Jlewis229

Gastric Band Institute in Chattanooga, TN- Dr. Jamie Ponce He was one of the original surgeons to participate in the FDA trials and has done thousands of WLS. Currently they are having a price of $10,999 which includes first year after care and fills! Hope this helps anyone around TN or GA

I've tried the gum and Patches before and honestly it just doesn't work for me! Forget cold turkey! I got the chantix and started it today. I'm not telling them that's for sure. Hopefully I'll be quit by Sunday. We shall see how it goes!

Just to be clear-I have been prescribed Chantix I just never got a chance to fill it because of losing my insurance and she decided she was going to wait to stop smoking and would fill it on her insurance so I didn't have to go go doc and get new script and pay full price.

I smoke and filled out my paperwork and said I didn't bc I was afraid they would not band me. I wasn't sure and hate lying so I had my grandma call the Dr's office and ask a few questions as if she was interested in the procedure and also asked about the smoking, and sure enough he won't do it If you smoke. So I figured that if I bought an electronic cigarette and used it on days when I go to their office and make sure I wear smoke free clothes then they can't smell it on me, I also wash my hands and use a pumice stone to keep my fingers from yellowing so that their is no sign of smoking their either. With all of this I should not be ousted as a smoker! My friend has a script for Chantix that I am getting tomorrow and will start it tomorrow because I really would love to quit and if I can AWESOME! If only before surgery awesome too but would love to quit forever! Wish me luck with the Chantix because I want it to work. I know a lot of people that have had great success and are usually smoke free by the 5th or 6th day!

I smoke and on my questionnaire I lied and said I didn't just because after calling around I had a Dr say they would not perform a sleeve if I smoked (which I'm not getting now because I want the band). I hate to lie but dammit one thing at a time and I need to tackle my weight first! I have smoked e-cigarettes and will do so before i go before my next visit so I don't smell of smoke. If they do a nicotine test well fine because the electronic cigarettes have nicotine in them. People smoke socially too with a glass of wine at a bar or whatever it is they like to drink. So that would show up as well. I'm gonna have someone call my Dr's office tomorrow and just ask about their policy on smoking and As long as they say he will do it but prefers you not to smoke then I'll be honest with them when i go back Wednesday otherwise it's the e-cigarette for me!

Thank you. It's been tough. It's bitter sweet. He suffered so much throughout his life(due to illness he was born with and at the hands of drug manufacturers- I'd love to tell all but signed a NDA) but I miss him so much and still wish he were here but that things could be different for him. It's due to his passing that I'm financially able to have this surgery so that's been kind of hard in the fact that he's not here to watch me changr and Celebrate the victories with me. Anyway sorry to ramble but he's still a big part of my life and with this surgery he always will be. Johnathan

As long as we're not out and out looney toons I think we should all be ok. My brother passed in March and we were very close. I still have issues dealing with that but I would sure hope that wouldn't stop me from getting a lap band!

What do you mean supervised? I will only have 2 more visits. It'll actually be my Next one with the Dr. , Nutritionist and Psych. I'll have bloodwork drawn as well. Then I will go somewhere and get my upper GI w/X-rays done and as long as that's good I'll schedule my surgery.

I can relate to that! I'm trying to work better stuff into my diet but as far as completely changing it yet I haven't. I know the pre op diet is going to be a drastic change and I know the lap band is going to be a huge tool to help me lose the weight I want to. I know If I were to start a diet I'd probably do ok for a little bit and then hit a plateau and get frustrated and gain so I'm just not going to do that to myself. I know once I have it it's going to be a complete way of eating. I'll get sick if I over eat or don't eat the right things. Their is so much we have to do with the lap band and I kind of like that about it. It's more strict with the ways we have to eat. Anyways I hope all that makes since haha

You are so right!! I'm so glad I found this place! This will be so important once I get banded to be able to find support from other people that are or have gone through the tough things I'll be going through.

Seems as though most of us are going crazy lol Jen- I am the same way! When I decide on something I want to do it ASAP! Honestly its really not taking that long, all in all everything will be at the most 4-5 weeks from seminar to surgery lol (self pay) That isn't long at all but I am impatient LOL

Last night Out of the blue, my mom offered to pay for the lap band surgery for me. I had said something about it a few times to her in the past couple years and now my dream is coming true. I'm going to the seminar on Wednesday. How long from the seminar to surgery date will it take? I'm hoping I can get this done FAST (within a few weeks) since I am a self pay patient and don't have to go through the insurance crap and can do all of my evaluations and tests anytime since I'm not working much right now. I am 5'9" ans 269lbs, My bmi is 39-40 I have high Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chronic Back and leg Pain from bulging and degenerative discs. I'll be 27 on the 22nd of June so I don't see any problems at all for the Dr to be willing to do the procedure. Also what questions should I ask for those of you that have been through this? I really can't think of anything off the top of my head since their is so much info out there on the lap band. Thanks! Johnathan

First I have to say is HOLY COW! Girl you look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!! Secondly, Why in the HELL would anyone on a weight loss forum say anything NEGATIVE about someone elses AMAZING results! That really makes me sad! Everyone here should be offering nothing but SUPPORT or nothing at all. It really just gripes me! But seriously you have so much to be proud of and I can't wait to get to the point that you are at! I WILL make it there! I'm hoping within about 16 months I can lose the weight *100lbs) I want with good exercise and diet and then get my tummy tuck if i need it, which i think after 17 years of a big belly I will lol Just looking at your pictures it amazes me at how much the skin makes you look bigger than you really are. You really look freaking awesome and you are such an inspiration! Thank you so much for having the courage to post your pics. I plan to put up my pictures on here starting with the day of surgery and a monthly picture to show how slowly or quickly my body changes just to monitor the new life i am creating for myself. Thanks again for posting! Johnathan

JULY!!! Woot Woot! Don't have my exact date yet but It will definitely be JULY! Should be the 1st or 2nd week..hoping the first but idk with their being a holiday smack dab in the middle of the week. Wish me luck for the first week of July because I AM READY to start this new part of my life! Good luck all! Johnathan

This seems scary for me that I would have to stop any pain meds at all! After reading some of this i'm worried! I take Oxycodone 15mg Immediate Release 4x day and Methadone 10mg (which is extended release) NOO WAY can i get off of these meds for even a day unless they are going to give me a shot of morphine on the way out the door. I never knew this could be any kind of issue :-/ I guess this will be a big conversation. I guess if I can't take them i'll have to get the sleeve :-/

You are going to be ok! This is a very safe surgery! I haven't had mine done yet but will have my date within the next two weeks and am super excited but i'm sure i'll have some butterflies and worry too! Good luck tomorrow and congratulations on starting a new life! It's going to be so worth it! Johnathan

Thanks for your email, I'll try to figure out what I want to write back lol. I will have mine in dalton at the surgical center too since I don't have any major medical problems. I'm so excited to start this part of my life! I cant wait to see what a year changes in my life! I've read a lot about him and I think I'm making the right decision to use him!

Wow those are all great suggestions! Thank you so much! I don't think I'll have any problems passing the psych eval. I really appreciate your input!