Dave_NW

As others have said, losing the weight wasn't the problem. It was staying at a lower weight after the diet ended. I went on South Beach Diet several years ago and lost 30 pounds in sixty days. I was ecstatic. I was never hungry, and I actually got tired of all that chewing - it seemed I was eating ALL the time. But then I had dental surgery, and had to go off the diet. And guess what? In no time at all I gained back every pound, and thirty more on top of it. The next time I tried South Beach, I did the same things I had done before, but I didn't lose more than a few pounds. It was as if my body had caught onto the tricks I was pulling on it. The yo-yo games continued, until I finally stopped trying. I'm seeing the band as a method that requires me to be more focused on what I'm putting into my body. Volume, calories, frequency, and eating speed will all bring down my weight, just as a matter of balanced mathematics. I'm a computer tech by trade, and balanced mathematics is something I can live with. Good luck in your decision! Dave

Sometimes you need to tell them what you want, not ask them what they think. I've started using my doctor mainly as a referral service, rather than a medical consultant. After years of being halfway told to do this or that to lose weight, (a lot of which you folks have also been told by your own doctors), what I loved () was the smug jerk telling me to "Eat as I do. I only eat grapes and berries. And look at how much weight I've lost." The guy is half my age, and looks like hell. If eating grapes and berries made him look like that, I'd rather be fat. And he only lost about 20 pounds. I have a hundred more than that to lose. If I was only eating grapes and berries, I wonder if that would include the vines, thorns, and leaves, too? So when he transferred to a new clinic, and I had to select a new doctor, I chose one who respected me, who actually listened to my questions, and who said, "You know what you want and will do better than I do. What referrals do you need?" And he's been great. I made an appointment, went in, and said, "I'm looking into having weight loss surgery because dieting isn't working for me. My insurance is very specific on which clinics they'll approve to do surgery. Can you give me a referral to this particular clinic?" And they did. I had my consult appointment within a week or two. I'm finally down to the last few weeks before surgery, and I am MORE than ready to get it done. Good luck! Dave

Hi all. Just wanted to provide a bit of an update on my situation. For those who may not have been following my posts, I was working toward having sleeve surgery, which I thought was to have happened within the next few weeks. My Internet research misled me, and my insurance company agent specifically misinformed me, and I didn't know until last week that my insurance carrier will not pay for sleeve surgery at the civilian hospital they referred me to. For reasons I still don't understand, they WILL pay for it if I have surgery at a military treatment facility. This logic escapes me, since the civilian hospital is a center of excellence, highly rated, and considered the best in the area for weight loss surgeries. But it's a non-issue, since my insurance won't pay. No room for discussion. At the urging of some great folks on this forum, I've been looking into getting things referred to the only military treatment facility in my state. I finally got through to someone at that facility's surgery center today, and had a frank discussion with them about my situation. I was told that if I jumped through all the hoops to make the various appointments they require to evaluate me, if I were to get my medical history transferred to them, and if they approved of the things I've done with my current surgery center, and didn't make me repeat anything I've been through, then yes, it would be possible to have surgery there -- in nine months to a year. He said if they decided not to accept what I've done, and make me do everything over again, it would be well over a year before I could expect to have surgery. Apparently, as a retiree, I am near the bottom of the priority list for surgery. Needless to say, I'm frustrated, angry, and extremely disappointed. I don't want to wait that long. I've given it a lot of thought, and have decided to go ahead and have lap band surgery, which I can have done by my civilian surgery center within the next several weeks. I realize a lot of people on this forum have terrible things to say about the band, but I've read on other forums about many more who have had good success with it. I'm going to give it a shot. If it turns out to be the wrong choice for me, then I'll have it revised to the sleeve. Hopefully, at that time, my insurance carrier will pay for it. If not, I'll make that trip to Mexico and pay for it myself. I wish everyone here the best of luck with things, and I look forward to reading of your weight loss success. Even though I won't be one of you, I'll be rooting from the sidelines for you. Thanks for all the great support you've given me in the last few months. You are a great bunch of folks. Dave

Wow, Bob! I'm proud of you! After that kind of hassle in your life, that you'd have the courage to pull it together and get back on track? Awesome! I wish you nothing but total success. Keep us posted! And don't beat yourself up too much over the pitfalls of where you've been. It's a journey, remember? Somebody a lot smarter than me once said, "The sin is not in falling, the sin is in not getting up." Best, Dave

Well, that's over and done. And easy as pie. Practically a non-event. I arrived at the GI clinic at the hospital first thing this morning, signed some minor paperwork, and waited to be called for my time. Turns out I was first. After I switched my shirt for a loose gown and took off my shoes, the excellent nurse assisted me in getting settled onto a bed. She hooked me up to the various monitoring equipment, blood pressure cuff on my arm, and an IV port in the back of my hand. I relaxed about ten minutes, then the surgeon's assistant wheeled my bed and I into the exam room. More monitoring parts were attached to me, and the surgeon arrived. He's the same surgeon who is doing my lap band, so we knew each other. He said he likes doing his own endoscopies, so he knows first hand what to expect. I signed the consent form, anaesthetic was injected into the IV port, and I went out like a light. Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. I didn't feel a thing, I'm not sore or bloated from the procedure, and everything went well. They determined I have a hiatal hernia that needs to be repaired (who knew?), but everything else was fine. The whole process from first check-in to climbing into my friend's care for the ride home was less than two hours. I hope my actual surgery goes this easily. Dave

Thanks! I hope it's as easy for me. We'll see tomorrow morning! Dave

Thanks, folks. Tomorrow's the day. I'm heading out soon to stay overnight at a hotel near the hospital so I can be there first thing in the morning. Better than getting up at four in the morning to drive all the way down there. :smile: I'll post here after it's done. Wish me luck! Dave

I'll be happy to do that. It can't be too terrible, or we'd have more folks talking about it. (Anyone know what it's all about?) The lab work they're going to do is extensive, but it's not a big deal. Well, not too big. In my case, they drew eleven tubes of blood. It seemed like a lot, until they called me back later to draw two more they'd overlooked. Jeez! They want every weird kind of test to make sure you're as healthy as possible for surgery. The lab manager at my clinic called some of the tests "esoteric." I took that to mean they were a bit unusual. Then, today, when I spoke to the surgeon's office about the endoscopy, the nurse said, "Oh yeah, we also need an arterial blood gas draw too." Huh? Wasn't thirteen tubes of blood enough? Apparently not, since this one has to be done by a Respiratory Therapist, not the lab at the clinic. Luckily, I work at a hospital. I was able to get the ABG test done this afternoon, and they've already faxed the results to the surgeon's office. One more box checked off. :tt2: Next stop, Endoscopy. After that they go for surgery approval, then a final meeting with the surgeon, then surgery. It could all be coming down within the next two weeks. This is finally starting to get real! :smile2: Dave

Help me out here, folks. I was going to get the vertical sleeve surgery till about two weeks ago, when my insurance bailed on me. I was pointed toward banding as the only non-RNY surgery my insurance will pay for. I'm trying to get totally on board for banding, but I'm having a bit of trouble with that. I'm reading a lot of posts here from people who are newly-banded, who naturally love their band. That's great, and I wish everyone total success. However... I'm very curious to know about long-term success stories. Anyone around here who has had their band for several years, or who has hit their goal? How about those who reached goal and are maintaining their weight loss several years after banding? For that matter, is there anyone here who has even reached their goal? I hear about people losing 50% or thereabouts of their excess weight with the band, but I'm wondering about those who have lost more than that. And what about long-term health for those living with the band? There seem to be a lot of posts about trouble with the band, and even long-term bandsters who can't manage the tool. I'm just not sure I want to go there. What's your experience been? If you had it to do over again, would you have chosen banding, or a different procedure? Thanks, Dave

Good Luck, Erick. You're already an inspiration! I should be only a month or so behind you. Dave

Hi folks. I'm Dave, and I'm one of the new guys here. I feel a bit weird right now, because for the last several months I've been researching and working toward getting the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) surgery. Of the three main types of current bariatric sugeries, that seemed the best fit for me. I'd double-checked with my insurance carrier, and was told yes, the sleeve was covered. So I'd done all my homework, I attended some seminars, got my PCM to refer me to a weight loss surgeon who does my surgery type, and I got myself all psyched up for a marathon appointment with my surgeon and his team. After weeks of waiting I finally saw them yesterday. Things were going great until they said that I must have a misunderstanding. They said my insurance (Tricare Prime) does not cover the sleeve surgery. It seems the insurance agent I'd spoken with had misinformed me. After a bit of discussion and a visit to Tricare's website, it turns out that they're right - Tricare won't pay for it. They'll pay for LAP-BAND®®® and RNY bypass, even stomach stapling (which nobody does anymore) - just not the sleeve. So I had no serious option except to change directions right in the middle of things. And that's how I came to be here. RNY isn't something I'd want to do to myself, so I accepted the band as my only other choice. I mean no disrespect to anyone here, but I feel like I was at a great sale, and they ran out of my selection at the last minute. After all this time of anticipating and studying and planning for something else, all of a sudden I need to go 90 degrees in another direction. Is there anyone here who went through this sort of thing? Did you who chose the band do so after ruling out the other choices? Why? Or was the band your first choice? Can you please help me get my head around why the band is my best option? Help me feel good about this unexpected change. I want to feel great about this, but need some insider knowledge. What do you think? Thanks, Dave

My surgeon says the biggest reason bands slip is because the surgeon who put it in didn't attach it in place with enough stitches. He says the documentation says to use just a few stitches, like two or three. He says he goes well above that, and uses as many as it takes to give it a solid placement, so it won't slip as long as the stitches hold. As in all things, YMMV. :puke: Dave

I keep hearing that sleevers shouldn't have caffeine. Why is that? Post surgery, I know I won't be able to drink a big cup of steaming fresh-brewed coffee, but why shouldn't I be able to have a bit of one? I'm a Northwest guy, and Starbucks is the LAW. :001_tt1: Dave

Thanks, ladies. I appreciate the comments. I do understand that these forums exist for people who are having trouble, or who need a cheering section to help them along the way. I think the trouble for me is reading about SO many issues, I'm wondering whether there are any "normal" banders out there. On a sleeve forum I was frequenting regularly until recently, they tried to talk me into ditching the band as an option, and stick with the sleeve, even though I'd have to pay for it out of pocket. One of those sleeve folks asked me to check out how many long-term banders are out there who are truly happy with their results. It was a fair question, and is what prompted most of this thread. The optimist in me is convinced I'll be "that guy," the one who has no trouble, who loses weight easily, and who will be one of those rare long-term success stories I've been trying to find. We'll see how it goes. Dave

South Beach Diet has a number of interesting dessert recipes using ricotta cheese. You could run cottage cheese through a blender and probably come up with something similar in texture. They have one recipe for a chocolate ricotta cream thing that uses powdered Hershey's baking chocolate, a bit of espresso powder, some vanilla extract, and a package of artifical sweetener like Splenda. Whip it all up together, top with mini chocolate chips if you want, and chill in the fridge or freezer for a bit. If you close your eyes, it takes sort of like tiramisu. Actually, it's pretty good. Dave

Thanks, elcee. I appreciate the candor. It sounds like you're well onto how to manage things. I wonder if it will be as easy in five years? That's where I'm having my hesitation. Just like in a marriage - it's great during the honeymoon, but five years later things will definitely have changed. :biggrin: Dave

What about pharmacy refills for your meds during that year? There must be records to show you were on prescription meds during that time. Just because you didn't schedule an appointment with the doctor doesn't mean you weren't being treated. Dave

Thanks very much for this post! You've said what I've been thinking. (And it's not just this forum. It's exactly the same over at VerticalSleeveTalk.com as well!) As someone who is still researching whether to have band surgery, when I read ALL these posts about this or that band or eating problem, and complaint after complaint thread about people who claim they're starving and how miserable so many people are, I keep asking myself what the hell am I setting myself up for? I thought this band was a tool to help me lose weight, not a magic bullet that will make me perfect overnight. Don't people understand that, or do they forget? Sure, I'd love to be tall and younger and have my balding head covered with the great hair I used to have, too, but for crying out loud - life goes on! I'm actually anxious to have surgery, just so I can either: A: Prove these naysayers wrong, or B: Finally understand what all the whining is about. :thumbup: Thanks, btrieger. You're the voice of reason in a crazy place. :thumbup: Dave

Toni, I think you may have stepped in a bit too soon, and caught the guy off guard. You don't say, but are you two friends? Do you talk about whatever topic in a general conversation sometimes? Do you seek each other out to share some joke or story? If not, he may not think of you as a work friend, and he may have been a bit surprised by your unexpected invitation to lunch. I wouldn't take it too seriously, or even the wrong way. He may genuinely have had things that day that made it the wrong day for him. But before you over-think the situation, and blame yourself for something that may not have anything to do with you, think about these ideas: 1.. He may not like dating where he works. If things got serious, then fell apart, he'd have the work-drama to contend with. So he may prefer not to put himself in that place. 2. He may already be seeing someone. Despite what you may have heard, not all guys are dogs who date multiple people at the same time. 3. Maybe he's gay, but not "out" at work. 4. Maybe you're just not his type. He may like you just fine, but maybe he's not interested in you as more than a friendly face at work. He may prefer to date women who are taller/shorter/different hair color/different age group/ different ethnicity/smarter/less smart, or whatever. There could be a hundred reasons, and none of them are anything to do with you as a person. As others have said, there are other places to meet potential dating partners. Expand your horizons a bit, and give yourself a chance to meet the right guy in a neutral setting where there aren't as many pitfalls. Be smart, and be strong. The right guy is out there, but you just need to find out where he is. :thumbdown: Good luck! Dave

Kathy, you are a complete inspiration to me. Your journey is probably the most successful weight loss with the band I've ever read, and your pictures are awesome. I'm having surgery soon, and hope I can someday report a similar story. Thank you! Wishing you continued success, Dave

Hey guys. Thanks for checking in. Anyone else? I knew I wasn't the only one. With luck, I'll be banded next month. (I'm down to the last couple of things: Endoscopy next week, then they go for surgery approval from my insurance. Supposed to be easy to get. Cross your fingers!) I'm curious about those of you have lost so much weight so fast. 70+ pounds in a few months is awesome! What sort of workout plan are you on? Working with a trainer, or hitting the gym regularly? I really want to get back to the gym, but I want to have the band to back up my effort. How's your daily diet? Any tips or tricks to make it work? My nutritionist is talking about 100+ daily grams of Protein - that seems like a lot. Any of you guys happen to be in the Pacific Northwest? I'm north of Seattle. It'd be great to find another guy around here to compare notes with. Dave

After waiting a looong time to get in, (like three months), I finally went to my Surgeon's marathon appointment clinic today. I met with the Psych, Physician, Nutritionist, and the Surgeon himself. I passed all evaluations and interviews with flying colors, and everyone said I was a prime candidate for surgery. All was going along great until the Surgeon said, "Um, I think we may have a misunderstanding here. Your insurance does not cover the sleeve." :scared0::blushing: Say WHAT????? :scared0::scared0::scared0: I made them go to the Tricare website so I could show them the text that says it's covered. When we tunneled down to the covered services part, and found gastric bypass surgeries, it says: "TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery)" When I pointed out the text that says "vertical banded gastroplasty," he said, "That's not the sleeve. That's stomach stapling. Nobody does that anymore." After a bit more investigation, it seems that when I plugged in those words on a website several months ago, it said those words meant the same thing as vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Apparently, that website was wrong. So it seems I may have been doing a LOT of preliminary work for a procedure my insurance won't cover. Crap. When I got home I called Tricare and asked for clarification, the person said what's written is what's covered, but that the surgeon's Insurance Coordinator can contact them with documentation to request it be reviewed as a medical necessity. They may cover it, but maybe not. So my dilemma is this: I'm wide open approved for a lap band or RNY bypass. If you couldn't get the sleeve surgery, which would you choose, and why? Seriously bummed, Dave

How did you pay for the surgery? If on a credit card, you may be able to dispute the charges. Dave

If you step over to the forums at VerticalSleeveTalk.com, the sister site to this one, you'll find a LOT of former lapband people who have since had it revised to the sleeve instead. They're a very friendly bunch who are full of very helpful information. Dave

I have Tricare Prime. I'm told they do not require doing a doctor-managed weight loss program. My surgeon's office says they're one of the easiest insurance carriers to get surgery approval from, as long as you meet the minimum requirements. (Excess weight, BMI, other comorbidities.) I met with my surgeon's team last week for the first time, in a "marathon" all-on-the-same-day appointment. There are still a couple more appointments to meet this month, but I'm told I should expect to have surgery next month. That would make it less than four months from first phone call to surgery day. Hope this helps, Dave