Hollins2003

Hi everyone. I was banded a year ago in Richmond, VA and have lost nothing (I lost an initial 50 pounds through diet and exercise pre-surgery). The lack of weight loss is totally my fault and I own it. However, I am now in a situation where I would like to have the band removed. I have left my job (teacher) and am returning to school full time to pursue a doctorate. I am looking at the possibility of being without health insurance. I am TERRIFIED that something is going to go wrong with the band and I am not going to have money to fix it. Does anyone know what options are for removal? Can I just go to the surgeon and say "I want it out"??? I am trying to make the best decision that is going to ensure my health and OVERALL well being. Thanks!!!:thumbup:

I have been losing a significant amount a week without a fill. I was banded one month ago and have lost at total of 45 pounds (27 of it before surgery). My doctor will not do a fill until weight loss has stalled. My hope is that I will continue with the correct eating and exercising and not need a fill.

I have been through protein shake after protein shake trying to find something that is drinkable. I started out really liking the Atkins shakes. However, after awhile they got old. I think this tends to happen wtih any protein shake. I tried Isopure but thought thoses were awful (it tasted like milk mixed with fruit punch). Next, I tried the low-carb Slimfast and found that those were too sweet. Finally I found the New-Whey Protein shots and those are the best. They are 3oz., 42g of protein, and go down easy. I have found this is the best way for me to get protein in and not worry throughout the day if I am going to eat enough protein. I would recommend these above and beyond anything else. I buy mine at GNC during the first 7 days of the month and pay $29 for a case of 12. Otherwise they are $37.99.

I was banded almost four weeks ago and I have struggled with a lack of energy. I exercise five to seven times per week with a personal trainer. I think my body is struggling with the lack of calories verses energy output. I have started taking a multi-vitamin and B - 12. I am losing a consistent five to six pounds per week and feel better with each pound lost. However, I wish my energy would pick up just a bit.

I was banded three and a half weeks ago and all my incisions have healed nicely except for one. It is the incision at the top of my abdomen (near my breat bone). While it has mostly healed it is still open (approximatly 1/4 inch) and being stubborn about healing all the way. Does anyone have advice on what to do to speed the healing process and avoid infection? I have tried the triple antibiotic ointment route......anything else? THANK YOU!!!

Your pre-op diet is going to be determined by your surgeon and his/her requirements. So surgeons require no pre-op diet, while so are very strict and require a couple weeks of liquids. My surgeon, Dr. Maher (Richmond, VA) required that I lose 20 pounds before surgery. I could do this anyway I wished. I went on a low carb diet (these work best for me) and managed to drop 20 pounds in one month. After having the surgery scheduled I was required to do two weeks of liquids prior to surgery. I have to say that the low carb diet before hand put me in perfect position to transition into liquids (no withdrawl from sugar, carbs, etc.). So, talk to your surgeon and follow their requirements.

I was well drugged before going into surgery (they had to stick me six times to find a line for the IV). So, I have no knowledge of the tube being put in. The last thing I remember is the mask being placed over my face and the nurse holding my hand. The next thing I remember is waking up in the OR. I do have a foggy memory of the tube being pulled out (I remember a severe gag reflex). However, it was nothing horrible. The tube came out, they started calling my name, and I was rolled to recovery. Relax....they will make sure you are OUT before doing anything.

I was banded three weeks ago by Dr. Maher at VCU/MCV in Richmond. I have nothing but great things to say about his staff, the hospital, and the care I recieved. VCU Surgical Weight Loss Center There program is straight forward, no non-sense, and very attentive. However, it is a teaching hospital, so be prepared to have your surgery watched by many people. When they wheeled me into the OR I noticed about six people lining the back wall.... Good luck on your journey!

I don't have UHC (I have Anthem in Virginia), however, when I received my approval letter it had a surgery date on it. The surgery date was not the actual date of my surgery. My surgeon's office changed the date, notified the insurance company, and everything went through just fine. Usually insurance companies give you a windown of opportunity to have the surgery completed. Good luck on the beginning of your journey. I wouldn't worry too much about your pre-op, mine was able to be completed in one day!

I generally can eat anywhere between 3/4 of a cup and 1 cup of food. I have not had a fill yet (and don't intend to until the weight loss slows). I still to high protein, low carb foods and tend to fill up quickly.

Okay, I have been lurking for long enough...so I guess it is about time I introduce myself. My name is Jennifer, I am 30, gay as can be, and have been with my partner for the last two years. She is a college professor and I am a teacher and a therapist. We actually met at school (we taught in the same school for a year). Gay-dar told me she was gay and I am attracted to sexy, smart women. It worked from the beginning and we had the typical lesbian "U-Haul" relationship. She came over the visit one weekend and never left. We have been together ever since. I could not ask for a more supportive partner in life and I THANK GOD that I am gay. She helped me in the hospital beyond what I would expect any partner to do. How many people are going to pull down your underwear, steady you as you try to go to the bathroom, and then help in other bathroom ways. She is a god-send. So, I am here, happy to be banded and looking forward to a bright future!!!!!!

Hi Everyone, I was banded three weeks ago and have been low carbing for about six years. Of course, I had a hard time staying with it and made the choice to get the lap band to help keep me on track. So far, I am down 40 pounds and looking forward to losing the rest. I stick to an Atkins way of eating and try to keep my carbs at 20g or less per day. It seems to be working and I feel so much better. I have a question for everyone: I have to go to a dinner on Thursday at a Mexican restaurant. Any suggestions for something low carb and lap band friendly???? THANK YOU!!!!

Hello! I was banded three weeks ago and started walking right after surgery. Walking was my main form of exercise for the first two weeks after surgery. My doctor gave me the clearance to go back to the gym during my second week post - op. Now I am able to do cardio, free weights, and any exercise that does not involve my abs. I have to wait six weeks before exercising my abs. Hope this helps!

Hi, I have the same band you do and am about fifteen days post-op. So far, I have not had a thing get stuck (I am back on regular foods now). I am very careful with what I eat. I tend to stick to marinated chicken, turkey, and veggies that are soft. I have restriction right now, but I am guessing that is from swelling from surgery. I am due for a fill on August 21st; however, I am not completly sure that will happen. My surgeon will only fill if your weight loss has stalled...so, we'll have to see. Hope this information helps!

Hi Jennifer! My name is Jennifer also! And, I was banded on the 2nd of July in Richmond, VA. Congrats on your weight loss....keep up the good work.

My insurance worked almost the exact same way; except, I had to have the initial appointment with the surgeon instead of the general inservice. After the initial appointment I was approved in less than a week. It took just enough time for the paperwork to be gathered and everything sent in. Good luck to you!!

I was banded on July 2nd and went into surgery at 327. I am now weighing in at 315. So, since surgery (a week and a half ago) I have lost 12 pounds.

I was just banded on July 2nd and I would recommend having someone there for a couple of days to help you. I relied on my partner for a lot of help with life tasks after surgery. Bathing, bathroom, Protein shakes.....The hardest part for me was getting up and down out of bed/chair and moving things. So, if you can, have someone there to help you. Otherwise, the things I used were: bottled Water (lots of bottled water) Protein drinks comfy PJ's - I needed something with elastic in the waist because my stomach was so distended after surgery. Good LUCK!

Hi Everyone! I had my surgery July 2nd and everything is going great. I have lost a total of 35 pounds since the beginning of this adventure and am very grateful for the band. I am preparing to transition from liquids to mushies and am really racking my brain for food I can eat. Can I have some ideas of your favorite things you ate during the mushy stage? So far what I have come up with is: turkey and green beans - blended together in a blender chili (mild!!) - blended together in a blender ....any other ideas? THank you!!

Hi! and Welcome! My surgeon required that I lose 10% of my weight before surgery. I found the quickest way to do this was through a low carb/high protein diet. I followed Atkins and in one month I lost the 20 pounds required. I ate things like bacon and eggs for breakfast, salads (with turkey or ham) for lunch. and a dinner of a protein (fish, chicken, steak) plus veggies for dinner. I would suggest either reading the Atkins or South Beach book and following that. Both books lay everything out for you. Good look on your journey.

I am eight day post op and have epxerienced the same problem. My stomach is sticking out so far that I cannot button my shorts/pants. I had to buy expandable elastic shorts from Wal Mart so my incisions would not be irritated. I cannot wait until my stomach is back to normal (and smaller). My doctor told me today it could take up to six weeks to be completly back to normal.

Hi Everyone! I had surgery on July 2nd and am doing wonderful. My only concern is the incision where my port was placed. All the other incisions look happy and are healing nicely. This one looks a little angrier than the rest. There is no drainage, I don't have a fever, and the incision is still closed up. But around the incision is red. Did anybody else have a port incision that looked a little angrier than the rest of their incisions? I am going for my post op check up on Wednesday. And, I live two and a half hours from my surgeon. So, just popping into the hospital for a look see is hard. I am going to show it to my surgeon on Wednesday.....just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

I knew this whole trip was going entirely too smoothly. My insurance went through without a thought, the appointments lined up perfectly (band date two weeks after school was over ... I am a teacher), and I had the whole summer to heal and begin this process. Now, I receive a call from my surgeon's office this morning telling me that they just found out he would be at a conference for two weeks in June. UGHHHH!! My surgery date has been pushed back until July 2nd. I know, I know, in the grand scheme of things this is only a week. But to someone who has been searching for a tool to aid what seems like impossible weightloss, another week might as well be a century. Now I have to go about adjusting house sitters, dog sitters, my mother's schedule, my partner's schedule...all to the new surgery date. It may seem little, but the disappointment is huge. Any words of encouragment would be appreciated.........I am going to attempt to stop my self imposed hissy fit here shortly! - Jennifer Surgery date (revised) 7/2/2008:huh2:

Hi Everyone! My orginal band date was supposed to be today (the 25th). However, a few weeks ago it got moved to July 2nd. I am excited, in the throws of the liquid diet, and ready to go. So, please add me to the list of the many of us that are going on the 2nd! Good luck to everyone!:tt1:

I have been lurking for awhile, reading posts and doing research. I am about one month out from my surgery date (July 2nd). My surgeon (Dr. Maher in Richmond, VA) originally recommended laparoscopic gastric bypass during my initial consultation. He suggested this for two separate reasons: 1) the amount of weight I need to lose (130 pounds) and 2) the adjustments needed for the lap band. While he is willing to do either surgery he felt that in the long run gastric bypass would be more successful. When I met with him I was dead set on lap band. However, reading about the complications, adjustments, etc. I am beginning to waver. I feel that the surgery for the lap band is safer and less complicated...but I trust my surgeon 100%. He has been performing the gastric bypass and lap band for a long time and has had zero mortalities for either surgery. I am beginning to wonder if he is correct...maybe the gastric bypass would be a better option. I am not looking for a quick fix..rather I am looking for one and ONLY one surgery that will provide a tool to maintain weight loss. My fear is that I will not be successful with the lap band and will opt for a revision to gastric bypass. Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I just want to make sure I make the best decision for me! Jennifer:mellow: