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I was banded on Friday July 11, 2003 by Dr. Ren at NYU. My recovery was incredibly easy. I walked 40 blocks *VERY SLOWLY* on Sunday the 13th! She is a fabulous surgeon. I weighed 291 just before the surgery. I weigh between 272 and 277 now, depending... I am a diabetic and I was on a lot of insulin (40 units of Ultra Lente in the morning , 18-22 units of Lente at night, and humalog as needed for carbohydrates). Two weeks after surgery, I am on no Lente, 10 units of Ultra Lente and much lower doses of Humalog as needed-- an incredibly dramatic drop. I am now hopeful for complete remission in a relatively short period of time. Prior to my surgery, I learned a tremendous amount from the user groups, particularly Smartbandsters on Yahoo. However, I think that this forum is much easier to use. I hope that long term band recipients, particularly those from other countries where the Lap-Band has been used for much longer, will join and at least briefly describe their long-term experiences. Please encourage anyone you know to at least briefly post their experiences.

Wow, a year! I'm from Atl as well. Using Piedmont Atl Bariatric there was no waiting list to start the process. My first appt was in April and surgery is Oct. 19. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm excited today because I attended my first information meeting about bariatric surgery at Kiaser. It was informative however I must say a lot of the information I knew because I been researching on this every time a question pops up in my mind. I go tomorrow to my body analysis appointment where they take a picture and weight you prior to beginning the 12 week options program. I can't believe this is all about to get in motion. As a requirement I have to loose 10% of body weight prior to surgery (29lbs) I actually think that will be the most weight I ever lost. Well just wanted to share my journey so far.

I had abdominioplasty surgery 2 years ago. I keep thinking my stomach is going to hurt worse in the healing process because of this. Has anyone experienced this or have any advice? my surgery is 10 days away..

Hello I have been reading your post for some time now and I appreciate the positive vibe I get from you...I was approved on 2-23-10 an go in on tuesday 3-9-10 to schedule my surgery. I am so excited. I am 41 years old around 240 lbs my first goal will be 175, I am a hairstylist and real estate broker, married with no kids....keep posting it is all helpful!

