HauteMama

Hi everyone! I got banded on Dec 20. It was terrible but I know I will feel better about it once the weight comes off. Boy did I have an experience. On byway to the hospital I got a call from my doctors office stating that the director of HR at my job called asking inappropriate questions. I chose not to disclose of my surgery, my doctors office only stated I was having abdominal surgery for reflux. Well the HR director wanted more information on the procedure and why was I having it? The nurse at my doctors office refused to answer her question and informed her she was in violation of HIPAA. I will be handling that after I recover. The surgery This is my experience and my experience only please do not take my experience as what happens all the time. After the surgery was complete and I was in recovery I felt light headed and dizzy. My blood pressure dropped unsafely low. After several attempts to get my BP back to normal range it was discovered thru blood work that I had internal bleeding which meant I had to go back into surgery to check for the blood loss, fix it and give me a blood transfusion. My doctor discovered one of the instruments had torn some muscle and caused bleeding. The muscle was repaired and the bleeding was stopped. I am a thousand times more sore than I was when I initially came out of surgery. I had to spend the night in the hospital, I came home this evening. Right now I'm in a reclining chair that is comfortable. I wouldn't dare try to sleep in the bed. The gas is painful along with the painful incisions. The mess are kicking in now some I'm going to get some sleep.

I'm excited can you tell???? LOL Tuesday December 20th.!!!!

That's good news MissMarcie!!! I'm nervous and excited. Sometimes I think I could have lost the weight myself instead of doing a surgery then other times I say you have spent thousand and thousands worth of dollars and tries. Then I'm nervous that I won't lose the weight in the time I would like to lose. I have a total of 60-65lbs to lose. I would like to have at least 40lbs off by May. I'm also nervous about eating. This surgery will make me make better food choices, at least I hope so because I don't want to get sick. I'm having the lap band with plication.

congratulations!!!! i hope all went well. i'm getting banded and plicated on Tuesday.

Thank you everyone for well wishes. This is the best Christmas ever!!!! I've been looking into getting a lap band since October 11th. I thought the process would have been quicker being a self pay. I have a friend who went thru the same process with her insurance, she was approved very quickly and her surgery is December 27th. I'm very excited!!!

My insurance paid for all of my pre-op testing. I went to my PCP for the blood work, EKG, and Chest x-ray. I went to a gastro-doctor for the upper gi and abdominal ultra sound. Cigna also covered the psych eval visit but I had to pay for the results to be written and forwarded to the doctor.

As of this morning everything is in and I go for the consultation and schedule the surgery on December 9th

I started this process to have lap band in October. On October 11th I went to the weight loss seminar. I received the information I need to have for the surgery. I went to my PCP on October 24. I had a chest x-ray and EKG. On October 27, I went to the "lap band" doctor. They requested my medical records on that day. I was also told to have blood work done from my PCP. I had the blood work done on November 7th. As of Friday the "lap band" doctor's office still has not received my chest x-ray and EKG results. On November 11th I had the upper GI and abdominal ultrasound and those reports have not been sent to the doctor as of Friday. I'm so ready to have this surgery but these doctors offices are holding up my procedure. I'm considering going to my PCP and physically asking for my EKG and chest x-ray and take it to the lap band doctor myself. I'll do the same for the upper GI and abdominal ultrasound. This is so frustrating, both offices know I'm wanting to have this done. I want to be banded before Christmas.

you are so right!!! then if i got to 225 he would be telling me how i need to do something about the weight. i'm doing it now.

autocorrect is soo funny. i just re-read this post and I was thinking....who is Jessie??

Omg!!! I was having the upper GI done and the doctor asked why are you having lap band surgery? I said because I'm obese. Jessie you're not obese. I said my bmi is 35, I'm 5'2" and I'm 190 lbs. He gave me a judgmental look and went got started. If he thought that would change my mind then he was sooooo wrong.

