Hi everyone! My name is Pamela and I am 27 years old. Oddly enough, I was very thin through most of my teenage years, and very athletic. I played a lot of sports in high school. As I got closer to my senior year, I noticed that I was putting on a little weight. I didn't think much about it at the time.

About a year after I graduated, I got married to my high school sweetheart. By that time I had gained over 50 lbs and was at about 200 lbs. I was very concerned about how fast the weight came on. I was also having some female problems too. I went to my doctor and he did several test on me to find out if anything was wrong and the results shocked me! He diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I had never heard of this before. He told me it was a hormonal disorder and one of the side effects was weight gain. He also told me that I would probably have trouble getting pregnant. My heart dropped when i heard this. I always thought when i was ready i would just be able to have a baby. It took 6 years before we were able to get pregnant and by the grace of God we now have a beautiful, healthy boy.

I've tried every diet there is, I think, and nothing ever worked for me. I was 330lbs at my heaviest. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get the band. I've been banded for about 10 days and i am doing great. I am sooo excited about the journey ahead. I lost 13 lbs on the pre-op diet and have lost 16 lbs since my surgery. I know i rambled but i just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone else has PCOS that has been banded and can tell me about your experience. Thanks for listening!

Pamela

Banded 9-20-07

330/299/150

:rose:

I too am in the Atlanta area. I am going to attend the information seminar at Emory on 10/30/07. I am glad to hear your process has not been that long. I pray mine goes just as smoothly. My primary insurance is BCBS Select(HMO) currently until 12/31/07. My secondary is BCBS PPO as well. Effective 01/01/08 I will have AETNA(HMO) and secondary AETNA PPO. What is your BMI? did you have any co-morbidities?

I am desperate to know if I will be having to face a battle with my insurances.:help:

I currently have BCBS PPO and got approved in less than one week.

Thanks for the quick reply zengirl227. It is a relief to hear that. I have no clue what am doing. I just recently searched the lap band procedure online this past weekend. I don't know what awaits or what I need to do after the seminar. What was your initial BMI? And congratulations on your LOSS!!! way to go!!

Hi again girls,

My BMI was 43 prior to surgery. I am 5 8" and have been heavy all of my life, with most of my weight in my mid-section. Ihaven't measured myself since surgery, but I know I am losing the weight slowly. The key to success with the band is getting the proper restriction. That can be frustrating depending on how liberal or aggressive your doctor is.

I am only just beginning to feel restriction, as my prior surgeon was very conservative with fills. I am very excited about my new doctor and I know that when I get my next fill on 11/7 I will really begin to see results.

Please keep me posted on your thoughts...fears, etc. I welcome private messages here if you feel more comfortable speaking in private.

Best of luck to you all,

-Shannon

Congratulations Speechpath!!!! 16 pounds is awesome!!!!! The same thing happened with one of my incisions. Keep up the great work.

Welcome Shannon and 4jin!! Good luck to both of you on your lapband journey!!

Renewedhope, just checking to see how it's going. How's your port incision? Hope you're doing well.

I am great. Still having some gas pain, but it is less every day. I have been trying really hard to get my water in. I have had 6 cups today and I feel like I have been pushing water all day. I feel water logged. My port site has completely quit draining. My incisions look really good. I am see the pounds drop on the scales as well. Tonight my stomach hurts just a little, so I am thinking, "oh no, is it slipping? AmI having a problem??" I'm sure it is none of these and jsut gas. I can keep water and soup down. I haven't had any nausea at all since surgery. I guess the unknown is just a little scary. It will be reassuring to see my doctor in tommorow for hospital follow up. I'm on to mushies on Wednesday!! I can't wait for pudding, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs!!!!! I will feel like I'm having such a treat!!

Pamela,

Thanks so much for checking up on me. I didn't realize that I hadn't posted in several days. I hope things are going well for you as well.!!!!!!

Renewedhope,

I'm so glad to hear your doing well. Glad to hear the pounds are dropping, but don't get discouraged if the scales go up or don't go down when you start mushies. Mine went up a little for a coulple of weeks but came back down when i started exercising regularly. I get my fill in 2 days, whooohoooo!!!!! Good luck at your appt and let us know how everything is going.

Pamela

I have read that about mushies. It makes since really. You increase your calories at that point. First fill WOOO HOOO!! I can't wait to be eating solid food and getting fills. We are well on our way!!

I hope not, for some reason I want to eat everything under the sun. But if I have to, I will.

Pamela

I just read your post that you get your frst fill in 2 days, congratulations!! I have an appointment with Dr Bagnato on the same day at 3:45 for all my preop testing. I am getting so excited. Good luck with the fill and let me know how it goes. Take care.

Hi 4jin

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I had to fly to Tampa for a business meeting. My BMI is 46 and my co morbidities are asthma and high blood pressure. I attended Dr. Edward Lin's seminar in August and chose him as my surgeon. I have my preop appointments next week, so hopefully i will get my date then. I live in the Buckhead area. What part of Atlanta are you? Good luck with everything.

I had my post op appointment today, and the doc's scales weighed less than mine at home. WOO HOO!! She said that I look great. I can begin lifting my baby. I can start walking at the gym. On to mushies. I see her again on November 20 for my first fill!!!! Just in time for Thanksgiving. I headed straight to Taco Bell and got refried beans and sour cream. (Does everyone do that) It was SOOOOO yummy. I went to Walmart and got some fat free beans and ff sour cream. Not a bad source of protein, and yummy too. I am soooo excited to be on theis journey. My "renewed hope" of a more healthy, attractive, active future.

Pamela,

I can't wait to Kick PCOS's butt!!!!!

Congratulations Renewedhope. That is wonderful. You are doing great. Things like that makes this journey soooo worth it.

Hi Jeannie!

Your surgery date is getting close. I can tell you're excited. How's the pre-op diet going? I'm a little nervous about the fill, hope it doesn't hurt much. Good luck at the pre-op appt and I'll let you know how the fill goes. God bless!

Hi Renewedhope!

I'm glad your appt went well. Looks like your recovery is going great. That first bite of mushies is sooo good, isn't it. I can't wait to kick PCOS's butt too!!!!! LOL!!! Keep in touch!