I am just starting my journey. I have my first appointment on July 9th with my doctor. I am a self-pay and very excited to get started. Does anyone know how long before I should be able to have surgery. Has anyone had surgery with a Dr. Bergamaschi in Pittsburgh PA. I need to lose over 100 pounds and am so anxious to get started. My brother had the gastric bypass done 3 weeks ago and he has already lost 50 lbs. He has tried to talk me into having it done, but I am not interested. I feel so much more comfortable with this type of surgery and from what I have read people still are able to lose weight effectively. I appreciate any support that I can get.

Hiya... Welcome and wishing you the best on your journey to be banded! the total time from start to the surgery date I have scheduled will be 3 months BUT I would think that the process will be at least 3-4 weeks less for you since you are self-pay. I guess it depends on what your surgeon requires.

Good luck with everthing and I think you made a very healthy choice when you opted for the band! :cool:

Darcy

I was a self pay. The whole process from the time I called my doctor in Mexico was 2 little weeks. It's different for everyone. In Mexico they do all the pre-op the same day as the surgery. Lap Band weight loss is completely different than bypass. With a bypass the weight loss is dramatic and fast. With the band, it takes longer, which is healthier in the long run. Plus, the bypass operation totally changes your anatomy. It surgically alters your body (my doctor called it mutilation), whereas the band is just implanted around your stomach and is completely removeable.

In Vegas they offer a seminar on band vs. bypass. I learned a lot in the seminar, but the thing I liked best was that band patients have more sucess keeping the weight off and losing more in the long run.