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Yes!!!! I first got my sleeve in 2014.. I was 349 went down to 220 then I got pregnant with my 5th child... and then a year after I got pregnant with my sixth!!!! That's it for me!!! I learned my lesson and this coming Friday will be a new chapter for me... startingbover with my weight loss journey. I go for a revision and I'm getting the gastric bypass. I'm nervous. Please send positive energy my way[emoji26][emoji38][emoji38][emoji38] thanks in advance. Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

Looks like they don't cover open lap band or VSG surgeries, whether they are laparoscopic or open procedures. They probably cover the bypass or other similar. It depends on the persons policy. My policy covers but it's a whole bunch of hoops to jump through and u have to go through their BariatricPal program. So it varies

Hey SJ - I was banded at U of Penn in Philly on 3/10/08. I don't know if my office will do fills if they didn't do the surgery, but you can check. Also, go to the websites of your local hospitals. If they have a bariatric department that would be your best bet. Even though you live hear, ask the question as if you just moved here. They will be less likely to question why you left the country to get the surgery. Plus, you are paying for your own fills so there shouldn't be any conflicts. It's worth a try. I know that in Philadelphia, only HUP and Temple Hospital have Bariatric Departments. Jefferson hosp does too, but they don't do Lap-Band - only the bypass. I checked them all out when I was deciding. Since I live in the city it was easy for me to pick Penn. Good Luck. Anne

I think most people just don't know the difference between gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. I feel like most of the world thinks bariatric surgery is a big huge terrible horrifying thing you do to lose weight because you give up. People are just not informed and even the media screws up the message. Ugh!

Surgery was 1/24 had gastric bypass so far I've lost 30 pounds, but like others have said every one is different I started at 301 pound now 271

I have it. I didn't use insurance but I know that Arizona Humana PPO did a trial coverage of the lapband for 1 year and it ended last April 2005. They haven't covered it since. In Gastric Bypass, it only covers it if there is "extreme need and circumstances". I think it depends on what state you live in too. All you can do is submit and try!!!

Hi Jeri, So glad to hear about you. I'm also having a revision from lapband to sleeve. People like you keep me going. Thanks, Linda

Very nicely written post. I can relate to so much of what you said. My husband was banded two years ago, he too chose it as self-pay rather then do the bypass our insurance would cover. I was terrified. I worried about him surviving the operation. I worried about him not losing weight and getting very depressed because he saw this as his last chance. I worried that he would lose weight and find someone prettier. Did I mention that I worried?! Well, he survived. He's healthier now then he's been in years. He's lost about 90 pounds, he's kind of taking his time with it. He looks good. I started to wonder if maybe there was something to this banding. So, I did more research. Ran some numbers, since I'm self-pay also. Made an appointment with his surgeon and said "OK, now I really have some questions". Got it all set up, got my date. Was told to lose 10-15 pounds and promptly gained 7! So now, I'm kind of in limbo. I had to wait until the end of August because of work deadlines. Giving me lots of time to think about how much this is going to cost, how much more in debt we will be. About how it will feel to have a device in me that has a say in what and how much I eat. How I'll feel if I can't, for whatever reason I think there might be, lose weight with this. I have a tendency to think things to death and over-analyze. To question my decisions. But I do feel this is a good choice for me. I've struggled with my weight since high school. I'll lose some, then slip up and gain it all back. I'm quite frankly tired of it. Of working so hard with nothing to show. I do realize that there is work ahead of me, but I feel like I'll have my little buddy to help. Hum, I think I need to come up with a name for my band... I agree, this is a journey and will be interesting. I have my op-day outfit picked out (A muu-muu from a recent trip to Hawaii), my shopping list written and my time of from work all figured out. Yay for us!

