Jillbeme65

I am in Bakersfield California and getting banded August 1st looking for someone to buddy up with

good luck Tracey ... My surgery is in 12 hrs:eek:

it tells you how different each dr is. My doctor allows protein shakes immediately following the surgery.

Well fellow butterflies tomorrow is the last day and my day to meet mr band. LOL. Little nervous today thinking what the Heck am I doing... Am I going to miss food? Am I going to fail again. How long was it before you felt like eating again, am I going to wake up starving?

Hey guys have to take me off the roster as I got moved into July... Surgery date 07/31/08 at 10.30

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet. I just don't eat the day before which is tomorrow :wink2: Like they said everyone is different just follow the instructions your surgeon gives you...

Thats great same time ... and date.... lets add each other as friends and stay in touch... I wish you much success

Thanks for the great welcome... Nerves are in the throat funny how one day opened up the bottle of nerves

Hi everyone got booted from August Allstars to July Butterflies, Since they moved my surgery to July 31st.. Scared to death but excited too:scared2::thumbup:

Well I thought I was to be an August All Star, got the call today surgery moved up to Thursday... Looks like I am a July gal now:scared2:

I will be on a liquid diet following the lbs as you all no... Is a smoothie considered a liquid or a mushie???? Sounds like a stupid question but I was wondering with non fat yogurt?

I just called the member services on my card and asked for authorizations

I called anthem and found out the dr forgot one form.. Once they got all the ppw was less than 24hrs

My surgery is Friday and when I look on this site I see that a lot of people have had some sort of trouble with their band, like one of the posters stated that the doctor couldn't find her port and this was her first fill. I know we are a small group compared to all the people who have had the Lap band surgery. But sometimes and probably more now since I am getting close to the surgery it scares me thinking what if and should I really do this. How did you ease your nerves? I am not sleeping now I lay and worry but I am a worrier by nature. Dr okayed the ativan to help with nerves.

My surgery is the 1st too.... Don't know whether to cry or laugh!! I don't have to do a preop diet, so I have had it pretty easy.. This week is to prepare my mind that my stomach is going to shock the HeLL out of it

You know I may be to late to make a comment but I am 5'5" I weigh 235 I have struggled with my weight and been embarrassed by my weight for years. I have high blood pressure and thyroid issues however that isn't my reason.. As all of you want to I want to look good too. I want to be able to climb stairs with out feeling like I am dieing I want walk with out my knees killing me and I want to ride roller coasters again.. Your weight problem and my weight problem may not be the same however our goal is.. Good luck and God Bless

Though I haven't had the surgery my surgeon told me to get a multi vitamin chewable or liquid

Congratulations Hope to see you in the August All Stars

LAP-BAND vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery – Side Effects And Long Term Complications Of Gastric Bypass Surgery Weight Loss Surgeries If non-surgical methods have not helped you lose weight long-term, you still have another option. Studies demonstrate that weight-loss surgery, as compared to non-surgical treatments, yields the longest period of sustained weight loss in patients who have failed other therapies. But keep in mind that a positive attitude, self-discipline, and the ability to plan ahead are key for the success of any weight loss surgery. Surgery can help you achieve your long-term goal only if you are ready to make a commitment to losing weight and keeping it off. The most common weight-loss approach is to eat less, eat sensibly, and exercise more. However, studies have shown that patients on diets, exercise programs, or weight-loss medication lose approximately 10 percent of their body weight but tend to regain two-thirds of it within one year, and almost all of it within five years.The cycle of losing weight and gaining it back is called the “yo-yo effect.” While temporary weight loss can help, the yo-yo effect can also make it harder to lose weight in the future. The National Institutes of Health report that 90 percent of the people who participate in diets and weight-reduction programs do not experience significant and sustained weight loss. For seriously overweight individuals, weight-loss surgery should be strongly considered when other therapies have failed, as a way to lose weight, improve their health and increase their quality of life. There are several categories of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery: Restrictive —reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold but doesn’t interfere with normal digestion of food and nutrients. Malabsorptive —shortens the digestive tract to limit the number of calories and nutrients that can be absorbed. Combination —restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold and reduces the number of calories absorbed by altering the digestive tract. The two most commonly performed weight-loss procedures in the United States are the gastric bypass (combination procedure) and the LAP-BAND® System (restrictive procedure) Description LAP-BAND A restrictive procedure, during which an inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a smaller stomach pouch, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time and increases the time it takes for the stomach to empty. As a result, a patient achieves sustained weight loss by limiting food intake, reducing appetite, and slowing digestion. GASTRIC BYPASS A combination procedure that uses both restrictive and malabsorptive elements. First the stomach is stapled to make a smaller pouch. Then most of the stomach and part of the intestines are bypassed by attaching (usually stapling) a part of the intestine to the small stomach pouch. As a result, a patient cannot eat as much and absorbs fewer nutrients and calories. Advantages Lowest mortality rate1 Least invasive surgical approach No stomach stapling or cutting, or intestinal re-routing Adjustable Reversible Lowest operative complication rate Very low risk of nutritional deficeincs. Rapid initial weight loss Minimally invasive approach is common Longer clinical experience in the U.S. Slightly higher total average weight loss reported than with purely restrictive procedures Disadvantages Slower initial weight loss Regular follow-up critical for optimal results Requires an implanted medical device In some cases, effectiveness can be reduced due to band slippage. In some cases, the access port may leak and require minor revisional surgery Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel are required More operative complications Portion of digestive tract is bypassed, reducing absorption of essential nutrients Medical complications due to nutritional deficiencies "Dumping syndrome2" can occur Non-adjustable Extremely difficult to reverse Higher mortality rate Erratic absorption of medications Protein malabsorption Pregnancies are higher risk Vitamin deficiencies are possible if supplements are stopped Results Although during the first year after surgery, weight loss with the gastric bypass is greater than with the LAP-BAND® System, surgeons report that at 5 years many LAP-BAND® and gastric bypass patients achieve comparable weight loss (55% for LAP-BAND® and 59% for Gastric Bypass).3 Risks1,4 Mortality rate: 0.05% Total complications: 9% Major complications: 0.2% Most common include: Standard risks associated with major surgery Nausea and vomiting Band slippage (minor revisional surgery) Band erosion (minor revisional surgery) Access port problems (minor revisional surgery) Mortality rate: 0.5-2% Total complications: 23% Major complications: 2.1% Most common include: Standard risks associated with major surgery Nausea and vomiting Separation of stapled areas (major revisional surgery) Leaks from staple lines (major revisional surgery) Nutritional deficiencies Recovery Timeline5 Hospital stay is usually less than 24 hours (Typically this procedure is day surgery) Most patients return to normal activity within 1 week Full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 2 weeks With a laparoscopic approach: Hospital stay is usually 48-72 hours Many patients return to normal activity within 2.5 weeks Full surgical recovery usually occurs within about 3 weeks

You know I thought about the mini bypass however, I don't want to have anything moved around inside of me. I believe that anything can fail. I have had several friends who have gained their weight back after bypass surgery.. It sounds like to me that though I haven't been banded yet it all comes down to self control. I watched a couple more of those videos and the one lady said I didn't have to do anything. Well if you think the band is a magic wand think again its a tool and everyone on here expresses that... I may be proven wrong in the years to come, but for now with the information I have this is the choice I am making... I think you have to make your own decision but look at the pro's and con's of both...

I am using Top surgeons through West Hills, My doctor is covered in plan but the surgery center is not causing my out of pocket to go up. I called the insurance the lady suggested that I call the surgery center and ask them to accept the 80% as pif. I thought she was nuts... I called the lady handling me through Top Surgeons she gave me the number to call and Wham I talked to the director and sure enough they will take it IN FULL... Woo hoo

It looks like one of the sponsors for this site

What a great story and what great feeling you must have.. Welcome

I actually work for my pcp and he said that he didn't believe in the lap band that I should just try harder to get the weight off.. He said " I see what you eat". I was like ok well there has to be a different way. I called my insurance and lucky for me they said I didn't have to have a referral I went to a meeting and I was approved with in 8 hrs. They asked for a letter from my pcp. I went back to the office and wrote the letter he said "you know how I feel" I said yes but I know how I feel and he signed the letter. Surgery date August 1st

My surgery is August 1st. I am wanting to measure my body so I can follow inches as well as weight. Does anyone know the correct way to do this?:eek: