I met for my first consultation last Friday and was told I was a perfect candidate for Lapland. I had already researched and thought about the surgery extensively. I was then told that my insurance covered the surgery. Great! Let's do this! Then they gave me a schedule of about six different appointments with different people and told I could be scheduled for surgey after the very last appointment...in late November! If my insurance does not require a waiting period, then why would the surgeon? I am wanting to get pregnant six months after being banded, but i am already almost 36. I feel like I am racing against my biological clock and now I have to push pause for five months. Any ideas or suggestions?

My surgeon even had a spot on his consent form, that I had to sign, stating that he's advised to not get pregnant within one year of having surgery. Well, I've had a hysterectomy, so barring a medical miracle, it wouldn't be an issue.

One thing this discussion board has taught me is that every surgeon is different. Even partners within the same office can have completely different view and guidelines for surgery.

Fran:

Could you elaborate on how the lapband changed your EXPECTATIONS regarding head hunger or hunger in general.

Thinking it through...perhaps enough "stuck episodes" will change your expectations of food really quick. Perhaps this is what you meant by how the band had changed your expectation of food.

Yes? No?

I think you took my quote out of context. Here is what I said: "Did starting therapy in October help prepare me for life after the surgery the following June? For me the answer is yes because I struggle with head hunger much less after acquiring tools to change my thinking AND expectations after having the lapband placed." I did not say that the band changed my expectations, I said that starting therapy 8 months before having surgery help to change my thinking and expectations. I apologize if that was not clear to you as written.

I chose an obesity therapist. As it turned out she had been obese and successfully lost and kept off her excess weight for several years. She is also well versed in several WLS. She help me recognize the more subtle "triggers" that caused me to eat when I wasn't physically hungry. Some triggers were obvious to me, she really helped with the ones that weren't. We also discussed what the band is (i.e., a tool not a magic bullet) and how it worked; and what I believed it would do, as well as what it really does. To be quite honest, after having the surgery there was a part of me that remained in "fantasy land" ... for about a month. After all the discussion we'd had, I still thought that I would feel something after my first fill. When I looked back at that I laughed at myself. Once I was back in the "real world" (after that first fill "reality check") I was able to be patient and not use food the ease my frustration over how long it was taking me to get to the "green zone" or "sweet spot".

I was a slow loser from the start. I have had back surgery, I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease, so pain had been a part of my everyday life. But eventually I was able to make walking every morning a part of my daily regimen. At my high point I was walking 3 miles every morning before going to work. Due to some respiratory problems earlier this year I've had to start again, one mile at a time ... I'm old, what can I say. LOL The difference is that I don't give up and grab a bowl of ice cream to soothe me. Instead I get up and go for a walk.

I hope this answered your question .... no, it was not a "stuck episode" that changed my thinking.

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran