jen043454

I had my orientation tonight, which was very informative. However, it was suggested by the surgeon that "people who get the lapband usually lose 30% of their excess body weight". From lurking on the forums for a while, it seems that most people (here at least) have a pretty high success rate and lose a significant amount of their excess weight. It could all be in my head, but it seemed the surgeon was pushing people more towards the sleeve or gastric. He implied that the band is "the surgery of the past". Can people please give their suggestions and opinions? (He isn't my choice surgeon, by the way. I have 3 others ahead of him that I'd like to speak with.) Thanks, Jen

I like the idea of my husband (to be) picking me up and carrying me through the doorway once we get married.... (and the idea of the cute and flirty clothes I can wear on our honeymoon!)

Ohmigawsh @ the six flags thing. I ALMOST forgot about that. I went to Hershey Park (insert "fat girl going to a chocolate themed park" jokes here) about 4 years ago. I went to get on a ride with one of my friends and the young guy working the ride said "Uh, you're not gonna fit. Sorry." Before I had even gotten to the front of the line. HORRIBLE! Add that to my list too - I want to go back to that park, get on that ride and go "WHEEEEEE!" all the way down!

Teri, you're awesome - thank you for the help! I live in NY - land of the fast talkers and money walkers. I feel SO out of place here, it's hard to believe I've been born and raised in this forsaken city and state! The orientation that I had basically said that "lap band is the *old* way of bariatric surgery. The sleeve and bypass are the *real* keys to success". I just kind of made the o.O face and listened to what they had to say. My mind is set on lapband, just need to figure out when and if they'll do the Plication as well. I wanted to ask the surgeon who was speaking last night if they do the 1st fill on the surgery date, but his overall attitude was pretty dismal, so I'm just going to ask my surgeon when I see them.

Thanks for the support. I'm going to make an appointment with both my first and second choice surgeons and see what they have to say. I'm not going to "settle" for a surgeon who gives me 'bad-vibes' just because he has an open appointment book. (There's probably a reason for that!) Keeping my fingers crossed that things go smoothly from here out.

I called my surgeons office to ask about the Band with Plication, and the receptionist on the other end kept asking me what I was talking about. Was I saying it wrong, or is this a relatively new thing? I don't have a surgery date yet, I'm only about 1/2 way through my "to-do" list before I even get to meet with the surgeon, but I'm trying to write a list of questions for them... "Plication" is one of them. Thanks, Jen

Thank you all for your comments. I am going to complete the paperwork given to me and schedule an appointment to speak with the Dr. about the band. I spent the majority of the night searching between the three different surgeries that were discussed last night, and as some of you mentioned, it seems that the band is "talked down" due to the success rate. It seems as though the success rate is hugely due to the determination of the patient. With the sleeve or gastric, what you eat goes out. With the band, what you eat has reprecussions. Being able to "trick" the band is a scary thought, but also holds me accountable. I NEED/WANT to be held accountable. I don't want something to magically do the work FOR me, but WITH me instead. Does that make sense? Again, thank you all for your words of wisdom. -Jen

Hi Everyone, My name is Jen, and I'm taking my first step into getting the lap band. I figure I've got nothing to lose (but the weight!) and joining the forum seems like a good idea to get some "real" advice. Here are my stats: 28 Y/O female Current Weight: 311 BMI: 48.7 Height: 5 ft 7 My ideal goal is to get to 175'ish, which my DR and I agree is a healthy weight for me. Although that's still considered "over weight", measuring my bones, hand and foot size - she doesn't feel that 125-145 (the "healthy range" for my height) is good for me. I just got my approval from my PCP today, and scheduled myself for the next meeting at Ellis Hospital, which is March 8th 2012. From my understanding, the meeting is an orientation which has between 25 and 50 people who are "hopeful patients" in the same room. My PCP says that she's seen some people get through orientation and "jump through the hoops" and get their actual surgery in 3 months, while others take 18 months. Any insight on what would be the difference? Hoping to get my surgery and get healthy. I'm young and have a lot to live for! Thanks!

I picked up my letter from my PCP today. It lists my BMI, Weight and that I have no "comorbidity". Since my BMI is over 40, do I need to worry about comorbidity or the lack there of? Also, my DR told me NOT to start the diet until after I meet with the surgeon, she wants them to get a real weight prior to attempting to lose it. Does this seem correct? Thanks for all the help and support

As an additional tid bit - I start on the "strict" portion of the IsaGenix program tomorrow... two days of 'isaflush' juice (and nothing BUT juice), two days of isashakes, and then back to the juice. I have to do this for 10 days... wish me luck!

Thanks for the responce, ladies! I really do think that I'm off to a good start... I have approval from my PCP, a letter from her giving me the okay for surgery, a letter from her stating her medical opinion of why it's necessary, as well as a report of my past 6 months on the IsaGenix diet. From my understanding of speaking with my DR - I need to track 30 days of exercise, diet and weight loss (for my insurance's request), and need to lose 5-10% of my bodyweight before they will approve the surgery. I'm meeting for an orientation in the next two weeks, and hope that from there I can get my psych eval, the labs and the ekg. The surgeon's office said a "typical" case gets everything approved and completed in 90 days. She also told me that the "harder I work and more anxious I am" the quicker I'll get in. Gives a girl a little hope, no?