Jillbeme65

Well I thought I was to be an August All Star, got the call today surgery moved up to Thursday... Looks like I am a July gal now:scared2:

I will be on a liquid diet following the lbs as you all no... Is a smoothie considered a liquid or a mushie???? Sounds like a stupid question but I was wondering with non fat yogurt?

So do I just call them and find out whats going on? Or is there a number I have to call?

I just called the member services on my card and asked for authorizations

Congrats Sweetie!

I am jealous!! LOL I am still waiting for my insurance to let me know if I am a go!.. AHHHH lol I am scheduled to have it AUg 8th.... so crossing my fingers.... Do you mind me asking what insurance you have?? I have Anthem Blue Cross...and the people at the doctors told me they are usually way fast at approving.. I went to the docs on Wed... and Still haven't heard... LOL I just want it sooo bad.. I too, have been doing research forever!.. LOL

I called anthem and found out the dr forgot one form.. Once they got all the ppw was less than 24hrs

hi everyone,, hope ur all doing well. Im back from a wks holidays and i ate everything in site cause i had to start pre-op diet on friday gone, i put on 4 lbs in that wk. The diet is so hard - im on liquid diet (slim fast) with 5 portions of fruit a day. All i want to do is have a propper meal, even a salad, im not craving fast food i realy want propper food veg curry or salad. Not what i thought id be looking for. I dont know how people do it for longer than the wk, fair play too u if u do u have great determination. OMG my opp is friday i have 4 full days left - nerves kicking in big time. Before this wk i was looking foreward to it thinking this is it no more feeling shit bout my self. Now its around the cornor reality has hit hard, i cant belive im going ahead with it, this is real surgery.....

I havent been telling many people, non of my family know, my mother and brother died within the last yr so i dont want to give my dad anything else to worry bout. my partner knows and is totaly behind my, he says im so unhappy with myself that it worth the money, i agree. my sis in law is getting banded with my so my partners family know. i dont want others to know and watching every move i make.

anyway i fly out to belguim on wed get pre op test on thurs and then "D day" is friday.... HELP...

My surgery is the 1st too.... Don't know whether to cry or laugh!! I don't have to do a preop diet, so I have had it pretty easy.. This week is to prepare my mind that my stomach is going to shock the HeLL out of it

My surgery is Friday and when I look on this site I see that a lot of people have had some sort of trouble with their band, like one of the posters stated that the doctor couldn't find her port and this was her first fill.

I know we are a small group compared to all the people who have had the Lap band surgery. But sometimes and probably more now since I am getting close to the surgery it scares me thinking what if and should I really do this.

How did you ease your nerves? I am not sleeping now I lay and worry but I am a worrier by nature. Dr okayed the ativan to help with nerves.

You know I may be to late to make a comment but I am 5'5" I weigh 235 I have struggled with my weight and been embarrassed by my weight for years. I have high blood pressure and thyroid issues however that isn't my reason.. As all of you want to I want to look good too. I want to be able to climb stairs with out feeling like I am dieing I want walk with out my knees killing me and I want to ride roller coasters again.. Your weight problem and my weight problem may not be the same however our goal is.. Good luck and God Bless

I have some questions I'm hoping those of you who have had the LapBand can answer.

While I know there is less chance of Vitamin deficiency with LapBand, do you still need to take Multi-Vitamin or any other type of daily supplement and do they have to be chewable or can they be crushed?

Also, I have PCOS and my hair is thin and sheds easily. Do those of you who had PCOS and maybe had this symptom see an improvement or did it get worse because of lack of nutrition or whatever?

Thanks in advance for any information you can give me!

Though I haven't had the surgery my surgeon told me to get a multi vitamin chewable or liquid

I just got insurance approval today!!! The surgeon's office called and scheduled my pre-op appointment with them next Friday! I hope it's not much longer after that!

Congratulations Hope to see you in the August All Stars

LAP-BAND vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery – Side Effects And Long Term Complications Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Weight Loss Surgeries

If non-surgical methods have not helped you lose weight long-term, you still have another option. Studies demonstrate that weight-loss surgery, as compared to non-surgical treatments, yields the longest period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed other therapies. But keep in mind that a positive attitude, self-discipline, and the ability to plan ahead are key for the success of any weight loss surgery. Surgery can help you achieve your long-term goal only if you are ready to make a commitment to losing weight and keeping it off.

