I am due to be banded in late November at St. Alexius' New Start program in St. Louis and I wonder if anyone has gone through this program.

I was banded by Dr. Wagner on Halloween as an outpatient. Surgery was done at the Ballas Surgery Center.

How did everything go? I waited on my insurance 6-month requirement and I am due to be banded within 4-6 weeks. Would your recommend? Were there any downsides?

Everything went just fine. The actual procedure was less than an hour and I went home by 11:30 a.m. I had to be there at 7:00 a.m. The hardest part was the drive home. I was 2 hours away. I just received my first fill this past Tuesday. I have lost a total of 30 lbs. Of course, you want the weight to come off quicker but that is not good for you. I am also walking at least 3 to 4 times a week for 40 minutes on my treadmill. Now, I can start doing some type of weights, or swimming also.

You didn't have to stay overnight? I was under the impression that you stayed overnight in the hospital or did you have the option? I live in STL and not too far away. I am really nervous and don't really know anyone that has had the surgery. However, the few people I have told, I believe they are waiting to see what my results are...and go from there. I think it is great that you have lost 30 lbs and keep up the good work. What was you initial weight and your goals? I'm sorry to be asking so many questions, but....

I was banded at St alexis 9-16 have had 2 fills still not much restriction but hopefully with 3rd fill next week will get some. Everyone at st alexis was very nice, and I did have to stay overnight.

I was told that if I would do the outpatient instead of staying overnight, my insurance company would agree faster. They did. I just slept all the way home (in and out) and then went straight to bed when I got home, slept for most of the weekend actually. When I first started the program this past summer I weighed 272 lbs. I had to do the pre-op liquid diet in order to shrink my liver and I lost 12 lbs. The rest has been after surgery (the first few weeks you do not feel like eating, or at least I didn't), when I went for my post-op visit (a week after) I weighed 251 and this past week (Tuesday 9th) I went for my first fill and I weighed 242. I received 2.5 cc's of saline but I don't really think I have that much restriction. Of course, I am not going to push it either because I do not want to throw up or get something stuck. My goal weight is 144 lbs. I believe it will take me at least until the end of next summer to get close. My doctor said about 2 lbs. per week. I go for my second fill on January 13th.

How long to did you take off work (or resume your normal activities)?

How much weight have you lost? It seems like you had a good experience...is the weight coming off? Are you exercising?