Hello, I live in St. Louis and am planning on getting banded with Dr. Eagon. I've already done the Nutrition, Behaviorist and Physical Therapy visits. My insurance company requires 6 months of medically supervised weight loss priror to surgery. So far, I on on my first month. Waiting seems to be the hardest particularly because I've been on weight watchers for nearly 2 years until deciding to do lap band. So now I have to wait another 6 months. It's frustrating. Any insight to all of this woudl be helpful. What to expect after surgery, how much food can I actually eat and how sick will i be?

Check with your insurance company about using WW as part of your diet log - some insurance companies allow Weight loss programs like WW- Nutrisystem as the 6 month program...Good luck it will all be worth the wat

Hi TS,

I am also in the St. Louis area. I used Dr. Wagner. It was the best decision I ever made and I am thrilled with my results. (I haven't updated my tracker for a little while - I've lost a few more pounds.) If you ask specific questions I'd be more than happy to tell you about my own experiences. Good luck on your journey.

Do you work and if so, how long were you out? Were you very sick right after? How are the Protein shakes going for you? Have you had any or many adjustments? I am very much looking forward to it and am anxious to get going already! How much can you eat now? What kinds of things do you prepare?

Hi TS,

I am also in the St. Louis area. I used Dr. Wagner. It was the best decision I ever made and I am thrilled with my results. (I haven't updated my tracker for a little while - I've lost a few more pounds.) If you ask specific questions I'd be more than happy to tell you about my own experiences. Good luck on your journey.

Here are my answers: Do you work and if so, how long were you out? I'm pretty sure I had my surgery on a Thursday. I came back to work on the following Tuesday, but I did leave work a little early. I was still on clear liquids and just tired and a little weak. I have pretty much a desk job and I was almost back to normal days by the end of the week. Were you very sick right after? If you mean during the hospital stay - I remember being only a little sore. It's very good to have someone with you. I was thirsty a lot and the nurses weren't very attentive. And my husband was good about walking down the halls with me - which is good for you. How are the protein shakes going for you? I don't drink them very often at this point. Early on I would have a shake when I couldn't eat much, and usually I have one the day of a fill. I buy the giant bucket of chocolate protein shake mix from WalMart. It's only $14 and it tastes pretty good. Have you had any or many adjustments? I've had maybe 6 or 7 adjustments. For the first time since my surgery, I decided not to have an adjustment at my monthly visit in June. I think I may be at my sweet spot. I can still eat most food items, just not very much at one time. And for the most part, I don't get very hungry in between meals. I am very much looking forward to it and am anxious to get going already! How much can you eat now? If I eat slowly and chew well, I can eat between 3/4 and 1 cup of food. It depends on how soft the food items are. What kinds of things do you prepare? I do a lot of grilling this time of year and I can eat turkey burgers (well almost a whole one) and then a few bites of fruit or a vegetable or even a little macaroni and cheese. I can eat a hot dog if it's grilled pretty crispy, without a chewy skin.

Hope this helps!!