New Here

[dandaman4 7]

Excited and scared is normal. Make sure you learn as much as possible about the band and post operative protocols as possible. Ask questions here... lots of good experience on this site. Post often no question is stupid!

I hope I'm responding in right place... If so I'm new here... Waiting to hear from insurance at this point... Dr says its 90% yes... Does that sound like the norm?

[MzKitty 5]

Hi, I'm no expert on this but insurance coverage for the surgery does seem to vary. You should just be able to call your insurance to ask about their coverage policy. While, I already knew about my insurance company's policy I also discovered that my surgeon was very familar with them and also knew that would cover the surgery. So, I imagine, in many cases the physicians are fairly familar with the general policies of many of the insurance companies since they deal with them so often! You can probably be fairly confident if your Doc. thinks they'll cover it. Again - this is just my best guess :-) There are probably those with more knowledge lurking out there somwhere!!

[LadyDreadHead 90]

Hi,

I'm new as well. I've considered wls for many years. Recent health concerns made me decide that it's a very good time to get it done. I've been reading the threads and found them to be very helpful. So far, I've found the forum to be more informative than the support groups I've attended.

I've attended two bariatric support groups so far. I had the first appointment with my surgeon on Dec. 3rd. I've had an endoscopy and completed the psych eval. Now, I'm (impatiently) waiting to hear from my surgeon's office regarding a surgery date and a nutritionist appointment. I can't wait! How long does it usually take to get a surgery date?

[katheley 0]

Hi..

I too usually suffer from shoulder pain please suggest me some good solution for this.

Thanks in advance.

[moses_nyc 23]

Hi everyone, I am 8 days out of surgery and doing much better, as it gets better and easier by the day, was by the doctor and was put in the next stages of mushis

I feel so great now, lost 8lbs this week WOW!

[Rojasanoll 920]

It will be the best thing you ever do for yourself. I'm close to 80 pounds in total weight loss. I was banded on Aug 6 and its been an easy road so far. A couple of days of ups and downs but once you learn how to use the band it will be there for you. If you over eat somewhat (more than a cup of food) my band talks to me amd then I know to stop. I believe my restrictions on my fills so far have helped some but I still don't think I'm in the "zone" that everybody talks about. My doctor is tight with fills and wants his patients to learn how to use their band. He just won't give you a fill because you asked for one. When I'm at 1.5-2 pounds a week weight loss, NO fill that appointment. You have to beg him for a fill.

Best wishes and keep the faith.

[destynee1 417]

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragements.

Saw the Doc today and was very surprised about the fact that he kept pushing bypass surgery over lab band.

Frankly his explanations made no sense to me or my wife who is an ICU RN with 30 years of experience.

Well I'm not going through with bypass, it's either Lap-band or some other doctor.

I'm not having a perfectly good organ butchered so I can lose weight -- not that desperate.

I'm going to talk to my endo and primary care docs to see what they have to say.

Mine also tried to steer me towards the bypass or sleeve. He said to do what I am comfortable with. Said the band is slower and won't have as great of results as the others. I considered my options, I read lots of information on this site, and saw many who weighed more than me here lose a considerably amount of weight! That was all I needed to know I can do it to. I just need to work harder, but with this tool to aid me, it is possible. I did NOT want to have my intestines re-routed or anything cut. Besides I know a few people who did the bypass, sick sick sick. I don't think it's worth it to me to be honest. AND! gained a bunch of their weight back, so no thank you.

I wanted something that will aid me, that is irreversible if I need it to be, and something that will help me life long. My Primary Dr. also said, that I willg et better results with bypass but many have complications but when it works it works great! but you have to be willing to take that risk, you never know if you are going to be the one with the complications. Lap Band seemed the best and safest choice of them all to me. Good Luck with your decision, I believe you are making the right one! I know I did

[shazini 94]

Mine also tried to steer me towards the bypass or sleeve. He said to do what I am comfortable with. Said the band is slower and won't have as great of results as the others. I considered my options, I read lots of information on this site, and saw many who weighed more than me here lose a considerably amount of weight! That was all I needed to know I can do it to. I just need to work harder, but with this tool to aid me, it is possible. I did NOT want to have my intestines re-routed or anything cut. Besides I know a few people who did the bypass, sick sick sick. I don't think it's worth it to me to be honest. AND! gained a bunch of their weight back, so no thank you.

I wanted something that will aid me, that is irreversible if I need it to be, and something that will help me life long. My Primary Dr. also said, that I willg et better results with bypass but many have complications but when it works it works great! but you have to be willing to take that risk, you never know if you are going to be the one with the complications. Lap Band seemed the best and safest choice of them all to me. Good Luck with your decision, I believe you are making the right one! I know I did

Yes, thank you. The decision is Lap band.

I know of 5 people who have had bypass, one is DEAD, another is an alcoholic, and the other three have gained their weight back.

Yesterday I had my first interview -- about 2.5 hours of talking to the shrink, nutritionist and the PA.

Now we're waiting for my insurance to come through.

peace.

[SueBee01 630]

Welcome newbies! I did not have much shoulder pain at all, but I did continue to take the pain meds at least at night for the first five days. You need to get as much sleep as you can at night to help your body heal. I walked every 1/2 hour four five minutes. Just around the house. It really helps to get rid of the gas. Drink, drink, drink! Follow your surgeons instructions as they are all different. Don't worry about losing weight the first several weeks. You may feel sore, tired and bloated for the first month. Then I felt great again and started to do more intense exercise after week six.

I have not had any problems. It will be one year for me 1/30/13 and it was the best thing I ever did for myself! I thought I was always happy, but now I am really happy!

This is a great place to learn and talk to people!

Best to you all.

[dandaman4 7]

Welcome newbies! I did not have much shoulder pain at all' date=' but I did continue to take the pain meds at least at night for the first five days. You need to get as much sleep as you can at night to help your body heal. I walked every 1/2 hour four five minutes. Just around the house. It really helps to get rid of the gas. Drink, drink, drink! Follow your surgeons instructions as they are all different. Don't worry about losing weight the first several weeks. You may feel sore, tired and bloated for the first month. Then I felt great again and started to do more intense exercise after week six.

I have not had any problems. It will be one year for me 1/30/13 and it was the best thing I ever did for myself! I thought I was always happy, but now I am really happy!

This is a great place to learn and talk to people!

Best to you all.[/quote']

Thanks for the support. I had surgery 6 days ago and having trouble with the liquids.... I'm starting to panic a bit....but I'm real glad to hear that "it gets better".

[SueBee01 630]

It is very hard to drink small sips! I had a hard time with that too. Hang in there. Just keep a drink in your hands at all times. Because you are drink such a small amount at a time you have to do it much more! I still have to keep a drink with me all the time. Just another change we have to make to succeed.

Keep pushing the liquids!