I am fed up.. I am gaining weight cuz my fill isnt tight (and I dont follow a diet consistantly)........ I need a fill, but even with one, I HAVE to restrict myself in calories, carbs ect.. OR i wont lose much more.. I am NOT happy about a approximate 75 pound loss in 18 months... I lost pre-op and I lost during a few winter months, ever since I have been gaining and loosing the same 10-15 pounds... but I dont see anymore loosing of those pounds, only more gain. I struggle with extra tightness.. often enough and I respect it.. .. but its inconsistantcy is really annoying, cant plan my diet....have ups and downs with emotions with eating food.. all cuz I just dont know whats ok. I hate that. When I am well restricted and I know basically how restricted I am, I accept it and I dont have all the concerns about food. I dont crave what I know I cant have. (its great) But there are enough times when I am not so tight to allow in too many calories....... and I need a fill... for those times.. I dont want to deal with the times I will be extra tight.. twice as much. I fear I may send myself into a too tight situation like I did a few months ago... and have to accept that my restricition level now is where I have to be.. and where the weight is coming back on. I will get a fill as soon as I have the money.. I wish I could do it now! IF I JUST DIDNT HAVE a SENSITIVE BAND.. IF I was just more consistant.. EVERYTHING would be perfect. If this is it.. I have been left with a smaller scale weight, a flabby nasty body that cannot be contained and maked me look fatter everywhere but the shoulders back and face.. I deal with skin infections now, and lower self body image. The changes, the flab is sooooo different and soooo ugly and sooooo bothersome and so apparent that my weight loss does not seem worth it. My sciatica is worse,.. ewww one day, I feel a rash between my legs, on my inner thighs and buttocks near the gina... it just showed up that big, nothing gradual at all.. I have never in my life had a rash down there... !! I have been 400 pounds and I have been laid up and unshowered and it never ever happened... I have got small rashes of 1/4 the size.. under my belly many times, I soak in a tub and wash those and they go away by the next day.. This rash was NOT like those ones.. this rash was like a burn, raised and leather like, and hurt. Truth is I know about how fat people get rashes.. once I was browsing through a web site of gross pictures and saw two naked ladies about 250 to 300 pounds bending over to show their asses and there huge infected rashes that seemed to me to be untaken care of.. (real bad) I didnt understand it at all.... I felt that anyone could control such a thing if they tried hard enough. I knew that I would never be able to live with such a problem. soooo.... I dont freak out.. I soak in the tub and wash and wash it and assume it will go away after a few soaks... and then I guess I have to take extra steps to keep my new massive flabs clean and tidy. (like I dont have enough to do to keep it all clean down there, I use about 5 wet wipes everytime I pee, and need to..) The next time I soak..... My rash is peeling off in brown skin chunks... I peel and peel and it never ends.... the skin underneath is raw and not healed. I begin to cry my head off. (never had a yeast infection or anything happen down there.. plus my odor has always been faint) I am scraping off skin from that area... unreal. I worry that there will be lasting effects (like i wasnt ugly enough down there)... its like sinking a level of obesity I didnt count on everr.... Especially didnt think of it as an affect of weight loss.. NOW its happened obviously cuz of all the excess flab from my weight loss. I cant keep my thighs from touching in the tub, they float together... and out of the water I have to spread my legs real far before they dont touch.. I would guess the flab added about 6 inches to the size of my inner thighs.. I get up the nerve to take some pictures.. I have to ask my daughter to do it.. and she is nice of course... but after wards I cry for like an hour.. I dont cry alot.. It was really humiliating.. I have took pics of every rash i got so far, but this isnt something I want to tell anyone happened to me.. and how gross to have photographed.. BUT.... I have to think of my future and do all I can if and when I have to fight for my skin cut off as a medical nessesity. My worst fear is that who ever I am talking to about that issue, tells me or implies that I am not really doing all I possibly can to keep clean, or I am lying about never having had any rashes when I was over 400 pounds. and that those are regular rashes that are trypical of obese and nothing extrodinary .. bath more, wear cotton undies.. etc... Deal with it. My flab is so horrible.. I HATE IT.. I dont see why it changed sooo much at so little loss.. GRRRR IF I knew i was going to lose another 150 pounds, and most likey get it all cut off, I wouldnt be so upset over it.. but all I see is.. I am not going to lose enough weight to cut flab off and I now have this deformed body that I hate more than my 400 pound body. Plus if I gain weight and I get to 400 again... OMG, I cant imagine how bad that would look.. Why isnt all of this an incentive to DO WHAT I NEED TO DO...

That WOD's in Crossfit were named after women..my trainer this morning says..we are going to do a Cindy. I just looked at him like he had lost his mind. So he explained they have Girl Names because only a woman can make you feel like that after the workout. I was like wtf sexist! So I did AMRAP of 5 pullups (banded), 10 push ups and 15 squats for 15 minutes..so I don't think it was a full Cindy. He asked me after how I felt..as I laid there in a puddle of my own sweat trying to control my quivering forearms..I said "F CINDY...SHE IS A W*ore!!!" He started laughing and said..I told you so.

In on there too. Anyone can ad me. Banded in 10/2007

Just in case anyone wants to take a copy of the Changes regarding Lapband to their Dr.s appointments, here is the link to the PDF file - it is quite awkward to manipulate - so I copied and pasted the text into this post also. Tricare Manual Once it pulls up, choose "Section Affected by Change 66" Then Download the one named "C4S13_2". I also saved it as an attachment at the bottom - I hope it works. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 SURGERY C-66, December 10, 2007 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY ISSUE DATE: November 9, 1982 AUTHORITY: 32 CFR 199.4(e)(15) I. CPT1 PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. 1 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4, SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY 2 IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPT2 procedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPT2 procedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. F. Adjustable gastric band (open or laparoscopically) (CPT2 procedure codes 43770 - 43774, 43886 - 43888, and 90772). V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END - 2 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. C-66, December 10, 2007

My doc. Told me vitamins is my food and he was right. If I didnt take my pills or waited too long in the day I felt the same way. I had no energy, no apitite, nothing. I just wanted to sleep but when I take them I feel energized. Its hard to believe you cant take your vitamins. The hospital didnt give me any but I was ok because my doc started me on the vitamins 1 month pre op so by that time its still in my system. I hope the 10 days come and go for you and your back to your regular self, I would take them anyways but its up to you. Thousands of us have different docs with different views and mines never said to stop taking them ever. Good luck and god bless.

My doctor and nut have me wait about 10 days because taking vitamins is hard on the tummy after surgery.

