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Hi-I've been reading the forum off and on but finally decided to join in. I'm almost completely new to the process, having only gone to a Mt. Carmel info sesssion earlier this year. No paperwork, but did inquire about it with my insurance carrier who told me no, no, no in no uncertain terms. I am still moving forward and building "the fund" just in case it's all on me. I just celebrated by 51st birthday and am weary of fighting the weight battle. My hubby had the bypass surgery several years ago in Cleveland and has had good success. Had I not been in denial I would have done something then as well, since our insurance carrier at the time was more agreeable. I want to have the lapband so am really interested in what people have to say about the surgery, the costs etc.. I am particularly interested in the docs at Mt. Carmel East. But am willing to consider other providers in Ohio. Thanks for this venue. It helps to know that I'm not alone. :tongue:

Hi everyone!<br /> <br /> My name is Pam and I just joined this forum today and thought I should introduce myself. I have recently made the personal decision to have lap band surgery and made my first appointment yesterday to go to a personal seminar that the doctor I've chosen holds. My lap band surgeon will be Dr. Garth Davis in Houston, Texas. You may be familiar with him from the learning channel show called "Big Medicine". I've been watching the show for awhile, and my aunt had gastric bypass a year ago and looks like a different person. I have had up and down weight fluctuations all my life, and I am tall (5'9") and people never believe how much I really weigh. I carry most of my weight up front in my belly area. I recently had back surgery and have not been very active at all and I am at my heaviest weight ever. I'll never really be able to do the type of aerobic, vigorous exercises that alot of people do, and I love to cook (and eat too! <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/guess.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Kiss" smilieid="18" class="inlineimg" />). My husband is a chef and we spend alot of time in the kitchen trying different things. I kept telling myself that I just needed to buckle down and lose the weight, but it's not working for me. I'm 40 and married to a wonderful man and there are so many things I still want to experience in life, but I am always tired and uncomfortable from dragging around all this extra weight. It's time to make a change. I am familiar with this surgery, but there are a ton of things I am sure haven't occured to me yet and I decided I should start here with other like minded people who are going or have gone through this already. I am sure I will be posting lots of questions in the future. <br /> Sorry for the long post! Glad to be here though <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" />

Ok. I wonder if anyone has had this experience with FEPB. I'm having lap band revision to sleeve or RNY. I call the insurance company on Wednesday of last week and the guy said I was approved. All excited... didn't rush into anything until the next day. I get a call from my doctors office Friday saying that they need more documentation ( 3 month diet plan, psych eval, etc.) I never had to have all this when I had my lap band in 2010 so I was fuming because I already purchased airline tickets for family members to come down to Texas for surgery. I called the insurance and they sent out two letters. One that is approving the procedure for lap band removal. The 2nd letter is coded for the sleeve/rny and it says before they can look at it need the 3 month diet, etc. So, I call... and I told the lady what happened and she had referred it to the person that sent the letters out to look at it. She called me back and I explained to her basically you are approving one surgery and you are pretty much going to force me into doing two surgeries. She was so persistent on the documentation telling me over and over they need that. I asked her do you even look at the cost of two surgeries and does that justify me not having to do the 3 month, diet. etc. She said they do but that they still need the documentation????? Has anyone gotten through this problem without having to jump through hoops?

Ok, I have heard of that, but would have never thought to call it a revision. Being from a technical background, I have images of them replacing your port with a new revision 1.1 from 1.0 or something. Wow, was I way off base.

