mom22

I think I've found my "twin"!!! Everything you wrote is my story - I, too, have just completed the 6-month pre-surgical program and am waiting for insurance approval. I have not lost an ounce; have not changed my habits at all; question myself everyday whether the band will work for me; questions whether bypass surgery would be the better option; start my diet "tomorrow" - but here it is 6 months later; have my very caring relatives tell me I can still gain weight - it's all up to me - have to work really hard, etc. I've been reading alot about the "gastric sleeve" where they remove part of your stomach, but do not "re-route" anything else - maybe this is the "mini-bypass"?? Sounds really perfect for me - but my insurance doesn't yet cover - still considered experimental. So I'm back with the band. I read the responses to your first message and they are all right on! I need to really look at why I'm not stepping up - I really think it's that I've spent so many years trying and failing; that I'm scared I won't succeed even a day or a week! So it's easier to not even try. Thank you for the post that basically said "get over it and just do it." You're right - my fear is that later today or tomorrow, I'll be back in the same old thinking game. UGH! Hope you're having success and have reached some inner peace with the surgery - any tips and success stories would be very much appreciated - as well as any "tough love" words - Have a great day!! Kay

Hi Tamara - just wondering what decision you've made regarding your surgery? I think I'm going with the lapband - but still have alot of mixed feelings about it - I'm concerned with not losing very quickly and going back to bad habits - let's face it, I didn't get to this point with alot of willpower and perserverence!! I've been reading alot about the gastric sleeve - but it's not yet covered by insurance. Love to hear from you!

Thanks for the pep talk! Your surgery is next week - congratulations!! I'll be looking forward to hearing how you're doing - good luck!!

:sad:Wow - you read my mind! I'm in month 4 of 6 of my pre-op program and I know this is the right decision for me - but I can't seem to get these old eating habits out of my system!!! I'm supposed to be eating three high Protein meals per day plus two healthy Snacks - well, I just keep telling myself that I'll start it tomorrow (same old excuse I've been using for the past 5 years!). I haven't lost any weight (haven't gain any either ). I do exercise sometimes - but everytime I get into the habit, my foot starts hurting (tendinitis) or my back hurts, or I just hurt. I can't stop thinking that I'll never be able to change over to a healthy way of eating and living - I wonder if the only people that are successful with the lapband are the ones that made significant changes PRIOR to surgery????? HELP

I can definitely relate to your misery! I have had two previous surgeries - with both of them, I got the WORST migraine of my life a few hours after surgery-the surgery was piece of cake - getting rid of the migraine was the real issue! I take preventative meds every day and still get numerous migraines throughout the month - a really bad one during "that time of the month." I'm really hoping that changing my eating habits will help the migraines - good luck to you. Looks like my surgery won't be untll September - when will you have surgery??

I'm so glad to hear you're doing well!! I am in the middle of the 6-month weight loss program (going into month 4) - looks like my banding will take place in September. I do agree that the program has been very educational and while I initially thought the 6 months was way too long - I know see how the program will help me be successful. Did you lose weight prior to surgery? I'm having hard time re-adjusting my diet to include more protein and less fat - it worries me that I can't get with it! I have two children at home - how long after surgery were you up and about? Did you spend one night in the hospital? I'm going to have Dr. Boorse do my surgery - is that who you had? Continued success to you and look forward to talking to you!

Hi - saw your post today and saw that you lost 123 pounds so far!!! WOW- I'm very excited to hear about your experience and your opinion on how the lapband helped you to achieve this great loss. I'm still deciding on lapband vs bypass - leaning toward lapband, but alot I've read on this site is on how hard it's been. While I know it's a "tool", I really need alot of help! Good luck reaching your goal weight - you're almost there!!! mom22

Yes - Dr.Holland - I've been to two of their seminars. He seems to be very, very personable and has a great team of women working with his clinic. I believe he only does gastric bypass - not any lap banding. If I were to have gastric bypass - I'd definitely go with him. I've decided on the band - I'm going with Dr. Boorse out of Lehigh Valley Hospital. I'm currently in the long-drawn out 6-month program - information is great, but why does it have to take 6 months??? Wish you luck...

