Hi,

This is my first post, and I have a good reason to now. It was ten years ago today when I got the Lap Band. I was 23 years old, 221 pounds, and barely 5'1 when I became a candidate thanks to Dr. Greenstein at Mt. Sinai.

It was truly unchartered territory. But on that day not only did I meet a woman who was featured on Dateline NBC's report on the Lap Band, but my future doctor was making rounds w/ Dr. Greenstein on my surgery day. Also, I was part of the FDA study which gave the Lap Band its seal of approval. Who know I'd be a part of medical history?

As most of you know, this procedure is lifechanging in ways never imagined. I'm lucky to have this, and for those who have it for ten years or ten days, there's no need to go into detail. You already know how I feel. :whoo:

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :clap2::clap2:

It is great to hear about your decade with the band. Thanks so much for coming and posting your story with us. Do you have any before & after pictures? I was wondering now that you are at your goal weight how does maintenance work.... do you still have a certain level of fill or do you still have a fill from time to time? Is Dr. Ren that performed your surgery @ NYU the same Dr. Ren that co-wrote the book with Khalia Ali?

Thanks again for sharing your journey with us and letting those of us who are yet to get banded know that this is a life long tool that will work with us as long as we need and want it to.

I don't have before and after handy. I still get fills, and I just had one back in May. So far so good, I've maintained.

Thanks for sharing! I hope you write a lot more!

Bless your peapickin' heart. How nice to hear about a 10 year veteran. Thanks so much for being with us.

deelooka, thanks for posting. What an inspiration you are!

deelooka, Thanks do much for your pioneering spirit that has allowed all of us to have the opportunity to have the lap band surgery. Congratulations on 10 years of banding and may you have continued good health for many years to come..

Hi Candle: Congratulations on you surgery date! How exciting. I had a question for you about being approved for Dr. Geiss. I would have went to them but the nurses on the phone seemed like they were put off when I called...I probably was asking too many questions and they said I wouldn't even qualify for surgery at a 37 BMI...insurance or not! I found out later from NYU Med Center I certainly can get it done and may qualify for insurance coverage to boot.

If you don't mind may I ask you what your BMI is? I am hoping to have fills there when I do finally get my surgery so I don't have to treck into the city every month. Wish I was you!!

I'm surprised to hear that - I've called them a million times and probably bugged the shit out of everyone in that office - lol. Never experienced any negativity.

My BMI is about 47.

Did you ask them about fills? I'm 99.9% sure they do not do fills for patients from other doctors.