Hi ! i'm from Grand Forks ND . Any one out there from my area ? So, i got approved a month ago for LB, and my date is 10/14/08. I was originally on a short list to have the Gastric Sleeve done - it was just approved by BCBSND and my surgeon. Been planning to have Roux N Y for the last 6 years, decided it had too many issues attached with it, fought the system, then finally got approved for the sleeve -Way Exciting !! Then ,What ??? Are they ##@*& kidding me ?? I'm 19 pounds too light to have it ! You need to have a BMI of 50 before they'll do it ! ( and pay for it ) :laugh: My BMI is a 48.7 ! Is it worth gaining 20 pounds to have the surgery , then take a chance of being refused? No, its not :-( so, after spending a few sleepless nights nights, i decided to go w/ the Band. I have MANY friends that have had both procedures - and all have had good and bad experiences. My concern is that i wont lose "enough" w/ the band, or will find a way "to eat around it" ... Anyone else have these questions? Problems?

Heyyyyyyyy Bobbie! Congrats! I"m at work right now,but I'd love to tell you more about the band, the good, the bad, & the ugly! I'm originally from Bismarck, but I"m out in Costa Mesa, California the last 3 years. I've got some company coming over tonight but your welcome to give me a call.

email me!

what's your email?

I've had my band for less than 2 weeks and I have already lost almost 20 pounds! You need to stick with the diets they tell you to! It's worth it!!!

I'm a little over 2 hours away from you in MN. I have had band surgery just over a week ago and my surgeon says the 150lbs I want to lose is very realistic with the band. He also said that you need to keep up with apointments with fills, group meetings and nutrition appts.

Bob

Hi, I'm from North Dakota, too. Just north of Bismarck. I was banded on 8-21 and have lost 37 lbs so far. I had to have a full incision, but am doing well. I have a long way to go but am confident that this is going to work fine. They say 220 lbs to my ideal weight. I'm not so much into the number as I am into feeling good and being able to do all the things I've been not doing all my life. You hang in there and you'll be seeing results soon.

Bobbie:

150 pounds is possible to lose with the band. I know, because I'm almost there.

As far as eating around the band, it is possible, but not probable. Your band will make you hurl if you eat too much. You could possibly eat ice cream all day and not lose weight.

I think it is important to go into it with the right mindset. Please know that the band will work for you if you work for it. Make sure you're ready because it is a drastic change. I love my band because I feel 20 years younger and I am very active now. My Daughter doesn't have to worry about her Mom having weight-related health issues either.

There are so many reasons to do it, but you have to be mentally ready. I hope that you will be when it happens.

Best wishes.

Sue

Welcome to the group. Things will go well for you.

Chris

:wub: Thank you all for your words of encouragement !!! It means a lot to me ....

Hi ! i'm from Grand Forks ND . Any one out there from my area ? So, i got approved a month ago for LB, and my date is 10/14/08. I was originally on a short list to have the Gastric Sleeve done - it was just approved by BCBSND and my surgeon. Been planning to have Roux N Y for the last 6 years, decided it had too many issues attached with it, fought the system, then finally got approved for the sleeve -Way Exciting !! Then ,What ??? Are they ##@*& :thumbup: kidding me ?? I'm 19 pounds too light to have it ! You need to have a BMI of 50 before they'll do it ! ( and pay for it ) :wink2: My BMI is a 48.7 ! Is it worth gaining 20 pounds to have the surgery , then take a chance of being refused? No, its not :-( so, after spending a few sleepless nights nights, i decided to go w/ the Band. I have MANY friends that have had both procedures - and all have had good and bad experiences. My concern is that i wont lose "enough" w/ the band, or will find a way "to eat around it" ... Anyone else have these questions? Problems? :biggrin:

"Circumstances Don't define who we are "

Hi ! i'm from Grand Forks ND . Any one out there from my area ? So, i got approved a month ago for LB, and my date is 10/14/08. I was originally on a short list to have the Gastric Sleeve done - it was just approved by BCBSND and my surgeon. Been planning to have Roux N Y for the last 6 years, decided it had too many issues attached with it, fought the system, then finally got approved for the sleeve -Way Exciting !! Then ,What ??? Are they ##@*& :thumbup: kidding me ?? I'm 19 pounds too light to have it ! You need to have a BMI of 50 before they'll do it ! ( and pay for it ) :wink2: My BMI is a 48.7 ! Is it worth gaining 20 pounds to have the surgery , then take a chance of being refused? No, its not :-( so, after spending a few sleepless nights nights, i decided to go w/ the Band. I have MANY friends that have had both procedures - and all have had good and bad experiences. My concern is that i wont lose "enough" w/ the band, or will find a way "to eat around it" ... Anyone else have these questions? Problems? :biggrin:

:wub: Thank you all for your words of encouragement !!! It means a lot to me ....

hey chris61

i'm from missouri too. i live in southeast mo. close to the Current River.

who did your surgery? i haven't had mine yet. they have all of my papers together and are ready for the doctor to read and determine if i am eligible for surgery. i don't know how many are ahead of me.

i will be using dr. follwell at st. alexius in st. louis. i've heard good things about him. my brother-in-law's sister had lap band with him

Welcome to the group little bit. My wife and I used Dr. Minkin and things are great. One year today.

Chris