has anyone had the iLAP (Imbricated Lap Band)? My doctor said of his lap band patients 85% of them are doing the Imbricated Lap Band. The iLAP is similar to a gastric sleeve and lapband combination. a little info...... iLAP The imbricated Lap Band procedure is a newer concept that per the ASMBS is investigational. Although this is a new concept it has had good initial results. Many other centers around the country are incorporating the plication procedure with the Lap Band. There is very little published data about this procedure to date. The rationale for the iLap is to decrease gastric volume and to work with the band to be restrictive. The potential lack of irreversibility of this additional procedure makes it more invasive than a Lap Band alone. In addition, because this is a more invasive procedure there is a potential increased risk of complications. This surgery is performed through a laparoscope in conjunction with your Lap Band procedure. Sutures (stitches) will be placed about the greater curvature (the area of the stomach that forms a long usually convex curve on the left from the opening for the esophagus to the opening into the small intestine) of the stomach to create at least 1 infold along your stomach. This infold should make your stomach capacity smaller. This procedure will require a longer operative time (20 minutes estimated) than a Lap Band alone. The plicated Lap Band (iLap) surgery is a new operation. It is not possible to estimate the exact percentage of complications, but surgeons have evaluated the risks and ongoing studies are being performed. Some risks include but are not limited to the need to change from a laparoscopic surgery to an open procedure (procedure that involves a larger incision), injury to the stomach, increased chance of bleeding, the potential for additional operative procedures, and a prolonged hospital stay. The iLap procedure will take approximately one hour to complete. Routine post-operative care will be provided from surgery through the time of hospital discharge, usually later the same day. After surgery it is important for you to recognize early signs of any possible problems. If you begin to run a fever, begin to have trouble swallowing, or have increasing throat, chest, or abdominal pain, let your doctor know about it promptly.

thank you! that is very good and inspirational. I'm hoping to have the surgery in December and I would like to lose at least 40lbs by May. *crosses fingers*

thats great news!!! have you lost any more weight lately?

Thanks Healthy and Happy !! Congratulations on your success so far, keep up the good work!!! I have decided to have the iLap. I have a few steps this week before I am scheduled for surgery. I'm having blood work, psych exam, nutrionist, upper GI and abdominal exam. I'm guessing I should have the surgery the first week of December. *crosses fingers*

Thank you Bromo!!! My doctor said he can do the surgery as an outpatient. I have more questions I need to ask him. I'm paying out of pocket and do not want to be hit with any unforeseen fees. I can see why an overnight stay would be beneficial.

I've been thinking all night and I have a few questions for you two, if you don't mind 1. Did you have to spend a night in the hospital? 2. Were you able to drink Water pretty soon after the surgery without any problem? 3. Is it necessary to have the lapband or can you have the plication alone? 4. Have you had any lapband fills? 5. Can you give me an example of what you normally eat? Thank you all so much. There is not a lot of information out there, I just want to know what to expect from those who have experienced it.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! this is very encouraging!!

thank you so much for this information. this is very encouraging

Thanks for responding. This is great news!!! I'm seriously considering having the same procedure. How is your weight loss so far?

I just started posting last night and you guys are a wealth of knowledge :winner: Are there any low BMI-ers? My BMI is 33, i'm 5'2 181lbs (today :laugh: ) i would like to lose 55lbs. Is there anyone else wanting to lose in that weight range? Oh and I just found out on ASBS website that weight loss will reduce migraines. I have suffered from migraines since forever. They have gotten worse with the weight I've been carrying for the last 7 years. Once I was in the hospital for a week for a migraine. I'm trying to avoid that ever happening again. Back to my question :laugh: any one esle with a low BMI and needing a 55 lb weight loss?

I went to a weight loss seminar "prescribed" by the doctor I've chosen for lap band surgery. He gave a lot of good information about the band, the process, what to expect and how the band is a tool. He said not to gain any weight before the surgery because he wouldn't think you're serious about weight loss. It is a lifestyle change. After the seminar his nurse took information and made appointments. When she got to me she said "oh i'm not sure you're insurance will cover you". I told her I was going self pay and she asked if I wanted to try to go thru my insurance, I said no because i'm affraid I will go thru the process and be declined. She made my appointment for my first visit with the doctor on October 27 :Banane47: . All I need to bring besides their paper work is a letter from my doctor that says I'm fit for surgery. I've made my appointment with my doctor to meet with her on October 24th. Once I meet with the lap band doctor, he will schedule my surgery. I'm excited looks like I will be getting banded in November!!! :Banane44: i love all these banana guys :Banane48:

:wub: good luck with your surgery!!!