RestlessMonkey

It's REALLY individual, but I had surgery on a Friday am and back to school Tuesday afternoon, although I'd have liked a little more time off (week 1 we were clear liquids only...no protein etc....and it was a little hard to pay attention to dull lectures when I was starving!)

This is true in Texas, I don't know if it's national. If you are covered under insurance and then change, it's as if there was total continuity of coverage. So no pre-existing, no waitiing for ins. to "kick in" etc. AND if he was laid off you can KEEP his coverage (Federal law) but you have to pay the cost of it.

There are 2 things I'd do differently, if I could. 1. I'd follow my doc's instructions to the LETTER for my first preop diet, instead of thinking that because other people cheated and "got away with it", I could. I lost 15 pounds but my liver was still too thick MOST important: 2. I'd have done this MUCH MUCH sooner!

I found this website months ago Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band It may help you. Most of us can't really "compare" them since we only have experience with one type! LOL I have the Lap Band AP L. I like it so far! It's the one my surgeon prefers, but he said he prefers it only because it's the one (Lap Band, that is,) that he trained with and is familiar with. He said they both work, are safe, and "do the trick".

If most foods make you sick, then you're too tight and you need an unfill. I have no experience but on the other hand, I'm a "newbie" enough to remember this point that our surgeon stresses over and over...if you're too tight, "healthy" foods get stuck and "unhealthy" things like cookies, ice cream, candy, goes through easily. I hope you find a support group that will work for you but I think you are also too tight. Worth checking out, any way.

Good luck! Do you have aftercare lined up (fills...place to call if you have questions, etc?)

The sleeve is also invasive. It cuts up your stomach. And fyi there ARE more than 3 types of bariatric surgery; maybe he just does 3, or something. There's the duodenal switch (VERY high success rate), Vertically banded gastroplasty...others. I wanted something reversible if necessary. I didn't want my insides cut up. And 3 years out, loss rates for bypass and band are comparable (in Australia, anyway!) Each person has to pick the right path for him/her, but I wouldn't want a surgeon to push me into one. They all have pros and cons.

Restriction. and I only WISH I had it with 4.5 cc in my 14 cc band. RIGHT after my 3rd fill, I felt the love for a few days and it was like a glimpse of heaven. I can't get in to get another fill until Feb 5 but I expect wonderful things then.

Why not, instead of asking for the discounted rate, ask the hospital how much you will need to pay out of pocket? For an insurance company to contract with hospitals and surgeons for special rates is NOT uncommon. For you not to know your own out of pocket, is. Does your insurance have a deductible? a Co Pay? If you can tell me this, I maybe can help you.

I think you should go with a surgeon who will support you, not push a certain surgery. Seriously, the care you get AFTER the band is almost more important than getting the band.

I don't know; my surgeon requires that we have liquids day 1, full liquids day 2, then mushies, then soft, then real food post fill. I don't get "food" on day 1 or 2.

Start with your insurance and find out WHICH lap band physicians are in your network. (Mine for example requires center of excellence docs, and the center my primary doctor originally sent me to did NOT accept my insurance). Once you know which surgeons are approved by your ins, select from there a seminar (or two or three) to attend. Once you find your center/surgeon, they'll help guide you through the rest of it. Good luck!

I'm really truly sorry that some people posted that inexperience, in their opinions, wasn't a problem. Obviously, it is. I've always been taught that to pick any "expert"...you select one that DOES whatever...A LOT. Plays the piano? You don't want one who plays the clarinet and just took up the piano. Works on your transmission? You don't want a guy who always changed the oil and now is learning trannies. Removes your gall bladder? You don't pick a plastic surgeon, no matter how skilled. I can see how you'd think "the people here are pros, they know". Sadly, though, we often don't. We can say what happened TO US...but that's very individualized and nothing to base YOUR health and safety on! So a warning to those thinking of getting the band....take what you read here with a grain of salt! This place can be a WONDERFUL source of info...but not your ONLY source of info. And Cleo's mom If you can possibly switch surgeons, I'd do so. The aftercare is 9/10 of the band, and you're not getting it. Venting about it here can help but you need to take care of yourself and apparently your surgeon can't help you with that. He may be highly skilled in the OR but he needs training, nevertheless. If you don't want to keep on being his guinea pig, find a new doc! I'm really sorry you're having the trouble with him, but don't compound it by hanging in there. You're already doubting the band. Find a new one with some support!

KSILL18 if you follow your doc's instructions it apparently shrinks "enough" :laugh:

My surgeon does fills blind and I think many of us are kind of porky in the stomach area...he numbed me first and it took him a few tries but he found it. Subsequent fills have been perfect and fast and painless. It's no big deal. I've had manicures that hurt more! :laugh:

I LOVE my band...when I think about it. But I can understand your issues; and I think a session or two with a therapist should go a LONG way towards easing your mind. Remember, it's just there to help you and you are in control always. You chose to have it placed, and you can have it removed if you want. Think of it as an accessory like shoes or a purse, or earrings. If you decide you don't want it, out it goes.

Why did you pick such an inexperienced surgeon? Did your insurance force it? I'd call and complain about him if that's the case.

I understand your dilemma. In an odd way, mine was similar. I never identified with the "push down the pain" thing because my childhood was fortunately blessed and free of abuse. I read over and over (on chat boards) about people who eat when they are sad or unhappy and that just wasn't me. I went to behavioral therapy for a year to figure all that out for myself. I do have "issues", of course, just not those. That's my point, I guess....a good therapist can help you get a handle on things regardless of what caused the behavior. My therapist Pat really helped me, and she's there still if I need her. Without her, I don't think I'd have ever gone on and gotten the band...too many "gray" areas. You might want to try some therapy. You don't have to wait a year like I did (when I started going to Pat, my insurance did not cover the lap band anyway) but in conjunction, it could be really helpful to you. It was, to me.

Ok do one thing for me please...since I just GOOGLED that and you know you can't always trust the internet....call a pharmacist tomorrow (THEY should still be working) and tell him/her you take warfarin and want to know what veggies are safe to eat with it. That way you'll be most safe! I'm sure you're taking the warfarin for a reason and if it does decrease it, that can mess you up too, you know. You don't want to have a clot during surgery or some such. So ask the pharmacist! :cursing:

From my VERY limited experience with Warfarin (which is what I think you meant?) there are only certain green veggies you have to avoid...leafy greens and broccoli... I found this on the 'net : Vitamin K decreases the effects of warfarin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, Swiss chard, coriander, collards, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet without first talking to your doctor. What vegetables CAN you have? I Pretty much lived on green Beans on my diet because I don't like many other green ones except peas (and they are kind of carb-y) We did have asparagus once. I suggest you ask your surgeon. He's not a heme doc but he is a physician and will be familiar with Warfarin and the side effects. His nutritionist should have some options for you.

The "AP" stands for "advanced platform"...the APS holds 10 cc, the APL holds 14. Interesting article about them: http://bariatrictimes.com/2007/06/02/the-lap-band-ap%E2%84%A2-system-the-platform-advances/

Ask your insurance.

I agree...driving 70 miles isn't perfect but if my option was "drive 70 miles for the band, or no band" well I'd be revving the engine,. Shoot my hospital is on the other side of my (large...with all roads under construction, it seems) town and it can take me up to an hour to get there if the timing is bad. It's still worth it,

I have an AP band and no restriction. There are minor differences in it and other lapbands...mostly that it is now sized...AP small (holds 10ccs) and AP large (holds14cc) You need to meet with your surgeon and go over your band and what it should do and why you might be vomiting. I have had 3 fills and have no restriction (and no PB, no slime, no nothing) yet...and yes my band had "primer" in it; they all do.

Lord no! I'm a nursing student! LOL BUT I do believe in empowering people and in accepting responsiblity for our own behaviors and I'm sure that comes out. Not that we aren't human. To me, Bigpapa2 has NO reason to be ashamed because he lost weight and the lady he was speaking to had not. That's HER problem (assuming she even sees it that way!) So I'm telling him, if he doesn't want to be prideful, to still OWN that he has worked and lost! I meant it in a very positive way so I hope it came out that way! :cursing: