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Welome and you gotta finish the statement "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste" - always loved the Stones! I may not be a man of wealth - taste has been very important in my life, and that is why I am here also - lol. Know what you mean on the the pride stuff - up until my surgery 11 days ago, I would do 65 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym, but if I did not diet - weight would still creep on till I was at a BMI of over 50. I was so embarrased about having WLS, I told as few people as possible that I was having surgery - and only 4 people (wife, mother, daughter and a freind who had gastric bypass) what the surgery was. The truth of the matter is - I do not think "normal" people have ever been as hungry as I got on a daily basis. While I am in a tough situation right now in my recovery (liquid diet phase w/ dumping syndrome - which is rare for sleeves, but not unheard of) - I still think I made the correct decision, just counting the days till I can start having pureed foods so I can get some decent protien. Good Luck and welcome aboard! -Kevin

Gosh we’re so much alike. I read your other post about the fear. I’m going in this morning for my revision VSG to bypass. I was fearless for my sleeve but wide awake worrying right now. I too am worried that I’ll only lose 10-20 pounds.

I was banded in November 2007 and I have lost 47 lbs since the surgery. I hace 2cc in a 4cc band and I do not think I need anymore. I am happy with the weight loss, but of course I want to get the rest of this off too!!! Good luck to everyone!

November 5th for me too.. How nervous are you?

Hello, I was banded on November 9th, 2006. I did alot of research and procrastinated for a long time before deciding to go thru with it. I was, like you, very nervous. I prayed and it really helped me get thru the night before and the surgery. You will be fine and I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck and remember to follow your doctors post op instructions. Kim:clap2:

Tomorrow is my Sleeve surgery. Today I met with my primary care doctor for final clearance. She has never been supportive of the surgery. I asked what does she know about the sleeve, she said that we have less complications then the bypass but most people just gain the weight back... Def not what I wanted to hear the day before surgery.

Hello Everyone! I am pre-op looks like my surgery date will be the first of November. My surgeon is going on vaca and they are unsure what day. Just a few days ago, I found this website and have been reading everything because I am scared. Alot!! This is the first I have heard of hair loss because of the lapband. Is this the norm or a select few. i am already scared of having the surgery now I will lose my hair.. Maybe I should just try another diet. Sigh. Any advise would be great.

I have been very discouraged lately. Second guessing my decision to get the band and wondering if perhaps I should have gotten the bypass. The scale has not moved down since April 11(not counting the times it has gone up then down, back to the 4/11 weight). I had a fill on May 2, 1 1/2cc in a 4cc band. I have been working out with a trainer and doing the cardio. I have no soft stops, hard stops, BPs, anything. I "could" eat anything I want but manage to eat well most of the time. Although Sunday I had a whole NY bagel for Gods sake, that is not supposed to be possible. I have been journaling foods. Not drinking with or after meals. Its like I don't have the band in at all. Except for the scars and the golfball that is sticking out of my stomach(aka the port). I have reminded myself of why I chose the band over the bypass- recovery time, malabsorption issues, reversible. But Im starting to think about the bypass in a new light. Im thinking maybe I should have done some more research. Talked to some more people. If I had the bypass there is no way a bagel could go down.!!!:thumbup: I am not happy. (on the Drs scale I have only lost 9lbs in the first 10 wks after surgery. I lost 5lbs in the first week. Do the math this is not working!!!!:thumbup::cursing::smile2::cursing::cursing: )

