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Hello, let me introduce myself, Im Jill:rolleyes2: from Illinois, Im 48, and married with two wonderful sons, Justin 20, and Patrick 15 1/2, and a soon to be daughter in law(10-2010), Aubrie. We own our own Landscaping Company. I, however, am a Customer Service Representative at a bank in our town. I was banded on April 14, 2009, in St. Louis, MO at Barnes Hospital, my surgeon was Dr. J Christopher Eagon. Everything went fine, Im losing weight, I feel good and can't wait to start pitching the big clothes and jump into regular clothes:laugh:

Everyone has cute graphs at the bottom of their posts; where do I find them and how do I add them to my post?

Carlos welcome!!! It's really nice to see how supportive you are! I have been banded about 3 months and I think my advice to you would be...be very gentle with him as he goes through this journey. I was very skinny when I met my husband and then got sick and because of the medicine gained 70 lbs in 8 weeks. Then I had two children and couldn't loose that 70 lbs. My husband has never understood this because he has never had an issue with weight. Since being banded I have lost 22 lbs but I don't see it. Other people are asking have i lost weight but even my husband can't see the difference. I'm assuming it's because we're around each other all the time. What I appreciate most about my husband is he doesn't play the food police with me. The band isn't a solution just part of the journey. And there are days (and sometimes multiple days in a row) where I fall off the wagon and say screw it I'm eating whatever I want. The first time this happened and my husband said "are you supposed to be eating that" I got so pissed and ran into the kitchen and started eating more. This is a life journey and he's going to have good days and bad. Just be there and encourage him through both. The best advice I can give him I got from this site. This journey should be taken 1 meal at a time. When I started out it was easy to say oh well i blew it at lunch so I'll just eat whatever and start over tomorrow. But the better approach which I take now is...ok I didn't do great at this meal so I'll work on the next one. Hope things go well for the two of you!

If doing something as "simple" (said tongue in cheek) as the South Beech diet helped you loose weight - why would you need the lapband? My dr explained that the reason for these "Supervised" diets required by the insurance company was to rule out the possibility of you loosing weight through other means. You know what your body is capable of. You know what you need to loose this weight (the lapband). You are now prooving that to your insurance company. TDo not let your BMI fluctuate too much. try to stay steady. If you drop too low, or go too high, you will run the risk of being denied. My first paragraph here, it's the most important. Keep this in mind when trying to diet, and do not drive yourself too crazy about this. The pre-op diet is only a few weeks, and is to shrink the liver. That one is important. At that point, you need to buckle down and get focused and determined. But that is yet to come :thumbup: Good luck!!

oh, congrats on your weight loss, way to gooooo woooo hooooo Stay strong and keep doing what ever you are doing you are worth it!!!!!!!!

Update here: I'm now nearly 8 months post surgery and I can honestly say that this was the best decision of my life. I've lost 84 pounds since my weigh-in the morning before the operation and just last week I tipped the scales within the "normal" BMI range. I feel great, look better than ever before and haven't really had any issues beyond the original complications immediately after the surgery. I keep buying clothes as my old ones keep getting too big very fast - I think the money saved on food goes on clothes these days! I'm aiming at losing about 12-15 pounds more but I'm eating a little more already as I'm not sure how easy it is to stop losing weight. To anyone still wondering whether to take the plunge, I say: go for it. There are risks involved but living with obesity is risk filled too.

I get sleeved tomorrow, June 3. It's just so weird, trying to comprehend what's about to happen. In a flash, I'll think I'm nuts, but a moment later I'll remind myself about why I'm doing this. I'm not having second thoughts. It's just oddly emotional having reality catch up with what has been on my mind for so many weeks. Or maybe it's just the lack of food (Clear liquids today). :wink0: By the way, I told a friend the other day that I would have the stomach of a squirrel... or maybe a groundhog. She said "REALLY???" She thought there was going to be a transplant. Anyway, short-term pain for long-term gain. Here goes.

One of the issues I had was left shoulder pain from pressure on my phrenic nerve. It lasted a couple months and drove me crazy. The good news is that it stopped after I dropped some weight. Another issue was that I suffered from severe fatigue for months. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, so I'm sure this played a part. The good news is it got better. Another issue I had was hairloss. I tried everything to avoid it, but still lost a great amount of hair. The good news is that it grew back. The issue I deal with now is loose skin on my arms. Yes, overall I'm satisfied with the band.

I finally got a call from my Doctors office with all my dates including the surgery date January 31st 2010. I have very mixed emotions, this is something i have dreamed about for many years and now it only a 6weeks away. Is this normal? I feel like if this doesn't work then, i will be over weight the rest of my life.

