iTeach

Hi! I am considering having the procedure done and wonder about those of you here who have had it done in Arkansas. I am attending a meeting on Tuesday eve and hope that they have all the information and that I can get this started. I have the patient packet and am filling out paperwork prior to going on Tuesday. I really am curious to know how long it took from process beginning to surgery date. So, anyone that knows a little about Little Rock doctors, I would love to hear some feedback. I have tried everything else and just feel like this is the one thing that will work. I have lost the weight before - it took working out 3 hours a day and I just don't have that kind of time anymore. I just want to feel healthy again and be able to be as active as my husband and family. I feel like a spectator, not a participant in life. I am ready for a change.

Hello, I just wanted to say, hang in there and stay positive. Slow weight loss is the best and longest lasting way to go. I have been banded since last week, Thursday, and have lost a little weight. I am hoping to keep it slow so that I don't get discouraged, time is on my side. I think that the initial weight loss is a bit misleading, we get very excited to see the lbs. dropping off and think, "this is great!" But I don't believe it will be like that forever. Having done some homework, I have found that the people I know who lost the weight slowly have been better at keeping it off and not gaining a sizable amount back. I don't know about you, but I want to be in that group; the ones who have taken time to mentally adjust and train themselves how to think about exercise, food, and eating. You and I are in the very early stages of this journey, we are making a change for the better. I'm sure you will enjoy that grandbaby even more as a leaner and healthier person. I don't have any as of yet, but when the day comes, I look forward to being able to keep up with them. I wish you continued success and much happiness. From Arkansas, Beth

Hello, My name is Beth (44yrs old, 243lbs, and 5'3) and I too have Tricare Prime. It was a very quick process once I got all the information from my PCP and the surgeon's office to the ins. In fact, it took about a week after my PCP put in the referral request to have a number from Tricare and be on my way. So don't be discouraged by ins. Be persistent, have your list of co-morbidities ready and really sell your PCP on the idea. Mine was a lot more receptive than I thought he would be, but he has watched my weight soar over the past 6 years and knows I have tried many things to reduce the weight. As for your concerns and questions, the best place to have your questions answered would be with the surgeon. I went to a free seminar that my surgeon held and it answered most all my questions. There are a few side effects that some people experience and others don't. Check out lapband.com to read about some of those. The device will be with me the rest of my life, unless something unforeseen happens (slippage, erosion, etc). Seeing the doctor is a must, keeping them and yourself current with information and fills/unfills is important to your success and comfort. They want you to be successful, so most plan to see you every month for about the first year to year and a half. With my doctor I get 18 months follow-up as a part of my fee. so I plan to use it. I'm sorry I can't help you with surgeons in your area, but here is what I did. I logged onto my states obesity surgeon search site and found them, from there I researched their personal sites and when I had narrowed it down, I started tracking down people who I knew had the surgery and got their opinions of their doctors. So then it was up to me to find a seminar in my area and educate myself as much as possible. I had been interested in doing this for the past 3 years, but fear kept me from moving forward. I'm so glad I have done this; I was banded on the 17th of this month. I have not had a lot of pain, mostly gas in shoulders (common), and some neck pain (but that is where I carry my tension), but I have already lost a little over 3 pounds. I know there are things that you have concerns about, I hope this has helped a little. Start searching the web for surgeons in your area, do some more homework, and check it out. I have been very happy that I did. I foresee the rest of my life being the active, healthy person I and my family hope for me to be. Let my know what you decide, Beth

This has been so helpful, I am really feeling a lot better now. Called my Dr. office and am now thinking that the pain may be from the angle my head/neck was placed in during the surgery. It is also the place where I carry all my stress, so I am just going to have to give myself time and a couple trips to my massage therapist. Thank goodness my family is being patient with me, they place no pressure on me and are very supportive. The tremendous pressure in my chest and abdomen has subsided and thankfully I am getting up and out much more. It's funny, but the most filling thing I can eat right now is Tomato soup. It really works! Other than that, I haven't found anything that fills without bloating. What about you guys? How is the diet going? Beth Oh, and seem to have lost my first 1/2 pound. Maybe it's just water, but I'm feeling happy!

Hello everyone. I just got home last night about 6pm and had my surgery at 1pm the day before. It seems as though it went well, the doctor spoke to my husband right after surgery and said that I had very little fat around my liver, which I guess is a good thing. When he released me yesterday, he just said to keep moving to keep the gas from settling, but I think I have not escaped that discomfort. I can easily deal with all the other little aches and pains, but my shoulders are killing me. I have this week off and then am heading back to work on Monday the 28. I really hope the pain has subsided. I teach school and really don't want to be distracted by this pain. How long has it lasted for you? Also, how is everyone getting those neat trackers on their page? I would really like to put one on my profile as well; I think it would help me feel better about the weight coming off. About how long does it take for the weight to start coming off? I'm kind of impatient to start seeing results, though I know won't be immediate, I a, excited just the same. Good luck to everyone out there!

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences, that helps so much. I just would like very much to move past the gas pain and onto the next thing. I feel like I am getting up quite a bit and moving around but maybe it's just not enough. I will try more tomorrow. Are any of you feeling hungry right now, at this early stage? I go between feeling hungry and nothing at all. I don't think I'm eating enough, but am trying to avoid added pressure to shoulders by eating too much. Guess we all just have to find that personal happy medium. Thanks, Beth

I have been hungry off and on, but with all the pain in my shoulders I have been reluctant to eat much. trying to avoid any more pressure, though I know I have to eat. I'm on a 48 hour clear liquid diet then I get to have thicker liquids for about 14 days. Then I will begin to add more foods in the following weeks. But right now I just really hurt, the gas pains, not the incision sight. Hope things continue to go well for you. Beth

I just got my band on Thursday! It all happened really fast, kind of unexpected that it went so quickly, I am excited to be underway! I am having some pain in my neck and shoulders, but hopefully with some more walking around that will subside. Just wondering how it is going for everyone else?

I am so excited! I just had my initial meeting with Dr. and team, am set up with surgery on the 17 of March, and I can not wait. My head is spinning, I have been thinking about this for some time and it just seemed to come together so quickly once I became determined to do this (that was at the end of this January). I actually got my surgery call last Friday and they wanted to set the surgery up for this Friday! Whew! I had to wait for spring break though, so I wouldn't miss much school. Any words of wisdom or advice will be welcome. Hope everyone is doing well and that it goes this easy for everyone else. Beth

I will be thinking about you and hoping that the recovery goes well and that you aren't too sore. I feel that I have spent the last 20 years of my life overweight and am ready to make a change and hopefully this will be the tool that I am most successful with. I hope the same for you and all of us who are in this forum. Beth

One more question, was the doctor Tricare sent you to the one you wanted to do the surgery or did you have a preference?

I'm new to this process, just saw your Tricare ins. on your file and wondered what was involved/required of you. I have been with Tricare for the past 22 years and know that they can be 'iffy' sometimes. Any information would be welcome. Attending an informational meeting this coming Tuesday. Thanks