I am a 52 yr old woman with insurance but am seriously considering Lap Band. I have previously been to see Dr. Murphy who years ago did a tummy tuck. There are sooooo many advertisements for Lap Band, here and overseas. How do I get started? Who in Denver does this and has a good reputation? Are overseas or Mexico really a choice at all? How long can the effects really last. I am actually relatively in shape but obesity runs in my family and I am probably 220 lbs and have been for over 7 years. I have knee problems (arthritis) that is painful when I exercise but I still snowboard, cycle etc although it causes me pain but I figure once I stop, I might as well give up. I am being treated for some depression and now my HGB A 1c (determination blood test in Type II Diabetes) is climbing. I need to know if one pays for this are the effects long term? What constitutes who can have Lap Band? Who in Denver is good? Recovery time? Although i am in the medical field I know NOTHING about this surgery other than numerous readings on the internet which are confusing me?

You are in the right place and I am your girl. I am 51 (52 in less than a month) BEST THING EVER!!! Let me address your quesiton in order. How to get started - You need a surgeon you can trust. I went to several free seminars that were offered. Then I went to the local hospitals and asked the nurses who they like working with and who they recommend. That cut my options down from huge to a very few, then I spoke with the staff in the operating rooms, who do they like and has the best reputation with the patiets. For me it was easy, only one name came back and it was the best decision I made besides having it done. The surgeons office should handle everything from there and tell you what you need. They took care of me and appeased my insurance company and that is no small task. How long does it last? Well as long as you let it work for you, The lap band is only a tool to assist you. It is not going to "make" you lose weight. It provides an option. You will still have to make wise chioces, exercise, even watch your intake of calories to ensure you get enough but not to many. I was on blood pressure meds and after my first 15 pounds I was off all meds. I see over and over people with your health issues turn it all around, all of it. It can be done, it is what needs to be done and you can do it. It is a mind set you have to get into. I had the procedure done on a Wed. and was back at work Tuesday (only because Monday was a holiday). Some people go back before that. It really is a simpe procedure. You will be required to do a pre-op diet to help jump start you, and then there will be resrictions as your procedure heals. This will not make you drop 100 pounds in 3 months. It is a slower, less aggressive, but successful way to lose. You SHOUILD NOT need tummy tucks if you do the exercise as instructed. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful surgeon and he has walked with me every step of the way. I do not argue, I just do what I am told. THe day his advice is no longer working, I will do it on my own, but that is just not in my future. He is awesome. Really check out your options and go with the "right" one.

I hope this helps, Please let me know what other questions you have. I am committed to helping anyone who wants it.

Keep us posted.

[

I am 52 and working to be banded begining of June. Your advise was right on target, the only thing I would add is talk to your primary care dr also. Mine new what my insurance company would want (6 months of documented discussions re weight and other options that I am trying) and she pulled copies of all of my testing to date so that I didn't have to repeat some of the stuff that is needed, she even went to the seminar with me to interview the surgeon! This is a great site for research but always talk to your Dr and follow what he says. It is not a magic wand it is work and you get what you put into it.

Good Luck

Theresa

You are in the right place and I am your girl. I am 51 (52 in less than a month) BEST THING EVER!!! Let me address your quesiton in order. How to get started - You need a surgeon you can trust. I went to several free seminars that were offered. Then I went to the local hospitals and asked the nurses who they like working with and who they recommend. That cut my options down from huge to a very few, then I spoke with the staff in the operating rooms, who do they like and has the best reputation with the patiets. For me it was easy, only one name came back and it was the best decision I made besides having it done. The surgeons office should handle everything from there and tell you what you need. They took care of me and appeased my insurance company and that is no small task. How long does it last? Well as long as you let it work for you, The lap band is only a tool to assist you. It is not going to "make" you lose weight. It provides an option. You will still have to make wise chioces, exercise, even watch your intake of calories to ensure you get enough but not to many. I was on blood pressure meds and after my first 15 pounds I was off all meds. I see over and over people with your health issues turn it all around, all of it. It can be done, it is what needs to be done and you can do it. It is a mind set you have to get into. I had the procedure done on a Wed. and was back at work Tuesday (only because Monday was a holiday). Some people go back before that. It really is a simpe procedure. You will be required to do a pre-op diet to help jump start you, and then there will be resrictions as your procedure heals. This will not make you drop 100 pounds in 3 months. It is a slower, less aggressive, but successful way to lose. You SHOUILD NOT need tummy tucks if you do the exercise as instructed. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful surgeon and he has walked with me every step of the way. I do not argue, I just do what I am told. THe day his advice is no longer working, I will do it on my own, but that is just not in my future. He is awesome. Really check out your options and go with the "right" one.

