Bob Barnett

I am scheduled for Nov 13 with Elias Ortiz. I chose him BC I spoke to several people that have used him. He's newer but he does 600 of these a year so I know he is more experienced than nearly any sleeve surgeon in the US.

I will throw a huge party if this goes away. It's probably the number one stressor in my life right now. I wear a suit and when I walk into a business I can't be all sweaty and nasty. I actually try to plan meetings where it is cool. Crazy..

I hate sweating my arse off when nobody else is. I hate being so tired all the time. I hate being called "big guy" . I hate being uncomfortable most if the time. I hate not looking as professional as I could in a suit. It just looks bulky and uncomfortable. I hate thinking about food so much. I hate craving food bc of emotions. I hate being the fat guy on the scuba diving boat. I hate that I weighed too much to zip line in Kauai. I hate dealing with yoyo dieting....uhm that's just a few:)

So I originally started looking into the surgeons in Mexico because of price. However, I could jump through hoops and get 60% paid after my deductible and end up close to the same price. But I have found that none of the top local surgeons have the experience of the popular Mexican Docs. Even Dr Elias Ortiz, who is fairly new, has performed more sleeve surgeries than most. It seems like the US docs are still caught up with lap band. I'm going to Mexico for surgery on Nov.13th and I am more confident BC of this.... hope I'm right!

Nov 13 with Ortiz! I'm going by myself as well. Ready to get this show on the road.

I'm having mine done Nov 13th with Dr Elias Ortiz. Janese is my coordinator. Like everyone else I'm excited and nervous. If anyone else is going to be there let me know!

I joined this forum two years ago when I was going through my insurance approval process. I eventually decided not to get the surgery about one month before it was scheduled. I started working out really hard and dieting. I lost 80lbs and felt great.....now guess what....just like every other time in my life I gained it all back. I'm active, I hike, scuba dive, swim etc...I'm not a lazy person but I just can't keep the weight off. I'm so fed up and sad. So here I am starting over and think the band might be the answer. I am concerned about the long term affects of it. I'm not really posting to get answers but hoping to find people with similar feelings. I meet with Dr. Luttrell in two weeks and Dr. Wellborn after that.

I had a long talk with my wife and I'm going to do it. I leave for Hawaii tomorrow morning and found out I couldn't participate in one of the company events bcI weight too much. We were going ziplining and I was really looking foreward to it. I missed the weight limit by 7lbs. Its frustrating and embarrassing! When I get back ill start my 6 month insurance requirments and then time for a new life. Being overweight sucks.

I had a long talk with my wife and I'm going to do it. I leave for Hawaii tomorrow morning and found out I couldn't participate in one of the company events bcI weight too much. We were going ziplining and I was really looking foreward to it. I missed the weight limit by 7lbs. Its frustrating and embarrassing! When I get back ill start my 6 month insurance requirments and then time for a new life. Being overweight sucks.

Really glad to see a mens forum. There are so many more women than men on these forums! Anyway,,I am considering getting banded. Two years ago I went through the insurance requirments and backed out in the last month. Lost 80lbs on my own then gained it all back. The worst part for me is sweating! When I gain the weight back I sweat like crazy. Man its embarrassing as hell. Anyone else have this problem?

I joined this forum two years ago when I was going through my insurance approval process. I eventually decided not to get the surgery about one month before it was scheduled. I started working out really hard and dieting. I lost 80lbs and felt great.....now guess what....just like every other time in my life I gained it all back. I'm active, I hike, scuba dive, swim etc...I'm not a lazy person but I just can't keep the weight off. I'm so fed up and sad. So here I am starting over and think the band might be the answer. I am concerned about the long term affects of it. I'm not really posting to get answers but hoping to find people with similar feelings. I meet with Dr. Luttrell in two weeks and Dr. Wellborn after that.

I am just starting the process with Dr Lutrell. So far, I have been EXTREMELY impressedwith the organization and level of service I have received. However, its early. I still have to do my 3 month nutrition program for insurance approval. I would like to hear abouit some experiences.

I am just starting my 3 month diet before I am banded. I have been dreaming about how it will feel when I get to my goal weight. One of the things I hate about being big is the heat! I sweat all the dang time. Its actually embarrasing sometimes bc everyone else is comfortable and I am sweating. For those of you who have lost weight, do you feel cooler?

I would absolutely have an attorney write the letter. If you write an appeal, nothing will happen. If the policy DID cover the surgery and you were denied, then writing an appeal yourself would suffice. In your situation, your coverage was misrepresented and an attorney will be necessary.

I just want to be able to eat and live and not analyze everything so much. Right now I am either on a strict diet or I am gaining weight. Therefore, I agonize over everything that I put in my mouth. I know that I will be the same with the band for awhile. I just want to get to a place were I can eat a normal healthy amount and be satisfied. Sometimes I eat really bad BUT for the most part I am a healthy eater. It would be so freeing to eat a normal amount of food and not obssess about eating more. It doesnt help that most of my friends are skinny and eat a lot worse than I do. They completely dont understand and think that I am lazy. I AM NOT LAZY!! I actually have a very strong work ethic and put in countless hours. I walk, run, hunt, fish, hike, swim, do yard work, etc... This forum has been very helpful already bc I see a lot of ppl on here that are similar to me. I just hope the band is the tool hat will allow me to lose the weight and keep it off.

I am going through the beginning stages of the pre cert for my insurance. I am looking at 3 months before I am banded. One of my concerns is that it seems everyones life revolves around the band. I know it will be like that for awhile during the beginning stages but does it start to feel normal after some time. I am a workoholic and actually live a very on the go lifestyle. I want there to be a sense of normalcy. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. This is a great forum!

I am not banded yet BUT I have done a lot of dieting through the years. Mixing Protein powder with greek yogurt is awesome! Good luck!

I can't answer your question or offer real advice. I just want to say that I'm sorry you are struggling with this and I'm proud that you are moving forward despite your fears. Don't let those horrible ppl in your past decide your life for you. I assume you have received counseling but if not persue it. It might take going to several drs but you will find one that can help. Stay strong and I hope you conquer these emotions and live a fun healthy life!

That's what I was hoping to hear. I am getting banded bc I am absolutely exhausted with diets. I know EVERYTHING about nutrition and how certain foods are digested and used in the body etc...I have been on diets for 14 years and have never been able to keep the weight off. The band feels like my last hope. Even if it dominates all aspects of my life, I have to do it. But it's great to hear that things feel normal after awhile. Thanks so much

New "man" here. I have never met an "other" I wonder how many others are banded? Anyway, I am not banded yet. I am just starting the 3 month plan with my doc. I look forward to talking with you all. Man, women, or alien:)

My father was a doctor and passed away in '99. I have only been sick 2 times in those years and his partner treated me. I am about 80-90 pounds overweight and I have tried Diet Center, Weight Watchers, and Protein power. I lost a good amount of weight but it all comes back on. I have tried everything and I am really tired of it. But the only records will be from diet center and that was only for a year. The other 2 were on my own and I have no official records. I have trouble sleeping, some shortness of breath, and my knee is giving me a LOT of trouble from an old injury. I haven't been to the gynocologist b/c i am a guy:biggrin1: I am just looking into this procedure b/c of numerious failed diet attempts. I used to be very active and now can't do much of anything. I am VERY interested in the lap band. Thanks for your help! This is a very informative site. Any info would be appreciated.

I am just looking into the lap band and i have Aetna. Could you please explain what the process is to be approved. Obviously there is a 6 month diet? What else is needed? I haven't been to a doctor in 8 years so i have no proof of weight. What do i do in this situation.