I am getting very frustrated and for a fat girl that eats when she is upset, that is not good I went to my seminar on the 8th. Contacted my insurance and found out they do cover lap band with a 6 month supervised program first. Went to my primary care physician, told him I wanted to have surgery. He said my medical group requires a 6 month diet (no problem, have to do it for insurance anyway.) Said he would refer me to the doc for diet. Last night I went to orientation for supervised diet. Told them I wanted lap band surgery, but have to do medically supervised diet first. Was told I need to see my primary care again to have a physical, EKG, and bloodwork done. Made appointment this morning, will be going in on Friday. Got a phone call from a nurse from the supervised diet people (after I made dr appointment) and she informed me that my medical group does not do lap band surgery. They only do bypass...don't want bypass!!!! She recommended that I get an appointment with the doc for a bariatric consultation and see what he has to say. I thought that my primary care had already faxed a referral for me to see him and found out they have not received anything from him. They would contact his office and find out what is going on. Well, it is going to take 7-10 business days for the referral to be approved and then I can make the appointment. I thought this had already been stared so I have lost another 5 days to incompetence. I am hoping someone out there has had the insurance/medical group issue and can give me some light on the subject. I do not know if my insurance will cover the surgery out of my medical group. Please help!!!:rolleyes2:

Hi Everyone, I have finally worked up enough courage to introduce myself. I started my Lap Band Journey on November 4th when I went to the WLS seminar. Since then I have met with the surgeon, and done all the pre-op testing required. I completed my 6 month diet requirement through Jenny Craig last year. I am now schedelued for my final Surgeon visit on 1/14 and then they will submit my packet to Carefirst BCBS and see what happens. I am so nervous about the possibility of being rejected and that is why I have been afraid to post. I currently weigh 223 and am 5'2" tall, my BMI is 40.5. I am the proud Momma of 5 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 20 - 1. I am thrilled with the idea of getting healthy, so I can keep up with the little ones as they grow.

Nicole, don't despair! November isn't bad at all!! Usually it takes at least that long to get in to see the surgeon anyhow! If the doc is Sacramento is where you want to go and takes an insurance you can switch to then schedule your appointment NOW for say December. Chances are that even you had the correct insurance right this second you wouldn't get in until then anyhow. It's time for a battle plan .

Hi Dee im like you waiting to get the band done ive waited 12 months now my insurance kicks in - Im in Sydney and the op will cost me out of pocket between $3000-$4500 depending on who you go too I cant advise you about the op in the states but there are many lovely ladies who could I think if you want the band then this is your choice and your decision and stick by your guns- go for it, look into everything, I also would not want to bypass I work with a girl who had this done and so far she has lost about 132 lbs and still wants to loose about 44lbs or so but this op is not reversable and can cause some problems like dumping ect How much is the band in the states and is this covered on private medical insurance or do you have to pay it all out of pocket ? good luck with things and if you really want it I believe it will happen for you Cheers Ruth

Dee, a lot of people think their PCPs won't support them and then are pleasantly surprised. In most cases the biggest problem is that the PCP just isn't familiar with the band; they bypass is the known thing so that's what they recommend. I even had a doc recommend the VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty), an operation that's unsafe and ineffective so it's RARELY performed anymore, but this particular endocrinologist wasn't up on recent developments and didn't know that. Stick to your guns!! Tell your PCP that you agree weight loss surgery is indicated, but YOU feel for your health that banding and not RNY is the way to go for you. Tell him you understand all that's involved in the two operations, and that you've made your educated choice. It's not his place to dictate to you, and I think he'll be impressed that you've done your homework and know so much. If he doesn't know anything about the band, bring him the Inamed patient handbook (print it out from www.Inamed.com). That's what I did and my PCP was very interested--she'd never heard of it before. I think you'll do fine. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

:straight Hi everyone I'm new and hoping before long I will also be able to share a success story w/you all. I am really impressed w/this site it is so imformative. Im 38yrs.old in MA have 5 boys yeehaw:D Overweight mostly all my life. Tried every diet under the sun and to no avail. Seems as I age the pounds keep creeping on. I have yet to get the lapband done. I have a new PC and I ran it by him that I will need a referral to see the surgeon I have chosen to do my procedure I see her on the 21'st of this month. The way she works it I guess is you go for 3 visits then she schedules surgery. Now he knows I have to go in a few weeks his response was that I should go see a fellow physcian he knows at another hosp who does gastric bypass only he said for an opinion. I feel I really do not need an opinon as I know what I need to do for myself to feel better. To make a long story short the PC seemed to be more in favor of the gastric bypass which I am flat out against. I suppose there is no getting around the PC is there if he disagrees? Financially I wouldnt be able to afford it. I hope he doesn't get in the way currently I have swollen feet and have to stay on Fluid pills,acid reflux,asthma,sleep apnea etc etc.. Thanks for listening.