I'm 23 years old and I have been researching Lap Band Surgery for a few days now. But would like to get some advice from people who have actually had this procedure done. I'm 5'1 and weigh about 196 lbs. I have struggled with being overweight for the last 6 years or so. I have tried diet and exercise many times but have not lost more than 5 lbs. I'm depressed almost all the time because of my weight. I have some lower back pains and knee pains quite often. I have many headaches and migraines but not sure if this could be associated with my weight. I am hoping that I would qualify but I'm not sure. Do you think I could possibly qualify for this? And does Medicaid pay for this type of procedure? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Hi everyone. So, I attended the nutrition class, support meeting, had my psych evaluation, and now I am waiting for my doctor's talk before my insurance coordinator is able to support my information for insurance approval. I am sooo excited and hope I get approved. My BMI is 48 and I keep telling myself they'll have to approve because I am so overweight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I need this weight off so I can join police academy! How long does it take for insurance to approve and set a date for surgery? I appreciate all answers

Thank you conservachick.... You have lost quite a bit yourself... Congratulations!!! I think having the surgery is one of the best things I've ever done for myself... I feel so much better and I'm only half way there.... I can only look forward to feeling way better than I do now... I look forward to hearing more about your weight lose... Good luck on your journey as well!!!

Do you have any suggestion on what you would of done differently if you would of known then what you do now. Any suggestions on anything to do with the surgery, weight loss, diet, loose skin...????

amberj- i have bcbs in wash state. i went to my 1st seminar sept 7th, and started the paperwork. they approved me 100% in nov, and i just got banded dec 13th. they required a psych visit. a nutritionish visit, a note from my dr stating why she thought i would be a good canidate. she knew of my struggles with my weight and my family history. i also had to have weight watchers fax my year long history with them. bcbs approved me within 3 weeks- god bless them ! im down 14 lbs and it has all been VERY easy. good luck to you !!

I had my first follow up appointment. I am down 35 pounds 8 being pre op weight loss. I feel good still a little sore. I don't start my Puree till Monday but I don't mind not hungry anyways lol. Yayyyy. My presure is down to normal and my diabtetes is down into the normal range. I am so happy about that. <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w5mOOfs/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w5mOOfs/weight.png"></a>

Oh i'm sure. I guess "luckily" in this situation, I haven't lost anything more than 3-4lbs in the past year or so...It's just water weight that changes on a daily basis.

Hello their everyone, my name is Karen. I have PCOS and Im a 21 yrs old. I've been trying to have a baby with my husband. We've done In vitro and NOTHING so my Dr recommended me to get weight loss surgery so my chances of being a mother can increase. Basically so my PCOS symptoms can decrease. Are their any ladies here that have PCOS and have the surgery and have a baby now? or did your DR recommend this too ? thanks in advance

i have never had a fill. i was banded in 2008 at 206lbs. my low weight was 185lbs. when i started to gain the doctor keep telling me i was fine that im building muscle. now i dont have insurance and im upto 212lbs; more than the day i was banded. this is depressing. i workout 3-4x a week (cycling, zumba, aqua fitness, etc.), eat a sensible diet and drink plenty of water. not sure what to think or what to do. i dont want to gain anymore!

Greetings my Good People! I know it’s been a hella long minute since I’ve updated. My life has been nothin short of chaos for the past 3 months. That being said – I haven’t lost my focus – even though I lost my day job.I will say though – that this time has helped me really prioritize my life and what’s important…and my health (physical, mental, AND spiritual) is at the top of the heap. Feeling Accomplished after ZUMBA The time I spent in NYC motivated me to get out & move more, and that’s something I brought home with me. When I was there – some days Id walk 3 or 4 miles a day. I’d run & play in the park w/my daughter…I’d just get up and move as much as possible. I really attribute this last 15-20# I lost (in the past 2 mnths) to that. On top of that – I realized that moving got my juices flowin…so to speak. It made me WANT to move/do more…and when I do get up/out & move…I feel…vixen-ish! *lol* Seriously – I really thought my mojo was gone for good. But it is slowly resurfacing. It kicked into overdrive this week with the start of my Zumba obession – thanks to many friends, and a persistent neighbor (also a WLS gal) who wasn’t allowing me to keep making excuses. Zumba is the $h!t! *lol* As much as I lovessssss me some belly dancing, I think I’ve taken on a new luv-ah! (even though some of the core techniques are the same – which is probably why i love it so much!) I’ll be going once a week, and also taking a step-class on an alternate day. There is nothing sexier than sweating off the pounds by shakin my booty-meat for an hour straight *lol* Nothin says “Sexy” like a sweaty love-cave *lmao*. 60# to go! You know – I really thought that Miss Mojo was gone for good. I just hadn’t been feeling myself. More self conscious than I’ve EVER been in my LIFE. And it kinda saddened me. I was wondering if I would ever feel like that vivacious vixen ever again. But she is slowly-but- surely rearing her beautiful flame-haired self again. Now, I still have some concerns with saggy skin & what-not, but I’m actually very pleased w/how it’s coming off. I’m starting to have quite the svelte lil’ figure, if I might say so myself! Even my arm-flaps are fallin in to line. (Who says the shake weight doesn’t work?!) On another note: I’ve gotta say that this journey has been well-worth everything I’ve gone thru to get here. I’m at a VERY transitional time in my life altogether. This not having a 9-5 job has stressed me to no end.BUT, it has forced me to operate in my God-given gifts & talents. unique, artistic, handmade jewels...by MOI! My jewelry business is taking off to the sky, and my newest venture is off to a great running start. I’m always up for networking – so if you don’t know…NOW you know. Check them out! www.ggxjewels.com (unique, artistic, handmade jewelry) and www.present-this.com (virtual assistant services). Who woulda thunk I’d ever have to be FORCED into living my dream (and looking good doing it!?) Welp – that’s all that’s suitable for print right now… See y’all in ONEderland soon (29# to get there!)!!

