labwalker

I had the lap band, but I was also considering the sleeve... my doctor does both procedures; but after consultation he strongly suggested that I consider the band based on my health, age and weight. He gave an honest assessment of what I could expect from any of the three procedures he routinely performs, and pointed out that weight loss with the band would be slower, and slightly less than what might be expected the other two procedures. When an experienced surgeon advises a procedure, based on my needs, I tend to listen. He also made it very clear that success with the band meant that I had to have follow up visits, on a schedule, and not when I felt like going back. In other words, success depended on my motivation and my willingness to make the band work. So far, they are calling me back every 3 mos. for evaluations, and I will note that Medicare is NOT paying them for those visits; since under that plan it is considered follow up care after surgery. The doctor is not making a dime. I see a lot of folks who have gone for years without follow up examinations. Unless you have the insurance, or willing to pay out of pocket for follow ups, I'd that you have a good discussion with the surgeon regarding whether the band is right for your needs. I am almost two years out, and I am doing well with the band. My weight loss is moderate, but I feel much better and can do things I could not before. I don't miss appointments. You will see a lot folks who have been banded, without insurance, who don't do the requisite follow ups! That is a path to failure.

I've always been able to guzzle down water. In fact, after a fill, the APRN gives me a glass of water and tells me to drink it. I can down a 16 oz bottle of flavored water with no restriction. I could be out to lunch, but I can't imagine having a band set to such a critical point where passing water would be an issue. I'd suspect the hour to hour variations in our stomachs would cause major issues with any foods if the band was that tight??????

She was right... you need to do all those things... and WLS is the tool you've chosen to succeed where others have failed. You might tell her that the next time you meet up for lunch. Hopefully you'll be a lot thinner, and give her something to think about.

This seems to work for me... I massage the area below my breast bone, pressing hard and massaging slowing. I've found that it seems to help (at times) when I suspect something is slightly stuck. This has helped me, but it could physiological instead of actually doing anything productive.

Quite frankly, some (a very vocal and small minority) of the VSG members of this forum have been as ignorant and hurtful as those expressed on the View, far beyond the damage done by Rosie. This is a support group. No one cares what your surgeon opinions are or were. From some of the comments that were allegedly made by surgeons, I'd seriously wonder why anyone would ever consider having surgery done by that group or practice? Dated opinions based on archaic surgical practices and devices has nothing to do with efficacy of lab band procedures being done in this current decade by competent surgeons. As I noted, I can quote questionable sites that diss other procedures... what does that prove?? I honestly think Alex made a major gaff in combining the various WLS platforms into on group. It is painfully obvious that a fEW VSG patients chose to be smug and ignorant and are here to demean anyone who has chosen alternative surgeries, regardless of there effectiveness. I wonder if it is even worth bothering with this site... if anyone can recommend a site that only deals with lap band patients, I'd appreciate the link.

Thank you for your post... but I live by the scale... that is what i found works for me in the long term. I log my weight at bedtime, and when I wake up. But, I don't let the day to day normal variations bother me! I've gained ten pounds in one day, after an exhausting experience of flying for over 9 hours! Obviously I was bloated, but averaging my weight over several days eliminated that anomaly. Averaging out the scale readings shows me what progress I am making. I've gone three months where my average weight hadn't changed, and for a band patient that was a signal that perhaps a fill was needed. My obsession is based on averaging the daily results to show TRENDS for weekly and monthly weight loss, and then to average the them out into a graph that shows a smooth curve that represents my gains or losses. As a lap band patient, long periods of no weight loss that are longer than a month might be an indication that I may need another fill. Obsessing over daily gains or losses is meaningless. It the averaged results, spread over several days or even a month that shows progress. Why daily?? I've seen days where my weight has been higher or lower than expected. If I based progress on those extremes (by chance) the results would not be valid. I'm probably a bit anal in that I track calories, Protein, exercise on a daily basis. But for me, that is what works long term. Everyone is different, and my needs are obviously far different than those of others. Anyone with a successful track record for WLS surgery has found the path to ensure a continued path into the future. Not all trails are the same, but hopefully the journeys ends at the same point.

I'm not an expert, but your weight is not as bad as others, and you are young. i suspect you skin will be much more elastic than someone who is much older and who has suffered with gains and loses over a few decades. I suspect your young age may be to your advantage as far as excess skin is concerned.

They probably faxed or electronically submitted the information. I'd give it a week to pass through their system, and then call. Insurance companies can take their sweet time. Give it a few more days, and then call your doctors office and ask to speak to the folks who process the insurance paperwork, and press them for updates. They should know exactly who to call.

1: Lap Band surgery should take about one hour... you will be rolled into surgery, and then the next thing you know you'll pop awake in recovery wondering if the surgery was done You won't even realize that the time has past. 2: It depends on how much weight you have to lose, and I suspect as we get older our skin becomes less elastic. Some folks feel losing more slowly (1 or 2 pounds a week) helps. Others say that exercise helps. 3: You will be sore after surgery, especially around the port area. And since they inject gas for any of these surgeries, you will be bloated and uncomfortable until the gas is absorbed by the body and passed. You will be gassy for a day or two! Fills are like a bee sting. You feel the pinch, but since the needle is going through skin and into the port it isn't as bad as your imagine it might be. They have you lay flat, and then the APRN will find the port, between his thumb and index fingers, and insert the needle into the center. It only takes around five or six seconds.

And cardio workouts are good for your heart, which is under a lot of strain during surgery. I'd say being in shape increase the odds of not having a major complication during surgery.

Propel flavored water; we go through five cases a month and get them at Costco.

My body is weird. Heavy exercise kills my food cravings for most of the day.

I saw a TV special for my surgeon's group several years ago... put the idea in the back of mind at that time. My wife has several friends who had WLS, and all of them were doing well, and were happy that they had it done. When a few friends of mine had procedures, I became more interested. At the time I did not want to risk my life on elective surgery, but after some thought I decided being where I was at was more of a risk. I researched WLS as best I could on-line, and decided it was worth investigating. I picked my surgeon based on recommendations, and also because of his record and being a circle of excellence clinic--which turned out to be an insurance requirement. I attended the meetings, and then meet with the surgeon to discuss surgery. I was impressed with his honesty. And I also wanted to have the surgery done in a major hospital with a good surgical staff on hand in case a problem developed. Then the seven month journey of jumping through hoops began. I don't regret it. Alex's poll is good, but some of us could check more than one box.

Folks who say that it is the easy way out generally fall into two categories: Folks who never had a weight problem, and don't understand what it is like living/dealing with it. Or, folks who have had weight problems all of their lives, and who don't want to deal with. Or in some instances don't want to see others succeed where they failed. And then I might add there is a subgroup in A (above) that will tell you to stop shoveling food in your mouth and the problem will go away. All in IMO.

Second TMF's post above. Staying on course is important, and you will need fills as weight comes off.

Yeah, but I can now see my TOES!!! LOL! The rest comes later, but we won't go there on here.

I now understand what you are going through. Being young, and so heavy is very depressing. In my heart I think you are making the right decision, and I wish the best for you. Being obese at a young age is akin to being a social outcast; and as many of us remember, it was not a pleasant time of our lives. Many of us have been there. Just remember that WLS is a life changing experience, and that it carries risks, and the promises of untold benefits. My only advice is to be very careful, and to spend a lot time researching for the best surgical group to perform whatever surgery you decide on. That is crucial!! I'm happy you're brave enough to make such a mature decision.

My opinion... I think WLS is a very personal decision, and one is that is not made easily or taken lightly. It is major surgery. I decided from the Get-Go that I would only tell my wife and maybe a few other folks that I was having it done. There are too many people who will tell you to "do it on your own" or make comments similar to "I'd never go that route..." Who needs negative influences? The procedure might end up with less than expected results, and then you'd have to deal with the "I told you so" or other negative comments. Who needs that CRAP??? My wife was a bit leary and concerned, but in the end she ended having a sleeve (which she wouldn't have even CONSIDERED before I had the lap band. Strange how it all works out. Thankfully, we've both have had good results and outcomes. She is more open than I am. When and if I ever get my weight back to where it was in my early 20s, I may decide to share my little "secret." For now, I tell everyone (and quite honestly!!!) that my weight loss is due to strenuous exercise and eating properly. It is the truth, and all they need to know.

Good question, though! Add another voice to the choir: I don't know my band is there.

In New England, my surgery (and the costs for the six months of NUT and other required visits) totaled close to $37,000. When the dust settled, I had to pay around $2,000 USD out of pocket. Follow visits cost about $350 if a fill was needed, a bit less if no fills. Now that I am on Medicare, they don't pay for surgical follow ups, but my doctor's office still takes good care of me with 3 month visits and fills as needed, almost two years out.

There is a BaractricPal toolbar at the top of the page. Look to the right, and you will see your avatar and a "hello." Put your cursor on that section, and click on it. That will give you a drop down menu with several choices. You can add info about your surgery, weight, etc. You can also change your profile information. I assume you're using a PC with a mouse? I am not familiar with handheld devices.

Ouch... sounds like she just got of a bad relationship and is venting.

My doctor is in a "Circle of Excellence." I wanted a sleeve, he strongly recommended the band based on my age, health and on his experience. My wife wanted a band, and because of some medications she had to take, he advised her to have the sleeve. The band works... if someone goes to a "freeway clinic" and has problems, the fault most likely lies with the surgical group, and not the procedure.

Chew everything--I was told to chew thirty times to avoid getting stuck. Put the fork down for 30 seconds between each small bite. Really hot food is a problem for me, since I can get careless and try to swallow too big a piece if the food is overly hot. Some foods will give more problems than others... it is a learning process. Any of the Breakfast wraps at Dunkin Donuts can cause me to regret ordering one.

All WLS is a lifetime commitment. Try "reversing" a sleeve! Or, check out the risks in reversing a bypass. I hate to be harsh, but I have to wonder if you are ready for any WLS procedures? This is something you to discuss with your surgeon, and the evaluation team who will clear you for surgery and also for insurance requirements. I'm a bit worried that you'd expect that the band should be removed once you reach your goal. It was never intended to work that way, and no other WLS procedures meet that criteria, except for a few procedures that are not approved in the USA (gastric balloon.) Folks who have WLS are committed for life. Even if reversible, the odds are that most of the weight will creep back on, especially when you are older and less active. Think about this before you leap in. No one knows the long term risks for the band going forward 20 or more years! The same could be said for the other surgeries. I was old enough when I had the band to accept the risks based on the current track record for recent lap band surgeries.