pookie

I haven't seen my surgeon since October 2008. I was banded almost 2 years ago, on April 15, 2008. I was 292 when I was banded and am now hovering around 240, give or take a pound or 2. I think I've lost about 25 lbs since my last fill, and probably about half of that has been since December. I am embarrassed to see him as I thought I would have lost more than I have by now. I feel like I have fairly good restriction. I still occasionally feel "stuck", but can still eat just about anything, but stay away from too much carbs and stuff like buns, fries, etc., as these are harder on my band and I don't need them anyways! At the same time, I feel like I can eat more than I should - definitely not as much as I used to, but can still eat probably 2 cups of food in a sitting and often times am hungry a couple hours later, not 3-4 like I heard you should be. One thing I have noticed within the last few months is that I have heartburn. I had heartburn before my surgery, but it went away right after and didn't return until just recently. I mostly notice it with spicy foods or with an empty stomach, especially first thing in the morning. I have been taking Prilosec in the morning, which has helped tremendously, but I worry I have stretched my pouch. I also occasionally get pain under my left ribs after I eat, nothing too painful, just more like discomfort. I will bring these up to my surgeon, but am wondering if because of this a fill would be a problem? Can he tell by doing an upper GI if I need a fill or if I have a stretched pouch? My nurse who I talked to doesn't think I do, but how can you really tell? Does it sound like I need a fill?

I'm glad I found this!! I had surgery on 04/15/2008, so almost 2 years ago. I am down about 70 lbs, so doing well, but not as well as I had hoped by this point. I hadn't seen Dr. Chae in about 1-1/2 years, but my nurse said I should follow with him at least once a year, so tried for 2 weeks to get an appt, but could never get a call back. I'm a Kaiser patient, so I know that he does surgeries downtown on Tuesdays and appointments down there on Wednesdays, so since I am going to be down there for another appt next Wednesday, I called his office in Denver, got someone right away (no voice mail!!) and made my appointment. She really urged me to mention to Dr. Chae about my frustration with the Sky Ridge staff and how they wouldn't return my calls. In fact, she made a note in my chart so he would see it in case I forget (which I doubt I will). I wrote down Pam's phone # that I saw on here, but don't know where I put Dr. Chae's cell #. If someone can PM me that, I'd appreciate it!! Anyways, it's great to find this forum!

I have been doing research on the LB and was pretty set on doing it, but then I came across this and am having second thoughts. What is your opinion on this? [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVYXk_ZPis8]YouTube - The Failed Lap Band:10 Years Later[/ame]

I am scheduled for surgery a week from today, April 15. I was told no Advil, Motrin, herbal supplements, or vitamins for 14 days before the surgery, which I have been good about. My son has had a cold and I am starting to feel a little weird; however, I can't tell if it's a cold or just seasonal allergies. I would normally take Airborne or Alka Seltzer Cold to help fight it up, but figure I should just stay away from those. He did say I could take Tylenol if I need to. Do you think that means it would be okay to take a Tylenol Cold pill too? I don't want to take one unless I KNOW it's okay. I just don't want to get sick before my surgery and having it risk getting postponed!!!

I didn't have to meet with Kelly because I'm a Kaiser patient, but just wanted to wish you good luck!! I live in Parker too and am having my surgery with Dr. Chae down at St. Joseph Hospital on April 15.

It's too late to call tonight, but I'll call them in the morning and ask them. I was confused about the vitamins as well, but didn't ask. If I can remember, I'll ask them about that tomorrow today. Thanks for your help!

I am not banded yet, but I am curious as to what foods you CANNOT tolerate or aren't allowed to eat. What about pasta? Can you eat foods like spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc?

I am not banded yet, but I am curious as to what foods you CANNOT tolerate or aren't allowed to eat. What about pasta? Can you eat foods like spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc?

Hi! I have Kaiser insurance in Colorado as well. It is difficult getting approved, but I finally did. I sent in my paperwork at the end of May and was approved in July. You have to have a BMI over 50 with no comorbidities or a BMI between 40-49 with two comorbidities, or something like that. After I was approved in July, I didn't hear anything until a couple weeks ago when I received a call to get some blood work done and come in for a couple appointments, which I did. I start the mandatory 8-week surgery connections classes on Nov 5 and was told as of now I would probably be looking at surgery in either Feb/Mar. Kaiser doesn't have its own weight loss surgeon, but is contracted with Dr. Thomas Brown at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center and Dr. Frank Chae at St. Joseph Hospital. Going through Kaiser is kind of slow, but from what I understand they are a lot faster than what they used to be. Good luck and keep me updated!

I haven't been banded yet, but just got a call today from my doctor's office and am scheduled to start my mandatory 8-week classes next month, so it's looking like surgery will be in January/February. My question is this: We are planning a vacation to visit some family for a week in North Carolina in March. Let me first state that I have planned not to tell many people about my surgery so the people we are seeing and going with, minus my DH, will not know about the surgery. If I am only 1-2 months out from surgery, will I still be on mushy foods, have you had a fill by this point, etc? I am almost wondering if I should request to wait until beginning of April after we get back from our vacation before having the surgery? Yours thoughts please :eek:

I am on a wait list for LBS and am expecting the surgery date to be sometime next spring. In the meantime, I have gone back to WW in hopes of losing at least 40 lbs before the surgery. I have told myself that if I can lose 50 lbs I will cancel the surgery and continue the weight loss on my own. So far I have lost 5 lbs, but I am having a difficult time staying focused with it and changing my eating habits. I know I need to lose this weight. Ultimately, I would like to lose about 150 pounds. I guess part of me is scared of the complications that can come along with LBS and giving up certain foods permanently, where as if I can lose the weight on my own I wouldn't have the complications and can still occasionally have these foods. So, my questions to all of you are: 1. Do you regret having the surgery? 2. Have you had any complications because of the LB? 3. Is there anything physically you can't do anymore because of the LB? 4. What foods and drinks are off limits now or can you not handle because of the LB? 5. Have you had any negative side effects? Thanks for listening. I'm just trying to sort things out right now and your responses are much appreciated! Robin

I am so excited. I got a little discouraged for awhile, but it all worked out. I am a little nervous now, but know I need to do this because I've been dealing with this for too long. I have Kaiser insurance in Colorado, and I know the wait time can be months. The lady I talked to on the phone is sending me out some paperwork, so hopefully I will know more soon. She said I need to take an 8-week class and that right now it is about a 5-7 month wait for the class, and then she said it's about 1-2 months from the end of the class until the surgery, so overall we're looking at about 6-9 months before I get the surgery. I am hoping to lose about 40 lbs before the surgery, so we'll see. Yea!!

I am kind of in the same boat. Right now I have a BMI of 48. With this BMI I need two co-morbidities. I know I have one for sure, and I am getting a sleep study to see if I have any sort of sleep apnea. Even if I have a little bit I will qualify. If not, I won't. However, if I have a BMI of 50 or higher, I can qualify without any co-morbidities, which I have figured is about 10 pounds. Obviously, I don't want to have to gain any weight, but will do it if it means I qualify. I never thought about weighing myself with objects. If it comes down to that I'll give it a shot.

I sent in my paperwork to see if I qualify on May 25, and I received a letter today stating that they need me to get a sleep study and also need a copy of my medical records regarding my PCOS. I have Kaiser insurance, and I have heard that they are hard to get approval from. I went ahead and scheduled my sleep study for July 2 and after the study I have to make an appointment for three weeks after that. As far as my PCOS, I am kind of confused because all of the information should be in my chart, so I am waiting to hear back from the lady who sent me the letter. I don't know if they need a letter from the doctor or what. Anyways, I supposedly have to get everything squared away by 45 days from now, so I am hoping I have the sleep study results by then. Let's just hope after all of this I get approved.