I am 68 years old and had RNY gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. My age did not seem to impede my healing. Some people say they are more energetic after surgery. I wouldn't say I was more energetic but rather my stamina improved dramatically. Stamina is the ability to perform physical labor. I felt like my stamina was similar to when I was 30 year old. On one of my projects around the house, on the 2nd year post op, I moved 100,000 pounds of gravel by hand along with around 60,000 pounds of concrete blocks and the next year I moved about the same amount of material.

Whatever you decide I know you can do it. Matt is 100% correct. You need to discuss this with your significant other and both be on the same page. You will need their support 100% after surgery and you need to also know how they feel. As far as the investing in yourself.. it is the BEST thing you can do. All our lives we always do for others and this is now our time. I however did the sleeve, which was half the cost of the bypass, but it is what worked for me financially. I also have done the dieting in the past and have gotten down 120 pounds and gained most of it back. For me, this is a tool that became a rule. The rule states, you cannot fall of the wagon because i will not allow you too. I have the will power, my issue is if i do fall off ( the last time because i traveled for work for 3 weeks and had to eat where the group ate) it was hard to get back on. But once i put my mind to something i am good. My mind was determined to do this, for me, and i went in and even up to the moment of surgery, it was like i had a task to do. I never thought of it is a major change to my body. You got this no matter what!

This is my story and Journey after having my bypass years ago-9 to be specific. It all started out with a huge hiatal hernia to be repaired. My surgeon recommend me to seek lap band surgery, as being overweight might not hold the hernia repair , and he told me it would be a real diservice to me if he did not advice me to do so. So, off I went to a weight loss seminar, and spoke with Dr. Gregory Schroder as to wether or not I would be a candidate. He felt not, as having the Nisson Fundoplasty could potenuate problems down the road. I so appreciated his honesty, and he mentioned a surgeon who performs gastric bypasses to see if I was a candidate. Immediately I was, despite my history of depression and chrohns.. So off I go. Oh I was told that there could be complications such as a leak, and nausea post op, but this rarely happends. I was also told to be very strict with my diet, because after three years, your puch my be stretched, and weight gain indeed can happen. I was very compliant. Weight loss very successful.Hoever, ther have been so many complications down the road. My surgeon left to go to Doctor's Without Borders, and has left the state. I ended up having immediate surgeery to remove my gallbladder 1 year later. Dr. Shroder's group did that for me. Three years post-op I had an open strangulated hernia repair- again by Dr. Gregory Schroder. I suffer from chronic nausea and vomiting. I have terrible painful lower cramps as well. I had a picc line 3 years ago, as my weight has drooped so low due to the nausea and vomiting. My weight has dropped as low as 86 pounds. I just can't keep the weight on. How ironic life is. You'd think how nice it would be to eat and not gain a pound, but it has become a curse. I could not work anymore in my favorite job as a PACU nurse, as I didnt have the strength to move the stretchers anymore, or the stamina. The excertion just made my weight drop even more. I can work , but can't do physical labor anymore. I want you to know I watch MY 600 POUND LIFE. My husband and daughter don't understand. So many people struggle with different things in their lifes. Life after surgery is a Journey in itself, and will always be. I so applaud those who share their stories, and know that the journey never stops. I share my story here, becaus gastric bypass is a serious surgery. I think people should really think about it instead of jumping on it right away like I did. Learn to love yourself. I know how hard it is to be overweight. Everyone wants a quick fix. I know I did. I wish everyone who does have the surgery much success. I will continue with my story as time progresses. Bless you all-CBT

I am sorry that you have encountered many problems post-op and I wish you well. In general, the three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, fluid and vitamin requirements. How are you doing in these areas. A few years after my RNY gastric bypass surgery, I was told that my surgeon tends to make the stomach pouch a little smaller than some. This meant that I had to really adhere to the meal volume requirement. If I exceed this volume, it generally lead to dumping syndrome. My nutricianist recommended that to counteract this, I should eat more small meals per day, perhaps 5. So I was wondering if this might help in your case.

So, I will be one year out on August 12th. I have lost 88lbs and that is all!! I was doing sooo good. I have had some major life changes over the past year and some of them pretty huge, but I felt like I was still pushing forward. I lost my mom in November, two weeks later my daughter told me her family (my son in law and grandbaby, not even a year yet) were moving 9 hours away from me, and I graduated with my first college degree in May, all while taking care of my family (2 boys still at home and my husband). To say I have been stressed is an understatement and my doctor (GP) told me that stress and sleeping issues can have a big impact on weight loss and to be happy I am not gaining. I wanted to be at 100 lost by my 1 year anniversary, but that will not happen and I am slowly accepting that. I think that I have been so discouraged that I have been a bit more snacky and I am wondering what you all have done to help get back on track? Where do I start so to speak? I need some kind of intervention.....something!! Any advice is welcome and appreciated!!!

This is what I had on Day 36 post-op. (Keep in mind that at this point, I was still advancing through the food stages. I didn't get through all of that until 8 weeks post-op.) The numbers represent calories, carbs, and protein from left to right. I agree with @OutsideMatchInside, if you can eat "anything," you should focus more on lean protein that will keep you fuller longer on fewer calories. Thursday, November 3, 2016 (Day 36 Post-Op) 1 scrambled egg 070 0 06.0 1/3 piece of Daily Chef American Cheese 024 0 01.5 1 Kraft string cheese 080 0 07.0 2 oz salmon 090 0 11.5 1 oz green beans 030 2 02.5 1/3 tsp Olive Oil 013 0 00.0 113 g cottage cheese 110 4 13.0 1 T sugar-free strawberry jam 010 2 00.0 2 oz salmon 090 0 11.5 1 oz green beans 030 2 02.5 1/3 tsp Olive Oil 013 0 00.0 1 Kraft string cheese 080 0 07.0 2 oz salmon 090 0 12.0 1 oz green beans 030 2 02.5 1/3 tsp Olive Oil 014 0 00.0 113 g cottage cheese 110 4 13.0 1 T sugar-free strawberry jam 010 2 00.0 91 oz water 000 0 00.0 16 oz Decaf Iced Tea 000 0 00.0 1 stevia packet 000 0.5 00.0 TOTALS 894 18.5 90.0

Hello all, I had my gastric sleeve surgery on November 15th. It has been such an adventure. I use to be a big drinker before surgery. I stopped about a month before and didn't have any cravings. Now I'm starting to have a craving for a drink. I know and completely understand it is empty calories and it's not healthy. I'm not looking to be criticized. I want to know when people have had drinks how it went and how soon it was. Thanks all. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mini Me - Youre a jewel. *hugs* Cashley - Absolutely right! It's our differences that bring out discussions. If we all thought the same, what would be the point of posting here? Dr. Pleatman - I fully understand and agree with what you said about not being married to the band. However, because most of us here do have bands (thus the name of the site) it would be great to hear some positive input from you about the band. I rarely see you posting on threads with positive answers to band questions or concerns. To me, it seems your answer to just about every situation is to convert to a bypass. I respect your right to that opinion, I just can't figure out why you wish to portray a negative image of the band while offering the more extreme surgeries as the answers. Isn't it true that after three years, lapband and RnY patients have lost about the same amount of weight, and that RnY patients tend to put the weight back on after that initial three years? I guess, for me, waving the bypass flag as the answer to most lapband problems is a false dream. Yes, these people will lose quickly and praise the procedure, but what about the long term complications? I'm really not trying to argue or be disrespectful to you, Dr. Pleatman. I just find it almost rude to come to a place where people gather to get support about their lapbands and the only vocal doctor here consistently professes the bypass surgery to be a much better choice. But then, I guess you'd be preaching to the choir if you were posting on a bypass board. On last thing.. Um, have you met the people here who have had their bands removed that are still doing well?? DeLarla, Penni, and all the others who may struggle with a few pounds but by no means have they completely lost it. Why do you say this is guaranteed? Note: This is my opinion. It is not meant to represent any other person here, nor is it meant to run Dr. Pleatman away - so he doesn't need defending. He is a professional who is very capable of answering questions directed to him. By the way, I know someone who eroded and was rebanded a year and a half ago. They are doing exceptionally well with their new band and are almost to their goal weight. There are indeed people who choose to reband and do very well.

