Leaderboard

Funny this topic should come up as I was getting my blood taken yesterday and ironically the person taking my blood had been sleeved as well and begin talking to me about losing hair and she said biotin was amazing so of course I ran out and bought it. Started taking it yesterday. It helps for nails too (my nails are a hot mess ) they break and crack bad. Best of luck.

I've also taken Biotin.. and I started way before I had the surgery. Nothing helps.. but I will say that I have locs and that I've only lost hair along the right side of my hairline.Not much though.. But let me input that that area's always been a week spot/stress point for me. Sooo.. with me It seems I've only lost hair where I've had troubles in the past. Other than that everythings great.. That's literally the only spot where I've lost hair.. The rest of my hair/hairline is very thick and has stayed put... I wonder if I didn't have damage in that area would I be losing hair at all..hmmm lol

Debbie, Everyone's journey is a little different. But this is how it should go. Once you go to the meeting, meet with your physician and you make a decision together if lap band is for you. You will do some sort of diet 2 weeks before surgery (this is hard but necessary to shrink the liver, all docs are different and this diet varies) Mine was an Atkins no carb for two weeks and liquids 2 days before. You are normally in the hospital less than a day, I was banded in the morning and went home late that night. They would not let me go home until I went to the bathroom, I argued with them until they let me go home. I was dehydrated from the lack of fluids and it is hard to pee with no fluids on board. (I'm a nurse so I can be a little more difficult) You will have pain post op, this is major surgery even though it is done lap, you pain is GAS, sometime nausea and port site pain. Take your medications and walk after a few days to a week you will be back to normal. I took 5 days before going back to work but I have an office job and do not lift or tug on anything. The first 6 weeks ate being banded do not expect miracles, this is not a fast fix to losing weight. You have little or no fluid in your band and it takes time to get used to eating with the band. For some reason things tasted different to me immediately after banding, no one can explain this but I have read it on the forums over the past two years from others. You will be on liquids and progress back to solid food. Every doctor is different, I strongly suggest you spend a lot of time preop learning the rules of lap band, clean your pantry out of all the junk food and start stocking your house with healthy food. If junk is in the house you will be tempted. Lap band does not control your hands and your mind (sometimes we all wish it did) so get it out now. If you have family make sure they understand what you can and can not eat or should not eat. Support is key to this process. I left out the physiologist visit, this is not to be understated and one of the most important persons and part of this journey, your head has to be in the right place and very engaged to be successful. Most lap band failures are due to the person not being able to follow rules, think about it. We all have food issues of some type or we would not be resorting to WLS to help us lose weight, so get your head on straight if you want success. The first 6 weeks after surgery, you have no or little fluid in your band, do not expect to lose a lot of weight during this time. This is the time to practice the rules and get ready for the next phase. Once you have your first fill you will notice a difference with eating, I thought I chewed well during the first 6 weeks but found out very quickly that I did not after having fluid added to my band. The band is not about restriction, it is not meant to stop food from going through, the purpose is to help you feel satisfied. My best advice is to read, read, read and make your self as knowledgeable about the band, a well informed bandster is a successful bandster. I always say, everyone needs to go into this with their eyes wide open. This is not a fast fix, you lose 1-2 lbs per week if your lucky, you have to exercise, you should eat different than you did before surgery. (some people chose not to count calories or change eating habits, some lose, some don't) There are complications with lap band but there are with all surgeries, my physician is doing more gastric sleeves now than lap band due to the problems that many have with lap band. I am lucky, I have had minimal issues with my band but the band is fickel and you have to learn your body and learn to listen to what it is telling you. Some days I don't even know I have a band, most days, but if I am stressed or sick my band restricts me more, it is tighter, it is tight in the mornings most days and I have to drink warm liquids to loosen it up. The best advice I can give you is listen to your physician for real information, all of us can share but it is individual and we are not physicians. Good luck.

Most insurance companies now days do insure preexisting conditions with a waiting period. The waiting period is usually 6 months to a year.

I am taking biotin, used the nioxin, taking zinc, etc.. nothing helps me. My doc says it just needs to run it's course. I believe everyone is different though.. you may be a lucky one.

Hi Suzanne, I am chiming in. I will be 57 next week and will be Banded for 2 years (this weekend) at goal for one month and 2 weeks. lapband gave me my life back, or maybe I should say, I gave me my life back by getting a lap band. I have learned to eat healthy and actually feel good about myself for the first time in a very long time. As for throwing up, yes some people do but the majority that throw up have issues with the band or cause it by not chewing their food or eating to quickly. Pills go down without a problem, you just need to swallow one at a time. I do chewable vitamins, consider these my treat for the day. I suggest you go to your consult an attend one of the local free seminars in your area so you can ask questions, seeing successful people helps. But WLS like everything else is not cure for obesity. The only person who can make you lose weight is you, will lose in the beginning just by having surgery but for the long haul if you want to get to your goal be prepared to work hard. Good luck, this is a great supportive group currently so your coming to the land of the banded at a good time.

I wore spanxs from the time I started losing weight and things started to giggle. Never heard we could not wear them. I will say I have to be careful with pantyhose, some of the waist bands fall right accross my port and by the end of the day I can have a tummy ache.

Find out what the Dr's schedule is and see if you can get on the surgery calendar prior to the end of the year so you will still be covered by your current insurance and won't have to worry about BCBS after Jan 1. I would think that if you are already in the process, and the insurance company has your claim issued for approval and the coverage is available, then you could potentially be "grand fathered" and still covered since the approval for coverage was prior to the end of the policy coverage. Ask lots of questions, and you might even go talk to your benefits provider rep/HR in your office to see if they can help you with the process to get you covered while you're still eligible under this policy. I just heard that our company is changing the policy (not the company). After Jan 1, instead of it being covered 100% (only $10 co-pays are out of pocket during the appointments) there will be a $1,000 deductible required for the procedure in the future. Good luck! I hope you can get things figured out so you can get it covered while you're still under your current policy!!

The greatest advice I can give any banded person is to learn what does and does not work for you and your band. Each person will and have adjusted differently with their band. I do take pills and they have gotten stuck before which is a really bad experience. I have learned that my band is much tighter in the morning so I take the majority of my pills in the afternoon or midmorning. The pills I take are just supplements but they make me feel much better throughout my day. I have had my band for over 2 years now and I have thrown up several times for different reasons, but I have learned what things that trigger the reflux reaction. Sometimes it does not matter how much I chew certain foods don't go down for me, therefore I have removed them from my diet. This band is not a one size fit all in my opinion- you will have to figure out how it work best for you. I do wish you the very best with your band! Before my band I wore a size 24-26 and now I am in a 16 and I am 6'1.

atta girl follow the dr's instructions follow your heart and get rid of the will power (i dont believe in that) find your want power and go for it...