AudreyZ

Hi, folks. I was talking to a friend about the Lap Band the other day. She wanted to know if you had to quit smoking, before you get one. I told her I had no idea, that I would ask you all when I had the chance (she doesn't have internet access right now, or she would have joined here and asked herself). I looked around the site and I haven't seen any topics about it, if it's been discussed previously, I apologize. Thanks! AudreyZ

I got a "page cannot be displayed" on my screen, when I clicked on the link.

Hi folks. Waiting myself to get a referral to a WLS for the band. Anyhow, I was wondering, what happens, after you reach your weight loss goal? Do you keep the band still, or is it removed? Sorry if it sounds like a stupid question, but I haven't seen anyone talk about it anywhere on the site. Thanks! AudreyZ

Teresa, you look fantastic, and were beautiful before the band as well as now. Good looks obviously run in your family, your brother is quite the handsome young man, as is your darling husband. What an inspiration you are to me! Thanks for sharing these photos.

I hope all of you don't think I am out of line for saying this, but here goes. I don't, for one moment, think that weight loss surgery is the "easy" way out of losing weight. I've tried Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, numerous other diets as well as exercise programs (I STILL exercise daily- at least 2-5 miles worth of walking or jogging or dancing, depending on the time I have). I've tried it all, even diet pills, fasting, Cabbage Soup diet. Cripes, I have no idea what I HAVEN'T tried! Yet, I have family and friends who are less active than I am, eat whatever and how much they want, and they don't gain a pound, or are minimally over weight. Diets work for them, they don't for me. If they did, I sure as heck wouldn't be over 120 pounds overweight! People look at me in awe, when I walk/jog around the track with either one of my daughters, while they are having soccer practice. After I do about 2-3 miles of walking, I bring my large Exercise ball, and play volleyball with my youngest daughter on the side, or help one of my kids practice for soccer. People ask me where I get my energy, and the looks they give are priceless when I am doing any physical activity- as in, a fat person can MOVE, LMAO! Right now, I am in the process of having more tests done, my damn doctor just won't let me go for this surgery until every test in the medical profession is run on me! He would much rather have me take a 24 hour urine test for coritisol and thyroid- both which I have been tested for in the past year and came back negative. Tuesday, I am off to a gynecologist. After the gynecologist of his choice runs all these other tests on me, and finds out nothing is wrong, other than I am fat and just can't lose the weight no matter how hard I try, then MAYBE he will consider me for this surgery! This is the easy way out? Right! Two months later, and I want to give up and just stay fat! Know why I don't? Because all of you keep me motivated to keep the faith, that's why! How is this taking the easy way out? Because we don't have faster metabolisms, or a chemical in our brain does not function the way it should, and let us know our stomach is full when it should so we can stop eating, we're not motivated? Do people think we love going for tests after tests, meetings with doctors, counseling, etc, if we could just simply walk away from the table full like themselves, and stay thin? Hold your heads up high- this is NOT the easy way out! Not only going for surgery, but then refills, not being able to eat like a thin person without having to worry about whether or not you chewed up your food enough, or why you can't eat more than you should, or eat too much and do you have leak, and on and on, isn't the easy way out. ppppppppfffffttttttt to those who think it is. I've already written enough here, though I could say more. If you don't want to share with others what you are doing, then don't. It's personal, and it's your business how you are losing weight.

Afternoon, everyone! I am considering having the Lap Band procedure done. I was wondering if anyone here has had it done while taking Zoloft? Two months ago, while driving to work, I had a panic attack. I don't have them any other time, and don't know why this suddenly cropped up. Anyhow, just wanted to give you a brief history about my situation, I am in great health otherwise- I walk many miles a week, but the weight seems to not want to come off. Currently, I am 117 pounds overweight. Thanks ahead of time for your help, and I look forward to chatting with you all on here!

How much do they want people to pay up front, if they are self paying? Does anyone have an idea? I can't understand why this isn't covered by insurance companies. It's been proven obesity leads to many medical problems later on in life- one way or the other, they will have to pay out for medical expenses. Better to pay for the surgery to help people, than years later incurred costs due to serious medical problems. Good luck, Betty.

Thanks, Audrey and New Hope! I love this site, everyone has been so helpful and supportive. What a great group!

Thanks to Cynthia, who posted a very helpful link on another board here, I found 3 surgeons who are in Portsmouth, NH. Dr. Cynthia N. Paciulli Dr. John P. Gens, Jr and Dr. Kevin G. Looser You can contact them at: 330 Berthwick Ave, # 308 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5242 If I find any others, I will post them. Going to my home doctor on Friday to discuss this more in details with him.

It's too bad that this thread couldn't be stickied for newbies. Great information about what to buy before the surgery and suggestions post op.

Bless your heart. Thanks to this site, I found a surgeon a lot closer to home! The other one I was considering was over 2 hours away from me, this one is only 45 minutes away. I really appreciate the link. This site is terrific. I've never met so many wonderful, helpful, and supportive people in my life. Thanks, everyone.

Thankyou so much, Cindy Lou! Could you tell me how long it takes to get an appointment with them, and how long the process is before the schedule the surgery? Thanks again so much for your help, and by all means, add me to your buddy list. It would be great to have someone close by for support.

May I ask you all, who is your doctor? It seems that New Hampshire doesn't have any surgeons that does the Lap Top band. Thanks! Audrey

Darcy, Thankyou so very much for your reply. I was so worried that I might not be able to do this, because of the Zoloft. I am going to find out how to go about this procedure tommorrow. My doctor didn't want me to think about until I was on the Zoloft for at least two months. Thanks again, you gave me a ray of hope tonight. Best of luck to you on your journey to weight loss! Audrey

Thankyou, Paula! I see that you recently have had the Lap Band procedure. I wish you all the success in the world!