I've always been overweight. I honestly can't remember a time when I wasn't. But it's crazy how when you're a kid, you're not fat, obese, or whatever, you're cute and chubby, and the extra weight that you're carrying is no need for concern. But as you get older that quickly changes and you're no longer perceived as chubby and cute, and the extra weight has become a major problem, not just for yourself, but for others as well. I wonder if any of you can relate to this. I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I know many people say this and it's as if they're just talking, but I've actually been the biggest person in my class, school, church, etc. It was rare that I would see someone that was just as big as I was, if not bigger. I've tried different diets, exercise plans, supplements, nothing has worked for me. If I did lose any weight, it was a short-lived accomplishment. I've struggled with deeply rooted insecurities that only further fueled my horrible relationship with food. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years because in my mind I could never get to that perfect weight or body. Just a constant battle with myself for most of my life. It has taken a great deal of trial and error for me to get to where I am today in how I see myself, physically and otherwise. I have come to love myself and my body and I feel that there's nothing wrong with loving who or how you are physically, mentally, spiritually, and yet you feel the need to change a part of you. I believe most people would associate this with insecurity, but I beg to differ. I believe that it is the reasoning behind the decision to change that makes the difference. While I have learned to love and appreciate my body for all that it has done and continues to do for me, I am also very aware that carrying over 200 pounds of extra weight is not healthy for me. I want to have children one day and I don't want to put them or myself at increased risks because of my weight. I don't want to be at an increased risk of high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, or congestive heart failure. These things run in my family and I don't want to be next in line. I want more for myself. I haven't went swimming in years, but I remember how good it felt to feel weightless in the water, how peaceful and serene it was for me. I view this surgery as an opportunity to experience life in a different way. Even though I can walk or run at the weight I currently am, I know that my body will feel a lot better walking and running with less weight being carried around. Even though I can go swimming now, or travel the world just as I am right now. Simple things such as "will I fit in this seat? Will they have clothes my size? Is there going to be a lot of walking, etc...". I don't think many people understand the daily struggles of an obese individual. Yes, we're all aware of the "health concerns" associated with being over-weight. But not many people are aware of those small things that affect us daily such as standing for extended periods of time, back and body aches, getting winded or out of breath easily, etc. I've made the decision to have gastric-bypass surgery as I'm confident that this is the tool that I've been missing to help me finally be successful in my weight-loss journey. I'm nervous and excited, but in the end I know this is the best decision for me. I'm interested to meet anyone who would like to go through this journey together, no matter where you are in your own journey. I'd love to hear from you all and know how you're doing and if I can be of some help to you, even if it's just a kind word. Good Luck! And Blessings to you all!

I am having gastric bypass surgery Oct 14th. What has been your experience with Dr Garcia and the Mexico trip? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

Not my spouse but I stayed with my mom for the two weeks after my surgery. What helped me was having all my "food" in one place on the counter and one shelf in the fridge. She also would go on my walks with me and that was super nice. Also, helping to remind your wife to eat and drink on schedule. It isn't easy but the reminders are nice. I needed help getting up and out of bed for the first week as well as taking showers and going to the bathroom. Lastly, because I went to bed so much earlier, I was sleeping 12-14 hours per night post surgery, mom would tuck me into bed. It just felt nice to be cared for. After the first week, I was much more independent! Hope this helps! Katy W- Louisburg, NC Lapband revision to VSG with DS HW- 297 Weight at Surgery-279 CW- will update at two week appt

Welcome Annette! Lots of us in Florida on here! Where are you at? I live in central Florida about 40 miles from Orlando and same from Tampa! I see a dr in Zephyrhills. I was banded in 2009, I had a revision in 2011 and have, also, gained 30 lbs. I have just had a slight unfill becaue my surgeon felt I was eating around the band. I had stayed away from salads because I had a hard time chewing them well enough. He removed .1 ml of fluid and I just had my 1st successful salad in 3 years! I would be glad to be your friend! Karen

Just thought I would say HI. I Live in Australia and I had a lapband done nealry two years ago. I have had no luck with my band. I have only lost 10kg in this time. I am finding my band is either to tight and I vomit all the time or too loose and I am hungry and eating lagre meals. I went to see another surgeon for a second opinion and he wants to take my band out and do a gastric bypass. I was asking about the sleeve but he wont do one because I have had the band. He said that the band leves too much scar tissue and the chance of a leak is really high. Wow I have never even thought of having a bypass was a bit of a shock to me. Which I dont really know why because a sleeve is something pretty major. So I would love some imput or advice about he bypass good or bad thanks.

Hi everyone, I just made the call and have my consultation, April 9th. I have been going back and forth so many times with the decision wether or not to get the surgery. I came close to getting the Gastric Bypass surgery about five years ago but I chickened out, then my insurance would have paid for everything, now I will have to do self pay. My biggest concern is that this will again be one of the many, many, many weight loss strategies that I have falied at. I don't have faith in myself that I will be able to do what I am supposed to do and that I will fail at this too and not to mention the financial loss this would be if I did! I have read alot on this site and it sounds like everyone has such great success. I hope I can handle it!!:phanvan

Can you consider bypass surgery instead?

So today is the first day of my (Liver Shrink) Pre-Op Diet. My GBS is April 30th. Gulp. I’m a sleeve to by-pass revision. New surgery due to esophageal damage from GERD and regain 😞. Moving forward with my head held high, using my mantra “it’s just fuel” to change my thinking about my former best friend named food. Wish me luck!

Hi. My name is Telisa Swan and I am working toward getting sleeved. My daughter had a gastric bypass six years ago and is down from 500 lbs to a healthy 160. The bypass worked very well for her but I think the sleeve is a better choice for me. I am 5'10, weigh 311 with a BMI of 44.7 and am 44 years old. I don't have a lot of co-morbidities, but I did get a heart stint in 2003. I am self-pay with no insurance and started this process in October with a lot of research. In November I attended two seminars by a couple of different area bariatric surgeons. I really like the surgeon I have chosen but he wants me to lose 10% of my total body weight before he will even schedule surgery. That could take months! I really want to get sleeved as soon as possible so it is a little frustrating. My surgeon charges $23,000 for this surgery and I know I could get it a lot cheaper in Mexico but, at the same time, I want an excellent local support system and all aftercare is included in that price. I will do my best to loose the 30+ lbs. as soon as possible, but it won't be easy (any suggestions?) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know who I am, where I am at, and what is going on for me. You will see me around the forum over the next year or so and I am looking for friends and support in this. Who is with me?! I think this forum is the best, most informative thing I have encountered on the internet. It has already been incredibly helpful to me. Thank you to all of you who have lost your weight, or well on your way, but are still here on this forum to help those of us who are just starting out on our journey. Much thanks!!!

Hi there, I had surgery a few weeks ago in Toronto and was self-pay. I agree that it is alot of money and I dipped into my savings to pay for it. I know that a couple of provinces cover it under their provincial plan. I don't understand why our province doesn't cover lap-band but covers gastric bypass which has higher risk. Actually I do, they still see the former as experimental! As someone mentioned, most surgery centres offer financing over 4 years. When I was doing research on surgery, I did come across a surgeon in Montreal that was somehow was able to do the surgery for Ontario residents and have it covered. What I recall is that it had to start with a referral from your family physician. If you do an internet search for "weight-loss surgery Montreal" you should come across some details. I don't know what the wait time is like and how many hoops you need to jump through in order to be approved, but it's at least worth looking into. Good luck!

Hi! My name is Loree Drawbaugh and I had my sleeves bypass surgery on April 24, 2014, a year ago! I have lost total 70 pounds plus. After three months, I found out that I got pregnant and was pretty nervous because my husband and I did try before I went on for surgery and it's a surprised! I went through the whole process and did not GAIN any pounds until I gave birth on March 20 ,2015 to a beautiful daughter Sophie Ann as we have two boys - AJ 6 years old and Jakie 4 years old. So, now I'm working on getting back on the track to lose more weight but for some reasons, I'm stuck and starting to go into old habits. Right before weight loss surgery, I was supposed to have surgery on April 22nd however I started to have high blood pressure so I never had them before (It runs in the family) so I started taking meds and it did help to control them after the surgery and during pregnant but after birth, my high blood pressure has return so I am seeing doctor to figure out why it is so high and I'm looking into food I eat, I admit as I am not drinking enough Water or Protein food (seems I'm not always hungry but choose poor food as I am looking after three children so anyway I was at 287 down to 257 and now I'm at 209 pounds and feel stuck as I want really want to hit 100 pounds off - my goals is to weigh at 145, one day if I ever can! I'd like to ask people to share their experieneces if they get stuck and finally lose more weight, I'm nervous what If I start to gain and would not look at the scale until my next appt to meet with doctor for WLS...I have met with nutrionist - she is concerned about my high blood pressure as I'm seeing the doctor at least twice a month to see how I am doing and adjust on meds pretty frustarted as I'm turning 41 and want to have my life to be happy. I do feel energy but why do I pick poor food planning? Right now, my daughter is 9 weeks old and starting to sleep through the night (sometimes I feel I need to sleep more to get enough energy and drinks at least 2-3 cups coffee a day and remind myself to drink more water and eat less. I have tried protien shakes, they give me stomache so I stopped doing that perhaps I should go back and use it once a day and eat just protein but sometimes I crave into carb, I'd love to see people who can post what food do you eat....sometimes we do go out to eat and I cannot eat whole meals so I split in half with my hubby and save some left over to bring home if they are good. Enough of my story life...I am excited to find this group to learn more about you guys and see how it goes.

I am having a revision to RNY. My GERD is worse as the days go by. I hope to have surgery by October. My pouch is at the bottom of the twist...

Hi, My mom had the gastric bypass, and wishes she had the band. She lost a dangerous amount of bone density, 60%, now she is on daily injections she does herself to stimulate bone growth. Also, nutrition is a huge problem for gastric bypass. I like the band, I view it just as permanent, but without many of the irreversable issues.

Aubrie - I had the same problem when I attended my first support group meeting, everyone had Gastric Bypass. Well, I just started my own support group in Tulsa, we just had our 2nd meeting last night. It went good and I know as time grows, I will get more members to attend. I just posted it on yahoo groups under Oklahomabandsters@yahoo.com. I bet yahoo has a group in your state - you could maybe find some people and start your own. I have mine the first Monday of every month and I have it at the Barnes & Noble coffee shop (its free). It is working out pretty good, I've had two meetings so far and they are so much more personable than the one my dr. has.

I've been in a 2 1/2 week stall, it's driving me crazy. I'm trying to be patient because I've read enough threads to know its common but that crazy voice in my head keeps saying "this isn't going to work like the band" I'm going to have my husband put the scale in his car so I can't weigh every morning! Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

Do a search for a user on here called nailsbyniki. She went through very similar stuff. You can PM her and I am sure she would be happy to talk to you. I'm sure you really don't want to hear it, but in most cases, RNY cures GERD. It is a function of how RNY separates the food from the bile and mixes them in the intestine rather than the stomach. And GERD is very serious and puts you at grave risk for esophageal cancer. By all means, get a second or third opinion. But please think seriously about why you are resisting conversion to RNY. If you continue to have the GERD and the spasms, you could be setting yourself up for many painful surgeries in the future. By the way I suffered from GERD pre-op. I had the sleeve with the informed knowledge that I may have to convert to RNY later. I took the risk. Right now my GERD is managed by Nexium, but it may not always be enough. Throat cancer is so much worse than RNY, at least in my own opinion, and I won't risk it. Here is Niki's thread. It is long. She had a kink in her intestine as well as Addison's Disease in the end. It was a very long road for her. It is worth reading the whole thing and then PMing her. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/248633-sleeve-revision-to-gastric-bypass-tomorrow/

The ones that have PCOS...did you have gastric bypass or are you going for gastric bypass to improve your PCOS to be able to have kids or to be able to have more kids?

Hi everyone!!! My name is Krystyne and I started my weight loss journey back in September/October time at 315 pounds. I'm currently 268 pounds as of this morning. I started out on the lap band talk website because my heart was set on going for lap band surgery until I met with the dietician and nurse practitioner at DHMC. I have been overweight since age 12 that's when my PCOS kicked in. PCOS is the number one leading cause of infertility in women. I found out that gastric bypass can help reduce your PCOS symptoms and in some women it gets rid of it all together. So at age 12 I went from 110 pounds to 289 pounds in 1 1/2 years. I never changed my eating habits to gain the weight until at like age 16. I was getting picked on at school and the children would "MOO" at me and push me down the stairs so I've had 3 knee surgeries due to that. My husband and I have one child together and last year I suffered 2 miscarriages and even my OBGYN recommended me for bariatric surgery. He wanted me to go for gastric bypass but didn't know if I was big enough and thursday they confirmed that my BMI still qualifies me for it WOOHOO lol. I go on June 14th for my second appointment with the dietician and the nurse practitioner and then I meet with my surgeon afterwards because I got the bright green light to go from the nurse practitioner. Usually at DHMC you don't get to see your surgeon until the 4th or 5th appointment. They said that on June 14th, that after my appointments that they will be sending a request for my insurance to cover my surgery and that could take up to a month. I'm excited because they said that I should have my surgery hopefully by the beginning of August but I'm hoping that it's sooner My HUGE reason for the surgery besides getting healthy and to be around longer for my family is to add to our family my husband wants 4-5 more (OMG I don't know if I could handle that many lol) but we do want a big family but he's a truck driver that is only home every 1-2 weeks for a few days lol. But that's basically my story. (The pic is of my husband, daughter and I)

Hi and welcome! I know what a hard decision this is for you - I had to make the same one and it was really tough. I qualified for both LB and GB. Unfortunately nobody can decide this for you. I can only tell you why I am glad I made the decision to have the band - I'm sure if you asked GB patients they would tell you they made the right choice!! Just get educated and you will do fine no matter which way you go. So, why I chose the band over bypass...I love food and liked the fact that with the band there are no forbidden foods. (there are some foods that are hard for some people with the band but for the most part if you can eat it you can have it)I liked that the band did not permanently alter my digestive system. Everything remains the way God made it, I just have two pieces of extra hardware in there!! If something happens to me I can have it removed (or unfilled) The weight loss with the band tends to be slower than with GB. I think this is healthier and probably causes less hanging skin issues, although that probably depends more on how much weight you have to lose. I also liked the fact that the band is a restrictive tool not malabsorptive- in other words I get all the nutritional value out of every bit of food I eat. I don't have to take a lot of vitamins to remain healthy, I can eat enough food to get the proper nutrients. The downside of the band for some people is that you have to do your part with the band. You will not just automatically lose weight like people with gastric bypass do. But it sounds from your post like you are pretty disciplined and can do it. I hope I have helped. I know this is a tough choice, but like I said, keep getting information and you will figure out which way to go. Does your doctor do both surgeries? That would be easier if you decided to go with the band. Hope all goes well for you!

My bypass revision date is also Aug 9th. I just had my dr/hospital pre op on Tues. I won't know what time I'm scheduled for until the day before and the nurse will call me. I had the lapband in 2009 and it slipped in 2013. Had a sleeve revision at the same time as the band removal in 2013. I've had raging reflux ever since. My GI dr told me a revision was the only thing left (I take more than the highest dose of PPI, I eat non acidic foods and eat about 85% reflux diet, and I sleep in an adjustable bed). Had the 24 hr ph test (tube up my nose for 24 hrs, it sucked), upper endoscopy, and an upper gi. I'll go 6 days without reflux and think I'm golden, and I will call the next day to cancel my surgery. Then, BAM. Im up for 2-3 hrs coughing up stomach acid and severe chest pain. I cough up stomach acid for 2 days afterwards. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital last year for aspiration pneumonia, I was super sick. Then I got it again in Nov, this time I got it in time and nipped it in the bud quicker SO, I'm having bypass revision the same day as u. I'm a little scared of losing too much (I now weigh 154, goal is 130-135 - I'm 5'5"). My dr told me that our bodies are smart and will stop losing when i's at a good weight, not necessarily "my" goal. I hope thats true. I was hoping to be at goal when I leave for my 8 day Southern Carribean cruise in Oct. Can I lose 20 lbs in 9 weeks? Not sure but I should be fairly close if not at goal. I wish u the best! We should talk afterwards about our recovery. My band was easy peasy compared to my sleeve (had a rough recovery). Not sure what this recovery will b like. Good luck on the 9th! See ya on the other side!

I had a lap band ten years ago , I was successful even through a lot of intolerance. It has slipped and even though I lost 85% of my weight and regained some after triplets 5 years ago I’m still riddled with diabetes etc. so because of the hormonal component the rny is happening on August 9 and band being removed . I even had to gain like 15lbs to be the right BMI (ugh) But I don’t really remember the pain. I remember some and recovered fast . I’m anxious to never feeling stuck again and never feeling this port in my abdomen but I’m just nervous of how I will feel already being anemic and having three 5yos . The surgery the day before kindergarten starts :( I’m also hangry since now that I’m approved and on a low carb diet until surgery and low carbing stinks . How long will I stay ? I just stayed overnight with a band .