AppleSmith1226

Damn!! Well I don't have the acne issue ... Just want this weight gone ... I'll have to find a laser place for the hair but that's kinda expensive... But I will look into it ... Thanks!! But this damn dandruff has to GO!!!

Are the laser treatments expensive though ??? Bout how much do they run ?? LAurenrd .... you've lost alot of weight and you are still showing your PCOS symptoms ... I thought they go away once we lose the weight... Here are the symptoms and dandruff is in there... I have hair growth, dandruff, HUGE waistline, skin tags, oily skin, and the Patches of thick dark areas in between my breast on my neck and inner thighs!!! What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS: infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) ovarian cysts acne, oily skin, or dandruff weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes high cholesterol high blood pressure male-pattern baldness or thinning hair patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area pelvic pain anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

To date, over 300,000 devices have been sold worldwide, allowing thousands of patients to lose weight and keep it off, reduce health risks and live a happier life. We at Allergan continue to refine the LAP-BAND® System and placement technique in conjunction with surgeons around the world to achieve better outcomes for our patients. Timeline<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 1986</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First use of open adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB)</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>April 1990</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First use of ASGB in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>December 1990 <TD height=25> </TD></TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>ASBG FDA-approved clinical trial started in the U.S. with the first patient surgery</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>September 1991</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First ASGB workshop in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>September 1993</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First laparoscopic adjustable gastric band used in Europe </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>March 1994</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>First LAP-BAND® System workshop in Europe</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 1995</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>LAP-BAND® FDA-approved clinical trial started in the U.S. with the first patient surgery in the United States</TD><TD height=25> </TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>June 2001</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>The LAP-BAND® System is approved by the FDA for use in the United States</TD></TR><TR><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top noWrap>April 2007</TD><TD height=25> </TD><TD class="content size1" vAlign=top>300,000 LAP-BAND® Systems sold worldwide. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

So PCOS does cause you to have out of the blue headaches and out of the blue nausea ... cause I get this alot and had no idea that this was why ... I was recently diagnosed with PCOS... I see the specialist on the 6th!

Well I was told my surgeon (who will be doing my surgery) and at the seminar I did not hear this either... but they did say that the band is a silicone object. Chicks get silicone boobs everyday!! Those are just as much a foreign object in the body as the band is... So go figure... Think of what your LIFE would be like if you didn't take this risk right now... you will most likely continue to fail at these fad diets as we all have that's why we are here. We are all here trying to get our life in order none of us are getting this surgery for fun!! It's because we want to be happier people and live a healthier lifestyle. We are all scared of complications and this not working ... but just pray and hope for the best ... focus on this working have FAITH that things will be just fine!! None of us want to be at the Brookhaven hospital for the obese!! Yeah we have all seen that show LOL!! Thats the next step for most of us here if we don't follow through with this. Keep your chin up AND KEEP IT MOVING!! As my Nanny would say "Dry your eyes and put your big girl panties on"!!! LOL! Much love to everyone here!! Apples!!

I Am So Happy For You Michelle!! Congrats!! I Am So Ready For My Surgery Too!! I Am Hoping For A Mid-to- Late January Surgery Date... I Currently Have Aetna And The Suck With Covering The Surgery But The Beginning Of The Year I Will Have Amerihealth And They Cover It And Fast Lol... So I Am Getting All Of My Pre-op Appts Done And January 2nd They Will Submit It To The New Insurance!! I Cant Wait!! Hope It Goes As Easy For Me As It Did For You! I Can't Wait To See All Of Us Christmas/new Year Bandsters In About 8-10 Months!! I Am So Ready To Shop In The "skinny Bitches" Stores Lol!!

