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Hello Everyone, I just had my gastric sleeve done on 02/28. To date so far I have lost 13 pounds in on week. I have about a 130 pounds to lose but I am happy I am on my way. I really dont have much pain. I am little slow moving around because I still have a little discomfort. The first week was a little difficult because whenever I would eat or drink I would get a bubble feeling in my chest. After reading many of the posts I started taking prilosec. It has helped tremendously! I am getting ready to start walking everyday and once I am feeling better I will start running. I am not starving but the smell of food I used to eat does attract to me but I am still staying on course. My only problem has been the Protein shakes. I was taking the Bariatric Advantage shakes but they are just disgusting to me now. I also tried the Isopure but I cant stand it. So now I am doing the Atkins and muscle Mlike shakes. At first I was having some regrets but after seeing my weight loss in the last week I am feeling much better.

My doc submitted the papers before I did any tests. I have BCBS of Texas and they are very bariatric friendly. My approval was completed within the week.

Glad things are going better for you. We are all so certain that "I'll be the one person in the world that this doesn't work for" that when we stall out it is frightening. Hit the Protein hard....with a small pouch you can't hold much food but you can supplement with good quality Protein drinks and bars (not grocery store stuff....good stuff made for bariatric people like us).....up around 80-100 grs/day. And eliminate the white carbs....keep even the good carbs less than 30-40 gr/day. That will keep the scale moving in the right direction.

I have the same issue kinda, but with coworkers.. I'm a nurse and work with a whole lot of women. I had already lost almost 30 pounds prior to surgery, but it wasn't really enough for many people to start noticing. I haven't gone back to work yet, but I'm down almost 50 pounds total now. My scrubs are getting loose and I'm pretty sure they're going to say something after not having seen me for a month.. I don't really have any desire to tell them I had weight loss surgery. It was a hard decision for me to make and it's just not something I want to share with anyone other than a few select people. Plus, I know what they've said about some of the patients we've had that have undergone various bariatric procedures when it "apparently just didn't work or something" and all the judgment that goes along with it.. Like it wouldn't be awful enough for that to happen anyway.. then to know all your coworkers knew you had this surgery and you still failed to lose weight? No, thank you! Luckily, there's a Meal Replacement shake fad going around on in my unit.. so my plan is to just tell them I've been drinking Protein shakes like the rest of them, eating smaller/low carb meals, and exercising. True enough. I still don't know how well that's going to work though. Especially if they prod me about what kind of surgery I had.. I don't really want to lie to anyone, but a lot of them aren't really the type to know when to just mind their own business either. So hard.. I kinda dread going back, actually.

One therapy session isn't how therapy works. Therapy's sort of like "eating well," in that one healthy meal doesn't make you healthy. It's a process. I've been seeing a therapist for the last 21 months (mostly once a month) -- started two months pre-op. I've found a great one -- he works with bariatric patients (although not exclusively), so he knows the WLS and obesity territory. I don't know that a therapist without that kind of experience would be all that helpful to someone in our situations. Oh ... and my surgeon told me pre-op when I asked him what does he think distinguishes best between those patients who lose all their weight and keep it off from those who don't, "Bottom line, those who don't lose touch with us, who always keep all their appointments, are the ones who do the best." Very best to you! Your future is in YOUR hands.

I probably have not been reading a lot of the same posts, but I never felt those I read by people banded in Mexico were trying to promote having surgery done there. I am fortunate to have my surgery covered by insurance, but if I was self-pay, I would seriously consider having it done in Mexico. Mexico has been doing Lap Band surgery longer than the US, and many US bariatric surgeons have been trained on lap band by Mexican surgeons. A think post operative care & programs are an import part of the weight loss process, so I definately would opt to have surgery done close to home. But if cost was an issue, I wouldn't hesitate to have it done in a foreign doctor, by a surgeon and facility that has been checked out.

I am not a psychiatrist either, but here's something else that could be contributing to you being in a dark place--the lack of being able to eat much due to your band. Many of us turn to food for comfort in stressful times as a coping mechanism, and after getting any bariatric surgery we can't eat to comfort themselves. We have to learn a new coping behavior. I'm not saying that is what is happening to you, but it could be. Good luck, hang in there and and try to insist your counselor talk to you as soon as possible.

