Hello All,

I'm new to this and I am soooo excited to begin the process for the lap-band and begin a better, healthier life! I found a surgeon and my appointment for a consultation is April 18. I began my 6 mo. weight program/monitoring with my doctor back in Dec 07 so I should be complete in May. Are there any words of wisdom? I would like to lose about 165 lbs. Is this realistic? I am not sure what the timeline is, but one of the nurses said that I should be in before the end of the summer. Why so long? Is insurance that much of a hassle? How do the appointments work with the nutritionist, psyc eval, etc..? Any suggestions are gladly accepted, Thanks!!

Edited March 27, 200818 yr by pvbrownsugar04

Hi,welcome! The forum is a great place to exchange information or just ask questions.

Congrats on taking charge of your weight.

Your doctor will guide you thru the entire process. But as many on here post, sometimes they forget to tell you certain things...like hidden fees and such.

Ask! Don't leave any stone unturned w/ your doc.

I was banded and reached goal while others starting the process are just now getting their approvals. I am not insured so I had to pay cash.

But believe me, getting someone else to cover this will be such a blessing. There's no use in paying all this money if you are going to be in a financial rut... trading off fat for debt is never good. Mine was only $8000 and that includes everything from surgery to adjustments. I don't think I'll be seeing my doc anymore unless there's a problem and I call him.

Welcome again and good luck on your journey.

hi,

welcome to LBT.

the band is a wonderful tool when used properly. eating well and exercising will get you the optimal weight loss. the band makes it easier to eat smaller portions. the rest is up to you.

best of luck to you.

Thanks for the words! If you think of anything else along the way, Im here!

I would like to lose about 165 lbs. Is this realistic?

Yes, assuming your goal weight is within your normal range, sure! Lots of people have lost that much. My goal will put me pretty close to that much lost, too. Just don't fret if it doesn't happen all in the first year. It does for some, and not for others.

I also figure that if I don't get all the way to goal, if for some reason I permanently stall at a size 14 or 16, that's still a heck of a lot better than barely squeezing into size 26/28's. Not to mention that I probably wouldn't have stayed at my start weight -- I would have continued to gain every time I tried a new diet, just like all the diets that got me that high to begin with.

Good luck!!

Oh, words of advice: stick with it. Have a plan ready for if you start to falter in making proper food choices. Be prepared to exercise if you want to get to goal. Keep on top of your fills - the band doesn't work well if it's too loose.

Hello All,

I'm new to this and I am soooo excited to begin the process for the lap-band and begin a better, healthier life! I found a surgeon and my appointment for a consultation is April 18. I began my 6 mo. weight program/monitoring with my doctor back in Dec 07 so I should be complete in May. Are there any words of wisdom? I would like to lose about 165 lbs. Is this realistic? I am not sure what the timeline is, but one of the nurses said that I should be in before the end of the summer. Why so long? Is insurance that much of a hassle? How do the appointments work with the nutritionist, psyc eval, etc..? Any suggestions are gladly accepted, Thanks!!

Honestly, if that's the longest that you have to wait, you should be very happy. I started in April of '07, and as of yet, have not recieved "the phone call" for my surgery date. Everything's been approved, I've gone through all the steps, just waiting....

Hello All. I started the process to get approved for banding and just got my call two weeks ago. I will be banded on March 31. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. I look forward to many words of wisdom around here as I am truly a newbie.

Good Luck Stormy!

But yes, I will be patient and do what I am told! Has anyone who has lost weight not needed plastic surgery? I do not want to have to go there... I keep hearing everyone say that they have too much lose skin. Can that be avoided? Im 25, will my skin have elasticity?