prdmommyof3

I was banded 3/31, and am pretty much "satisfied" with a protien shake or a cup of soup. I want to eat, because of my mental games, but really don't feel like eating. My insides are making noises like you wouldn't believe...but I think it's gas? You're lucky Jilly29...I am on liquids until 4/21 and then MUSHIES for another 2 weeks. Can't eat solids until May 12!!

Here in AZ, I paid $100 initial consult fee and then $17,444 for the surgery. That cost includes 18 months of possible complications and 18 months of fills. Pretty much anything & everything for 18 months. Good luck!:thumbup:

Congrats on your continued loss and success.

Ok, I know if may be cliche, but it's really how I feel. By this time tomorrow...I will be banded and on my way to FINALLY becoming the person I feel like inside. Goodbye size 18 pants, 1XL shirts and size 8 underwear that are getting too small. Goodbye rolls that have for so long weighed me down and hidden my true potential. Goodbye "fat girl" stores and Plus Sized labels...both emotional & physical. Goodbye butt...I would be lying if I said I was sad to see YOU go. Goodbye weight that has FOREVER started with a "2". Hello 3 weeks of liquids, 2 weeks of mushies and a lifetime of new eating habits. Hello old friends that have been hidden under layers of fat aka muscles. Hello ONEDERLAND. Hello new perks, like crossing my legs, running with my kids, LIKING the reflection in my mirror. Hello new life...Hello WORLD. Here I come.

Ok, I know if may be cliche, but it's really how I feel. By this time tomorrow...I will be banded and on my way to FINALLY becoming the person I feel like inside. Goodbye size 18 pants, 1XL shirts and size 8 underwear that are getting too small. Goodbye rolls that have for so long weighed me down and hidden my true potential. Goodbye "fat girl" stores and Plus Sized labels...both emotional & physical. Goodbye butt...I would be lying if I said I was sad to see YOU go. :wub: Goodbye weight that has FOREVER started with a "2". Hello 3 weeks of liquids, 2 weeks of mushies and a lifetime of new eating habits. Hello old friends that have been hidden under layers of fat aka muscles. Hello ONEDERLAND. Hello new perks, like crossing my legs, running with my kids, LIKING the reflection in my mirror. Hello new life...Hello WORLD. Here I come.

I had my consult on March 3 and chose March 31 for a surgery date. I am self pay too, and (in my situation) once the Dr. has your money, he'll let you schedule your surgery. The availability will vary from Dr. to Dr., depending on his schedule and demand. Good Luck! Let's keep in touch so we can monitor & cheer each other on! Melanie

WOW! I can't believe it's REAL! I met with Dr. Simpson in Phoenix, AZ today and already have a surgery date. I am so excited...and nervous...and thrilled...and sort of sick to my stomach! How many emotions can one person have at a time? We're about to find out. Thank you to everyone on this board. Thanks to you, I didn't even have many questions for Dr. S today, because I knew so much about the band & procedure & after care. I am so looking forward to the 31st!! I just now realized that is right before Easter, but what's missing one holiday in the name of being happy, right?!?! No questions...just wanted to share my good news!!

Lisa, I DO!! I want to lose this weight SOO badly! I would estimate I have between 80-85 pounds to lose, and I can't get going fast enough to make it happen. I am very active...working mom of 3 kids under 10...they're all in sports and I do boot camp 3 nights a week for 90 mins and (used to) walk all other nights ~ 3 miles. I've kind of pushed that to the side as the kids have been more busy, but it's something that I need to pick back up, especially as the surgery nears to get in the habit of moving and not getting clots! I wanted to ask you...did Dr. S do the single incision on you or multiple? I ask because he advertises on his site that he does the single incision, and that would be awesome!! I want to thank you for your support. It really means a lot. I've only told my dad, sister, husband and one close friend that I'm doing this, so it's really comforting to be able to talk to someone who not only has gone through the surgery but also deals with weight issues...as none of them are. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss to date. I can only imagine how great it must feel! I too manage to lose ~ 30 pounds, and then get all happy it's gone, lose track of my goal, and then gain it back. It's just such a terrible cycle. In the past 5 years, I've probably lost 100 + pounds, but gained it all back and then some! Terrible.... Anyway, I'm so excited for Thursday! I have the money in hand to schedule the surgery...and hope to have it the last week of March/first week of April. Horray!! Melanie