Maybe I'm just not used to things going smoothly, but here goes: so I had my nutrition class, psych eval and surgical consult all this afternoon. The nutrition class a little haphazard and not too well put together for what I was expecting. The psych eval consisted of an addiction's therapist (they said it's cheaper that way) asking a couple of questions on a sheet and running off. I actually had to keep asking HIM questions because it all felt so rushed. The surgical consult was a LITTLE better, but the doctor still zoomed through his speech. (It WAS very informative, however). Long story short, everyone thinks I'm an excellent candidate and should have no problems getting insurance approval and wanted to schedule for surgery on 12/23. Meaning I'd have to start my 2 week diet TOMORROW, according to them. I told them it felt a little rushed and needed some more time to wrap my head around the fact this may be actually happening and went with 1/10. I start my diet 12/27. While this is going totally according to my idealized plan (I wanted to be banded no later than Valentine's Day), I guess I just didn't think it'd be THAT fast. Did anyone else feel rushed once the ball got rolling or am I being whiny? I apologize in advance to all of you guys who have to wait 2-6 months for everything...

I have PCOS as well ...this is one of the reasons I had this done on January 8th. My periods are erratic or non-existent. Mine started 4 days after surgery and lasted a week...heavy and crampy ...so I knew it was ovulatory. It was because my blood sugar was and has been very stable since surgery and about a week or two prior to that and since PCOS is directly related to high levels of insulin in the body it usually only needs a 10% reduction in your weight or less to kick start and ovulation or cycle.

Hey guys. 5 days post op surgery was 10/31. I am having major gas pains and having a hard time pushing to pass any gas. I have been walking and it helps burp sometimes but this morning i was up for several hours with intense belly pains. Pain medicine doesnt touch the gas pains. Do yall have any suggestions on what else i can do? My nurses in the hospital wouldnt let me have stool softeners. I have called my surgeon to see if they recommen it but no word back yet. Also, was anyone allowed to wear some sort of stomach band like a splint to hold the incisions while walking so its not kinda hanging. Any advice or recommendations are much appreciated! HW: 404.8 SW: 362.9 Sent from my SM-S820L using the BariatricPal App

I had to go through the 6 month pre-op!!! I didn't have to meet with surgeon other then the very beginning & at the very end. The process is to prepare you and teach you how to eat proper and make better decision. It also is mentally setting you up for success by meeting with the psychologist. It is very hard to play the waiting game but I think its all for our on good. I also had to loss 10% of my starting weight in those six month to proof to them this is a challange I was reading to take on. Good luck with your process Sent from my SGH-T999L using the BariatricPal App

The only time I felt it, it was from the hiatal hernia repaired but the stuck in the throat mess hurts like the you know what same way it feels from the repair but I was told that when you have that feeling pace the floors for about 10 minutes it will go away had one time when I ate a little too much and I walked about 30 minutes before it moved on down thought I was going to choke to death someone said make yourself throw up but not allowed to via surgeon when you have a hernia repair along with the sleeve Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

On the site, when i requested a catalog, they asked for your id number so i entered it. They said i would have my catalog in 7-10 days. They also gave me your name & phone # for any questions I may have. So I'm assuming you will get credit for my orders. If I don't think that you will get credit, then I will PM you. Thanks!!

Worry not! Your weight loss will slow to a more 'normal' pace after your initial large losses at first. The weight always comes off fast at first, then usually your body puts the brakes on in the form of a stall, then the losses even out a bit. It's actually pretty rare for people to lose 'too much weight'. Most of the complaints are they can't seem to get the remaining 10-20 off the closer they are to goal. You'll be just fine Good job!

Well, I didnt' say how much later. Arrived at 11:15, a few minutes later I got called into the office to pay and sign legal type papers: privacy rights, permission to take pics. or video for their records, an agreement to allow Dr. J to cut me, etc. My dad & aunt also got coupons for a free meal at the cafe next door. Then I waited just a few more minutes and a nurse called me back. Took me into a bathroom/changing room and showed me the patient outfit. A huge piece of fabric with armholes and strings that tie behind your neck. Also a pair of socks that I got to keep. All your other clothing (and I mean all) bra and panties too go in a plastic bag. Then I gave a urine sample which you send to the lab through the little door in the wall. Its kind of like the kind in connecting hotel rooms - doubledoored. Next stop pre-op room. The Nurse was named Mercy and she was extremely nice and capable. First thing was to weigh me. According to their scale 260.8 which means a 13 lb loss. This does not quite jibe with my scale at home. My scale said 265 which means a 15 lb. loss. Earlier I said my scale was going to be my official ticker scale so see below for my ticker. Back to what went on in the pre-op room. Got into a patient bed and she asked me all sorts of questions: did I follow my diet, last thing I had to eat or drink was when, anything foreign in my body (which includes tampons), any allergies to anasthesia in the family, do I have history of high blood pressure. Then she started an I.V. I was given the choice of in the hand or the elbow. I let her choose, she knows which one she's better at. I got Versed (sp?) for pain. They must be really concerned about preventing blood clots, they put anti-blood clot booties on my and gave me a shot to prevent them. That shot left a big old bruise on my hip. The OR nurse and the anasthesiologist both came in to chat, repeated the same questions Mercy had already asked. Then it was on to the O.R. They wheeled me down a hallway to the O.R. put a mask over my face (I think) and then................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................. ............................................ I woke up saying "ow". That was about all I could manage to say for a few minutes then I added "water". Remember I'd never had any type of surgery before at all. So this was a completley new experience for me. I'm real fuzzy on the details as to what actually happened. I think I kept asking to lay back down and go back to sleep but they wouldn't let me. One of the nurses went and got my dad & my aunt. I had to go do the "swallow" before they would let me have any water. It tasted like chalk. Then they led me back to my chair and gave me some water. Oh it was so good. They also told me that I'd had an hiatal hernia and the doctor repaired it while he was in there. I also got some Lortab for pain. Then they made sure I could pee and one of the nurses helped me get dressed and it was time to go home. Dad pulled the car around and everybody helped me in. Even my mom who had to help me in by phone seeing as how she's on a business trip. It was 3:15 when we left. On the way home Dad stopped at Walmart and got me some GasX and some gatorade to sip. That's all I drank for the rest of the day. I slept most of the way home, except for the bumps. I already posted what I did for the rest of the day, alternated the recliner and walking. I also used the breathing thing. I dont' know what it is called. I have to suck in and get the thingamajiggy to hit a certain mark. I'm supposed to do it 10 times an hour I think. But its hard, I guess I don't have much lung capacity. Then I took some more of my medicine Hydrocodone and went to bed. Except I didn't sleep in my bed. I was afraid I might pull something trying to lay down or roll over. So I slept in the recliner in my room. So now this morning I have a sore back. Not real bright I guess. I'm slowly drinking an Unjury chocolate flavored protein shake. That's all folks.

I am at one week post op... I got sleeved on 10/22..

Hey guys. I made a video to let you guys know how I'm doing. I've recently been switched over to mushies!!! Yay!! So this video update of what I'm eating and whatnot. Enjoy! YouTube - LapBand Day 6 - So far what I'm eating - 11/19/09

My insurance changed! I started my journey November 2018, with a consult with my (then) surgeon at Riverside Medical Clinic. With my (then) insurance, Anthem Blue Cross ***, I only needed 3 month (12 continuous classes) supervised nutrition/weight classes. As of now, I finished 10 out of my 12 classes. Last week I found out my insurance changed to Anthem BC PPO and they now require me to go to a Dignity Health Facility to be covered 100%. Well okay... I call my nearest Dignity Health bariatric surgery center to find out more. I was told at Western Bariatric (St. Bernadine -- San Bernardino, CA) that I needed 6 months of classes and basically restart my journey. I started to bawl my eyes out! I'm 25 (November birthday) and I'm getting real close to end of my insurance coverage under my parents. When I had started my journey, I was hoping to have my surgery by March or April. So, I'm worried about having my surgery before my cut off. Anyway, I sucked it up and started making calls. I attended their Seminar, where we filled out new patient packets and made copies of our insurances. The next step is to wait for a call to schedule my consult with their surgeon. I was told that the consult would count as 1 of the 6 months of weight classes. Does anyone believe they will accept my 3 months of classes Ive already taken? (and maybe only need 3 more months to meet the 6mo requirement?) Will they consider the original surgeon consult from November 2018 too (as part of the 6 months wight management?) I'm honestly hoping that Western Bariatric will consider my start (Nov.) to my current (Feb.) for a total of 4 out of the 6 required months. I didnt want to be set further back, but ill take whatever they'll take and Im hoping for the best! Can anyone can give me some insight? Similar situations? Anyone go to Western Bariatric? I'm really anxious.