I'm new here and am very excited to have found this group! I was banded on 10/2/08. Things went along pretty quickly for me. I started the process last year before my insurance covered lapbading. I attended the seminar and got my referal for pulmonology for sleep apenea. Yep. No dought there. Have severe sleep apnea. So in late june of this year I found out my ins. was covering lapband now. Got my referals for the surgeon and my clearance from my pulmonary doc. Needed to see a cardiologist, they ordered my stress test and echo. Did those and also did a mobility study on the esophagus. Finally seen my sureon on 8/15/08. (oh, the surgeon ordered/needed all the clearance stuff above). so I got a letter on 9/22/08 from my surgeon Dr. Tanner, and it said all my clearances were in and referal was put in to my ins. for surgery but expect not to hear from the office for 4-6wks. Two days later they called and wanted to know if I could do my surgery on 10/2/08! WOW! I couldn't believe it was going to happen so soon. So I had my pre-op stuff on 9/25 and seen Dr. Tanner one more time on 9/26 and I was ready to go for the next Thursday 10/2! So here I am 8 days post banding and doing very well. I weighed myself yesterday one week after surgery and I have lost ten pounds exactly! I was so shocked to see such a big loss so quickly! I have been drinking my protein shakes as directed and followed all my instructions just as Dr. Tanner has told me to. I thought I would have lost 5 lbs. or so but not 10lbs! I sure am excited about my new journey to better health.

I sure am glad to be here for support and to give support, and to be with other people who are on the same journey as I am.

Hello Terri and welcome! Your insurance sounds like mine; just about the time my husband and I decided to self pay, I discovered that my insurance did indeed cover lap band (I'd called them twice already this year and was told no; apparently I was misinformed each time!)

Sounds like you are off to a wonderful start!

Hi Terry, welcome...I too had my surgery on 10/2/08 and beginning to feel like myself again. Its great to hear about your weight loss..and wish you all the best. I have lost 15.5, which is crazy. Though I am sure that once I start eating solids that might change...though I hope not. Its great to know someone else that was banded the same day...good luck in your journey...Blanca

Good luck to you too. I think it's great to see someone else that had surgery the same time as me. Where did you have yours done at? I had mine done at Norton's hospital in Louisville KY. Excellent doctor, Dr. Tanner is and I had top notch care too. How are you doing so far? Day 9 post banding and I'm starting to really want some REAL food! How bout you? Are you starting to want food too?