<p>Thanks, the weight management nurse met with the medical director and they agreed that I do have PCOS. To be eligible, however, I need two major medical conditions as a result of my weight. I have bad foot pain and she mentioned that if I have osteoarthritis as a result of my weight that would be considered a major medical condition; however, I had a foot x-ray done today and it came back normal. So, it is looking like my sleep study test will make or break whether I qualify for this procedure. It is scheduled for July 2, that is the earliest they can fit me in. My DH is actually doing it with me because I know he has sleep apnea. I have been bugging him for years to get a study done, and he agreed to do it with me. I really don't think I do have it, but at the same time I know I don't sleep as good as I used to and have started snoring at times, so maybe I do have it. The weight management nurse said that even if I have it just a little, I will qualify. It's pretty sad that I hope I have sleep apnea, huh? If not, I can always file an appeal, but I don't know how that works.</p>

Since the surgery will be through Kaiser and they have their own physicians, I am not sure who does the surgery. That is one of the questions I have written down to ask.

I am just getting started in my journey and it will probably be awhile before I even get approved, not to mention banded, but I plan on only telling a few close people - my husband, my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, and a close friend. I don't need nor do I want people watching everything I do, everything I eat, etc. My sister-in-law and my close friend are both overweight too and completely understand; in fact, my sister-in-law has started talking about it for her too, and my close friend is looking into it, so the support will be there.

Hi, I live in Parker, CO. I am new to all of this too. I am still trying to get qualified. I have Kaiser insurance and they make you go through all of this stuff just to qualify. Anyways, nice to meet you. Robin

I love that show and TIVO it everyday too. It has been on for awhile now, it used to be on later in the morning than it is now. If you look, the episodes were all taped a few years back and because I haven't seen any new ones in ages, I am assuming they stopped filming new episodes. Maybe that's why the Lap Band hasn't been on there, because it's a little newer of a procedure. I wish they would film some new episodes though. I really enjoy it and it is very inspiring and motivational.

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Robin and I live in Parker, Colorado. I am taking the first steps in my Lap Band journey. I have Kaiser insurance and the first step is getting a physical, blood work, and sending in a form to see if I qualify. My PCP updated my file and after my blood work comes back he is going to finish up the paper work and send it in! My BMI was 47 and with the asthma and PCOS, I hope this will be enough to qualify. I don't know how long it will be before I hear anything, hopefully not too long. I know with Kaiser from the time you qualify until the actual surgery is around a year, so I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I'm excited to get started. I am also excited to get to know everyone on this board, hear stories, etc. Is anyone else from Colorado? Also, has anyone else gone through Kaiser for their Lap Band? If so, I would love to hear about your experience.

Hey everyone!! My name is Robin and I live in Parker, CO. I am new to these boards and am just getting started with my LB journey. I have Kaiser insurance and met with my PCP last week, who updated my chart and did some blood work. He believes I should qualify and is turning in my papers, so hopefully I will get a letter soon. My BMI is 47, so I wouldn't think I should have a problem. Has anyone else used Kaiser for LB? From what I have read, they have you take many classes, etc. and surgery is approximately a year out after you receive your approval letter. Anyways, I am looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I am very anxious to get started with everything. I am just hoping my PCP has sent in my paperwork. I think I'll double check with him next week to make sure it's not just sitting in a pile on his desk or something! I know all of my blood work came back good - glucose, thyroid, & cholesterol. Now it's just time for the waiting game..............

Hi, I am just starting out on this journey and was wondering if there is anyone out there who used Kaiser in Colorado, and if so could you tell me a little bit about the process they make you follow. I met with my PCP last week who believes I should qualify and is going to finish up my paperwork after my blood work comes in and send it in. What can I expect if I get an acceptance letter? Thanks for any info.

We have had a Dyson for about a year now and LOVE it! We were sick of buying a new vacuum every 12-18 months so figured it was time to spend more $$ on one and see if it lasts longer. My DH actually wanted a Kirby, but I didn't want to spend that much money on one, so we compromised on the Dyson, and so far so good (knock on wood)! I also can't live without my: - TIVO - high-speed internet - George Foreman grill - my comfy down comforter - my crockpot I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that popped in my head!

Nice to meet you guys! I was told that if the doctor approves the surgery it is 100% covered, so I know I am very lucky. Your stats are awesome! Keep up the great work!