The most common weight-loss approach is to eat less, eat sensibly, and exercise more. However, studies have shown that patients on diets, exercise programs, or weight-loss medication lose approximately 10 percent of their body weight but tend to regain two-thirds of it within one year, and almost all of it within five years.The cycle of losing weight and gaining it back is called the “yo-yo effect.” While temporary weight loss can help, the yo-yo effect can also make it harder to lose weight in the future. The National Institutes of Health report that 90 percent of the people who participate in diets and weight-reduction programs do not experience significant and sustained weight loss.

For seriously overweight individuals, weight-loss surgery should be strongly considered when other therapies have failed, as a way to lose weight, improve their health and increase their quality of life.

There are several categories of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery:

Restrictive —reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold but doesn’t interfere with normal digestion of food and nutrients.

Malabsorptive —shortens the digestive tract to limit the number of calories and nutrients that can be absorbed.

Combination —restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold and reduces the number of calories absorbed by altering the digestive tract.

The two most commonly performed weight-loss procedures in the United States are the gastric bypass (combination procedure) and the LAP-BAND® System (restrictive procedure)

Description

LAP-BAND

A restrictive procedure, during which an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a smaller stomach pouch, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time and increases the time it takes for the stomach to empty. As a result, a patient achieves sustained weight loss by limiting food intake, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion.

GASTRIC BYPASS

A combination procedure that uses both restrictive and malabsorptive elements. First the stomach is stapled to make a smaller pouch. Then most of the stomach and part of the intestines are bypassed by attaching (usually stapling) a part of the intestine to the small stomach pouch. As a result, a patient cannot eat as much and absorbs fewer nutrients and calories.

Advantages

Lowest mortality rate1

Least invasive surgical approach

No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal re-routing

Adjustable

Reversible

Lowest operative complication rate

Very low risk of nutritional deficeincs.

Rapid initial weight loss

Minimally invasive approach is common

Longer clinical experience in the U.S.

Slightly higher total average weight loss reported than with purely restrictive procedures

Disadvantages

Slower initial weight loss

Regular follow-up critical for optimal results

Requires an implanted medical device

In some cases, effectiveness can be reduced due to band slippage.

In some cases, the access port may leak and require minor revisional surgery

Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel are required

More operative complications

Portion of digestive tract is bypassed, reducing absorption of essential nutrients

Medical complications due to nutritional deficiencies

"Dumping syndrome2" can occur

Non-adjustable

Extremely difficult to reverse

Higher mortality rate

Erratic absorption of medications

Protein malabsorption

Pregnancies are higher risk

Vitamin deficiencies are possible if supplements are stopped

Results

Although during the first year after surgery, weight loss with the gastric bypass is greater than with the LAP-BAND® System, surgeons report that at 5 years many LAP-BAND® and gastric bypass patients achieve comparable weight loss (55% for LAP-BAND® and 59% for Gastric Bypass).3

Risks1,4

Mortality rate: 0.05%

Total complications: 9%

Major complications: 0.2%

Most common include:

Standard risks associated with major surgery

Nausea and vomiting

Band slippage (minor revisional surgery)

Band erosion (minor revisional surgery)

Access port problems (minor revisional surgery)

Mortality rate: 0.5-2%

Total complications: 23%

Major complications: 2.1%

Most common include:

Standard risks associated with major surgery

Nausea and vomiting

Separation of stapled areas (major revisional surgery)

Leaks from staple lines (major revisional surgery)

Nutritional deficiencies

Recovery Timeline5

Hospital stay is usually less than 24 hours (Typically this procedure is day surgery)

Most patients return to normal activity within 1 week

Full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 2 weeks

With a laparoscopic approach:

Hospital stay is usually 48-72 hours

Many patients return to normal activity within 2.5 weeks

Full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 3 weeks

I made the absolute mistake to go onto youtube and see lapband success stories which I did find a few (very uplifting). But one thread I did fall upon was a video of some women who is getting her band removed and having a mini gastric bypass. There were many comments about how the bands are failing now and people who arn't able to eat properly and are constantly throwing up. They even have statistics that lapbands have a high success rate of removal by the five year mark. My heart is really palpatating now and have extreme doubts. Please I need to know that people have been able to live comfortably with this band for many, many years with no complications.

:smile2:

You know I thought about the mini bypass however, I don't want to have anything moved around inside of me. I believe that anything can fail. I have had several friends who have gained their weight back after bypass surgery.. It sounds like to me that though I haven't been banded yet it all comes down to self control. I watched a couple more of those videos and the one lady said I didn't have to do anything. Well if you think the band is a magic wand think again its a tool and everyone on here expresses that... I may be proven wrong in the years to come, but for now with the information I have this is the choice I am making... I think you have to make your own decision but look at the pro's and con's of both...

Greetings all,

Any luck or insight into the Anthem Blue Cross PPO coverage for lap band? I researched seminars at UCSD, but their info clearly states that they are not a ABC PPO approved facility.

Help is appreciated! I would love to join the throngs of happy and successful lap-banders! :thumbup:

-paige

I am using Top surgeons through West Hills, My doctor is covered in plan but the surgery center is not causing my out of pocket to go up. I called the insurance the lady suggested that I call the surgery center and ask them to accept the 80% as pif. I thought she was nuts... I called the lady handling me through Top Surgeons she gave me the number to call and Wham I talked to the director and sure enough they will take it IN FULL... Woo hoo

I was wondering if anyone has heard of the bariatric group based out of monterrey mexico? They apparently have hospitals in the US for those who aren't comfortable going to mexico for their surgery. I'm not comfortable going to mexico. The main reason I'm asking about them is that they have an advertisement on this website and they advertise lap-band surgery for $5500. I was denied by my insurance once and my husband is trying to get his h.r department to change their exclusion on the insurance, but if they don't I still want to have it done but can't afford the 12000-15000 they are charging here in wisconsin. My husbnad is thinking this may be a little sketchy and I am too, but I requested some info from them so we'll see. Let me know what you think...

Erika S.

It looks like one of the sponsors for this site

What a great story and what great feeling you must have.. Welcome

I actually work for my pcp and he said that he didn't believe in the lap band that I should just try harder to get the weight off.. He said " I see what you eat". I was like ok well there has to be a different way. I called my insurance and lucky for me they said I didn't have to have a referral I went to a meeting and I was approved with in 8 hrs. They asked for a letter from my pcp. I went back to the office and wrote the letter he said "you know how I feel" I said yes but I know how I feel and he signed the letter. Surgery date August 1st

My surgery is August 1st. I am wanting to measure my body so I can follow inches as well as weight. Does anyone know the correct way to do this?:eek:

I love the shopping list... I didnt even know where to begin when I get to work I am going to print it.... woo hoo what a relief

Actually a hard stomach rather than a mushy one (like men tend to get) tends to mean that most of your fat is internal. Women tend to be mushier, softer and flabbier because they store more fat underneath their skin.

Sorry to say, fat round your organs and internally is more of a health risk so its a VERY good idea to lose it!

And a beer belly is not really caused by drinking beer specifically, its caused by too many calories (which may come from beer) and its hard like it is precisely because of the male tendency to store fat internally.

Thanks that is why I am getting the lap band

Well my dad is the same way I always thought of his as a beer belly but since I don't drink I guess that isn't the case...

I also have a hard stomach - in fact, I am not really that overweight but look like I am pregnant and very hard stomach - no hanging skin at all so you can see my port - it sticks up. Anyway, I was so worried that I may have at tumor in my stomach which was making it stick out so far that I went and had a CT Scan and of course it was fine. I don't think my stomach will ever go down - it is very depressing.

how long have you been banded and how much weight have you lost?

I have a real real hard stomach, kind of like the type when your pregnant. I often think (in a kidding way of course) if I just poke it the air will deflate and I will be good to go...

Is your stomach a hard or mushy stomach? Is it harder to lose a hard stomach? Finally I wonder if my stomach skin will be gross after the surgery..:ohmy:

Hi,

In the begining, I ordered Isopure Protein drinks from GNC, they are fruity like and they don't taste half bad, and come in 4-5 flavors. I also bught EAS chocolate [protein mix from costco, the flavor I could handle. I sometimes drink Low carb slim fast when I am on the run or out of town. I don't drink any other slim fasts becasue they are low in protein and high in sugar, which isn't good for diabetics. Recently I went to DS Nutrician and bought Myolean, Peanut Butter cup flavor. I dont care for it as much but I can tolorate the flavor. I did pick up some great protein bars. Power Crunch, peanut butter fudge and supreme Protein that is awsome. Gerry is great there he is so knowledgeable and will answer any questions you have.

I need to really start exercising more, with this hot hot weather I have been slacking off.

who's doing your surgery?

I am having it done in West Hills by Dr Sergey Lyass. They are opening an office in Bakersfield, but I didn't want to wait. I am heading to GNC this weekend. Where is DS Nutrition I haven't heard of that

Bakersfield here

I am August 1st

I vote August All Stars