Okay, fills... Some of us have surgeons who want to approach the adjustment (what a fill is really called) in a Let's-Get-This-Show-on-the-Road kind of way. They tend to be foreign and/or very experienced LapBand (not just experienced at lap surgery or experienced at bariatric surgery) surgeons. Other of us have the "Let's-Be-Very-Careful-and-Do-This-Slowly surgeons, who tend to be located in the US and/or kind of new at the band. So, what that means is how many fills one has had is completely irrelevant. And, IMHO, the whole little-by-little approach is silly. Because let's say that YOUR ideal fill is 2.3cc's. Dr. Little-by-Little puts in 0.5 at adjustment #1, then moves it up to 1.0cc's at adjustment #2 and so on. When the patient gets to adjustment #4 (2.0cc's), it still isn't enough and then at adjustment #5 (2.5cc's) it's too much and whatever the doctor was worried about in regard to an overfill is going to happen anyway. AND, some of thee surgeons only do fills once or twice a month. So the patient is six months post-op until he/she gets the needed restriction. And we all know how WE deal with that kind of frustration and "failure." And then they say the band doesn't work. Right. Figure out what your doctor is doing. Explain whay YOU don't want to wait six months for restriction. See if you can get the adjustment YOU need. Sue My experience with fills is almost all outside the US. Those doctors used flouroscopy and most got the restriction as tight as they thought I could reasonably handle, and didn't even look at the syringe until I asked them how much saline we were talking about.

So I am in the very beginning. I just got a referral from my doctor. I have nutrition class tomorrow and my intro to bariatric surgery on the 1st. I also need to get a sleep study for sleep apnea. I am going through Kaiser and it is covered by my insurance. Hopefully it goes smoothly.

I agree, I've heard such bad things about Flinestones but so so many people take them. There is a reason bariatric vitamins are made the crazy thing is some people are 100% fine taking them and have great lab work then someone else is deficient on 3-4 things so IMO it's a better idea to just take the complete ones, take your iron (even though I know you all hate it), take your vitamin D and take your calcium..just do it..you got this surgery knowing you would have to take vitamins for the rest of your life so it kinda baffles me when people just stop taking them..you can't just stop eating small portions it's not your choice to make anymore. Sorry, I have vitamin rants often with bypass patients in clinic because people seem to "forget" after they lose the weight but you permanently altered your body for forever so take your gosh darn vitamins!!

Jess, Today is your lucky day! I actually saved the codes they are as follows: The CODE for LAP-BAND® for insurance purposes is CPT 43770, diagnosis code 278.01: morbid obesity. I understand wanting to look amazing for ur sister's wedding. Next summer my husband and I are renewing our vows on the beach, so I want to look sharp. Ha! Going through ur pcp is smart, but to me it's timing consuming. I rather go straight to the source, but u r more patient than me. :eek: Good luck and keep me posted. Suzette

I was told no flinstones and only vitamins meant for bariatric patients. I take celebrate vitamins and my two favorite multivitamin flavors are grape and mandarin orange. I also love their iron if you need it, it's grape and somehow doesn't taste like iron when you chew it. For calcium I do the lemon soft chews and they are awesome. I'm all about Celebrate, they taste pretty good and are very very good for you, much more complete nutrition than flinstones IMO.

I too have waited many years thinking about WLS. I work in healthcare and see so many bypass complications that haunt patients for years. I don't see band patients though (I work in a bariatric hospital). I have the issue that even though I know I'm overweight I don't feel overweight. I'm very active and "see" myself skinnier then I really am. I lost 110 lbs in one year (11 yrs ago) doing Atkins/exercise.....kept it off for 2-3 yrs then it started to creep back. I've gained 60 back total, so not a total loss! I decided on getting banded this past fall, have done all the work for approval (lost 18 lbs too!) and got my surgery date today! April 16th will be here before I know it!! I wish you the best with your band and know that we are taking a great step towards healthier lives!!!

Yes, do a local search for a bariatric clinic/doctor and spend an evening at a seminar. It could prove to be a catalyst, one way or another to your decision.

Has anyone used this Dr for their sleeve? If so I would love to talk to you.

Ok, so my surgery was June 26. I flew out there (alone) from Maryland on Sunday night, June 23. I stayed at the MGM Signature because I had stayed there a few years ago and I liked it since the elevator wasn't too far from the hotels entrance. Monday morning I had a dr appt to get my clearance for surgery. I cant remember this DR's name but DR hanna's office set it up for me. Luckily my insurance covered this visit. They did an EKG, went over health history, etc. then gave me a lab slip for a chest xray. The next day I visited with DR Hanna for the first time. Everyone at his office is so friendly. He went over everything that was going to happen, etc. Also, I had started my clear liquid diet Monday AM. And my husband arrived Tuesday evening. Wednesday I arrived at the hospital (North Vista) at 7 am which looked like a dump. I was feeling a little uneasy at this point at the looks of the hospital, but not for long. The hospital is SO accommodating. I was appointed a Bariatric coordinator who showed us around. I went into the operating room at 930am. I was never once scared or nervous until I got onto the OR table and they started strapping my arms down and giving my oxygen. Last I looked at the clock was 9:38. I woke up at 10:20. Feeling very nauseated. Wheeled into recovery, stayed there maybe 30-40 mins. Then went back to the outpatient room where my husband was waiting for me. I tried walking the halls but everytime I got out of bed I felt like id be sick so all I wanted to do was lay around and sleep. Finally at 2pm a nurse recommended that we go back to the hotel. The first afternoon/night was a breeze. I slept pretty much the rest of the day. Did not want to walk at ALL. Gas wasn't that bad, not as bad as I had expected. The second day, sucked, big time. I tried once to take a teaspoon of the liquid pain meds but they made me throw up so I didn't touch them after that.. I had my follow up that day because I was leaving vegas on Friday. It was all I could do to get dressed and go to the DR office. He checked my incisions and gave me a rx for the stomach spasms I was having. I flew out of Vegas Friday morning. I do not recommend this if you are flying in from another state. It was a 5 hour flight. VERY uncomfortable. Couldn't eat anything really. It was awful. DR Hanna called me one week post op, I missed it and called him back. He didn't answer. He never returned my call and I haven't heard from him since that follow up visit at his office which I thought was kind of unprofessional. But I haven't had one single problem so I guess there's no point in calling him anyway. I'd definitely recommend him, he is a gentle, soft spoken man. My experience was great and I love his office staff. Esp. Zee she is great. I email her questions all the time and she replies within minutes! I hope this all made sense, if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Hi I'm Jaclyn and I'm 18 years old. November 2005 my mom went to Utah to get banded. After a year and 50 lbs of weightloss I was given permission to be banded. I was 16 when I got banded Sep 21, 2006 at 236.4 lbs by Dr. McKeen with South Bay Bariatrics in Los Gatos, CA. By my 17th birthday in May I was 139 lbs with a total weight loss of 97 lbs. In September 2007 I was rebanded when my band slipped and I hadn't eaten or drank anything for 7 days. By that time I was anorexic and belemic and would have starved to death if I didn't go in. Since then I've controlled my band and am at a solid 160 lbs and no where near slipping. I've experienced the worst case scenario and and glad b/c it made me aware of the consequences. I'm going on 3 years and I'm happy and healthy =] Feel free to ask me anything, I've been through it all and am happy to answer any questions

Hi kat! My meeting went great! Met the bariatric director, and boy, is she a hoot! As she described herself, she and the surgeon are "night and day" in their personalities. The people in the support group were wonderful. Everyone was in various stages: some far out from their surgeries, some only a month or two out, and some (like me) are still going through the process. I was inspired all over again, and can't wait to get this done. Cathy

Hi Lisa. Welcome to VST, its a great site and I am so happy I came across it. Like you, I was diagnosed with a few things that took me for a loop (high blood, sleep apnea, diabetes, arthritis). My best buddy was a quarter pounder or double whopper w/ all the fixin', and side of fries. I had to make a decision to STOP and do something about what was going with me. I yo-yo'd on diets for years (I'm 51) and my primary suggested bariatric surgery and it took me about a year to make up my mind to do it, and I am so glad I did. I had to do this for me and only me (I selfish at this point) because no one else could or would. I was sleeved on June 26 - lost 48lbs (total to date is 60lbs ), when I started my journey I weighed 289lbs...lost 12lbs by the time I made up y mind to go for it. Don't worry you have plenty of support here at VST. We're here for EACH OTHER and that is the joy of this site. Again, welcome.

