OK, I know I'm not the only Missouri person searching for surgery. I was surprised to get on here and find that no one has ever posted here.

I would like to start a rapport with other Missourians looking into, scheduled to have, or already had lap band surgery. If you're willing to post, I'd love to hear from you!

Have a great night

Billie Branham

i live in kc metro area (north) am considering lap-band...just starting researching it...know nothing, dont know what to expect, what is a fill etc. i have united health. i am 348, 5'10 male 40yrs...any advice?

I was also 5'10" 352 when I had my Lap Band done in Monterrey Mexico. I have lost 50 lbs in 3 months and from a size 50 jeans to a 44. Look at www.litenfree.com. The hospital and the staff in Monterrey are exceptional. Dr. de la Garza speaks fluent english and is a very kind gentleman. I have united health and was denied the process. I paid out of pocket $9000.00 so far with the cost of fills at a local Dr in KS. The fills are how the band is adjusted to limit your food intake. Write me back if you need any further help. I looked into the Band for a couple of years till I got it done. Best thing I have ever done for my body. Best of luck, Doug.

I would go out to malleysurgical.com and check out Dr. Malley's site and find out when they have their next seminar. I do believe that United pays for the lapband. My insurance did not so I went to Tijuina to Dr. Ariel Ortiz but Dr. Malley does my post op care and fills. Let me know what you decide. GOOD LUCK, Kay

I live in Columbia and I believe I have united healthcare thru the university. I am going thru the university's bariatric center to have mine done. They are great. I have over 17 friends who have had it done here. We are our own support group. The surgeons have done hundreds here at the university and in st louis. Dr Scott is one of them. It is very organized. You first go to a seminar that tells you exactly what your options are for lapband, rny, sleeve etc. They give you a packet to start filling out with your history and personal info. They get your bmi. United, I believe will do it for a BMI of 35 with other health problems and 40 without. They know all the loop holes to get it covered and will have tests ordered to support the need for the surgery. It is quite a team. My email is tmcjd@mchsi.com if you want any more info. Good luck. Meg

ok...i've signed up for Dr Malley's seminar on the 22nd.

Hey, Mr, are you on the KCBandster's list @ Yahoo? I think I recognize your stats.

I started to answer your post on 7-10, but I am sure you have a far greater knowledge now of the lap band and what goes along with it. If you are the same person I am thinking of, you said you work nights and couldn't attend the KCBandsters support group meetings during the week. Dr Malley has support group meetings on Saturday morning, you should attend so you can get a bandster's version of what you are in for.

I highly recommend using the support group to help you in your journey!!!

Good Luck!!!

ok...i've signed up for Dr Malley's seminar on the 22nd.

my wife and i(and 2 kids) went to the seminar and are feeling that this would be the right thing for both of us.

yes, i am the same Miztrniceguy as kcbandsters, also on Ldstalk, use to be on Ldschat, or anywhere else. doubt you would find this spelling anywhere else.lol

we are going to tallgrass seminar aug 12th, too

It's good that you are going to more than one seminar. As you can see from my signature, my surgeon is Dr Dunshee, he is at Tallgrass. I was self-pay. I originally wanted Dr Malley, but my insurance wouldn't pay, he wasn't in their network. Then I went to Dr Augustin at Truman, they wouldn't pay for another reason. I decided I would just pay for myself. I didn't want to wait another year for another possible denial...

It's great that your wife is on this journey with you. There is something to be said for having someone in your family to support you in your journey. Did you say your wife is going to have surgery, too??? Or am I dreaming that???

Good luck in your journey... Can't wait to "see" you shrinking...

my wife and i(and 2 kids) went to the seminar and are feeling that this would be the right thing for both of us.

yes, i am the same Miztrniceguy as kcbandsters, also on Ldstalk, use to be on Ldschat, or anywhere else. doubt you would find this spelling anywhere else.lol

we are going to tallgrass seminar aug 12th, too

my wife will probably have it done, but not till next year

I'm in Springfield, MO. I was banded in Feb of this year. I highly, recommend Dr. Christopher Edwards here in Springfield. Good luck to you!

Hello fellow missourians, I am a 41 year old mother of a teenage daughter that is into everything in school.....i go to all her games and all...BUT ..most of all if she wants to go to the fair or water park or whatever...i dont take her ....it is always someone else that does things with her like that...and i want that part back in my life.....i have had alot of medical problems and now.. all that it seems that i do is gain gain gain....i am 5 ft and weighs 265 pounds... so you can imagine i am as wide as i am tall....i am not happy with myself...have low selfesteem and most of all when we take pictures i delete the ones with me in them..so other words i take me out of the family past. i have tried all and i mean ALL weight loss stuff...and no luck......I am so scared of heart and other problems...in fact am scared to death...i have been for awhile thinking about the lap band...but wonders what kind of process it is..how long recovery?....i would love any kind of info on surgery....how long does it take..how long in hospital....this is not something that i want to do...but have to for my life!

First, I have enjoyed reading all the messages and find them informative. I have been struggling with my weight for the last 15 years and don't think there has been a day that I don't wish I had more will power. To be honest,it bothers me that I can't seem to be able to just diet and lose the weight. I just yo yo back and forth. Will someone kinda of give me an idea of what to expect, the restrictions after the surgery, are there foods that should never be eaten etc. Those that have had the surgery, are there any bad side effects. A woman where I work had the gastric bypass and was constantly vomiting or running to the bathroom with loose stools etc. I plan to attend Dr Malley.s seminar in August but thought I would like to hear from people who have actually "walked the walk" so to speak.

Alot of people experience pnemonia, and have to get their gall bladder removed, because anytime you loose alot of weight you get gall stones, thats what my dr. told me. Also, I was just diagnose with gastric dismotility, it has to do with my esophogus. Other then that it has een really great

I guess I don't understand the "fill" part. Is there something on the outside of the skin that enables them to fill. Why do you need "fills"? Do you experience any discomfort after the initial healing of the operation?

What exactly is gastric dismotility? Is it a side effect of the surgery or just something a person develops? Are you able to eat meat etc after the surgery as the texture of those foods seems like it might not pass through the restriction of the band?