So I remember the first time I ever heard of any weight loss surgery. I was 19 and my mom went under the knife for the Gastric Bypass. I was so excited for her. She had been heavy all my life and recently found out she was diabetic. I remember my sister and I joking that there is no way she is getting skinnier then us and we went on short-winded diets. I met my now husband that same year and he even went to the hospital with me to visit her. She was in longer because she had complications. Ever since 2004 I always wanted to go the other route where I worked out and ate healthier for short periods of time. I never thought I would ever consider surgery ever! But, it was in 2010 my husband starting telling me I should look into the surgery. (Not negatively he knew I wanted to lose weight and is very supportive). but it wasn't until 2011 I finally took a good look at my health insurance at work. I was amazed when I found out that they included it in their coverage! Bless you Marriott. So I first went to my parents because not only did my mother have surgery and experience have physical complications but the 3rd party center that helped her get approved for the surgery set her up at a hospital with a doctor out of her network. So my father was very worried about me seeing the fine print so that I didn't end up with any mystery costs. After getting their blessing, I moved forward in my journey and in May 2011 started my 6 month supervised diet. I remember not thinking twice... I wanted gastric bypass. But then the doctor suggested the sleeve and his knowledge and these forums changed my mind completely. I had everything going well and then there was a bump in the road. Come to find out at the last minute literally that I could not get approved for the surgery because the hospital was not deemed a "Center of Excellence" which was a stipulation of Marriott when they chose the benefit. But God is good and i was able to get an appointment at new hospital and 2 weeks later was approved for surgery! My approval was January 3rd at 9:30am. I remember seeing the number come across my phone and held my breath lol... but leading up to that moment with the small stall that occurred...I couldnt believe how I had let myself start to think. See on the 2nd my doctor called me to tell me they denied me but really they had just read the letter wrong because it was sent out before the holiday break and the problem had fixed itself the nxt day. So I remember thinking on the way home that maybe I'm just meant to be overweight. I really thought this could be my destiny. But like a Weight Watchers leader once taught me ... delete delete delete.. negative thoughts. And here I am now about a month away from surgery ecstatic. I am all the feelings that everyone else has had on this forum but I am so excited to be the me I feel is trapped inside this heavier body! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a lil scared. I'm not really scared of the procedure itself but just the aftercare. I want to eat right and take care of myself right and get the most "bang for my buck" like they say. I can only take it one day at a time... but feb 13th can't come soon enough

Hi. I'm scheduled for bypass on April 26th! I live in the south hills of Pittsburgh. Looking for a buddy to worth together and make great things happen for us. Anyone interested in making s new friend/buddy? Dawn

Im allowed 2 shakes and a low carb dinner my first week of pre-op. If you are allowed to have regular food at all just stay away from breads/sweets/starches.....carbs. Im getting revision-sleeved Dec 16th, so my Xmas will REALLY SUCK...lol. but you may have some flexibility depending on the doctors orders. Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App

I'm on the 6th too. Revising from the band. I had multiple last meals [emoji20]. I sadly gained weight from my last visit. But I'm on day 4 of my 7 day liquid diet. I've been wanting to revise for two years. I've unfortunately gained back all my weight plus a little due to band failure. I hope things go very well for all. Now that it's 4 days away I'm starting to get a little nervous. I'm hoping I have an easy recovery. Honestly I'm not worried to much about the pain, although last time day 1 sucked, but I was off pain meds by day 3. I'm worried about having trouble getting all me fluids in. I currently drink a lot of wyler's light (similar to crystal light).

Not sure if anyone is going to read this, but I figure blogging about my journey will give me something to look back on. It will help me note my progress. Surgery date is still 32 days away. It's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I just weighed myself and am currently at 256 (and that's rounding down). I usually stay around 255. My story is similar to everyone elses so I won't waste time with the details. Let's just say, a lot of time and money spent with very few (if any) results. I'm 27, and I realize I'm not getting any younger. I have been reasonably health, but had a scare that pushed me to start researching weight loss surgery. I'm very glad that I did and I'm extremely excited. Although I'M healthy, my family has a history of diabetes and heart problems and I wanted to nip that in the bud ASAP. I know a common question among the board is who do you tell about this journey? For the most part, I've told everyone. Everyone I work with, my whole family, and a few close friends. Amazingly, every single person I've told has been extremely supportive. I even told one of my friends (who I thought would react negatively) and she surprised me by being supportive! I feel super blessed to have such great people in my life. However, I have this one close guy friend that for some reason, I can't make myself tell. I do have feelings for him, so maybe that's why? It's been stressing me out a bit, and I'm really hoping that after surgery, he doesn't ask how I lost the weight so quickly. I guess I'll just have to jump that hurdle when I get to it. Originally, this journey was only supposed to be a 3 month one. However, the doctors confused my insurance, and it ended up being 6 months. Which isn't horrible...I'm just glad I'm getting it done. All of my pre tests are finished (since I orginally thought 3 months, I got right on it) and everything came back wonderfully. I have my psychiatrist appointment on Monday (the 24th). For those of you that are curious, I only have to pay 80 bucks. He doesn't accept my insurance, but I found him to be cheaper than the ones that do! My sister went to him when she had her bypass surgery a few years ago, and she said it only took a few minutes! I'll make sure to blog about my experience afterwards. I have my last appointment with Dr. K on November 3rd and I still have to get my primary doctors approval. Still two more nutrition classes left! I expect to start my pre op diet on or around November 11th. Not too excited about that, but I am determined to make it through! Well, that's a lengthy first blog! The others will be shorter.

