Kristy

In October, Drs. Watkins and Montgomery at Norwest Weight Loss Surgery in Kirkland Washington (next to Seattle) charged $17,500 for outpatient surgery, which includes the one year follow up w/ fills. If you have to be inpatient for one night, the cost goes up to $18,200. Good luck!

Congrats Patty. Hang in there through all the testing and meetings, your surgery day will come! I have found this site to be the best on-line tool and have even had the opportunity to meet 2 really nice ladies from my area who are both bandsters. So keep coming back!

Hey Teresa, This is sooo cool!!! What a great experience. I think that just about every American was rooting for Rupert to get the "America's Choice" million. So nice when good things happen to good people. And you....great pictures and what a beautiful smile! You look great in red. Tell me more at our next coffee session!

Carmen, Thank you for sharing today. It is helpful to me (a relative newbie) to have realistic expectations of what is to come. I keep reminding myself that although I am changing how food its into my life and all the ah-ha's that come with that, that the band is a tool and I need to work with it to accomplish my goal. By the way, I think I started this journey already being considered a 'bitch' by some because I am a tad bit out spoken. I wonder if it will get worse (maybe that isn't possible)?!?!

...and then tomorrow, time to kick off the Holiday shopping with elbow shoving, cart-wedging, price-slashing SALES! Stack up your ads, route your path, call you shopping partner, set the coffee maker for 5 am and then GO (or stay in bed and keep your ribs intact!). Happy Holidays!

Hi MomHappe1, I too am were you are. Banded 4 days after you and getting my first fill next Thursday. I lost about 20 pounds and then plateaued as well. It is a little hard not to be anxious about 'not loosing' right now but as others point out, ya gotta look at the bigger picture and this is just a 'stage'. Hang in there and good luck on your first fill next week!

Hi Fran, My cardiologist said something negative about the band and patients not losing weight as quickly as with bypass, and that the band wasn't as 'good'. I gave him some info and let it be as I didn't need his approval to have surgery. I work with physicians and I find a variety of responses from "What is that?" to "...doesn't work" to "Cool!" I think that if they are uninformed and providing care to a patient, they don't want to be held responsible should there be issues (sue-scared). My experience so far has been very positive. I get my first fill on 12/2 (yes, the day you have surgery--I'll be thinking of ya) and I have lost 20 pounds already. I have ZERO regrets and doubt I ever will have any. I knew this was absolutely the right procedure for me. Stay strong in your desire to get the band as a tool that will transform your life in such a positive way. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts on 12/2!

Hi Blossom, Great pics -- I would use number 2 because it shows off your great smile!

Hi Fran, Congrats on getting a surgery date! I was banded 3 short weeks ago and am feeling GREAT! No regrets and everything went fine for me. I know that the pre-surgery jitters can be a little unnerving but just trust that this is happening for you now for a reason. I will keep you in my thoughts. Good luck! Kristy

Hi Everyone! (Disclaimer: Long post here...) I was banded by Dr. Kevin Montgomery in Kirkland Washington on 10/25 (2 weeks ago). I live in Eugene Oregon - about a 5 hour drive from Dr. Montgomery but after researching the various docs in the NW who perform this surgery and talking with some, I decided to go with Montgomery (Northwest Weightloss Surgery). So far, NO regrets of any kind. I have a sister and friend up in Seattle and occasionally have to travel there for business, so making appts is not a problem and gives me chance to visit and shop! I came to the conclusion that there was no turning back this summer when I found out that I will need to have my aortic valve replaced in about 5 years due to a congenital heart defect. I knew I had some stenosis of the valve but upon having it remeasured this summer and finding out I had progressed, I knew that the time had come to get myself in shape so that I can better handle the heart surgery. I had been researching different gastric surgeries for the last 3 years and had even consulted with one local doc 2 years ago. Hit a barrier with insurance, appealed, then lost interest in moving ahead -- too overwhelming. Anyway, never did get insurance to cover it but I am blessed to have an angel in my life that said 'go do it - here is the money'. I am not sure how to ever fully thank my angel except to make this work for me and not waste the gift (and say 'thank you' <a hundred times> give hugs and love her for the fabulous person she is). 2 weeks ago I weighed 297 and today I am at a more svelt (ha!) 282 (down 15 pounds). I am already feeling the clothes loosening and more energy than I have had in a long time. I have my first fill scheduled for Dec. 4th. I read a post from one person who listed all the wonderful things she had lost... the need for extender belts, etc. I have a small list of all the things I am looking forward to and thought I would share those. Getting my wedding ring off my pinky and back onto my ring finger. Being able to walk down a plane aisle without banging into someone. Being able to walk with my coworkers to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Being able to put on pantyhose without huffing and puffing. Being able to paint my own toe nails (Fire engine red, of course). Not having chapped thighs from heat in the summer (bad visual, I know). Shopping for clothing in any store I want to. Hiking with my husband and daughter when we visit her in Hawaii (she is in college there - rough place to attend school, huh?!). Wearing shoes that are a normal width -- hence the next one... Shopping for shoes that are to die for. Not feeling like a "sexless blob" to quote another bandster. Not having to ask for a chair at a restaurant because I cannot fit into the booth comfortably-- close to the goal of not having a chair hang onto my butt when I stand up because it is such a 'perfect' fit). Being able to look in the mirror on a good day and say "Geez, your looking so HOT today" and mean it because I feel it and I believe it. Finding out what I look like as an adult who is normal sized. And last but not least, fairing well during heart surgery because I am in such better shape. Anyway....the list could go on but those are the biggies. Thank you all for sharing... this is an incredible site and the positive messages are inspiring. I hope someday I can be a wise bandster who can offer others the positive support I feel from this group already. Thanks for reading and sharing!

Hi Danyielle, I had my band implanted by Dr. Montgomery, in Kirkland Washington. It was $18,000 and included surgeons fees, hospital stay (one day), anestesiologist and one year of aftercare (fills ect). Outpatients there pay $17,200 (extra $800 for the one night in the hospital -- needed due to other conditions). I have still asked both the doc and hospital to submit a bill to insurance...who knows if they might pick up part. Good luck to you!