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Hi my name is Rebecca and I'm on my way to a healthier life! So I am a 46 year old mother of 4 grown children (amazing children ) I have suffered from bipolar depression, ptsd, anxiety with panic attacks, and borderline personality for many years. As a result I have been on numerous medications that have caused me to gain significant weight, as well as having used food as my "comfort" food... That was the beginning of a life long struggle with weight. This past two years I have had a stroke and a mini stroke, my left knee has been totally replaced twice and is still very unstable so exercise is virtually impossible and my weight reached an all time high of 383lbs! In August I decided to take control and regain my life back.. Starting in September I met with the Bariatric team and have since lost 34bs 4oz and now have a surgery date for January 25th ...I must admit that as excited as I am about my new healthier lifestyle I am also very very nervous and constantly anxious about the "unknown". I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, Fibromyalgia, and other health issues that can only be improved with the gastric bypass so I have weighed the pros and cons of it all and feel this may be my last chance of ever getting back to the "healthy Rebecca" that I need to be for myself, my husband, my children, and my precious grandson. Sent from my 6045O using the BariatricPal App

I have over the ear hearing aids that I got from the VA ( many years on the flight line). They are over the ear and into the ear canal type. My question is this, would weight loss make them not fit correctly anymore?

Well, what can I say. I had surgery a year ago on March 17th. I lost around 75 pounds and was very strict until the holiday season began in November. To make a long story short, I have gained 20 lbs. since then, and stopped exercising. I feel completely out of control and feel as if my mind is blocking me from getting back on track. Has anyone else had this experience? I really need some advice from those who have had the same or similar problem. Please help.

I took one tums. I while I was waiting for their office to open. I'm allowed to have tums occasionally, but if I'm finding I need them more than once a day I have to call their office on Tuesday to go on protonix as well. Im a revision from a band, so protonix and I ho back 7 years, as do my surgeon and I. I've already had 3 hospital stays dince the bypass. So they do keep on top of things.

I choose bypass because I didn't want my stomach completely removed. In some worse cases like throat cancer your old stomach can be reattached even though it is rarely done I like to know it is still possible.

Hi there, I needed alot more info, I felt like I was going in uneducated circles and went to amazon and searched lap band books. Most of them were for bypass patients. I got a few cookbooks, but the only one I liked was "Eating well after weight loss surgery" by Patt Levine & Michelle Bontempo -Saray, the author has a band, so it feels like her info is more suited to us. A great book for info that I am learning alot from and loving is "Ultimate Lapband Success" by Dr. Duc C. Vuong, a lapand surgeon. His book is full of good information (not a cookbook) but really has already taught me a few things. I know I have alot to learn. I wish a successful bandster would write a book saying this is what I did, how I did it, what I ate, what exercice I did, and was honest about it so we could just follow what they did.

I'm not sure if what I felt was the band or not. What does the pain feel like? Mine felt like a pin prick? Is that what the pain of the port is? I thought maybe mine might have slipped, but I did not do anything that could have caused it to slip. The pain only lasted the one day, and I have not felt it since. The pain was right under my left breast, which is where I had my surgery on November the 18th. I always thought it would be down on my stomach, near my navel, but all surgery was done right under my breast? Any information would be helpful.

Hi my name is Jessie and I was banded at Trinity on November 14,2007 and im doing great. I have lost 41 pounds and 38 inches. It was the best decision I have ever made.

I went to a seminar given by the doctor my primary care doctor recommended. I did not like him or his team and found someone on my own. I found this psychologist and nutritionist more interested in selling their post surgical services than in helping me prior to surgery.Having said that, what I did not like was that I wanted and expected to speak with the doctor to have US determine what surgery was best for ME. The doctor stated that if you were over 50, he only performed LapBand. There is no right or wrong weight loss surgery - period. When I had my appointment to see the surgeon I ultimately used, I went over my medical history which includes colon cancer with him. I made sure given my situtation I did what was best for me. Each of us need to do that and for some of us it may be gastric bypass.

My doctor didn't push either surgery; in fact he gave a fair balanced assessment of MANY types of bariatric surgery although he only does Roux-n-Y and bypass. However GERD is problematic with the lap band. Moreover I was pretty big to start and my doctor NEVER tried to steer me to bypass. He let me choose right down the line. I suggest, regardless of the "reputation", you find another surgeon and try again.