Well, I'm the exception to every rule. Band erosion might make me consider a removal if it could include a simultaneous revision to RnY. I got myself approved for the RnY bypass first, but I saw the Lap Band when I lived in the UK and I was really excited about it being approved here. So I joined the original (and ill-fated, LOL) FDA Study of the LapBand and boy have I had 5 fun-filled years of unique LapBanding experiences and occurences. And in 5 years, I've experienced nearly every complication that a Banded patient can experience. I keep thinking erosion is next (*sigh*)...but no signs of it yet. (The fact that many erosions are asymptomatic is not comforting, but there you go.) After my LapBanding, I literally was sicker than any bypass patient I know (and I know quite a few Weight Loss surgery patients) so all those things I hoped for with Lap Banding (having a less minimally invasive, safer surgery with fewer complications) didn't exactly go as smoothly for me. So when I see people say "Oh I'd get banded or nothing" well, to each his own. But I'm still trying to work with the band or my new band (or technically I received 2/3 of a new band last year) and on dark days, a bypass sounds good to me right now. But I'm at BMI of 30 - so insurance approval for a revision to bypass seems unlikely. It's unfortunate to be too fat to be content, yet not fat enough to get a revision. Anyway, as long as the band works, I'll keep working with it for now. But I am absolutely determined on this point - if I get one more single band complication, they can have it. Revise me to an RnY, if the band can't get the job done. After 5 years of band issues, a little malabsorption might not sound so bad to get some of this excess weight off. Enough is enough - and I might throw in the towel. But again, I'm the exception to the rule. Happy Banded (and Non-Banded) Journeys to everyone...

You guys are confused. Photonut... the study you posted by Ren, Ponce, and Horgan was published in 2002; the longest patient follow-up was only 2 years.. Fairly early study, actually. In that study they only had 1 band erosion; That patient with erosion was apparently asymptomatic and had refused surgical treatment. There is no mention at all in the paper of rebanding of any patient. All 3 authors are paid speakers for Inamed. Janet... doctors refuse to reband for a reason. You say you chose lapband over bypass for a reason. Presumably the reasons had to do with safety, reversibility, and minimal invasiveness. Now things have changed. Redo surgery is much more dangerous... the chance of success with rebanding is lower than it was for the first go-around. Reversibility... well, that one came back and bit you in the ass. The operation is undone even though you didn't want it undone. Minimal invasiveness is the same with either lapband or bypass. And now there are newer studies coming out showing results of rebanding... which you chose to ignore. Sorry if I'm being rough on you. I'm only here to educate and help you understand the data. Mark Pleatman MD

If your band slips and doesn't fix itself (sometimes it will with an unfill and liquid diet) it is fine to be rebanded. I'm talking about people with deep erosions that have damaged the stomach walls. That is where the people at Vanderbilt say they would not reband, because there is much too much damage and danger of infection. You don't get to choose rebanding, your dr. has to think you are ready for it. If you have gone 6 or 8 mo. and an endoscopy shows complete healing it might be an option. It's one I would have to think about, but I would definitely want it before Gastric Bypass Surgery. I also think if you are not going to reband, you should not be converting failed GB patients to the band...makes no sense to me. Good Luck.