angelface

But do you feel "not hungry" with the lapband, the same way you felt "not hungry" with phen-fen? I mean, is the feeling (not wanting to eat) similiar.

Is there anyone out there from South Orange County. I'm being banded at the end of April from Dr. Oliak in Orange.

Hi Tami. Somehow I missed this post from you. I'm being banded next week and am vey nervous about all of the changes that I'll have to make. I'm also afraid of PBing, sliming, getting food stuck, eating only 6 bites of food and all the other stull I keep reading about here. LIfe is good for me now - no major health issues (that I know about) besides my weight. Sometimes I wonder why I'm putting myself through this. How have you been doing since being banded?

You said the doctor has not done a fluro. on you yet. That makes no sense. Isn't that one of the first things he should do?

I used Phen- fen in the mid ninties and lost about 50 lbs. It was wonderful. I felt great and had no hunger or cravings. Is that kind of how the lapband feels? Is there anyone who used phen-fen and lost weight and now has the lapband?

Deb2Getfit, Thank you for all of your advice. I'll be reading your posts over again next week after I'm banded.

Thank you everyone for your words of encourgment. Keep it coming. It's really helping me.

I too saw those vidios from Dr. Rutledge and asked a surgeon about them. He said that Dr. Rutledge is a "fringe doctor" who does this "mini gastric bypass" surgery that isn't even recognized by the American Bariatric Assn. It has all sorts of complications. If you look into the complication rate of the mini gastric bypass compared to the Lap Band complication rate, you'll see that Lap Band is a much, much safer way to go.

jillia. Congratulations on your success!! Do you ever have trouble PBing or sliming? What foods do you need to stay away from now? I'm being banded next week and am a little nervous about life with the lapband.

Deb2getfit69, Are you saying the pain meds. don't help with the gas pain? Ouch! I was hoping those perscription meds. would give some relief. What about "Gas X"?

Does Gas-X help?

Good morning Pearlygirl. From what I'm hearing, the next few days will be hardest but than it gets better. Can you drink much or does it hurt?

I was having problems yesterday until the evening. What do we do if that happens again?

Congratulations Pearlygirl. Keep us posted on your progress.

Ceinman. Congratulations! Please keep up posted on your progress.

Hi Caligirl. I just wanted to say that another dr. you might want to try is Dr. Oliak in Orange. He used to work with Dr. Owens. They are both great doctors and both have helpful staffs. I went with Dr. Oliak because he was closer to my home. Everyone has been so nice and helpfull. I'm not sure where you live but Orange may be closer for you. I take the 241 toll way to Chapman. Good luck.

I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak in Orange, Ca on April 28? Any other OCer's out there being banded in April or even March or May?

The 3 doctors I consulted said they see no major differences in each of the bands and wouldn't recommend one over the other. I wouldn't worry about it.

I asked my doctor about this. He said there is positive info. from Europe on long term studies. My doctor said that it will be hard to find a support group of long term bandsters because once they have it for a couple of years, they have the hang of it, move on and don't need much support. I wish there was one. I'd love to talk to someone who has had it for years.

Yaz. Are you still out there? How is life with the band? Are you adjusting? My surgery is next Monday and I'm nervous but would love to know how you're doing.

Hi Ceinman, I sent you a private message but don't know if it got to you or not. I've been having the same feelings as you. I'm overweight with no health problems. I do get tired though walking up one flight of stairs and I hate the way I look. I've dieted 100's of times only to regain the weight. I'm very nervous but ready for this now. I think it's the only way I know to take control of my weight. It seems the majority of people say that after they adjusted to the lapband, that it's the best decision of their lives. Please let us know how everything goes and I'll say a prayer for you.

my doctor says no "no driving for 2 weeks" after surgery but when I was in the doctors waiting room, everyone in there said they had driven themselves to their 1 week post op appointments.

Hi Bobbie. I am 47 years old and live in Orange County, Ca. All insurance companies are different. For me, it has been very easy. I went to a seminar in Dec., and than went to my PCP. My doctors are in a group so I made sure I saw one that I thought would be more sympathetic to my situation. She gave me a referrel for my insurance to approved and it was approved in January, less than a month later. I could have scheduled the surgery in Febuary, but I've been a little chicken so now I'm scheduled for April 28th. I'm nervous about all the changes I'll have to make, but I know this is the only way that I'll be able to keep my weight off. Also, my insurance (So Cal Blue Cross) is paying for everything. Good luck to you and let us know about your journey.

I have So Cal. Blue Cross. My BMI is 40 w/ no co morbidities. Getting approved was a piece of cake. It took about 2 weeks. if I were you, I'd ask your surgeon's office what your BMI needs to be to get approved. Mine told me it was 40 and anything lower would not be approved unless I had some kind of co-morbidities. They said they go by the BMI of your first appointment to submit to your insurance so don't go under 40 for that first apt. Good luck.

Hey everyone, let's keep in touch. Where are you all having your surgeries? Do your doctors require a pre op diet? Mine just says to drink liquids after 3:00 pm the day before.