Me again!! Hey y'all!! I just had the 2nd well actually the first meeting with the surgeon that will be doing my surgery!! The first surgeon I met with he told me that there will be a 6 month wait for surgery if I used him. And I am so not trying to hear that!! I found another surgeon and I kinda like him better anyway!! HE answered all my questions I didn't feel as rushed as I did with the other surgeon. I am so excited! The said I just have to complete 3 appointments which is the psych eval, lung clearance, and heart clearance. And I should be approved. The girl Tina who submits all the insurance paper work said that I chose the best insurance for the new year and that they also approve as long as the BMI is over 40! Mine is 50!! Good and bad thing all wrapped into 1. But my husband may be going off to Kuwait or Iraq in March... I am sad but at the same time when my baby gets home he will have one sexy ass wife on his arm!! Cause he is so sexy and physcially fit cause he is in the military and they work out everyday LOL!! 5 mile run a day I would look good too. But he loves me no matter what and he has been very supportive through out this whole process. But he has already warned me that when he gets back from over seas he wants a baby. And I DEFINETELY want to be a healthier woman before I bring my children into the world and. Next month (DEC 26th) is my 20th B-Day!! And I want to start the new decade of right. Unfortunetely I have been overweight all my life. And growing up in a home where we didn't always have food and lots of money so when we did have it my mom always told said to me and my siblings "clean your plate"... And no I live by that rule LOL!! I have some type of issue with throwing food away. I over eat all the time. And with this tool hopefully that will cease to exist. But I am completely all my appts the month of Dec and Tina told me that she can submit everything January 1st!!! She said approvals with my insurance (Amerihealth 1st of the year) typically take 1-5 business days alot of times sooner. But at my young age and a BMI of 50 is dangerous the surgeon said so I shouldn't have any problems. So Tina said I should have a surgery date by the end of January!! I am so excited! But I do have to attend the support groups. 1 each month before sugery (mandatory) and after (highly reccomended) Than before surgery I have to be on a 3-4 week pre-op diet that isn't covered by health insurance and it cost 250 dollars out of pocket. Which is fine cause also being the smart chick that I am I got a flexible spending acct for the beginning of the year which is worth 1500 bucks just in case I have to pay any additional charges or anything and I know I wouldn't have had that kinda money out of pocket right away. But I am sooo happy and hope things work for me. I am so afraid of not liking the band or it not "agreeing" with my body. I don't want that to happen. I am fearing what will happen to me if this doesn't work for me. What will I turn to then. I don't wanna fail at this. But also to you PCOS people ... my fellow cysters how are you doing with your band... the doc mention that with PCOS gastric bypass may be better for people with PCOS but he said that he wasn't sure and that he would have to read some more into it and get back to me. I go to see the specialist on the 6th for the PCOS ... maybe he will put me on meds I am not sure. But thanks for listening everyone and lots of love and postivity to all!! Now show me some love back thanks!! And remeber support our troops!! Apples!!

Me again!! Hey y'all!! I just had the 2nd well actually the first meeting with the surgeon that will be doing my surgery!! The first surgeon I met with he told me that there will be a 6 month wait for surgery if I used him. And I am so not trying to hear that!! I found another surgeon and I kinda like him better anyway!! HE answered all my questions I didn't feel as rushed as I did with the other surgeon. I am so excited! The said I just have to complete 3 appointments which is the psych eval, lung clearance, and heart clearance. And I should be approved. The girl Tina who submits all the insurance paper work said that I chose the best insurance for the new year and that they also approve as long as the BMI is over 40! Mine is 50!! Good and bad thing all wrapped into 1. But my husband may be going off to Kuwait or Iraq in March... I am sad but at the same time when my baby gets home he will have one sexy ass wife on his arm!! Cause he is so sexy and physcially fit cause he is in the military and they work out everyday LOL!! 5 mile run a day I would look good too. But he loves me no matter what and he has been very supportive through out this whole process. But he has already warned me that when he gets back from over seas he wants a baby. And I DEFINETELY want to be a healthier woman before I bring my children into the world and. Next month (DEC 26th) is my 20th B-Day!! And I want to start the new decade of right. Unfortunetely I have been overweight all my life. And growing up in a home where we didn't always have food and lots of money so when we did have it my mom always told said to me and my siblings "clean your plate"... And no I live by that rule LOL!! I have some type of issue with throwing food away. I over eat all the time. And with this tool hopefully that will cease to exist. But I am completely all my appts the month of Dec and Tina told me that she can submit everything January 1st!!! She said approvals with my insurance (Amerihealth 1st of the year) typically take 1-5 business days alot of times sooner. But at my young age and a BMI of 50 is dangerous the surgeon said so I shouldn't have any problems. So Tina said I should have a surgery date by the end of January!! I am so excited! But I do have to attend the support groups. 1 each month before sugery (mandatory) and after (highly reccomended) Than before surgery I have to be on a 3-4 week pre-op diet that isn't covered by health insurance and it cost 250 dollars out of pocket. Which is fine cause also being the smart chick that I am I got a flexible spending acct for the beginning of the year which is worth 1500 bucks just in case I have to pay any additional charges or anything and I know I wouldn't have had that kinda money out of pocket right away. But I am sooo happy and hope things work for me. I am so afraid of not liking the band or it not "agreeing" with my body. I don't want that to happen. I am fearing what will happen to me if this doesn't work for me. What will I turn to then. I don't wanna fail at this. But also to you PCOS people ... my fellow cysters how are you doing with your band... the doc mention that with PCOS gastric bypass may be better for people with PCOS but he said that he wasn't sure and that he would have to read some more into it and get back to me. I go to see the specialist on the 6th for the PCOS ... maybe he will put me on meds I am not sure. But thanks for listening everyone and lots of love and postivity to all!! Now show me some love back thanks!! And remeber support our troops!! Apples!!

Thanks klpdbl!! Who is this chickie ?? How do I find her ??

Welcome!! I am waiting to be banded too!! I go to meet the surgeon 2morrow!! I am excited and nervous trying to compile a list of questions for him!! I am just so ready for my band... But I am so scared and nervous. I don't wanna hate my band after I get it and I don't want complications!! I just wanna use my band as a tool and get healthy ... that's my main objective!!

Well I know you are anxious right now to find some answers to you post .. .and you seem a bit agitated so maybe we can chat later ... I am just curious to know what went wrong did you not lose a single pound? I am very surprised that there is nothing that your doctor can do. This scares me beings that I am waiting to be banded.

What do you think that you will turn to now Toni after removal ??

Hey everybody!!! I am so exicitng to have recently joined the Lap Band Forum!!! I love it here!! Everyone is so embracing and loving!! We should really look to have some kind of meet up 2gether somewhere a whole group of us banders and banders to be!!! But anyway that's another tell. I NEED A REALLY GOOD DOC IN NJ. I just recently just started my lap band journey and I am so amped for surgery I just want to jump out of my skin. I am looking forward to this exciting transformation of myself. I just hope and pray that everything will go well with my surgery. I love looking at everyone's before and after pics!! I just lay in bed and look at them every night and vision myself!! LOL but yeat another story!! So back to business I need a really good NJ DR! It's open enrollment time at my employer and I have choosen to go with Amerihealth as my health insurance this year and I am so excited :confused:!! I initially had Aetna and I really liked them but when I called to find out if they covered this surgery they said 6-8 month diet and all this stuff. So good thing it was enrollment time!!! I immediately started calling around to all the other insurances that my company (Mckesson Corporation) were offering us this year. One told me I had to be 21 or over (??? what the hell is that about I am only 20 :heh:) And than I called Amerihealth they said a 3 month post op IF needed it's not guaranteed but I dont mind 3 months but 6 that's a little bit crazy!! So Amerihealth is will be and from the isurance reads most people are covered!! I am 20 and my BMI IS 48!!!!!! No co-morbitities except for knee and back pains!! But gyn said I won't be able to have any baby's if I don't lose weight :faint: so I gotta get this crap off cause I have to give my husband some babies!! And I am getting a flexible spending acct putting away 1500 for surgery!!! So I am ecstatic. I just ope everything goes accordingly!! I am sooooo ready for this I can taste it. And I already exercise and diet now but nothing seems to be working. And I can't make the gamble of putting on more weight in effort of trying to lose!! SO I need an NJ DR someone really good!! I am not a fan of pain so someone who can't fill their band in their belly!! Refer me to that Dr!! WANTED: VERY CARING PASSIONATE NJ DR!! I WANT MARVELOUS RESULTS LOL LIKE I SAID I NEED A MIRACLE WORKER!!!