Hi. My name is Telisa Swan and I am working toward getting sleeved. My daughter had a gastric bypass six years ago and is down from 500 lbs to a healthy 160. The bypass worked very well for her but I think the sleeve is a better choice for me. I am 5'10, weigh 311 with a BMI of 44.7 and am 44 years old. I don't have a lot of co-morbidities, but I did get a heart stint in 2003. I am self-pay with no insurance and started this process in October with a lot of research. In November I attended two seminars by a couple of different area bariatric surgeons. I really like the surgeon I have chosen but he wants me to lose 10% of my total body weight before he will even schedule surgery. That could take months! I really want to get sleeved as soon as possible so it is a little frustrating. My surgeon charges $23,000 for this surgery and I know I could get it a lot cheaper in Mexico but, at the same time, I want an excellent local support system and all aftercare is included in that price. I will do my best to loose the 30+ lbs. as soon as possible, but it won't be easy (any suggestions?) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know who I am, where I am at, and what is going on for me. You will see me around the forum over the next year or so and I am looking for friends and support in this. Who is with me?! I think this forum is the best, most informative thing I have encountered on the internet. It has already been incredibly helpful to me. Thank you to all of you who have lost your weight, or well on your way, but are still here on this forum to help those of us who are just starting out on our journey. Much thanks!!!

I meant to post back in March but been busy with life. I hope all of you are doing well and staying safe. For those who got sick with the virus or lost loved ones, I offer my deepest thoughts and sympathies. I was part of the group who got the by-pass done just before everything went on lockdown last year. It's been quite the journey. I've been fortunate to have been able to work from home all of this time, although I do expect to return to the office sometime later this year. To date, I have lost 92 lbs. since the start of my bariatric journey and 104 lbs. from my highest weight. I had the surgery at 62 years of age and I was pre-diabetic, with high blood pressure and a BMI of over 44 and Stage 2 kidney disease. My highest dress size was 24 and I had severe acid reflux, back, knee and feet problems. At present, I can likely get into a size 18 and my bust size has gone from DDD to DD. I absolutely have no regrets getting the surgery -- it likely saved my life in many ways. Pre surgery I did a lot of reading on here as I wanted to know as much as I could about what to expect and I appreciated those who were 6-12 months out from surgery coming back to talk about their experiences, so I wanted to pay it forward. I will begin by breaking this into 4 sections: How I feel, What I think about myself, What I appreciate about myself now, and My work in progress. How I Feel: Physically I feel great and I consider that a blessing. I still have problems with my feet but that is mainly due my falling arches more than anything (although I did strain my ankle a few weeks ago attempting to do HIIT exercises -- don't ask). I've been most frustrated not being able to go to the gym to workout so my main exercise is walking long distances and doing online sculpturing classes. I do plan to return to the gym soon to step up the weight training. Walking up a flight of stairs without gasping for air is just simply divine! Having blood pressure that avg. 117/75? Lovely! I do still have to sleep somewhat elevated as I do have occasional bouts of reflux but nothing like before the surgery and I can't sleep on my right side for too long. But I can now sleep on my back without having severe back pain (the draw back is that my mouth is always open when I do). My blood work for the most part shows most areas in the normal ranges and my kidneys are functioning well. What I think about myself: When I was still in my 20s, I managed to lose 80 pounds and I gained it all back and then some. What is different about me now vs. then is that I still saw myself as fat, even though at that time, I was 16 pounds away from my goal weight. When I look at the pictures of me then, I couldn't see what I see of myself now. Even if I never lose another pound, I am so very cool with me being at this size right now. We are all different, especially us women, but yet we compare our bodies to an image that is not necessarily natural or realistic for most of us. Now I look in the mirror and I 'see' skinny and that's only because I'm tall and can carry more weight without 'looking' fat. That's also why the bottom line for me will always be the numbers on the scale, the volume of food I eat and the calories I ingest because the numbers don't lie. But poor body imagery can screw your mind up every time. What I appreciate about myself now: I think that it's so important to note the things that most folk who are thinner often take for granted. I try to keep a mental list of the things I can do now vs. before: Crossing my legs! I so love doing this! I can cross my legs without needing to hold my leg in place with my hand. I can keep my legs crossed for long periods of time without leg cramps; I can get a 4.5 mile walk in within 1 hr, 15 min vs. the 1 hr. 45 mins. in the past. I was able to work up to 10 miles in one session last year; Love having a resting heart rate in the 50s-60s; I can actually go to Costcos and buy some clothes! I haven't yet done so, but I will be able to start shopping for clothes in the non plus size section (that will still feel weird though); I like the fact that it can take me 2-3 days to finish a meal that I would normally eat in one meal. Volume control is a major game changer for me. I can't believe that I don't miss ice cream! My Work in Progress: The weight loss is slooooooooooooooooooooow now. I'm so close to that major milestone of onederland that I can taste it! Drinking enough water is still a struggle; Yes, sometimes I do overeat (and yeah, I pay for that!) Some foods that I like I can't really eat that much of anymore. I have to remind myself to make sure I get in enough protein. The protein drinks really helps even now. I still feel somewhat guilty when I have to throw food away because I'm full. I still snack a lot and I will on occasion, have that one sweet item that I want. I don't crave sweets and I'm so very grateful about that. Interesting that I want more savory things now. Being consistent is what I have to constantly work on. So ask me anything and I will check in from time to time to answer your questions. I would love to hear from others who had the surgery just prior to the great shutdown of 2020. Whatever you do, stay true and focus on your journey. It doesn't matter when you get there, only that you do in your time.

Hey SJ - I was banded at U of Penn in Philly on 3/10/08. I don't know if my office will do fills if they didn't do the surgery, but you can check. Also, go to the websites of your local hospitals. If they have a bariatric department that would be your best bet. Even though you live hear, ask the question as if you just moved here. They will be less likely to question why you left the country to get the surgery. Plus, you are paying for your own fills so there shouldn't be any conflicts. It's worth a try. I know that in Philadelphia, only HUP and Temple Hospital have Bariatric Departments. Jefferson hosp does too, but they don't do Lap-Band - only the bypass. I checked them all out when I was deciding. Since I live in the city it was easy for me to pick Penn. Good Luck. Anne

Just make sure that whomever you choose to do the VSG---that the doctor is well trained and has a Post Graduate Fellowship in doing bariatric surgical procedures.......the surgeon that had has been doing a variety of gastric procedures for approx. 15 yrs...and he has a Fellowship( a surgical Fellowship of 3 yrs) training in bariatrics.....all the best for much success for good health.......!!

So today started with the gym back on to the elliptical runner. Better day today, no homophobic comments today, but it was later in the day then yesterday. Multiple appointments today. First appointment was with the second part of my psyche evaluation. It really wasn't anything. He just took the time of my appointment to write up my paperwork from my initial visit. He gave me a copy of the letter that will be sent off to the insurance company that says that I am a good candidate. Second Appointment was my weigh in for the week. I am down 5 pounds from last week. The scheduling clerk continues to be a PIA. I asked to schedule all my weigh ins until my surgery. You would of thought I asked this woman to rip out her fingernails. The weigh in nurse had to tell her that she could do that. I have met my goal weight for the bariatric group. I have surpassed the goal weight for my insurance company. Third appointment was with a pulmonary doctor. My blood gas came back low. He thinks it is because I am over eight. No duh. But now they are making me do another test. a 6 minute walk with arterial blood gas test. Another step closer to my surgery.

After trying years of diets and yo-yoing up 5-10 pounds each time, I decided to go with the Lap Band device. I went through the pre-surgical testing and got my insurance company to approve it upon my first appeal and an additional six-month waiting period. In that time I dropped from 380 pounds down to 360 (which was my pre-surgery goal) and on Valentine's Day in 2008 I got the surgery. I was in at 7 am, and home in my recliner by 5 pm. The abdominal pain was absolutely minimal. I was able to get out of bed and walk within the first hour, and was voiding my bladder and cruising the hallways soon thereafter. I refused the morphine they were offering as I wanted to go home, and honestly there was no need for it as I was in minimal discomfort. Once home I quickly adjusted to the phase-one diet and ate the clear liquids and developed an affinity for nice cool Jell-o (lime or orange). I no longer experienced "hunger" as I once did. Even though I knew I hadn't eaten but a handful of calories in any given day, I did not feel "hunger". As I approached phase-two I began to develop some "cravings" which after discussing with my nutritionist I found to be a healthy response to the surgery--a way for your body to tell you what you're needing. I don't even question it when my body tells me that raw calf's liver would be SOOOO good right now. I just do it. Once onto phase-three and normal life I began to feel better about myself as I (rapidly) dropped weight. Within 12 months I had dropped nearly 100 pounds, 3 trouser sizes, two inches from my neck, 2 shirt sizes (from a XXXL-Tall to a XXL) and amazingly--TWO shoe sizes--I once wore a 14 and can now fit a 12 comfortably. My knees stopped making horrible grinding noises, my hips stopped hurting and I found I had more energy to tackle my tasks with. To make myself feel even better I once loaded 100 boxes of butter (sorry Safeway) into a cart just to see the physical quantity of weight I had lost. Likewise--I have thrown a pair of 40 pound bags of dog food on my shoulders to experience just SOME of what I was carrying around. It makes all the difference in the world when you still perceive yourself as a "fat man" to look at some tangible facsimiles of your achievements. Now--about my device, my post-op life and the joys of living with the Lap Band: I received an "AP Standard" device in lieu of the "AP Large." My surgeon has never been able to give me a reason why other that "I have never used an AP Large device and didn't feel comfortable doing so here." Initially I thought this was a bonus as I would lose weight a little mroe rapidly. What I did NOT know whas what to expect in the process. Yes, I went to ALL of my classes, nutritional counseling, etc. Yes, I understand fully how to eat. NO! I did not sign on for this. Each bite of food I take--regardless of how I chew, registers somewhere in the 7 range on the pain scale. Even water--is about a 5 for 10-15 minutes after I swallow. The surgeons (I have multiple) have all scoped me, barium'd me, fluoroscope'd, swallow studied, etc me to no end. There is no slippage, no obstruction, no swelling, and no redness. Only "An extremely small pouch with very tight restriction." During my first adjustment (more on that later) my surgeon primed my device and in doing so, completely closed my esophagus and rocketed me into a vasovaglic episode. Since that time I have had ZERO Fluid in my device--not a single CC in the bladder, not even a drop of saline to prime it. Of course in order to make sure of this, each surgeon has to attempt to drain it again--so I got very used to being adjusted. As long as your surgeon is competent (NOT like Colin MacColl) you don't even need any of that local anesthetic-stuff. None at all. It's just more needle-sticks and to tell you the honest truth--the "big" adjusting needle doesn't hurt AT ALL. If you'd like to see what it's all about, go to YouTube and search "POV LapBand" and you'll see Colin MacColl failing miserably and repeatedly at accessing my (very easy) port. While this particular procedure was uncomfortable for me (as evidenced by my toes in the video...) it was NOT painful and I had zero anesthetic. When I finally grew tired of a life in pain and constant medical testing with no results I accused one of my surgeons (Colin MacColl) of practicing "diagnostic medicine" on me and demanded that he do something other than shrugging and saying "Let's try this." The next week I received a letter informing me that I was "fired" as a patient of Oregon Bariatric and would have to seek a new doctor. In the end--I am now 18 months post-op, sitting at 235 pounds (down 155 pounds) with an un-regulated and completely un-restricted device. I have no surgeon/bariatric doctor. I am hypoglycemic, I have 3 major Vitamin deficiencies, I vomit at least twice a day, I eat less than 200 food-calories in any given 24 hour period and when I do I am down-and-out-in-pain for a good 90 minutes after I eat it--IF I can keep it down without vomiting. Am I happy being the "new-man?" Hell yes! It's GREAT being "Skinny(er)." Would I recommend the Lap Band procedure to anyone? HELL NO! Looking forward to talking with you all. Cheers!