You have hit on exactly why I am going to do this, too. I realistically don't think I'll ever be skinny...I'll be happy to get to 200, and I think I'll feel and look great when I get there (I'm 5-9). And I'm not scared of the procedure...I've been through much worse in a trauma situation, so I know I can handle this. What I'm scared of is the total change for the rest of my life. It isn't something we can switch on and off. I have a half-cup measure sitting on my kitchen counter and I look at it and think can I really stick with that? But I would never consider bypass, so this is like my last great hope. And I NEED to make this work. The people here are so encouraging and helpful...I know I am going to be depending on them to keep me going. They definitely understand better than my family. Which makes sense since these people have been through it. I know you can make the changes necessary to be successful with your band. It isn't a day by day decision...sometimes it's a minute by minute decision. We just have to hold on a minute at a time and it will get better. The fact that you've come this far and are ready for surgery shows that you are determined to make your life better. And those simple things you are wanting so much will come as you work with your band. (I'm talking to myself here as well as to you...I'm being banded Jan. 24). Wishing you the best procedure and recovery possible. Keep us posted. Hugs~ Emily

Even though it is just around the house I've been walking and walking and feeling better. I think I slept much too long last night in just one position which didn't help much. I only stayed one night in the hospital and between those things on my legs pumping up and down and the blood pressure monitor and all the interns I got NO rest, so I made up for it last night. I'm happy to say I'm feeling better...have no gas, and not hungry. I have absolutely no regrets over having this surgery. It is something that because of this forum I was well prepared for. I have had 5-way-bypass surgery and the pain from that can't even compare to this. I was 6 mo. recovering from that excruciating pain. I know my age isn't helping much either, but I'm going to do everything I can to make this work. Thanks all for all the support. God Bless, Dody

I only told my husband, 2 of my children and my best friends X2. But 6 months out one of the girls I worked with told me she had gastric bypass and by the way, she is doing very well. I casually mentioned that I had lapband. Since then, I have not kept it a secret and I haven't received any negative response. I still don't regret keeping it hush hush for the 1st 3 months due to peoples tendency to judge. Especially if you work with a bunch of women like I do.

Southwest Bariatric Surgeons - Lap Band & Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery - Austin, TX located in austin

I have a band and would like a sleeve revision. Problem is I can't find a revision surgeon willing to see me since they didn't place my band initially. That doesn't make sense to me:( I have excellent health insurance though. Do any if you know a good Houston area revision surgeon?? Thanks!

Hi All, Well there is definately a difference between my first band surgery and my revision. There is no fill in the band at all and I am STARVING. I've been on Clear liquids up until I had some tomato Soup this evening (same consistency at Slim Fast) and that finally took away the terrible hunger pains I was having. I mean, it was actual PAIN. And it's only been four days since the surgery. I am surprised I am so hungry even though I don't have any fill. Anyone else here had a revision have the same experience? The doctor did mention to me I didn't have to be on the clear liquid phase for as long as normal because I would be hungrier, but this is bad! Hopefully when I add yogurt to my diet tomorrow that will help some. Any thoughts? Mae

I had a BMI of 31. But, I also had a lap-band. Since I was a revision, there was not as much concern about my low BMI. My doctor told me that I was not the only person at 30 or so BMI to get the surgery. It is unlikely, however, that you will get insurance to pay for it. I was self pay and I am happy with the results so far. There are a few low BMI folks on the board-- Lara

Hi everyone ! I am due to have my band out on 7th July and then a sleeve revision in oct/nov. I am so nervous and have an overwhelming fear of dying. I'm 27 year old and although I want this more than anything I'm terrified !! Was anyone else like this? X

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.

I'm having my band removed and gastric bypass done Feb 10th. How long was everyone off work? Most things I see say 2 weeks but some people are saying 6 weeks minimum. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a band and my sister the bypass. I have problems with my esphogaus which effects my band. The most frustrating is eating, it's been over a year and every day is different. One day I can eat and the next I struggle. Now my sister, she has a problem with malabsorption, so she struggles to not lose more weight. A lot of health issues for both of us have been eliminated since having the surgery. You have to weigh the risks of everything and make a decision.

Thank you all for the kind words and advice. I'm hanging in there. My surgeon feels the dry heaving is due to an ulcer they found post-op. I'm on Carafate now. He said it could take weeks to improve, so I'm just praying at this point. Still weak, but I think that's due to several factors - one, I have little interest in food and can't force myself to eat much other than Soup and fruit; two, I've lost 90 pounds in three months, which I suspect is too fast; and three, two surgeries in two months. So I just need to push through it. Ugh. I pray so hard for the day when I can say I don't regret this! I just want to feel better. That's why I made the choice to have bypass in the first place. Also, I wish my sense of smell hadn't suddenly changed! What the heck? Everything smells so nasty now. My doc keeps asking if I'm sure I'm not pregnant, and I'm all, you've tested me THREE TIMES in the past month. Yes, I'm sure. Ugh.