Joeboo

John- I actually used Dr. Van Wagner- he's out of St Alexis Hospital off of 55 and Arsenol. Sara his office manager is GREAT! She really helped me with all the paperwork and getting my insurance to cooperate and making sure I understood everything as we went along. I was in and out in a day- for the surgery and back to work in a week. Dr. Wagner is VERY informative and listens to all concerns and gives you the knowledge that you need to make an educated discission. Have you been banded yet or are you just looking for a doctor to do your fills? If you need to- email me- I can give you his phone# Susan

Thanks Candy and Wishes- I called to make a doc appt today- to get a fill, I have to fax the new health card and then I am ready to get my fill. I will definately take your words of wisdom and start all over. I have a south beach diet book- that I need to read again- I think it has good food ideas in it. I am going to start an exercise program- I will have to start small and work my way up, but I am doing it for myself!!! I'll keep in touch so that you can know how I am doing- Thanks for being there Susan

Doddie- Thanks for the advice- I agree- exercising is not my thing- I do need to MAKE time- I also need to make a dr appt- to get a fill- I know that I am nervous- cause I feel like a failure- BUT I want to loose a little weight AT LEAST by June- my goal is 30lbs. I have a tony little gazel- I like it, just hate the fact that when I get on it- all has to watch. Guess I will learn to overcome that issue huh. It feels great to know that there is someone out there like me- knows how it feels and that cares enough to try to give me some words of wisdom- Thanks- Susan

Hello- I would love to join to get some MUCH needed support. It is nice to see how everyone is real and helpful here. I had surgery in May of 06 and haven't lost anything. Yes I am the biggest looser!! I an going to make an appointment to see my doc soon- just concerned he will yell at me and tell me what a failure I am. When I get a fill I have to have it done under a fluiroscope- because it is a hard port to find. so if you can help me and give me ideas- especially on how to want to come home and exercise after a 50-55 hour week I WILL appreciate it. Can't wait to hear from you. Susan

Hello- I am totally depressed and discouraged with myself :cheers2:. I was banded in May 06 and I haven't lost ANYTHING!!! Mind you I haven't been a good girl and get filled as much as I should. I got back on track last Aug- got 2 fills (total of 4) and need to go back- but I am SO embarrassed that the doctor will call me a lost cause:blushing:. I do eat less than I used to- BUT I know I need to exercise too. It is just that getting motivated is my deal. Any tips, should I take caffenine pills? I work long hours 50-55 a week so when I get home, motivation is an issue. My husband likes to think that to motivate me is to complain and tell me that I got the surgery for a reason and now it looks like a waist of time. I am a slow looser that needs a friend- so if anyone wants to give me some advice I WILL appreciate it. Susan

Thanks for that feedback- I am willing to try anything-- I'll let you know how it goes.

I am glad that someone cleared up the pannus thing- I was confused! BUT great tip on using deortarant there- I started 4 days ago and I feel AWESOME!! I have always been self concious of that- THANK YOU!!!

Hello to all!!! Great to see this thread! I am glad to hear that there is hope for me to loose weight!! I have a question though. I had a fill 3 weeks ago and have noticed that my bowels have changed- I know not a fun topic- should I call the doc- or is this one of those take a stool softner and you'll be fine. I know that it maybe a stupid question, but I have never been constipated before. Other than that I am refreshed and loving the energy that you all give off!! Thanks Susan

I had my surgery at St. Alexis- but I went through Dr. Van Wagner- he is great!! The seminar I went to was more geared for lapband. His office is great. If you want any info just email me- joeboo_riverrat@yahoo.com Susan

Hi- I have bcbs of GA- I had to jump through a couple of hoops- but it was covered- my doc had to write a letter stating that other diets had failed, went to a head doc, went to a dietician, and a seminar for the surgery- but that was a breeze. Don'tgive up hope- keep fighting, see if your doc office can help. Good luck Susan

Hi Annie- I had my surgery at St. Alexis in St. Louis also. I went through Dr. Van Wagner. He is really nice. I have bcbs though. His secretary can tell you everything that you need to know- and for me she precertified me and made sure all my ducks were in a row before I had surgery. It was a breeze. I actually have an appointment in 2 weeks for another fill- can't' wait!! Good luck and if you need anything- just yell Susan

Hi- I feel bad for you- that doc needs to learn some bedside manner. I had my surgery 5/06- had one fill and wasn't back until 2 weeks ago. I was worried what my doc would say- he just looked at me- knowing that I hadn't really lost any weight- and said- haven't seen you in awhile- glad to see you are getting back on track-let's get you filled, make another appointment in 1 month, let's loose that weight. I would of been excited to loose 23 lbs. Just remember that you didn't put it on overnite and it will not come off overnite. Just keep puttering along and you will be great!! Susan

Hello- I have a BMI of 50 at the time of my surgery 05/06 312lbs- I had alot of personal issues and was not a good girl with getting my fills like I should. I just had my second fill 2 weeks ago and I feel great- getting back on track!! I haven't lost much weight because I waited so long for a fill- the doc told me that I had no restriction really- so- I am off and running- it is great to see others out there like me- going through the same " fun ". I can't wait to hit the 50 lb loss mark, For right now I will be happy with 20.

Boy are we two peas in a pod. I had my bank in May of 06- havent lost that much weight and same with restrictions. I finally went back to the doc 2 weeks ago- I was thinking that maybe I stretched out my pouch or broke it too. My doc assured me all was fine- I had to have a fill by fluroscopy- because of difficulty getting the needle to go in- and when we saw the xray- all was ok- my doc just told me that the reason I hadn't really lost enough weight is because getting those fills are so important to get your restriction for your eating, he said that I will need to go in to get a fill at least 4 x's to be where so I can get on tract.---don't give up- I just started to get back on track and so can you- if you need to just email me- hang in there Susan

Congrads on your committment to yourself!! One problem that I had with my insurance- I have bluecross blueshield of GA- was that I got the precertification- then after the surgery found out 2 things- 1 that they wanted a preauthorization also- don't ask why- my doctors office was on top of it to fix it, otherwise the bill that I had before me was for 14K- yuk!- but the 2nd was that someone had assisted with my surgery- as far as the band adjustment- that person is not covered under my insurance and I have to pay them $1000- that I wasn't aware of- so just make sure you ask lots of questions from your docs office to insure that all bases are covered- don't worry you will do great!!! Susan

I just want to thank you for the words of wisdom and support- I have got my mind and heart set now to focus on myself- to start loosing weight and to be happy.

Hello- well I was banded in May of 06- I have been back to the doc- 2 times since then- one fill- I am going back in 2days and I am nervous, because I just haven't lost that much weight. I know I must be doing something wrong- but am in desperate need of support. Can you give me tips? I think that my biggest issue is drinking when I am eating. Any advise is greatly appreciated.:think-- Joeboo in St. Louis Dr Van Wagner

Thanks for welcoming me- it took me awhile to find a website/forum to ask for help- I am glad that I found this one- I am also glad to hear that you could eat normally after one fill- because honestly I can almost eat the same- and I thought that maybe I stretched something out or broke something- I know sounds silly but you never know. I will definatley keep in touch on this forum- you just do not know how much better I feel right now- I feel like a million bucks- You gave me some confidence back- THANK YOU!!

Thank You so much for the kind words!!- I am pretty much feeling like a failure with the whole process- the surgery was smooth and easy- I just need to get back on track again-