Hey everybody I decided to post a thread for those of us who aren't banded yet. If you have chatted with me you already know that I was recently diagnosed with PCOS!! Yeah it was a shock to me too. It really sucks but at the same time I am glad that I know now and things are finally coming together with why I could never lose weight and keep it off. I finally know why all these things are happening to my body. And I finally know why I have not been able to conceive a child with my husband and we have been 2gether 3 yrs and not even reallt trying but now since we are thinking about nothing has been happening. But now I know why I bought 2 boxes of ovulation test and I would NEVER ovulate... And I would miss numerous periods and never be pregnant but anyway LOL if you have PCOS you can relate. I had been dancing back and forth about getting the surgery since the first time that I had ever seen the commercial (you the one with the lion walking through the living room LOL) and I finally decided to pursue this now. And times 10 since I have been diagnosed with this syndrome. And I would like to get healthy now while I am still young and babyless. With lots of time on my hands. I have my 2nd appt with a new surgeon. The first surgeon told me that I had to wait 6 months hands down rather my insurance said so or not ... He has a MANDATORY 6 month diet. I don't wanna wait 6 months... 3 months is fine but 6 no way. Not if I don't have to. So I see the new surgeon Nov 29 I am really amped! I have Aetna currently and I know they suck as far as the Lap Band but I will have Amerihealth the beginning of next year Jan '08!! I am so excited about this because they are supposed to be alot easier to deal with as far as the surgery goes. And if your BMI is low than they make you jump alot of hoops but my is 49 :cry I love and hate that all at the same time LOL! But I am hoping for the best. So I am getting all these pre op appts done between now and Dec 31st ... so come the first of the year they should be able to submit everything and have me a surgery date within Jan or Feb.. but that's all in this little perfect dream of mine. I hope and pray that it comes true. But I need the support of others who aren't banded yet and going through the same thing I'm going through the beginning of a long long dirt road LOL! But come in lets chat awhile I am always looking to make new friends and learn new things!! Love to talk and listen! So get back to me! Especially PCOS females I want to learn as much as I can about the syndrome.

Naw... barely no skin left at all! Ahhh... a little bit but I can live with it. Had lot's of it but already seen the surgery On my way to the surgeons!!! Lot's of it but I would not/ can not see a surgeon!

I Am Soooooo Happy For You!!! Cant Wait For My Big Date!!! Have They Set A Surgery Date For You?? Which Insurance Do You Have. I Feel Bad For The People Who Used That First Dr. Just Think Of How The People That He Has Gotten Over On??!?!?!

You are going through the exact same thing as me sunshiny!! Are you due for surgery soon ??

Ms. NYC ... you may have PCOS .... google it and read the symptoms!!! See if you think you have it ... I have been there before... I was just recently diagnosed and everything makes since now cause I have has this disorder since I was about 14 or 15

I love it too girl!! I wanted to try out for it but I can't send in a video. I am really rooting for B ... he works so hard and I am so proud of him. And I really want him to win this year or either Kay!!!

OH MY GOSH AMY!!!! This is like such a coincedence!!! I just had a pap done 2 weeks ago and my testosteron level was elevated and I might just have PCOS!!! They Dr was very concerned cause I have gain 15 pounds in a 3 month time frame and it is also very hard for me to loose. I am hoping and praying that I dont have the pcos cause I want kids really bad!!! And so does my husband!! I am very concerned and worried. I don't know what to do. I feel like if I have the lap band surgery and loose this weight these issues will go away... NONE of these things started happening to me until I tipped the scale over 300!!! Did you start to grow body hair ... and I am constantly clearing my throat! I just want this all to end!

wHAT'S UR SKIN LOOKING LIKE ?? ANY LOOSENESS??? LIKE BYPASS PATIENTS??

Hey Baby Cat Which Insurance Do U Have?? How Long Did U Have 2 Wait 4 Surgery??

To All Of You That Have Lost All Of This Weight What's Your Skin Like ??? I Would Like To Know Cause I Really Can't Afford A Tummy Tuck After The Lap Band Surgery!!!

I'm scared of this too!! I dont wanna feel the band AT ALL!!!! I wanna feel the same way I feel now ... And I am so scared cause I can't take pain!!!! I just want to be able to work out and do my same exercises and things so that I can lose the weight faster. I can't wait to be able to run!!!!

OH MY GOSHH!!! Chris in NJ that is MARVELOUS!!! What is your secret ... I have to know it.... LOL I will pay you for it LOL!! I am in NJ as well havent been banded yet but hoping for Jan or February SURGERY DATE!!! I am trying to gather as much info as I can so that I can do very well with minimal to 0 complications. I am so afraid of failing this is my last option... Dr said If I don't lose this weight I wont be able to have any babies!!! And that scares me VERY much... Beings that I am a young newly married woman!! So I can use any and all advice to succeed!!! Thanks!