Rainydayz

OK, I saw that news story too and read a few different accounts of it. From what I can gather the women that died were all done by one of 2 clinics in California that are operated by brothers and at least one of them has had several legal actions against him already. I may not be accurate on all the facts but it really sounds to me like these clinics were more interested in the money rather than taking care of their patients. The last one died in 2010 and it was found she had lacerations on her liver from the surgery, yet the clinic sent her home with pain killers and didn't tell her about them. Now they're blaming her death on heart failure. So..... you just have to do your homework. Like any surgical procedure. Assure your family that you have researched your surgeon and the facility. Tell them that they are welcome to research them too and if they find anything bad about them to let you know. Also tell them that many, many more people die every year from obesity-related causes than have died from having the lapband. I don't know what the statistics are but surely strokes and heart attacks kill a heck of a lot more people than surgery. Honestly I think there may be jealousy involved. What business is it of your SIL's what you do with your body? When she says your family needs you just say that's exactly why you're doing this and you're a big girl and can make your own decisions. Hang in there!

Oh that's good to know. Not that I think I'm in danger of going below 40 bmi, I would have to lose about 35 lbs, but you never know.

LOL! That's so funny about thinking about eating the little girl's popcorn! I can relate to feeling sad about not being able to eat like everyone else. But I want to look at it the way alcoholics look at drinking. But at least alcoholics can go cold turkey. I think that might be actually easier than the way we have to do it. We still HAVE to eat, just not as much. Can you imagine an alcoholic being told that they can have 1 drink a day but that's it? How many do you think would actually recover? This is going to be really hard I think. But I know I can do it. I just need some help. Stay strong, we're worth it!

Hey let us know if they ever fixed it. It must be so stressful waiting on other people to fix their mistakes that affect your whole life. The whole insurance thing just scares me to death. That's one reason I finally decided to pursue this now rather than wait another year of trying by myself. I have no idea if/when my insurance will stop covering this so I want to get it done now while they do.

Thanks for the replies! I see it can be different depending on ins. but I'm really hoping that mine will cover fills just like a dr. office visit. Even for specialists we only pay a $20 copay so I'm really hoping. I will ask when I go for my nut. appt. I'm glad that my surgeon has a program affiliated with a hospital and all services (nutrionist, psych and the surgeon's office) are all in the hospital building and they know what insurance needs to make them happy. I'm getting really excited!

What insurance do you have? And is it the norm to actually be admitted and stay overnight for the lapband? I was told it would be an outpatient procedure at my hospital.

I went to Dr. Gorjala's seminar too. He seems very strict but that's good. I was impressed that he spoke at the seminar himself. Another place I went I wasn't going to even meet the surgeon until right before surgery. Anyway, how do I get to the Georgia band forum? The link did not work for me. Thanks!

I attended his seminar recently and found him and his staff very friendly and helpful. Their presentation was excellent. I went to another clinic once before and left quite confused and feeling rushed. So I put off the surgery. Now I'm considering Dr. Gorjala. Has anyone else had him?

I'm finally seriously considering getting the Band. But I don't know where to start learning about it. I read a few posts here and there but I'm lost. I don't know the terms like "Bandster hell" and "dumping." Honestly they scare me to death! I'm thinking I shouldn't be reading posts until I know more about the whole procedure in general. I can't go to a seminar until Jan. but I was hoping to go ahead and learn some stuff so I will know more about what questions to ask there. Is there a general information thread or post I should read first?

I'm going to a information seminar at the hospital near me in Jan. and I was wondering if anywhere there is a good list of questions to ask? I never think of what to ask until I'm in the car on the way home and I try to jot down things as I think of them such as "What foods will I have to avoid afterwards? How exactly does the band work - does it make my stomach smaller or just make the food go down slower?" stuff like that. But there's always something I'll forget to ask. So is there a list somewhere here maybe of great questions that everyone has compiled? Sorry, I'm not very good at finding my way around message boards. Thanks!

Hi everyone. I'm starting to look into the Lap Band procedure and I know next to nothing about it. It sounds good because it's less invasive than gastic bypass and sounds safer. I've asked my insurance to send their requirements and coverage info and waiting on that. I have a consulation with True Results in Atlanta next month. I really want to talk to real people that have had this done, so here I am! I want to know the good AND bad. I do not want to be talked into something that isn't right for me and if I do decide to go ahead I want all the info I can get. My main question right now after skimming some of the info is: why do you have to go on a diet BEFORE your surgery? Is it to be healthier for the surgery so less complications? Or are they trying to see if you can stick to a diet and lose weight? If that's the case, then why have the surgery at all? I can certainly do a diet. I've lost the same 50+ pounds so many times I've lost count! I can lose weight. Or at least I could when I was younger. I'm 44 now and my body is not working like it used to. Anyway, I can lost weight through diet and exercise, but I obviously CANNOT keep it off for any length of time. Which is why I'm looking into this.

Wow, I didn't know that about the liver. So I have a fat liver?:cursing: Interesting! It sounds like I'm at the right place for information here. Thanks for the welcome!