Lisa ~ Thanks so much for the info! It was very useful! I have butterflies in my tummy for the consult on Thursday. I have so many questions, but can't focus enough to write them down to ask him! I am in a particularly good mood because I have my finances in order and am ready to pay for the surgery! I am so overwhelmed that this is actually going to HAPPEN to ME! I know that this is not an instant weight loss fix, but a tool to change your life forever. Still, I can't help having that looming feeling of "it's not going to work for me", since so many things I've tried in the past either haven't worked or lasted. Did anyone else have that feeling? I am HELLBENT to make sure that I follow EVERY BIT of instruction from Dr. S, who I can't wait to meet, but I am sooo scared that I still won't lose weight! Grrrr.....It's such an odd feeling I have right now...so excited, yet scared & doubtful that THIS will work for ME! Melanie

Ok...so I did it. I have my consult with Dr. Simpson on March 4th at 8:30 am. I'm so nervous!! Do you guys have any questions that you think I should ask that you wish you had? Any advice will be much appreciated!! Melanie

Hi Ladies! I just read all of your posts since May 09...Congrats to you all with your weight loss & baby for one of you! I'm in the very beginning stages of researching the Lap Band procedure & costs. My insurance does not cover anything weight realted, so it's CASH baby for me. Dr. Simpson's office has quoted me $17,444 for the WHOLE thing, including 18 months of fills & insurance for complications. This sounds like a good deal...what do you think? I'm in Litchfield Park, so not too far from where he would perform the surgery, and according to his office, it is about 2 weeks from the initial consultation to the actual surgery. If I had my way...I would go to the consult TODAY! In the "real world" though, I have to get funding first! I really appreciate all of the feedback/suggestions/experience you all have posted thus far...and can't wait to be a part of this group...the BANDERS!! Melanie

Welcome! Best of luck...keep us updated on your progress! I'm just starting to look into the procedure, and will be paying cash...darn insurance won't cover ANYTHING weight related...grrrr Anyway, can I ask you...what is the surgery like? Pain? Scars? Hunger? All that good stuff! Thanks! Melanie

thank you to you all who have responded! Some questions... Abou how slow/fast did you (anyone) lose the weight...1 pound/week, 5 pounds/month?? once you lose the weight...do you keep the lap band for life? How does it wear over the years...in other words, will it ever become a "rotting" issue? Once you lose the weight, what percent of you have felt the need to have tummy tucks/other plastic surgery? Thank you so much!!:tongue_smilie:

I would love to know what diet you used??

Hmmm...good points. I know my insurance does NOT cover the surgery. They print it in black & white in my coverage manual. Thoughts?

Hi there guys! Let me introduce myself... My name is Melanie, and am from Litchfield Park, AZ. I am 31, 5'6" and am currently 212 pounds. I joined this forum because, after YEARS of trying what seems like EVERYTHING on this planet, commiting myself to rigorous work out routines 3 days a week, walking 3 miles 4 days a week, watching what I eat, and focused every second of every day on my health, I still can't lose the weight. The real kick in the face is that, while physicians have no problem vocalizing and labeling me as OBESE, I feel that I have no support or viable options to help myself be removed from that category. My BMI (according to online calculators) is 34.2...just shy of the required 35 BMI, IF I had some sort of Morbid disease...which I don't. I am as healthy as a horse...never even catch the flu...which to a "normal" person would be FABULOUS, but for me....well, (and trust me, I know how terrible this sounds) it's almost a curse. I plan to pay for my surgery out of pocket, and hubby is 100% supportive. So, the reasons for my joining this forum are as follows: 1. Did anyone on here ever find themself in the predicament I'm in? What did you do? 2. Should I meet with a Dr. to see what my options are...ie. GAIN some of the weight I HAVE lost over the years? 3. Are there any members on here who live in the Phoenix area who know of a reputable surgeon that they would recommed? 4. On average, how much did this surger cost you if you paid out of pocket?? Thanks so much! Melanie