JustinsMama

Naaw, sex is okay because it would be considered exercise :biggrin:

I'm not a smoker (actually I'm huge, adamant non-smoker) but anyway...I have a friend who had to have reconstructive surgery on her breasts from a masectomy (I know this is a completely different kind of surgery) but was told that she needed to quit 6 weeks before her surgery but couldn't/didn't. Long story short, she never healed properly so it was almost like her surgery didn't "take" I guess having to do with smoking constricts blood vessles, hinders healing, etc. Same thing with my mother-in-law at the time she had one or two knee surgeries and didn't quit like she was supposed to and has had trouble with her knee and the healing ever since. She finally has quit for good (at least that's what she's told us) but it didn't do her knee any good at the time (before she quit). You're a grown-up so ultimately it's your decision but just thought I'd pass that along. Good luck with your process whatever is decided!

You don't think it could be gallstones do you? I had to have my gallbladder out about 5 years ago and the pain that sent me to the hospital was this squeezing/pressure type pain to me felt like right below my breastbone area. It also made me nauseous when that pain was going on as well. I hope you find out the cause and get better whatever it may be!

And of course, now I'm not so sure. I was very excited to learn about this procedure and then went to a seminar last night and I'm not so gung-ho now. The center that was having the seminar is a surgery of excellence and has a few other awards and certifications and they seem to really know what they are doing it. After asking, I was told they did they lapband by stitching the port and the band into place so that sounds good to help against the port flipping or band slippage. It was the physician's P.A. that was there giving the talk as the doctor was stuck in the O.R. He had prevously had Roux-En-Y which I can tell you after listening about recovery time, the surgery and risks itself and just the drastic nature of what might happen if you don't get enough Protein and keep on top of your Vitamins, it's pretty safe to say that I'm definitely not interested in that and that pushed me even further to looking into the lapband. The one thing he did say about the lapband that has me hesitating now is the fact that since the lapband is a foreign object in your body, like all foreign medical devices - be it hip replacement, knee replacement, etc., it will one day have to be replaced. Now if we're talking 10, 15 or 20 years from now, that's one thing but if it means one or two years from now I'm having to go back on the operating table because of a faulty device, etc., that's where the second thoughts are coming in. He did say that band erosion counted for about 1% of the occurences which sounds pretty low, I guess because the long term data isn't out there that I'm somewhat hesitant now. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this and sorry such a long post. Thanks in advance! Heather

Yeah it does. But thanks again for everyone's input.

Thanks again everyone. Maybe one of my mistakes is going over to the lapband complications and life without the lapband discussion pages, there just seems to be an awful lot of people having complications or needing to have theirs removed.

Keep in mind this was the doctor's physician assistant not the actual doctor himself, so I may need to go back for the seminar when the actual doctor is there.

Who knows, maybe he is just partial to the RNY since he had that done and that was just his opinion or speculation on it would eventually have to be replaced one day, but he sure made it sound like fact. Oh and just to let everyone know, I'm not trying to change anyone's minds or stir the pot, I really do hope through research that I find out that what he said isn't necessarily so and maybe can pursue the lapband one day. Thanks again!

Congrats and keep us posted!

thanks again!

Thanks for the advice. I've heard more things about Dr. Enochs than Dr. Moran but I'm going to try to attend both their seminars. Maybe I should look for someone out at Duke University too.

Ouch, yes that is alot of money. BCBS told me it was covered after I meet the deductible which is $1750, so I guess that's not including any of the pre-testing required. I already had to have my gallbladder out about 5 years ago so at least I know that part can't hold me up. Well go get some rest for your big day on Monday and thanks again for the info!

Sending well wishes to your friend. I look at it this way, gastric bypass may be a quicker weight loss, but there are more risks involved both for the surgery and afterwards. I've also read that once all is said and done (or once all the weight most people lose from WL surgery is done) the lapband people's weight loss might only be about 5% less than the more drastic WL surgeries. May I ask how long it took you to have your surgery scheduled once you attended the seminar or got a consult? My insurance is BCBS of NC (PPO) and I called them the other day to see if it was covered on the plan we are on - I was told it was covered as long as I was approved. I'm just wondering if it's going to be a long drawn out process or could it be done within a few months of consult. One last question, does Dr. Enochs perform this surgery at WakeMed Cary? Thanks again and congrats!

Are you scheduled for the actual procedure Monday? I spoke to soon, the first seminar date that isn't full for Dr. Enoch's isn't until December 4th. I'm wondering if I can show up this coming Tuesday on the night of his seminar to see if there are any no-shows and maybe I can get in - guess it's worth a try. Thanks for your response and let us know how it goes!

I sent you a private message. But in the future to send one you just left click on the users name and it will bring up a list and then you click on send someone a private message and that's it!

I can't offer you any advice on the actual experience because I'm still in the research stages myself. I will tell you that the lapband is the only weightloss surgery I have considered because like you, I do not want to put my 6 year old through the pain of losing his mommy. I would think any help you (we) could get is better than what we're doing now. I've read success stories where people near or over your weight have had great success with this. Plus I would think that if you started out losing 100 pounds that would be awesome motivation to start excercising, etc., once you start seeing results. Good luck and I wish you much success! P.S. I'm jealous for two reasons, one you have a band date and two, you live in Orlando (I'm a Disney freak!) Take care! Heather

Thanks for the reply

Ha-ha. Does having the lapband (specifically the port part) hinder the "relations" part in your life. As in, can you (or your partner) see it or feel it during that time? For some reasom I have this vision of someone that has a colostomy bag (minus the bag part). Am I hopefully wrong in my assumption obvious this port thing is or isn't? Thanks again for any help!

Yabba dabba doo! (Sorry couldn't help myself). Thanks!

Hello everyone. After reading these forums for a few days I called my insurance company and found out that they cover the lapband procedure (as long as it is approved by a doctor) minus a $1750 deductible. So I am in the first stages of researching and I'm going to try to attend a seminar for a couple of different doctors in my area next week. My three biggest questions are: 1. Has there been documentation of anyone ever dying during lapband surgery or from placement of the lapband? 2. How common is slippage or erosion? 3. Is the lapband left in you permanently or do you get down to your desired weight and after maintaining a while do they remove it (since I assume by this point you've hopefully learned portion control, etc.)? I feel I can handle situations from questions 2 and 3 but obviously the first question is of great concern, especially with being a mommy to a six year old. Thank you for any insight anyone can give!

Thanks Grace!

Thank you for your response