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My Dr published the amount of Lap bands and Gastrics he has done in the folder he gives out at seminar. Dr. Spivak in Houston has done over 4000 and also worked with FDA when they were testing it. He is a good Surgeon. If Dr won't give you information you want go somewhere else. I even asked at seminar if any of his patiens had died due to operation he answered no.

I had surgery on July 13, 2009, so I am new to this too. I will be happy to be someone's buddy. I was self pay $12,900 no tests. My husband and I went to seminar on Saturday and I asked for Monday surgery since I was self pay it happend that way. I suffer from extreme anxiety so I wanted to get it over with before I worried myself sick. I had already done alot of research before seminar just had to find a Dr I liked.

I think you're doing great. I hope mine goes that fast. I am 3½ weeks post opt only down 15 lbs and no fill till next week, but I think I should have lost more.

Please tell me your Dr is not Dr. Spivak, now I am getting worried because he is my Dr and he is in Houston. I go for a fill next week.

You said your Dr is in Houston? Who is your Dr? My is Dr. Spivak in Houston.

That is so sweet. I think sometimes something happens and we fall in love again . . . over and over throughout marriage. My husband and I have been married 29 years last June. Isn't love great!

My life is GREAT, and really I have nothing to be depressed about . . but that does not stop it. The Zoloft just helps you be able to make it through each day. I would suggest you see a counselor along with any meds, because I think you really need both. At age 43 I went through 2½ years of counseling. I started counseling within days of beginning meds. I have Clinical depression and I need the meds. I have weaned off of them several times for up to six months once and will probably not do that again. I am a strong believer of of counseling and would not give up my lexapro until the Lord heals the depression. Counseling just helps you discover if something is behind the depression, sometimes it is justs a chemical thing going on in your body and the meds help correct this. But like everyone said It takes a while for the meds to reach their full strength. And if they are not helping it may not be the right dosage or the right medication. There are many different meds for depression. Zoloft and Lexapro were great for me. Not a miracle but a helpmate. I am still waiting for my miracle of healing. Find a Dr. who is willing to listen to you and adjust you dosage as needed not just put you on a dosage and not monitor you.

I was banded on July 13th. i had shoulder pain for about 4 days or so. I am still eating mushies for another week. I will have a fill on August 11. I think you can eat whatever you want pretty much if you are not on mushies. Have fun on your trip

$12,900 total for Surgery and Hosptial and one year of fills and all Dr visits. Dr. Spivak in Houston

I bought a pill crusher at walmart for $2.00. I crush the pills and sometimes put the powder in a small glass of warm Water. I am 3½ weeks Post Opt and since have turn to just pouring the powder in my mouth and then drinking some water, then eat a TicTac. To my good fortune I got a bad bladder infection and my Dr put me on to meds. One twice a day and one 4 times a day (yes 4 times a day). They are capsules so I just open it over my mouth and pour the powder in, drink water eat Tic Tac. I take those also with 4 other pills a day and I hate it. Just be sure to ask the pharmacy if your prescription can be crush. Time release pills and capsules CAN NOT BE CRUSH. Crushing is not fun but would not keep me from having surgery. It is just a small detail. Now giving up my diet coke that is another story. I miss diet coke!!!! 3 ½ weeks without one

I have taken Zoloft 100 mg in the past for about 4 years. I now have been taking Lexapro for 1 year. I had LB surgery on July 13, 2009 and it does not seem that the meds have any effect, I am losing weight pretty good without a fill yet. I also took Prosac for about 6 moths and gained weight also weight gain with Welbutrim. My Zoloft I loved but seem to do better with Lexapro 20mg. I am still hoping this surgery will help me lose weight which in turn will make me want to get out of the house I try to hide-a-way in. I would not suggest trying to wean off the Zoloft until after you go through Surgery process. I have weaned off a couple of times and it is too much to deal with while dealing with getting use to new things. Once I weaned off and stayed off for 6 months, worse 6 months of my life. My Surgeon knew about the Lexapro and I also take Xanax for Anxiety. He told me to take it as normal before surgery. BUT THAT IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. Hope that helps some.

I used Dr. Spivak in Houston. Self pay $12,900 and includes all office visits and fills for a year.

I used Dr. Spivak and he is great. I was banded on July 13, 2009 and he and his staff make everything smooth sailing.

Don't be afriad, it is worth it. I was scared too, but really it is over before you know it. Then you just have to recover and follow the plan but it will changes your life if it is really want you want. I know you can find someone your age at a suuport group or online, these people here are very helpful and supportive. Go for it if is what you REALLY want!!

I was banded on July 13. You all have lost more than I have. I have lost 15lbs. But I was only on liquids for one week. I think I lost more on liquids. Now I mostly eat Egg Beaters and Applesauce and sometimes FF Pudding. I am walking everyother day.

I am hoping to lose 100 lbs also. I have had no trouble at all so far. I really like my Surgeon Dr. Spivak in Houston. Make sure you find a Doctor you like it makes all the difference I think. Since I suffer from bad anxiety I went to seminar on Saturday and had surgery on Monday morning. I was self pay so it worked out that way. I did not want a lot of time to think about it since I already made up my mind and did a lot of research beforehand. It kinda shocked my husband when I schedule for that soon but he was up for it.

I agree, seeing a Counselor through this process is GREAT idea depression or not.

I too suffer from Clinical Depression. I had Lap Band Surgery on July 13 and I made it through. I had an anxiety (panic) in the recovery room but they took care of me. I have had less depression and anxiety since Surgery because I am focused on keeping to the plan and it keeps my mind busy. I think you should not worry about depression getting in your way. If it does happen to pop up later and you can't reach for you friend (food, thats mine) you will slowly find you don't need that “friend” for comfort any more. But everything about this whole process is slow so you have time to work through things. Do you see a Counselor or take meds for depression?

I was scared too but it was the best thing I ever did. I just had Surgery on July 13th. So I am 2 weeks out.