bandofhope

Hello headin to mexico... I do not know which band is used most in the US. My doctor gave me information on both to look over before our next visit and will answer any questions I have at that time. After looking over the information, I decided to leave it up to him. Good Luck with your decision!

Banster... don't be so rude with your reply. If we expected "REAL" advice on this lap band information site, we would be discussing these thoughts with our doctors and/or the manufacturer of the bands. This is an internet chat site.. not the doctors office. Your offered information is correct and and has value for this site, but, you would do well in the future to deliver your ideas in a more positive way... unless of course you are a surgeon of lap band placement; in which case your bedside manner would leave much to be desired.

Hi Everyone- I want to say that I am ready to get banded and I have been researching this for about two years. But, lately I have read over and over about the problems, maybe I am noticing them more since I have seen my doctor and I am actually on the final stretch to surgery. At any rate, I am a person that fears surgery, has never had surgery, and foolishly believes that my changes of only having to have one surgery to place the band will be true. I am having my doubts as days go by and I read the stories extra surgeries from complications. So, my Lap Band Friends.. please say something good to calm my worried brow! And I almost forgot... today is my 45th birthday, y'all!!!

Thanks so much for the great comments. It's scary to think about having the surgery and it's a plus to her personal stories from people!

I'm so happy all went well for you... I knew it would! I appreciate your sharing of information. I hope to be getting my band in October so I try to read all I can from other people. Please keep us updated... it helps so much! Congrats to you and God Bless on this great new part of your life.

Hi Amanda, I just celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary and I can only tell you this... men are different from women and they always will be. Although we have been trained by the "new" sitcoms to believe that men actually care about things we care about (excluding basics such as caring for our kids, the BASIC needs of each other.. etc.) they don't. Men and men and women are women and the two shall never meet on the gray area. Your marriage is new and don't waste away the years worrying that he doesn't "understand" you or love you. He does or he would not have married you.. or at least that's the case with most marriages. A HUSBAND DOES NOT A BEST GIRLFRIEND MAKE! So, if he goes to work, doesn't beat the crap out of you, shows up for the family holiday meals, is in bed with you at night and there when you wake up, then he's in it for the long haul. He may not be there for the doctor and support group meetings but I bet he will be there for the surgery. And that will be alright. If you never remember anything you ever hear about marriage remember what I am telling now, just like a said earlier ... don't expect a girl friend in her husband, because she ain't there! That's what girls night is for! Good luck with everything and God Bless!

Barbie... You got banded today on my 45th birthday!!!! YEAH!! So, I have no doubt all went well for you and you new life of control and good things is just beginning. I've had a wonderful day so far and I want to hear all about your good surgery day when you are able. God Bless and hang in there girl!!

average adult male here... let's say my husband!

Savedbygrace...thanks so much!!! You have answered the question I have not been able to get a good answer to.. the BCBS PPO money question! I appreciate your input on the site! Thanks!

Hi Everyone! I attended the June 21 support group meeting at St. Vincent's and found it very informative. I attended the Lap Band Seminar where Dr. Schmitt spoke, but it was great to hear from real people that have been banded. After listening to them, I think one of the hardest things for me will be the clear liquid stage right after surgery, and then the liquid only stage for the next four weeks. I think that's right. If any of the post-participants read this board, I'd like to say thanks for sharing your experience in such an honest way.

Thanks.. that was a good read and it made me feel better about my decision to have the Lap Band. Enjoy your day and good luck!:thumbs_up:

Hi Sherri, I am waiting to be banded by Dr Schmitt. But, I would love to hear a detailed story of your surgery experience, if you don't mind sharing. I have a terrible fear of the surgery, I have never been operated on before, and it helps me and relaxes me to hear about the experiences of others. I will be sharing my own around October, I hope. Thanks so much!:embaressed_smile:

I don't know but I'm waiting on an answer with you... where's Jack when you need him?

Obviously, this is a bunch of crap. This person is pushing Mexican surgery. The biggest clue is their inability to grasp casual American conversation... they should have spent some of that cash they're making on and paid a real American to type the text for them.... hhmmmmm- business must be bad.......:redface:

:confused:Hi Everyone- I went to a seminar with Dr. Schmitt in January and I was so motivated and ready to go I would have had the surgery that night if they would have let me. I don't know what has happened to me now... I read about problems on this website and all I do now is think about everything that could go wrong. I cancelled my appointment with Dr. Schmitt and I haven't rescheduled; I also quit going to my montly GP monitoring visits (I'm BC/BS). I know I have to have help or I am going to die from my fat. Did any of you have a time like this and then get yourself back on track? I'm scared to death I'm going to die on the operating table or have breathing trouble from being knocked out or have band slippage and have to go back to surgery. Also, did I understand correctly that BC/BS will not pay for any corrective surgeries associated with banding after the first placement one? Congrats to all of you that are doing so well; I'm so happy for you! Keep the good info coming.. some of us need really need to hear about your positive experiences!

I would be in shock, too... what was their reason? So sorry!

The LapBand support group meeting for Dr. Schmitt/St. Vincent's is dated June 16, which is a Monday and appears to be pulled from a 2007 calendar. I am assuming it is this Saturday, June 21. Does anyone know if this is the correct date? I can call them tomorrow when they open but, I was just checking on here with y'all for today. Thanks so much!

Thanks... I have only been to one seminar where Dr. Schmitt spoke and I remember where that room was on the second floor down a hallway in the main St. Vincent's building. I've been to no support group meetings so I will have to call for the location. I was swamped yesterday and never called their office. Thanks again!

Hi Folks, It was suggested to me at my office visit that I try to drop 40 pounds to shrink my fatty liver to decrease the size... the surgery will be better with a smaller liver. They didn't care what diet, just try to get it done. I have decided the low carb...hi protein diet is the best for me. I've had one weigh-in visit that counted so I've got 5 more to go. I believe I can make it in 5 months. Anyone have a different suggestion?

Hi Y'all and thanks for the comments. I had my first visit at Dr. Schmitt's office last Friday. Now it is up to me to complete my requirements and get things in order. I enjoyed meeting Lisa and she went over the ins and outs of Lap Band surgery. I didn't meet Dr. Schmitt, which surprised me. But, I have met him at a seminar and heard/read great things about him; he's an excellent Lap Band surgeon. I will not see him until two weeks before my surgery. I was told that it would be good if I could loose 40 pounds before my surgery (I've had one actual weigh in at my OBGYN that counts) so that gives me about 5 months to loose the weight. I have a fatty liver and Lisa said that the live is right where they need to put the band around my stomach and that the liver is the only organ in the body that can actually "loose weight". So, I've got to figure that one out. Oh, well... I wil say that I am sooooo scared and I would not be surprised if I backed out the day of surgery. I do not plan on it, but, I have a great fear of dying on the table and there is no way to sugar-coat how I feel. I think about dying on the table every day- but, I'll just have to get over it and go on. :confused:Such is life---

thank you, thank you, thank you eeyore for the wonderful surgery description. i am ashamed to say that although i am 5'2", 319 pounds, I am terrified of being under during surgery. i have never had surgery before and i am scared that i am so fat, i will quit breathing and die. i do know if i don't do something i will die of fat, anyway. so, please keep the info coming, it is comforting and gives me the encouragement to hang in there. i meet for the first time with my doctor next week. i have 5 more months of weigh-ins with my gp (bc/bs requirement) and i love to read about true surgery- good luck with your recovery and God bless!

Hi everyone- Who's next to be banded in Alabama? I have not met with my doctor yet... so I have have a good way to go. There is usually lots of chit-chat going on in here with people preparing to be banded but it has slowed down a great deal. Hope to get more insight on the procedure, expecially from those that have recently had surgery. Thanks for the info!

Hi Bel, You said you have had your band for six years.. have you had any problems with it? Are there any negatives that you have discovered along the way? Thanks for the info...

Thanks to all of you that keep we "waitin' for it" folks informed on your post surgery stories. I appreciate good descriptions on day to day living; it's a good eye-opener for all. Hope continued success is experienced by all of our new BamaBanders! God Bless-

Question... what is PCOS? Thanks!