I hope this helps, Please let me know what other questions you have. I am committed to helping anyone who wants it.

Keep us posted.

[

You are in the right place and I am your girl. I am 51 (52 in less than a month) BEST THING EVER!!! Let me address your quesiton in order. How to get started - You need a surgeon you can trust. I went to several free seminars that were offered. Then I went to the local hospitals and asked the nurses who they like working with and who they recommend. That cut my options down from huge to a very few, then I spoke with the staff in the operating rooms, who do they like and has the best reputation with the patiets. For me it was easy, only one name came back and it was the best decision I made besides having it done. The surgeons office should handle everything from there and tell you what you need. They took care of me and appeased my insurance company and that is no small task. How long does it last? Well as long as you let it work for you, The lap band is only a tool to assist you. It is not going to "make" you lose weight. It provides an option. You will still have to make wise chioces, exercise, even watch your intake of calories to ensure you get enough but not to many. I was on blood pressure meds and after my first 15 pounds I was off all meds. I see over and over people with your health issues turn it all around, all of it. It can be done, it is what needs to be done and you can do it. It is a mind set you have to get into. I had the procedure done on a Wed. and was back at work Tuesday (only because Monday was a holiday). Some people go back before that. It really is a simpe procedure. You will be required to do a pre-op diet to help jump start you, and then there will be resrictions as your procedure heals. This will not make you drop 100 pounds in 3 months. It is a slower, less aggressive, but successful way to lose. You SHOUILD NOT need tummy tucks if you do the exercise as instructed. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful surgeon and he has walked with me every step of the way. I do not argue, I just do what I am told. THe day his advice is no longer working, I will do it on my own, but that is just not in my future. He is awesome. Really check out your options and go with the "right" one.

I hope this helps, Please let me know what other questions you have. I am committed to helping anyone who wants it.

Keep us posted.

[

To losin and lovin,

I have had my seminar, and my first consult is scheduled. Hope to have surgery this summer. I wanted to ask about the "tummy tuck" issue. I have had 4 (the last two 9-1/2 and 10-1/2 lbs) kids, and already have the dreaded "apron". At 51 (52 this summer) what are the chances that with a 50-60 lb (I am really going to work for) wt loss, that I am not going to have "skin down to my knees"? Starting at 230#. Tara

To losin and lovin,

I have had my seminar, and my first consult is scheduled. Hope to have surgery this summer. I wanted to ask about the "tummy tuck" issue. I have had 4 (the last two 9-1/2 and 10-1/2 lbs) kids, and already have the dreaded "apron". At 51 (52 this summer) what are the chances that with a 50-60 lb (I am really going to work for) wt loss, that I am not going to have "skin down to my knees"? Starting at 230#. Tara

I can tell you.. I have had 2 children (10 lb 4-1/2 ounces and 10 lb 14-1/2 ounces)... I have had an abdominal hysterectomy with the "smiley" incision. Though I have a little bulge over the incision, I have lost 92 pounds (gained some back after total knee replacement and working on getting that back off) with 40-50 more to go. I am very active, ride horses, stationary bike and exercise when possible.. I do not as of yet, have that "dreaded apron" you speak of, but I still have 40-50 pounds to go. Even if we do have that, it is a lot easier to hide that with proper clothing than the "fat" I have been trying to hide for years!

Good luck and God Bless! Keep up the good work, you are on the right track!

I am wanting to know if both of you are in the Denver area and if so which docs did you use? The name Tilhquist has come up twice. I am actually in the medical field and currently do work out a lot. I had/have no idea what insurance like United Healthcare would pay for, if anything. I have an appt with my MD whom I see fairly regularly and I trust. I did not know you had to go for such extensive pre counseling etc. Is that the case for all Lap Band surgeries as I have pretty much checked this out thoroughly. I am about 210 and my Hgb A 1C keeps climbing. Obesity runs in my family and orthopedic wise my knees have arthritis. It is becoming harder to deal with the pain while still staying active. Unfortunately my exercise of choice is snowboarding and cycling although I do my best to go to the gym...it is just a bitch to lose weight and have tried everything. It would be a bummer to have to wait six months after coming to this well researched decision.