Brookea83

Who are you asking?

I didn't say anything at all negative.

SMH

GIRL, I hear that! lol I had mine out a year ago, now I am at the same weight I was when I got the band. It was a huge let down and really mentally and emotionally draining. Then to have to fight with insurance on top was a nice cherry to that poop sunday! lol I think the worst experience I had with my band was shortly after I had it in and was having some wait gain, went to their support groups. I listened quietly to all these poor people just like me who were anywhere from just out of surgery to five years post op. All but two still morbidly obese. Seeing that this was my future after all I had just undertaken was heartbreaking. I am scared and trying to mentally prepare again for the huge life change but I know this is the real deal. My sister had the sleeve and lost 93lbs since September. Its too bad we didn't know more the first go round but, better late than never! Ill be thinking of you on your date and saying a prayer to the skinny gods for you!

If so, what complications did you have with the band in order for the insurance to pay?

Banded in 2007 and was a total nightmare. Band removed 10/14. My doc submitted to Blue Shield of CA last Friday and was approved today, exactly one week later....not bad, right?

My company's insurance we used to have would have been paid at 100% and had no deductible, but our new insurance is only 80/20 with $5,000 out of pocket maximum! I'm sick to my stomach thinking that I will probably have to pay everything up to $5,000 which is my ENTIRE savings.....I'm freaking out. Any thoughts?

So did you have any complications with the band as to why your insurance company approved it?

Does anyone know how to reach David Lopez by phone with BariatricPal???

Urgent!! He hasn't replied to email from earlier today.

TIA

By the date of my surgery I will be 31 yrs old. I am having surgery on march 16th, 4 days after my birthdate. I am also concerned about hair loss and loose skin. I wanted to know if wearing Spanx help? What Vitamins do you all recommend to prevent as much hair loss! I'll take all the advice I can get!

I am also very concerned about Hair loss, but from all my conversations with the surgical team and my hairdresser, I've learned that you can do all the right things and still lose hair. For most people, even those who lose a lot of hair, it's much less noticeable to others than to yourself. You can stack the deck in your favor by getting all your Protein in every day, but even then sometimes you'll still lose. Some people don't lose any hair, some people lose a lot. Thank goodness, it's temporary. It starts about 4 months post-surgery and generally ends a few months later.

While there isn't much you can do to prevent losing hair, there are things you can do to promote Hair growth and regrowth. I take 10,000mcg of Biotin every day, and have since a week after surgery. I'm two months post-surgery now, and I have tons of tiny new hairs that surround my head like a halo when I pull my hair back into a pony. So I know I'm getting lots of new growth from Biotin (and my nails are great too!), which gives me a lot of comfort about the amount that may fall out.

As for Spanx, they can definitely help hold lose skin in place and smooth things out under your clothes, but they won't prevent the loose skin from developing. The best thing for that is lots of exercise, especially weight training, but it's possible you'll still have loose skin leftover and you'll need to decide if you're okay with it or have it removed via plastics.

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing! I am taking Biotin now and will continue to do so. Surgery is in April.

I am ok with the skin if it occurs because I told my hubby that if I lose the weight I want to, and skin is an issue, as a reward to myself, mommy makeover here I come!

I'm lost. I'm not sure I understand your post.

However If the rates in America were like the ones in Mexico, we wouldn't have to travel to Mexico to be able to afford it.

The U.S. Rates are ridiculous!

I actually decided to use Mexico Bariatric Center. I have researched Dr. Valenzuela and have decided to go with her.

I would be very skeptical about paying those way lower rates.

Several of my fellow bariatric pals have used MBC and Dr. Valenzuela and I feel I have made the right decision.

Thanks for all of the input

Lap band removal to bypass for me also. (April 13, 2015) June 2011 was my lap band and I am 30 pounds heavier than when I had lap band

Looking forward to loosing weight and no throwing up!!

April 13th for me too!!!

Zanneg did you have complications with the band?

I had lap band 3 years ago and I am heavier now than when I started.

I have BCBS of Alabama. They told me one bariatric surgery per lifetime. So it looks like I am gonna self pay.

Where did you find lower rates?

Hi. I am from the states. Going to be traveling to Mexico in April. Hoping to have my lap band removed and then have gastric bypass.

I inquired through Bariatric Pal.

I was a great rate. The surgeon is Dr. Jesus Martin Lopez Dominguez.

I cannot find any reviews for him and have learned he is fairly new to US patients and Canada.

Has anyone reading this thread used him and can give any feedback about your experience with him? Thanks

I just wanted to hear from others who have lost over 100 pounds. I wanted advice about how to get a better handle on your hair falling out and what exercises you recommend to help minimize loose skin. What age are you while going thru this and what did you do or notice that you feel others should know? I am 31 years old and I want to lose 120 pounds.

What would be your biggest must do to someone who fears all those things but know that the end result is better than the small stuff?

Even with a small amount of Fluid in my band, I vomit. My husband and children hate meal time! It's not pleasant at all. I know it takes discipline but when u can't eat anything you are supposed to and eat slider foods, it is not doing a bit of good!

Thank each of you for advice!

I am currently waiting on a price for Gastric Bypass with Dr. Valenzuela. Scheduled 4/13/15 for the sleeve but I have changed my mind. I want to do the bypass. I have asked sever coordinators for a price and waiting for them to get back to me

I am 31 years old and I had lap band in 2011. I weigh more today than when I had the surgery. I am currently scheduled for gastric sleeve in Mexico April 13, 2015 but have been considering gastric bypass.

I don't want to have another surgery. So I need people to offer experience or advice of why you chose bypass over sleeve. I have 120 pounds to lose with 2 small kids. High Blood pressure and in danger of being a diabetic. I do not suffer from acid reflux.