Hollins2003

Thank you everyone for your help in making my decision for lap band verses RNY. I chose lap band after all my research because I want to work for my weight loss, long term health concerns, and past personal history with RNY (I know two people who died from the surgery). I went for all of my pre-op stuff yesterday (met up with nurse practitioner, nutrionist, etc.etc.) and received all my information for the surgery. I am nervous...yet ready to go. I have dropped 20 pounds so far and feel much much healthier. Surgery is July 2nd!!

I am being banded in Richmond on 7/2/2008. I started this journey about six months ago with VCU. I am going through Dr. Maher and so far it has been a great experience. I live about two hours from Richmond (Lexington). Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help. I did not have to do a six month diet (per my insurance). The only requirement was BMI. -Jennifer

I am actually very serious. I am attempting to make a decision (and whichever way I decide it will be life altering). While gastric bypass has drawbacks so does lapband. One of the first and foremost being the adjustments needed for the band. While I agree that I have seen many people initally lose a lot of weight and then gain most of it back with bypass, I have also seen people not utilize their band and lose 9 pounds in a year. Like I said earlier, I am just attempting to make the best decision for myself. - Jennifer

Could you explain why? At the moment I am leaning towards gastric bypass because: 1) I don't want to be considering a revision surgery in a few years if I am not successful with the band. 2) The amount of maintenance a band requires (I live two and a half hours from my surgeon).

Hi Everyone! My name is Jennifer and I live right up the road (I-81) from Roanoke, in Lexington. I have been researching gastric bypass and lap band for the last couple of years and just recently made the decision to begin seriously pursuing the procedure. I decided to go through VCU because of their reputation and experience with Lap Band. I just recently completed all of the requirements to schedule a surgery date. Dr. Maher requires a psych eval, inital consultation, and 20 pound weight loss prior to surgery. I met all of the requirements last week and have a surgery date of June 25th with pre-op on the 17th. I am nervous and excited and hope I am making the right decision. I have been heavy my whole life and would like to be active and return to the things I used to enjoy (riding horses). I am looking forward to meeting everyone and good luck on your journey!:thumbup:

Hi Everyone! My name is Jennifer and I have been researching lap band/gastric bypass for years. I have been heavy my whole life. The first time I remember feeling fat was when I was in the third grade. I have always been at least 50 pounds overweight and right now I am about 150 pounds from where I need to be. I have traveled a long road to make the decision to finally have lap band surgery. I have been successful on diets before (espically Atkins) but have had trouble keeping the weight off. My hope is that the lap band will be another tool to help me maintain weight loss. I began pre-op "stuff" with VCU and Dr. Maher in April. I went for the initial consultation and psych eval on April 3. Dr. Maher wanted me to lose 21 pounds before scheduling the surgery. I did this easily within a month and now have a surgery date of June 25th. I am going in for pre-op "stuff" on June 17th with my liquid diet beginning on June 11th. I am a teacher, so this is perfect timing. I am most excited about being active again. I used to show horses and want to buy another horse and start that hobby again. Also, my partner and I want to learn how to kayak (we live right near the Maury River). I would love to hear any advice, stories, etc.!! Jennifer

Hi Everyone! I am new to the lap band forum and am looking for a place for more information, support, etc. I am a 30 year old teacher who is being banded on June 25th. I started the process 2 years ago by researching both gastric bypass and lapband. I made the decision to be banded after turning 30 and realizing that this problem wasn't going to fix itself. I went for my initial consult two months ago at VCU. Dr. Maher wanted me to lose 20 pounds (which i did within a month) before he would schedule the surgery. I received immediate insurance approval for the surgery and now have a pre-op date of June 17th with an operation date of June 25th. I am excited, nervous, and ready to begin a new part of my life. If you have any advice, wisdom, etc. please share!! Jennifer SW 351 CW 328 GW 180ish:huh2:

Hi Everyone! I am new the the lapband forum and am trying to gather more information. I went for my initial consult with Dr. Maher at VCU in Richmond, VA about two months ago. Has anyone else had experience with VCU or Dr. Maher? What have you experiences been? I have a surgery date scheduled for June 25th...and I am very excited. I just want to make sure i am going with the right doctor. I have already done research through the state board of medicines website and other databases. Thanks! Jennifer:cool2:

I am new to this forum and website...but I am also being banded on June 25th. I will be at VCU in Richmond, VA with Dr. Maher. I have been through the initial consult, psych eval, pre-surgery weightloss (21 pounds) and got my surgery date this Thursday. I am going in for pre-op on the 17th and surgery on the 25th...I am excited and ready for a new phase! Jennifer:rolleyes2: