singingintherain

Hi! I went to an informative meeting last night at a Boston hospital and heard more about banding and bypass. I was shocked, however, to hear that the stay at that particular hospital for Banding was "same day". Are there any on the forum who went home the same day? I really would prefer to stay and be watched at least overnight with my high blood pressure. So tomorrow I am going to another facility to see what their policies are. Also, (as I briefly mentioned in another thread) the one last night required a 10% pre-op weight loss before they will even touch you. If I could lose 10% of my weight with all the programs I have tried, I wouldn't even be considering Banding. Is that a requirement for ALL facilities? After hearing about GB and LB, the LP surgery is definitely the one I am going to pursue. singingintherain

Great to hear from you music. Last night I went to my 1st intro meeting and heard pros and cons of both surgeries. One problem was the requirement to lose 10% of the weight BEFORE being banded. LOL...if I could get rid of this hunger that causes me to eat, I COULD lose the 20% on my own and wouldn't need a Band ! Anyway..I am still determined to go to any lengths to get this done. I am going to another meeting tomorrow night in Boston to et more info and visit another fascility. What are you looking into these days to get you going closer to having the Band? singingintherain

Great to hear from you ! Tomorrow night I am going to the Tufts Med Cntr for their intro program and I have 2 more scheduled also. I would prefer the Brigham...but I need a referral after all is said and done. Where did you have your procedure done? I am 240 lbs..the most I have ever been in my life. The more weight I try to lose, the more weight I gain. I can overeat on a head of lettuce! The lowest weight I can remember is 156 and I was a pre teen. 2 Years ago I had breast reduction because of the back pain and ..yep...they grew back because of weight gain! Hello back pain. Last evening I watched You Tube Lap Band procedures and was shocked at all the fat inside our bodies!!!!(I don't think I can clean a Perdue roaster out for a long while after those videos LOL.) This morning I woke up asking myself if I am willing to go to any lengths..even the Lap Band surgery...the answer was a resounding 'YES'. You appear to have a positive experience with the LB..and I like that. You are losing and more importantly ,you are feeling well as you reach toward your goal. Congrats on the 200 mark. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.

Well, I THOUGHT my mind was made up about LB...I hesitate. WHY? Because the main reason for my obesity is volumizing..overeating . I call it a 'voracious' hunger ...all through the day. That commercial with the gal and the lion caught my attention the first time it was aired on tv. I could eat and be full and soon I am hungry again..stomach feeling totally empty and growling and I HAVE to go eat something. Sometimes I take Zantac just to stop the growling if I have to go anywhere quiet..like a church, lecture or concert. Does the Band make you feel less hungry? Or do you still fight the hunger ? Constantly? Eating a little every couple of hours. Would RNY cause me to feel less hungry? What about nutrients getting to the body..like our hair and hair loss? Are we starving ourselves of nutrients to lose the fat in these surgeries. so many questions..honest questions

I am definitely going to the meeting at BID tis Thursday. It is good to meet another person seriously considering this procedure!...and I guess we all have places where we have had a bad experience, but yet that does not mean the place is bad overall. --------------------------

I just re-registered again today after visiting once way over a year ago. I tried 12 step, weight watchers and who knows what else to try an avoid banding..but I am 40lbs heavier after all that dieting!! A year ago April, you replied to an inquiry, Sherry, about Insurance, but I just wasn't ready to take the step. This week I am going to the Info meeting at Beth Israel to find out more. I have read on another board I looked into today that people were not satisfied with their stay there as they were placed in with geriatric patients who kept them up, nurses who were not knowledgeable of care for banding post-op recovery, dirty room,and other complaints. I really am leaning towards Brig & Wom since they have whole floor dedicated to Bariatric procedures.(that's if my hmo will refer). But their introductory seminar is not until the 13th of the month. So I plan to attend both and ....Get Informed! Was your stay at the Beth Israel Hosp. favorable? Any more from Cambridge on the board these days, gang? singingintherain