cole83

Pat......THANK YOU sooo much for the help and for your support. What a great inspiration you are and so glad Dr. Park said we would have a good success rate since they seem to be phasing it out I think they are talking people out of it. But I think Dr. Park is the highest rated surgeons...so that is excellent to hear. Thank you somuch for sharing. As for everyone else I am sorry I missed the meeting today. Had no babysitter so did not want to impose my little princess on anyone just yet! Hope it went well.

Thanks John...will see how it goes :bored:

Thanks Riley, you made my day! That is super encouraging to read. I would love to lose 100lbs. that is what I am aiming for but more realisticly looking closer to like 70 or 80. I have to go get my EKG today and some more blood work Dr. Baggs ordered. Hope I kind find the EKG place in the new huge Kaiser Roseville!

:bored::thumbup: :thumbup::thumbup::tt2::thumbup:Ashley THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I am glad you sleevers are on here...I love to hear how things with you are going. The lap-band from what I have learned is much slower. With other surgeries I think weight loss is mainly within the first year...lap-band it takes about 2-4 from what the doc said. I guess I am just too scared to get the sleeve after what happened with my mom years ago. I would rather have something put in that I can remove if need be. But I love reading about the sleeve...I was not familiar with it at all before reading about it on here.

You all make me even more excited to have my surgery and start losing. I would love to be in the 180's too...Good job! How long ago was surgery? I would love more then anything to lose 16lbs in one month...thats AWESOME! I looked into Optifast too...but have not seen many people stay successfull with it. It is really expensive as well and Kaiser won't cover it so it ends up being about $4500.00 which is a lot in my opinion, especially cause all you get is shakes and no real food for like 16 weeks. A few women in my office have done it and lost fast but gained it all back. One didn't lose at all really...but she prob cheated. lol Everytime I begin to doubt the lap-band because of the negative feelings the doctor has I get on here and realize I can totally do it. Dr. Baggs recommended the other surgery but said he will do whatever I want. I really respect that.

THANK YOU ALI....I think I figured it out...looked at that page forever and finally saw it. Too funny!

So in your research was the band still recommended? I don't think for me personally I could do any other surgery, at least not yet. My mom had one of the originals 30 years ago and had it reversed..but had a lot of issues. So though it has evolved it still scares me to death. I feel if I started malnurishing myself now it could be fatal later as it was for my mom But on the other hand this weight needs to come off or it too will be detrimental as well. I have not figured out the picture thing...I added one on some part of my page but don't know how to add it as a profile picture. I must say you ladies have me hooked...I love to check my email to see what new advice I can take away from it all. Such smart and super helpful people on here. I think I should sleep better tonight...not as worried, I kinda have my mind made up about the lap-band but love hearing the new info you all have on it. I just worry about everything in life Good night all :smile2:

Wow...79lbs lost...thats awesome! I looked into Optifast but it is way too expensive for me. I was shocked that Kaiser actually pushed surgery before they cover that program. I know several people who have done it and it sure worked for them. I was tossing and turning last night...I could not stop thinking about surgery. I started to wonder if maybe I should do another surgery. But I just can't do that...I am scared that if there are complications they won't hit until later in life and that scares me. My mind is made up about the lap-band but was even questioning if I should even do that. Is this normal? To go back and forth like this? I want to make a permanent change but kind worries me that they are phasing it out. What time is the meeting on Saturday? I maybe able to come. Would it be alright to bring my daughter? She is 2 1/2, well she will be 3 in August. Can't believe it! Myabe I will have surgery on her birthday..haha. A gift to me and one for her too of having a smaller more fun mommy that can keep up with her. The weight sure limits me in having as much fun as I want to with her. Actually it limits me in life in general, I used to be super outgoing and happy. Now I worry about seeing people I use to know cause I am ashamed of the weight gain. Hope you are all having a great morning. Supposed to start warming up a little this week.

You girls are too funny....you are not old at all! I am more of an old sole anyway :smile2: That is not why I told you what Dr. Baggs said either, just in case you thought that. I think he was telling me that cause it really does make sense that they are phazing it out. He was trying to talk me out of it for sure. I am just not sure I can remove any part of my body yet. I would much rather put something in and remove it if need be later in life! It sounds like they have discouraged people from having the lap-band more frequently before so glad...I thought he just thought I was too heavy! Glad it was not just me. He asked me if I knew anyone who had the surgery before and I said yes and told him also about this site and he seemed surprised. I told him how great you all were and that he should check it out! So...how come some of you are doing the Optifast? Just wondered cause you have lost soooo much weight already! I can't imagine you doing it pre-op!!! Check out newlifestyle.com I think is what it is, its like Optifast from what I have heard. Has 15 grams of protein and sooooo good.

I just turned 27 last month. Dr. Baggs gave me a weight loss goal of only 12 lbs which surprised me. I know reading all the post on here I will be fine with the band. I am so happy I found this website on here, it has already been super beneficial for me. So for all the people who have had the band already...how is it eating pureed foods/baby food? I was reading it and it kinda worries me! I cannot imagine doing all my foods in the blender! haha. Oh and how can I add a picture to my profile? I like seeing everyones pictures...it makes me feel like I know you all. I am so happy to see so many people close to me also. I live in Citrus Heights...so I am thinking I may have to come to one of the Point West meetings. I work at Kaiser right up the street.

He just said that there are some newer studies coming out that are showing the lap-band is better for older people because the younger you are the more chances you have of having an issue later on possibly even having another surgery. I am thinking he was more or less trying to talk me out of it... just the feeling I got. I am pretty set on the lap-band though and know that no lifestyle change will ever be easy but I think having it as a tool will be super beneficial. Thanks for all the help guys.

Thanks for asking Ali... It went really well. I met Dr. Baggs and he seems awesome! He actually suggested I got the rouen surgery or something...but I am still wanting the lap band. He said because I am young I may have to have another surgery to replace it in a few years...but that is okay with me. He said the lap band would only take me from 255 to around 210...but I am sure I can lose more. He set my Psych appt in Richmond for July 8...and he only wants me to loose 12 lbs. After that I can call the case manager...weigh in and possibly surgery by Oct :thumbup: Has anyone had lap-band who is around 250 on here? I mean would you recommend a different surgery? I just worry because my mom had one of the orginal bypass surgeries like 30 years ago and had major issues and had it reveresed. I know it has evolved since then...A LOT. But she passed away and they said she had not absorbed things right since she had the surgery eventhough it had been reversed. So...just worries me to have things reconnected and or removed. But super excited after meeting Dr. Baggs :smilielol5:

So...tomorrow is my surgeon appt....is that a long one? Anyone know? Sorry if I am asking lame questions..but I went to the orientation last year so I forgot most of the important stuff like this. I think I meet a Psych doc too but not that I know of tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a good one.

Sherri...what kind of diet have you been following to lose that much weight? I need help! I have my surgeon appt tomorrow and can't wait! Did you all know you can set most appointments up that are normally in Richmond in Vacaville too for those that are closer to the Sacramento area? I called last week after they moved my appt and the super nice lady offered to set me up in Vacaville...said they don't tell people unless they ask. Wonder if they do fills and all that there...would be nice :devil_smile: Hope you all have a great day and can't wait until I am posting about being next for surgery

:thumbup:Congrats on the SIXTY pounds that is amazing!!!!!!!!!!:sigh::thumbup: I live in Citrus Heights too so after the surgery we will have to meet up and keep each other on track :tongue: Sounds like you have it down so I will just learn from you. Hope you all have a wonderful day :thumbup:

Hey all... By the way my name is Becca since I have not told anyone! I am looking forward to all of it moving forward and can't wait to clean my closet out like you all have So I am super new to all this and want to make sure I have it right given that the title of this thread is Kaiser Richmond...everyone has had their surgeries done there? I am in Sacramento so was initially worried about doing this because I am so far away and nervous about if something were to happen. But you have all assured me that I will be just fine and I thank you all for that. Tomorrow starts my pre-op diet...need to buckle down and get started. My story is a little different since I went to my orientation last year and waited until now to push forward. So...I have an additional ten pounds to lose on top of whatever the doctor orders. We will see. I love to get on here and read about everyone...makes me even more excited to get going.

Hey... did you guys go through Kaiser? I was reading through some of these threads and want to make sure the lapband is covered through Kaiser and won't have issues with insurance and all that covering it.

Thanks you guys. I know it will be fine I guess I just worry about things too much. I am so excited to start a new chapter in my life...a much thinner one! I wish Friday would come fast so I can meet the surgeon and take the next step

Thanks Ali...sorry I somehow deleted all I just wrote! I am just a worry wort and worry about everything too much. I am scared of the unknown and what could happen. I know it will be fine just get scared I guess. My baby is going to be three at the end of August...already. So she is able to do a lot but being a single mom she is dependent on me and is such a little snuggle bug! When I was pregnant I was horrified thinking I had to deliver a baby! But it all worked out and I am sure just like that I will be so happy with the results. Just want to get things moving along...can't wait until next Friday when I meet the surgeon. I love that I am able to do it in Vacaville rather then in Richmond since I am from the Sacramento area it is a lot closer. Hope someday soon they start doing it all in Roseville, that would be awesome!

Hey guys.... Has anyone had the lap-band or any surgery for that matter that has a small child? I am concerned about the whole not lifting anything for like 6 weeks or something. My little princess loves to be held so don't want it to impact her much. Any advice anyone can give on everything would help... Or advice about pre-op THANKS!

I got the call yesterday and my appt with the surgeon was moved to the 18th I was so mad. It is so hard being so far away cause I have to take a day off just to go to any appts and its so frustrating when they bump me. So the lady I talked to told me the diet should have started after orientation...yikes. That was a year ago so I hope I am not in too much trouble! I want to get my surgery moving! Any advice on how? I am not very flexible and able to be on a cancel list for appts unfortunatley :eek:

Wow that is such a great loss already and truely gets me super excited! I had my orientation a year ago but have not been able to go any further due to life getting in the way! So since then gained and now afraid when I meet the surgeon on Thursday she will be mad. We will see. Don't they make you lose a certain amount before the surgery? I am scared...its so hard! Thanks for being on here and answering questions, it is so nice since I would rather hear it from a real person rather then just reading it somewhere..guess this kinda makes me feel like its a friendship of surgery buddies :tongue2:

Wow Momma Ash...5 pounds a week would be amazing! I can't wait to get started and losing. I am worried cause I have not lost anything..in fact gained since I had my orientation last year. But hope they see I am super ready to meet a new and healthier me!