esmlaura

Hey I recognize you from the last exercise class! I was sitting next to you. I am having my lap band surgery 7/5, this Thursday and am SOOOOO excited!

Hello all, I am going to have surgery July 5th. I have heard a couple of people say they felt some type of restriction with no fill in their band. Can I hear from anyone that has experienced this? I am going through "hell" right now on pre-op and would love to know I have at least a fighting chance of some sort of relief of hunger after surgery. Thanks, Lisa

Oh I am so glad to hear this! I was starting to fear I would be ravenous after surgery, or a few days after surgery!

My dr. told me today if you take too much biotin it won't hurt you..it is just a waste of money cause you will urinate the excess right down the toilet. : )

Hello All, I have my surgeon consult Thursday where I expect to pick a surgery date. I was wondering if EVERYONE experiences hair loss. Is there anyone out there that has lost weight at a fast or steady pace that can say they did not experience hair loss? I have about 70 lbs to lose. This really concerns me as I do not have much hair to lose. I would feel better knowing there is a "chance" I lose hair, not that it is inevitable. THANKS! Laura

Hello all, I am scheduled for my appt with my surgeon on Thursday. I am very excited to say the least. I do have a question for all the veterans however. Quite often I read on here that people cannot eat anything. They either vomit or avoid food altogether. Often these same people report not being able to lose weight or even gain weight? I know if you eat too little your metabolism slows down, but at some point you would lose weight? I am just concerned. I already have a bit of a sensitive stomach. One of my concerns is that this might aggravate that. I don't want to do all that suffering and then not be able to lose! And I understand the slider food part. But can you really eat a full days worth of calories with slider foods? I "think" I would get sick of them after a while. Thanks, Laura

I have been working with dr. Garber's office of NY bariatrics. I am wondering if anyone else has had their surgery completed by his office and was self pay? If so can you share the cost including endoscopy? Thanks, Laura

I go for my first consultation next week. Your post worries me. How long have you had the band? I havee to yo dieted since I was 18. I have lost and gained 50 lbs at least 3 times. I am sad to hear after having the band placed I might still be on that emotional roller coaster? I always am referrring to myself as "on" or "off" the bandwagon. I was really hoping this surgery would help with that. Any other long term banders with any input? Thanks, Laura

Hello all, I have been a lurker for a long time. I have been researching the lap band procedure for many months and have decided that this is the route I need to go. I come from a family of very overweight people that have never successfully lost weight for good. I have dieted since I was 18, every diet under the sun, only to gain it all back and more. I am going to be self-pay and have a BMI of 33. The problem is I live in Central New York and cannot find anyone that will even talk with me. Both because I will not be using insurance and because of my low BMI. I am so jealous of those of you that live near a "band friendly" surgeon. I am at a loss. I really don't want to travel far for the procedure, mostly because I want to have somewhere local if I have a complication or need a fill. Any advice? Thanks, Laura

yes....that is why. They said they were aware of the FDA approving the surgery for people between bmi of 30 and 35, however they choose to perform surgery only on people 35+ with one comorbidity or 40+ without. They also said they would need "special" approval to perform surgery if someone did not have insurance. I am wondering if that is because they want to make sure someone has insurance to cover complications? The doctors here are more conservative. Again I was ready yesterday. I just can't find anyone to consider me.

I know that is what I thought. I called Upstate, Crouse and St. Joes in Syracuse and Auburn Memorial Hospital. All wouldn't even talk to me. I am so frustrated. Especially when I read on here how easy it is for others. I am still looking for anyone that has had surgery, self pay, in upstate NY?