I'm onboard with everybody else here. I have to wonder if bypass is more expensive (I bet it is) and that is why doctors who push it do so. That is NOT proper doctoring, imo, to push something they want over what the patient is looking into. Now if you were looking for a tonsillectomy and they said it's not your tonsils, it's your heart that is the problem, that's one thing. But this form of surgery is elective in the sense that we have choices. For any doctor to steer us is improper. Also, I too have GERD because I have a hiatal hernia, which will be fixed during surgery. If they're one of the best in the country and you want to stay with them, then stand your ground. Otherwise, get yourself to another doctor toot sweet. To me, any doctor who would push a DRASTIC surgery such as RNY over a surgery that is not rerouting your innards is somebody I don't want to deal with.

Geez I know how you are feeling. I was the "party girl" drinking and eating, always going out and now since Dec 1 pre-op diet I have been staying home a lot. Most of my friends don't get it and are upset with me, but you know what I don't care because in one year I will be down to my goal weight. As far as your husband goes maybe he will try to start eating healthier with you and be more supportive. I am sure in the back of his mind he is like omg she is going to lose all this weight and take off on me, and it does happen. My friend had gastric bypass two years ago and her husband is constantly spying on her, texting her, questioning her etc. Maybe having a heart to heart with him with help? Is he receptive to talks? Good luck with YOUR WEIGHT LOSS. Happy New Year!!!

For those of you being banded November 11th, how are you doing?

I wasn't sure where to post this thread, Complications or Life After LapBand, but hopefully I will get my answers here :rolleyes. I will actually post this in two forums (Moderators, I hope that's ok??) As you all can see by my ticker I am really not that far from my goal, and although I have had some complications, there is currently no evidence of a slipped band. Bear in mind that my goal weight is MY goal weight and brings me into a normal weight BMI. My doc would like to see me at 122 lbs, but he's nuts. I am neither 20 years old NOR a fashion model. I am a 5'5" 40 year old woman, for God's sake! So my question- in the event of a slip, will most surgeons consider doing a conversion to a VG, RNY (something I would NOT consider), or this mini-bypass I have been reading about (something I would consider), if your BMI is no longer in the "danger zone" (ie 35 and up)?? It wouldn't make sense to me if you were, say halfway to your goal and your band had to come out, for you to be REQUIRED to put your weight back on before you could have another procedure done. I hope it never comes to this for me, but hopefully your answers may help those that are in that very situation!

I've gotten a LOT of flack from bypass patients about my band choice...just ignore her snotty butt lol and tell her you have to work VERY hard because you went with the option that doesn't remove your gut to cheat the food you put in your mouth. (sorry)

This might not help, but I could not afford a band either. But my husband told me that I was always good at getting new credit cards. We were way in debt, but I tried anyway and the credit union approved me for another $8,000. It sounds insane to accept that loan, but my band is paying for itself. If the credit union refused me, I'd have written checks in advance to a bunch of cheesy quick-cash places. I'd have pawned all my jewelry, cashed in all my change. I was dying. There was no choice. In order to pay for my band I made a couple sacrifices. I used to get manicures 2ce a month. No more. And I cancelled our Arrowhead Water delivery and bought a $20.00 Britta filter. My food bill is crazy now. I don't pick out anything for myself. My meals are whatever food my husband doesn't finish. I was spending tons on Taco Bell, Jack in The Box, etc. Fast food 5-10 times a week. Now fast food sounds gross to me. After the surgery all I wanted was liquids cuz I was afraid to eat anything else. Once they allowed me real foods, my body craved healthy stuff. Like my body knows it needs Protein. I was craving tomatoes and asparagus. My credit card payment is $130.00 a month. I found ways to come up with the cash. It's worth every red cent. I have dual coverage. I have Blue Shield through my work and Health Plan of Nevada through my husband's. Both approved the bypass, neither approved the band. I could have appealed it, but I wanted to start living right this second. Screw the insurance companies. As far as this new debt, hell, the credit union shouldn't have given me the money cuz I was behind on my mortgage with them, so let them try to repo my band!

Magster, if Aetna is denying based on "experimental" status, it stands to reason that SOMEDAY that "experimental" status will no longer be viable. After a while, new procedures that work STOP being experimental. But it's not true, in any event, that Aetna denies based on that reason alone. Aetna clearly shows a preference for RNY (though I really believe that will change after another year or so), but if you can provide medical reasons why RNY is not right for you they WILL approve the band. Look at their website (under Coverage Policy Determinations--Obesity Surgery) for specific reasons why banding would be approved over bypass.

Sunday, August 30, 2009 Educating Primary Care Physicians about Lapband As with all surgeries, lapband can result in complications. The band can slip, infection can occur, some people are so good at eating around the band (using slider food) that they gain weight back, or they never go in for their fills. Some Dr.s don't seem to give very good advice to their patients about sticking to higher density proteins and not turning them into slider food by adding things like gravy to them. Some actually recommend that people "prime the pump" with liquid before they eat. Some Dr.s take forever to give their patients a fill that actually acheives restriction. Not all patients make sure they get the kind of support system they need to achieve success nor do their Dr.s The lapband is a tool not a cure. Other issues need to be dealt with simultaneously. If they're not, the band isn't as successful. So some primary care physicians seem to only be aware of the failures and are unwilling to recommend their patients for the lapband. They also don't distinguish between gastric bypass which is much more drastic and has many more severe complications and the lapband. They confuse the statistics for the two. I think a lot of these Dr.s really don't understand the nature of compulsive overeating. They keep thinking that if their patients just listened to them and followed the diets they hand them and had better nutritional education they'd lose the weight. But time and again, nutritional information and closely supervised diets don't help their patients. Over the years some have prescribed drugs that haven't helped and have actually harmed overweight patients. When I think of the money and time I spent on Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Tops, OA, Atkins, and some wierd combination of thyroid and speed one Dr. put me on, it makes me angry. I had a Dr. who didn't believe in the band. She thought I could do it myself. I knew I couldn't. I had to go to a new Dr. anyway because of insurance so I tested the next Dr. to see if he recommended the band. With two co-morbidities he took it seriously. He had Dr. friends who did lapband surgery with great success. So he went ahead and recommended me for the surgery which started the year long process of jumping through hoops to get the band. I'm blessed that I had the persistance to get through that year and that I had a cooperative Dr. My insurance company also sent me to a top-of-the-line specialist. Some insurance companies won't cover the surgery at all. Although I have access to a nutritionist at my surgeon's office, I've found even greater support on lapbandtalk, especially on a thread called I'm here to help...This blog has also proved to be an invaluable ally in my recovery. A lady at my church who is in much worse shape than me has not been able to get her primary care physician to recommend the lapband. Meanwhile, the meds she's on for her co-morbidities have made her gain even more weight. People need to explore the risks, the failures, and the successes of lapband surgery before they make a decision. They need to know that its still hard work to lose the weight and keep it off. Their Dr.s should be helping them explore their options and get set up for success if the option for lapband is chosen. I think the primary physicians need to get more educated, not only about lapband surgery, but about compulsive overeating itself. It is an eating disorder, an addiction, with genetic, biological, emotional, psychological, and spiritual componants that all need to be addressed. The band helps relieve the person of enough of the addiction aspect to let them work on the other aspects. I had worked for years on all the other componants with counseling, 12-step meetings for food addiction, 12-step meetings for codependency issues, not to mention prayer and Bible reading and Bible study groups. I'd come to pretty good terms with my ADHD/ADD and still I could not succeed in losing and keeping off the weight. I had a medical condition that needed a medical solution. I hope the woman in my church gets the help she needs. I hope the lapband, if she gets recommended, proves to be the tool she needs like it has for me. She's a precious soul and very much loved and appreciated in my church community. I want her to be around yet for a long time.

