Life is good!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

this is very encouraging!!

My weight loss in 6 weeks since surgery has been 23 pounds and I am averaging 2 to 3 pounds the past couple of weeks. Although my ticker shows 33 lbs. that includes 10 pounds lost on the preop diet.

thank you so much for this information. this is very encouraging

I had the lapband with plication 6 weeks ago and am loving it. I believe it is the reason I have not gone through "bandster hell" and am hardly ever hungry. My portion sizes are around a cup and I am thoroughly satisfied with that amount. I am not scheduled for a fill at this time since I am losing at a fairly steady pace. I would recommend it to anyone considering it.

Thanks for responding. This is great news!!! I'm seriously considering having the same procedure. How is your weight loss so far?

has anyone had the iLAP (Imbricated Lap Band)? My doctor said of his lap band patients 85% of them are doing the Imbricated Lap Band. The iLAP is similar to a gastric sleeve and lapband combination.

a little info......

iLAP

The imbricated Lap Band procedure is a newer concept that per the ASMBS is investigational. Although this is a new concept it has had good initial results. Many other centers around the country are incorporating the plication procedure with the Lap Band. There is very little published data about this procedure to date. The rationale for the iLap is to decrease gastric volume and to work with the band to be restrictive. The potential lack of irreversibility of this additional procedure makes it more invasive than a Lap Band alone. In addition, because this is a more invasive procedure there is a potential increased risk of complications.

This surgery is performed through a laparoscope in conjunction with your Lap Band procedure.

Sutures (stitches) will be placed about the greater curvature (the area of the stomach that forms a long usually convex curve on the left from the opening for the esophagus to the opening into the small intestine) of the stomach to create at least 1 infold along your stomach. This infold should make your stomach capacity smaller. This procedure will require a longer operative time (20 minutes estimated) than a Lap Band alone.

The plicated Lap Band (iLap) surgery is a new operation. It is not possible to estimate the exact percentage of complications, but surgeons have evaluated the risks and ongoing studies are being performed. Some risks include but are not limited to the need to change from a laparoscopic surgery to an open procedure (procedure that involves a larger incision), injury to the stomach, increased chance of bleeding, the potential for additional operative procedures, and a prolonged hospital stay.

The iLap procedure will take approximately one hour to complete. Routine post-operative care will be provided from surgery through the time of hospital discharge, usually later the same day.

After surgery it is important for you to recognize early signs of any possible problems. If you begin to run a fever, begin to have trouble swallowing, or have increasing throat, chest, or abdominal pain, let your doctor know about it promptly.

I, too, have attended my weight loss seminar. I have an appointment with Dr. Bruce Jones of Jonesboro, AR on Wed., Oct. 26th. If all goes well--after my two weeks on liquid diet---I will hopefully have my surgery either Wed before Thanksgiving or the Wed. after. I am super excited. I got out some old pictures of me at 19 and oh how I would like to be that size again(AND I WILL). My husband and one of my best friends from work went with me to the seminar. My husband is supporting me 100%. He has always been very supporting even with my size. I hope to retire a much healthier person and be ready to travel---because we love to travel!!

:wub: good luck with your surgery!!!

I went to a weight loss seminar "prescribed" by the doctor I've chosen for lap band surgery. He gave a lot of good information about the band, the process, what to expect and how the band is a tool. He said not to gain any weight before the surgery because he wouldn't think you're serious about weight loss. It is a lifestyle change. After the seminar his nurse took information and made appointments. When she got to me she said "oh i'm not sure you're insurance will cover you". I told her I was going self pay and she asked if I wanted to try to go thru my insurance, I said no because i'm affraid I will go thru the process and be declined. She made my appointment for my first visit with the doctor on October 27 :Banane47: . All I need to bring besides their paper work is a letter from my doctor that says I'm fit for surgery. I've made my appointment with my doctor to meet with her on October 24th. Once I meet with the lap band doctor, he will schedule my surgery. I'm excited looks like I will be getting banded in November!!! :Banane44:

i love all these banana guys :Banane48:

Bands work GREAT for low BMIers! I firmly belleve that obese is obese is obese and that if you've gotten to 33, you will probably get fatter - so why wait? Prevention is better than cure, you're more mobile and probably fitter, and you say you want to lose 50ish pounds but the thing is, I ended up losing WAY past the top of my heatlhy weight range - I had a BMI of 36 and about 80lb to lose - but I lost 120 - I went past what I consider 'meh, not fat anymore' to really nice and slender.

I so needed to read this!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!

Hi I'm Lorianne. I'm 5'2.5" weigh 189 as of this morning and my BMI is 33. (on liquid diet currently)

I started out as a 38.6 eleven months ago when I started this process.

I will be banded at 2:30pm on Tuesday, October 11th.

I would like to lose 50-60lbs but truly I'd be satisfied with losing and maintaining a 35lb loss.

I've yo-yo'd 301-185 over the past few years and while I can lose the weight I can't seem to make it stay off! I've done everything from the cabbage Soup diet to opti-fast and everything under the sun in between.

My goal... Get healthy and fit and STAY THAT WAY!

Tuesday is almost here!!!:bananajump:

let us know how it goes and I wish you well!!!!

When I first started looking into surgery, my BMI was hovering around 40. On the day my paperwork was submitted to my insurance company it was 35.1 (if I had lost 2 more pounds I would not have been able to use insurance!) On the day of my surgery my BMI was 32 and my goal is to lose an additional 55 pounds. I am now 2 weeks out and loving it. I am already able to stop taking one of my blood pressure medications so this is something I will not regret. Good luck on your journey!

Congratulations on your surgery!!!! according to your stats you've lost 15lbs since the surgery?? That is so encouraging!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!