jen043454

Thank you all for your comments. I am going to complete the paperwork given to me and schedule an appointment to speak with the Dr. about the band. I spent the majority of the night searching between the three different surgeries that were discussed last night, and as some of you mentioned, it seems that the band is "talked down" due to the success rate. It seems as though the success rate is hugely due to the determination of the patient. With the sleeve or gastric, what you eat goes out. With the band, what you eat has reprecussions. Being able to "trick" the band is a scary thought, but also holds me accountable. I NEED/WANT to be held accountable. I don't want something to magically do the work FOR me, but WITH me instead. Does that make sense? Again, thank you all for your words of wisdom. -Jen

I had my orientation tonight, which was very informative. However, it was suggested by the surgeon that "people who get the lapband usually lose 30% of their excess body weight". From lurking on the forums for a while, it seems that most people (here at least) have a pretty high success rate and lose a significant amount of their excess weight. It could all be in my head, but it seemed the surgeon was pushing people more towards the sleeve or gastric. He implied that the band is "the surgery of the past". Can people please give their suggestions and opinions? (He isn't my choice surgeon, by the way. I have 3 others ahead of him that I'd like to speak with.) Thanks, Jen

I picked up my letter from my PCP today. It lists my BMI, Weight and that I have no "comorbidity". Since my BMI is over 40, do I need to worry about comorbidity or the lack there of? Also, my DR told me NOT to start the diet until after I meet with the surgeon, she wants them to get a real weight prior to attempting to lose it. Does this seem correct? Thanks for all the help and support

As an additional tid bit - I start on the "strict" portion of the IsaGenix program tomorrow... two days of 'isaflush' juice (and nothing BUT juice), two days of isashakes, and then back to the juice. I have to do this for 10 days... wish me luck!

Thanks for the responce, ladies! I really do think that I'm off to a good start... I have approval from my PCP, a letter from her giving me the okay for surgery, a letter from her stating her medical opinion of why it's necessary, as well as a report of my past 6 months on the IsaGenix diet. From my understanding of speaking with my DR - I need to track 30 days of exercise, diet and weight loss (for my insurance's request), and need to lose 5-10% of my bodyweight before they will approve the surgery. I'm meeting for an orientation in the next two weeks, and hope that from there I can get my psych eval, the labs and the ekg. The surgeon's office said a "typical" case gets everything approved and completed in 90 days. She also told me that the "harder I work and more anxious I am" the quicker I'll get in. Gives a girl a little hope, no?

Hi Everyone, My name is Jen, and I'm taking my first step into getting the lap band. I figure I've got nothing to lose (but the weight!) and joining the forum seems like a good idea to get some "real" advice. Here are my stats: 28 Y/O female Current Weight: 311 BMI: 48.7 Height: 5 ft 7 My ideal goal is to get to 175'ish, which my DR and I agree is a healthy weight for me. Although that's still considered "over weight", measuring my bones, hand and foot size - she doesn't feel that 125-145 (the "healthy range" for my height) is good for me. I just got my approval from my PCP today, and scheduled myself for the next meeting at Ellis Hospital, which is March 8th 2012. From my understanding, the meeting is an orientation which has between 25 and 50 people who are "hopeful patients" in the same room. My PCP says that she's seen some people get through orientation and "jump through the hoops" and get their actual surgery in 3 months, while others take 18 months. Any insight on what would be the difference? Hoping to get my surgery and get healthy. I'm young and have a lot to live for! Thanks!