Hi Nikki - wow - that's great! I'm so glad for you - I can't help but think that eating lots of protein and cutting out the breads and sugar has got to help the migraines. I am a little concerned about the time immediately after the surgery - the liquid part of the diet. Was this a migraine trigger time for you - I tend to eat when I have a migraine - not sure if it really helps - seems to some of the time. Concerned with NOT eating and the possibility of headaches because I'm not eating???

Sorry - forgot to mention that I also went to free seminar at Sacred Heart Hospital - Dr. Holland - he only does gastric bypass (not lap band). I really liked him and the support group was fantastic. I leaning towards lap band - so I couldn't go with Dr. Holland - but he has a great reputation and has done over 1000 bypasses. Only downside is where Sacred Heart is located - it scared me half to death just driving downtown Allentown - seems like the local paper reports a shooting there almost every day.

While I'm not approved yet, I too went to the free info meeting at LVH with Dr. Boorse. From there you call the Weight Management Center and schedule a physical. Then you'll be required to attend monthly meetings for 6 months, along with appts with their nutritionist and social worker. I was told I wouldn't even see Dr. Boorse for an appt until my 5th month - where they would submit everything to insurance (I also have Capital Blue Cross - PPO). I contacted Blue Cross three times until I finally got someone to email me the requirements for surgery. Their requirements are not as strict as the doctor's program. Good luck and let me know how you make out. While I know it's important to learn everything prior to surgery - 6 months seems so long! Mom22

I too suffer from migraines - big time!! I also suffer from fibromyalgia - between these two lovely monsters, I don't have too many days when I feel good - thus the lovely weight gain over the last 20 years. Topomax is not a good drug - felt pretty good on it, less the memory loss and balance issue - until I was diagnosed with glaucoma!!! My eye specialist said this is definitely a side effect possible from Topomax - please consider this when considering taking this drug! I have started the 6-month pre-op program for the lapband surgery - it seems so far away and I just want it now! This program is mandated by my doctor - I'm sure it's good to learn everything prior to surgery - but 6 months - ugh!!! I'm in month 2 - so I"m looking at about September - another summer in fat clothes!! Thanks for all the comments on this forum - it's so helpful and great to know we all have the same concerns and questions. Anyone else in a pre-op program and just waiting??? Mom22

Hi - just wondering how long it took from the free informational meeting until your appt with Dr. Boorse? I had my meeting with the bariatric doctor - now waiting until next group meeting. Just seems to be taking so long - could you explain exactly what appts are needed before everything is sent to my insurance company for approval and ultimately my surgery date? I have Capital Blue Cross - when I called and spoke to them, they gave me the impression that I only needed two group meetings/psyc consult/nutritionist before I would be considered - this doesn't sound like the 6 months I was told I needed??Very confused - thanks for your help - this site is wonderful!!

I just signed up with Dr. Boorse in Allentown - can I ask you what you meant by "certified with Allergan". Thanks!

I've just signed on with Dr. Boorse in Allentown PA - has anyone used this group? They seem to have a great center with lots of before and after care. I'm starting the required 6-month pre-program with monthly meetings and doctor visits. While I know it's to my advantage to have this 6-month information period - I'm also disappointed that I can't have the surgery until at least October - I'm ready NOW!!!:coolgleamA: ps - I'm still confused on which surgery to choose - lapband or gastric - I don't need to make my decision right away - how did you make this choice?

Just had my first bariatric visit - my doctor has a great 6-month pre-surgery program that consists of seminars, dr visits, phys consults. Great reading on this website - I'm a binge eater and a sugar hound - and after reading some of the comments, I'm wondering if the lap band is right for me?? Once a binger, always a binger?? Will I just find more inventive ways to eat candy (melt it in my mouth) and will I eat mass quantities and hurt myself? I was told to eat 60 grams of Protein a day to lose belly fat - I'll get weight in next month. How do I know how much protein is in the foods I eat? If I actually start losing weight, will I nee the surgery? Lots of questions - scary and excited!! Thanks for any and all help!!:redface:

Hi - I also have fibro and it's not fun. I'm currently in the 6-month pre-surgery faze - meetings, doctor appts and they just told me to eat lots of protein and lose some of my belly fat prior to surgery. I'm nervous but excited - I know I feel alot better when I eat healthy - losing the weight, I'm convinced, will definitely help the fibro. Good luck!