cat lady

Please let us know how you make out after the band removal. Also how is your husband doing with his diagnosis of scleroderma? Is he thinking of having his band removed also or did he remove it already. Are his symtoms the same as yours. Hope you get some relief after the removal.

Thank you Cindy.....you are really an inspiration to me. I only hope I can do nearly as well as you have done. Keep up the good work. Will let you know how I do. Cat

Great Job.....145 lbs in three years OMG. Sounds terrific to me.....do you think u could have done it without the band??? It probably has to slow down with the weight loss bcause you cannot continue to lose so much each year. I'm planning on getting the surgery in July.......if I don't chicken out. Senior citizen here and a bit scared.

I wish you much luck & success Allison. Keep us posted.

Good Luck Kimmibjones: I'll be thinking of you on the 18th......keep me updated on the surgery.

Hi Mary: I am also a patient of Dr. Geiss. I'm approved by my ins. and have a surgery date for July 25th. Maybe we will be going thru this process at the same time. Saw Dr.Geiss for a second time and he answered all my questions and seems to be an expert with the band. Makes me feel better knowing he has done so many. Good Luck. Johnathan: You are doing great! Keep up the good work. Even though you modified your diet you are still losing steady. Slow but steady is the way to go.

Hey Kay: great job so far losing the weight on the pre op diet. I have not even tried yet. Guess I better start being more conscious of what I put in my mouth. Figured I'll start getting serious a month before my surgery. Right now still enjoying food. will keep in touch.

Hi all: Just got my date for July 25th......excited and nervous. Waited over a year for my approval and can't back out now after fighting so hard for this. Not a youngster here so very concerned about complications. Just praying all goes smoothly with the surgery. After that it is my job to succeed. Hope to lose some weight and get off some of my medication that is dragging me down. Being banded by Dr. Geiss on Long Island NY.. Anyone else using this Dr. ????

Hi Elcee: Thank you for your reply. It really made me feel alot better about my decision. I was beginning to second-guess myself. I have waited a long time to do this and hope all goes well. I only hope to have the success that you have attained. Keep up the good work. T hanks for supporting the Low BMI crowd.

Mary: Don't be amazed.....it is very difficult to lose 50-60 lbs. As you are aware that is not the only requirement for WLS. There are also comorbidities and health issues......both of which I have. Please try to understand that obesity comes in all shapes and sizes.

Thank you all for your honest replies. I only hope that I can be as successful as you have all been. I know it takes hard work to lose weight but maybe with the help of the band I can do this too.

Hi I am not banded yet and have been researching the band for over a year. Probably too much. I have read some discouraging things about the band as well as some good things. Some bandsters on this site that are not happy with their band say it is all about will power.......and receive no restriction whatsoever from their band. this is quite discouraging as I have never had will power to lose weight and need help. That is why I am chosing to go thru surgery for this. Does the band really help you lose the weight? Also, would you do it again knowing what you know now? Sorry for the negatives but I am nervous about my decision. As you all know it is not an easy one. thank you for your honest replys.

Hi Mary: So sorry to hear your story. I am not banded yet and have fought the ins co. for a year to get approved. Finally got approved and had alot of time to research this. I am getting nervous after hearing so many complications with the band. I am 63 years old and need to lose about 50 lbs to be average.....not thin by any means. I thought this would be good for me as I am having trouble with my legs, knees, etc. which I believe is due to the excess weight. I know you are unhappy with the band bcause you have not lost any weight.....but did you have any complications like vomiting, pain, erosion, etc. That is what I am really concerned about. Of course, I want to lose the weight but at my age don't need complications to enter into the picture. I can only say that I am impressed by all those who have lost so much with the band. I don't think they would have ever been able to do it without it. I know I cannot lose any weight on my own but don't want surgery if this thing is nothing but a scam. OMG I really don't know what to do? Any suggestions?????????

Johnathan: Try not to get discouraged....I think you've done great so far. Not being banded yet 25.5 lbs down seems fantastic to me. You are just 1 week out! Maybe going on the scale every day is not good.....just saying! I probably would be curious and scaling every day too. Keep up the progress......I'm sure you will be down some more by Friday. How did you do with the car ride after your surgery? Any problems?

Hi Kristalynn: I have BCBSNC also. Did everything they asked for and was denied last summer bcause they said my HBP was not considered a comorbidity since it was under controll. I appealed with the help of NC dept of Justice.....they are great. They helped me thru the appeal and I was approved in March. I am planning to have the surgery in July when I get some time off. They did not specifically ask for a 6 month nutrition class. I did have to see a nutritionist and, psycologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist.....also needed to show diets from the past 2 years showing how I tried to lose the weight (WW, Jenny Craig, etc). My primary dr sent them a log of my weight progress for the past 2 years also. Once they get everything sent to them from your weight loss dr they either approve or deny very quickly. Good Luck & don't hesitate to appeal if necessary.

Hi Dropsizes: I too am a patient of Dr. Geiss. When are you thinking of having this procedure. I'm hoping for the end of July.....since I have time off of work and time off of babysitting my grandkids. Need some time for me. Maybe we will call ourselves the 7/11 Bandits......hope I don't chicken out. Finally approved after a denial ....fought them for a year with this. I need to do some testing again since it has been a year. Going for Cardio clearance today. Good Luck and hope we can do as well as Johnathan from NY.

Hi Johnathan: So glad to hear you are doing well. I am using Dr. Geiss in Syosset also. Hoping to have this done July 25th. Going for another stress test today at the Cardiologist office. Dread it! I cannot run at all and hope I pass. Have done it in the past but they want another one done closer to surgery date bcause of my age.....I'm old. How long did you stay in Syosset Hospital. Was the pain bad and did they keep you comfortable with meds? Sorry for all the questions but scared right now. Thx

Good Luck Johnathan: So glad all went well with the surgery yesterday. I only hope I can be as lucky. Planning to have it done in July. Approved by insurance and excited about that but hearing some bad stories on complications that are scaring the heck out of me. so glad to hear you are doing well. It is what I need to hear right now! Keep us posted.

Is this typical for all people with the band to experience indigestion, vomiting, etc.....Have not had it done yet but I'm getting concerned about all the problems after 2 years out. If you take out some of the fluid from the band do you at least get some relief from your symptoms? I do need to loose the weight but also don't want to live a life of misery with the band. Was very excited to do this but now I just don't know.......any comments please

Please make sure you stay hydrated. I know you can't keep liquids down but try ices and ice chips. If it gets too bad go back to the ER and insist on earlier surgery. My prayers are with you.

why do you need an endoscope???Is this required by everyone??? I have had all my pre op tests done and no one ever mentioned an endoscope? Hope I haven't missed this one.

Beautiful and amazing.....enjoy every moment of it......you surely deserve it....