general_antiope

I am pre op sleeve but a 13 year lap band veteran who lost 100 lbs. Everyone has given great answers and I have little to add except this: Do you ever feel guilty taking Tylenol when you have pain? Did you really try to alleviate the pain without resorting to medical intervention? You deserve to live a long healthy life. You deserve to benefit from the best medicine and science have to offer. 5% of do it yourselfer weight loss is successful in the long term when they were more than 30 lbs overweight. There is not enough evidence to support this crazy idea that willpower is effective against obesity. There is lots of evidence that weight loss surgery is. Keep telling yourself all of the above.

People knew i had the lap band because I was an evangelist, loved it, lost 100 lbs in 8 months. After 13 years of problems and revisions, I'm not telling a damn person except my husband and mother...because my mom is getting sleeved at the same time, across the country, so we can support each other. In fact I'm telling work that I'm getting my hernia repaired to explain the time off and liquid diet. I no longer care what anyone else thinks. I want this for me.

What a fantastic success! I am so happy for you!!

How did it go??

Congrats!!! That has to feel wonderful.

How is it going folks?

LMAO "Stacey"

A cool thing happened today unexpectedly. I've been waiting for Nov 1 so I could enroll in a new insurance since IBC will not approve a revision to a sleeve, they say I hit my lifetime limit with my constantly failing and leaking bands. I had an appt for Nov 3 to start medical weight management with my future provider (they. are. amazing. and possibly more excited about me getting sleeved than I am) Well today I called to confirm because it wasn't on my calendar and the coordinator decided to move up my start date to Oct 10, so we can shoot for a January surgery! I was expecting March or something. Although I'm still a little nervous that Aetna will be like "she started Jan 1 and she wants surgery Jan 30? oh hell no!" I am going to keep going. I've gained most of the weight back that I lost with the band. So mad. But I can be patient. What has been your experience with the 3 month (or 6 month) supervised diet?

YEAH!!!! you're gonna do great! are you on your pre op yet?

Congrats! Keep us posted on your progress. How is today??

Anyone have experience with Dr. Noel Williams @ Penn Medicine?

My removal was pretty uneventful even though I have a lot of scarring from previous revisions. I actually felt better the second I woke up, even though that sounds crazy.

I don't want to share what I'm doing when I schedule surgery in feb or March. I am saving my vacation days to take two weeks off and work remotely the third week. What is a good cover story of why I'm out? My coworkers are nice and my boss is very understanding - I just don't plan to be as open as I was with my lap band.

Ahhh yes that's perfect.

Op I have a similar situation. I'm waiting to start my 3 month supervised diet in November (need new insurance first). I will gladly cheer you on and support you! I just got a standing/sitting desk and have been able to get in more steps by marching in place or pacing during conference calls. From 2500 steps to 5000 between 9-5 I'd say it's workin

I can imagine how you feel! You waited this long, you can do it! I'm telling myself the same thing. I have to get new insurance in November and can start my 3 month supervision even though the insurance won't kick in until January. So frustrating to wait, I've gained 35 lbs since my lap band removal! But I keep working out and logging what I eat and waiting patiently.

Congrats Josh!

Sending good thoughts to you ladies! Heal and focus on yourself - let us know how it went when you're ready.

So I was denied twice to have my sleeve surgery after my band was removed in June due to complications/slippage. My surgeon was on the phone with the insurance surgeon and apparently they were arguing - I already hit the lifetime limit of one surgery 13 years ago, and technically had TWO surgeries (removal) that were paid for and they wouldn't revise me. Band out. 25 lbs immediately gained. Wow, WOW it felt SO GOOD to eat and not have things stuck. it was like a physical addiction to chew and swallow without puking. But, holy crap I'm gaining. I've slowed down finally, am walking every day but not losing. Still a battle. My sleep apnea is back, so I'm about to go get evaluated for a CPAP. I'm up 2 sizes, where I never thought I would be again. I'm up 60 lbs from my lowest with the band. Not really a success story anymore. I'm hanging on for dear life because there is one more chance for the sleeve. I spoke to my husband and in November I'm going to enroll in my own healthcare through my employer. Praying to god nothing bad happens...I have a new local doctor who I've already consulted with, and his surgical coordinator, and they're getting me in the first week of November as a new patient so that I will satisfy the three months of medical supervision, and that as of Jan 1 we can schedule surgery for Feb or March as long as I've lost weight. I'm struggling now, but practicing by logging every day, eating slow when I can remember. Every week I'm getting better at avoiding triggers, being consistent, but my late day eating ruins the entire day of doing well. My goal is to get my sh!t under control - better control - so that the habits are there and the sleeve just accelerates it. I am at the mercy of my hunger some days, it is so frustrating. But I am having "good" days here and there, changes in attitude and understanding. Just needed to talk. I feel like November is forever away and January doesn't exist...love reading all of your stories!! Keeping me going.

Thanks for the suggestion. No, I hadn't considered Mexico. I spent the last 13 years going from Philly to NYC for band stuff, I'm looking to keep it local this time. But if something happens with my new insurance I am going to pursue self pay options.

I laughed out loud at the button comment. Glad to hear you're on the mend and that was some sound advice you give when high

Welcome to Onederland!

Hi all, I had the lap band for 13 years (two of them, actually, and two additional surgeries to correct constant mechanical failure). BCBS denied me twice to revise to the sleeve due to the one surgery per lifetime limit. I had the band removed and I still want the Sleeve. I am planning to enroll in Aetna through my company. I confirmed the offered plans include one Bariatric surgery per lifetime. Does anyone have experience with this scenario - could they deny me based on previous bariatric surgeries with another company? My BMI is 41.

youngs2twins how are you doing?

Yikes! You're having a tough time lady. When the cold leaves you'll get a lot of relief. How are you feeling today?