Hi there My name is annette. I have only 4 days to go , and like you im pretty worried about the surgery too, I think this is probably normal. Im worried about the whole hospital stay and yes also about the life changes afterwards, I will certainly answer any questions you may have after I go through my surgery , Annette Hello my fellow Bandmates, I am so excited, nervous and slightly apprehensive at this time because this is a new chapter that is about to begin in my life. I have never taken a risk my whole life that would essentially change me from the inside out. I am excited because finally I get the chance to become healthy while losing weight. I am nervous because I am scared of surgery in general and the risk associated with it. I also feel a little apprehensive because this is a significant life change and I wonder will I be successful. I went to a support group last week and many said that this is hard work, but they all felt motivated to get healthy. It also encouraged me because I know that I can do it now and that everyones weight loss is different. Dr. Enochs wants to do a Gastric Plication in combination with the LapBand which means to fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it up. Gastric Plication (LGP) as a bariatric procedure. It promises to be a method that gives weight loss results as good as sleeve gastrectomy without the risks associated with that procedure. He says that I would require a liver reduction diet two weeks prior to surgery and he wont know until he opens me whether or not he can do it. This is basically an experimental procedure that is supposed to increase weight loss so I hope it works for me. Im just asking for your prayers and advice that may help me right after I am banded. Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks-FeFeButterfly <BR class=spacer_>

Attended the second managed weight loss meeting today, and now only have four more to go! After the next one I will be halfway there, yay! It was an interesting class. Ended up being more like a group therapy session. After the meeting, I was talking with a couple of ladies and one said to me "you're not THAT large." I didn't think much of it until after I left...but, I did on the ride home. I told my husband I'm a woman without peeps!! I'm too fluffy for the skinny gals and not fluffy enough for the fluffiest ones...sigh. Have you ever had anyone make a similar statement? Did you take it as a compliment or dig? In your mind what size is TOO small for WLS? I meet the NIH criteria and I've been shopping in the plus size department for years now, so I personally feel it's time. My high blood pressure, bad back, knees and feet tend to agree. All the way home I kept thinking "well, dang how large would you like me to get". It seems every year I find another diet followed by another 20-30 lbs gained post diet. Is it wrong to want to nip it in the bud? Meh! I am, however, getting very excited about the future. Went shopping the other day and found that I have NO desire to buy any more clothes at this size. I found that I was window shopping for what I'd like to wear in the future...man, I can't wait!! =)

yea 3-5 yrs is wat my doc said. why would u wana get preggo before loosing your weight?

My starting BMI was 39.5, but I want to tell you that recently the FDA approved the Lap-Band for patients with BMI's of 30+. Approval of surgery for you will depend on your particular insurance policy, so why don't you give them a call and find out what your weight loss surgery coverage is and what, if anything, you'll have to do to qualify. Some policies require the patient to do a 6-month medically supervised weight loss diet, for example. Good luck! Jean

Think twice about getting the Lap Band Surgery......Look under CBS News Lap Band.....Study done by the physician that started this surgery. Results are not good. 20 yr study Another physician stated that he used to do 50% Lab Band now he only does 5% or less. Please read everything. They only tell you the good stuff. And if you want support you can forget that also. A once a month support group......what a joke. I went to a few of the support groups but it was a waste of time. I have done well with the Lap Band, but very few do. If I had a choice and knew what I do now I would have the gastic bypass. Lap Band is very hard to do.....you have to accept that everything will change or not. I was in a room with about 50 other patients for a band fill not to long ago and only two of us had lost weight. Myself and a male patient. Lap Band done June 2009

Hey there! I am new to this board, but not to the world of the Lap Band procedure. I began researching this WLS back in 2001. I went for the first visit with the surgeon, got freaked out that I could actually have surgery and lose weight, and then lost my health insurance so I could not follow through with the surgery. I am recently married, and am getting my Masters Degree in a week and a half. I am going to start teaching English in the fall. I realized that I want a better life for myself. I have severe asthma, and walking long distances has become a chore, to sometimes impossible on my bad days. I need this surgery to live a normal life. I just want to be able to breathe. I am eager to continue on this journey into Bandland