Sarcar: You are absolutely right. My employer is fully funded not self covered. Therefore it is the insurance co who dictates if the service is a paid procedure. The insurance rep explained to me that the contract they signed was w/self insured companies. The insurance company will provide services as if the procedure is covered, but when the bill comes, the employer will pay for it. I am hearing through the grapevine that the insurance company has paid for Gastric Bypass. In fact, I contacted the insurance company and said that I needed a denial for WLS. The lady said "Our company does not approve for WLS". I said " I know, that's why I need a denial letter." She said to have my PCP send in a referral for WLS. She then said "I believe Dr. Patrick White does that surgery". I said "Yep". (that's the guy I have heard they have allowed other Paramount members go to for the surgery. ) Problem is that he has an age cutoff of 50 something (I am 61) and that he only does By-Pass (I want Lap-Band). So now I know to ask my PCP to send a referral to the insurance co so I can get a denial. Then I will contact Obesitylaw.com and procede through the process. I am gleaning lots of information from all of the WLS sites and am gearing up for a battle. I may end up a self pay but I will continue the fight, up to and including contacting the people with the power to change legislation in Ohio. I may even see if there are others in the same boat who would like to see this discrimination against us stop. My therapist's office said that after Paramount signed the contract w/the Dr.'s who do lap-band, that his phone rang off the hook. Individuals were scheduling the required psych test. A few days later, a number of individuals called back to cancel the psych indicating that the procedure was an exclusion on their company policy. The surgeon's office said the same thing. When I asked the insurance rep at the Surgeon's office what happened to those people when they found out they were not covered she said "I don't know. They never called back" (I think she was making a hidden slur regarding my character lol) Little does she know that I am hopeful that I will someday get banded by that doctor and the bill will be paid by Paramount! Anyway, that's my story and I'm gonna stick with it!! Thanks Sandy

Hi all, I'm scheduled to have gastric sleeve surgery on October 2nd. I was curious as to how long afterwards I should wait to get a new tattoo? I plan on getting it on my forearm, so nowhere near my incision sites. I like to get tattoos whenever I go through major life changes so this one is going to signify my weight loss surgery/grad school journey. I usually have to book my tattoo appointments a few months out because of my artist's schedule. Ideally, I'd like to get the tattoo sometime in November, do you guys think this too soon after surgery, considering it will be an open wound on my body while my body is still in recovery mode from surgery? Thank you!

I am so overjoyed. I received a phone call from the doctors office. They left me a message and basically just said they were calling about my approval. I immediately thought oh no…they need more information. By the time I got the message to call back, the doctor's office was closed. I immediately called the insurance company (AETNA) and the agent was very nice…told me about how successful her gastric bypass was from 2 years ago. I told her I was worried that I wasn't gonna get approved and she don't worry…YOU'RE APPROVED. The date she gave me for my surgery was March 24. How do they come up with the surgery date? Do they contact the hospital to find out the first available date? Will the doctor give me a different date? I was hoping to be sleeved in February. M head is spinning right now….getting my list together so I can be prepared…. I'm really getting sleeved!!! Yaaaahhhhh!!

There are two phase to weight loss surgery: the Weight Loss Phase and the Maintenance phase. The weight loss phase tends to be short. I had RNY gastric bypass and I transitioned into the Maintenance phase at around 7 months. Sleeve patients lose weight at a much slower pace and sometimes enter Maintenance at 2 years. So during the Weight Loss phase I advise that you adhere to the meal guidelines given by the surgeon and nutritionist. In the Maintenance phase, you have more freedom and go with what works for you.

all we did was chat really, prof o'brien went over my family history - from prefilled sheets they gave me & also from asking me questions, he went over the blood tests, asked what i have done to lose weight b4, diests exercise etc, i had 3 sheets of questions i wanted to know & between prof o'brien - his wife eve, renate & the nurses there i got my answers he asked me when i wanted to get done - gave me a folder with stuff to do etc etc, a pedimeter which i have had to wear for 2 weeks & record how many steps i do through the day i saw the nurse first, she took vitals etc, then i saw prof o'brien, then eve & renate for odds & sods dont see anyone until i go to hospital 6.30 am 21st November, sorry i cant tell you anymore Deb ps i am very impatient & time is going quick you can park underneath the clinic so dont stress about trying to find a car park

Hi Deb! I am so excited and impatient about my first consultation.. october 14th seems so far away! could you tell me more about what actually happens at the first consultation?? also, do you know how many consults/ visits there are before the actual surgery??? i havent been to my consultation yet, but theyve already pencilled me into the surgery list just incase for the 28th of november! so i just wanted to know what all we would need to do before the surgery day!