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Hello Everyone, Before signing on as a member of Kaiser I called their member services to find out more about the benefits and if the Lap Band surgery was covered. The benefits were explained to me and I was told that yes the Lap Band was covered. I was happy about this information and decided to sign up with Kaiser.Well after almost three months of being told that Kaiser would cover the Lap Band surgery and after I started the weight loss surgery process that Kaiser has. Now I have been told that they don't cover it. Not until I started asking for something in write did things change. I now need to know if anyone has gone through this with Kaiser and any information that you can share with me about Kaiser would help support me in my efforts to further pursue this. Thanks for your help, Karen

Awwwwwwww Joanne, I'm so glad you posted. I hated the hairloss phase, but my hair is growing back with a vengeance at this point. I used Folicure extra care shampoo to help with the regrowth. I honestly think it helped because I was getting new growth within a month to 6 weeks. Hope you are doing well other than the hair loss ! ! !

I purchased Folicure at my local Sally's Beauty Supply. It was less then $5.00 for a bottle. It does help make your hair look and feel fuller. This is a good thing since everytime I wash it, I have more and more coming out. Everyone says you won't go bald, and it will grow back. I'm just thankful that I've lost half of my weight, but I still have a long way to go. Need to get outside and start walking now that the weather is beginning to get nice. Hugs to All! JoAnne

Hi all> I was banded Feb. 19 by Dr. Earl Fox in Richland, WA. He and his staff are great! Only issues since banding have been that I am not pain-free as soon as I wanted to be (wanted to wake up next day without pain) and even consumming less than 600 calories a day, still no weight loss. Doctor and friends tell me to be patient but it is tough.

You will notice more hair in the shower from now on. This is normal. Make sure you are taking your multivitamins and getting all your protein in. Don't worry, you won't go bald. If you starting going bald or getting bald spots you need to see your doc asap! Your hair will thin some because of the surgery.

I was experiencing a lot of hair loss and I started taking Biotin in addition to making sure I get my Protein and Multivitamin and I think (hope) it has slowed down some. I was freaking out when I first noticed it because I have always had really thick hair. I would recommend getting biotin supplements and I think there is something called Nioxin you can try from beauty supply stores. I'm still waiting on my soon-to-be niece to get me some.

Hi, For years now i've been sure that weight loss surgery wasn't my answer ... and yet, here I am, starting to seriously consider it and wanting to learn more to help with making the decision. I've met with a surgeon and he has suggested both the gastric sleeve and bypass are options; and explained that I would lose a bit more with the bypass which he would usually recommend at my weight (although not necessarily) ... so now this is another decision to make as far as which way to go before i see him again. For me, I know that while the food and exercise aspect of weight gain and loss have been a very unhealthy relationship for the last 40 years (mid-40's now) it's my thinking that has been the main impact on this journey and subsequent weight loss sabotage. I've always struggled with using food as a coping tool for most things; from dealing with emotions, to distractions, to trying to cope with the impacts of various traumatic experiences. Now after a life time of morbid obesity, my body clings to the weight when I do start losing and I regain so fast it seems like I just blink (although i know it's more than this really). Increasing health issues, and a desire to live a healthier more active and fulfilling life have led me to where i am now .... as well as an increasing number of medical professionals saying that while i might lose the weight without surgery they think it's unlikely I would keep it off. Some of the things that are impacting my decision are I guess the usual questions of what it would be like to not have food to turn to in the same way; wondering how to replace food with other alternatives for coping and wondering how it will impact my life when until now eating has been such a big part of it. Right now, i'm taking some time to focus on working on finding other coping tools aspect of things so that if i go forward I give myself the best chance of success possible. As part of that I'm working with a therapist, reading what i can find that might be helpful and open to other suggestions. I know that for this to work, I need to work on the mental side of things ..... and that in turn will help with being able to do the rest. I'm also in the position of not really having much support to make this journey; so another reason finding online support and people to talk this through with is really important because I keep seeing how it is so much better to do this with the support of others. Currently i'm leaning towards the sleeve, and as well as working on the mental side of things trying to work out whether it would be good to spend some time losing weight prior to surgery or not; the dietician seemed to think that if i did that i might get discouraged and not have the incentive following surgery that i'd need ....... and that if i was going to lose it, i would have already. I'd be interested hearing how others have gone forward with this as far as losing weight prior to surgery (apart from the two weeks prior) or not .... As well as any other suggestions or information; and I think just knowing that there are others going through similar things will help Very glad to have found this site and look forward to taking part I think my current head space is a mixture of being terrified and hopeful all wrapped in one!

@catwoman7 thanks for explaining some of the things you did pre-surgery and how they helped; and well done on your weight loss .... it's really helping reading a little of others experiences @GradyCat congratulations on the weight you've lost since surgery; and that's so encouraging to read that the surgery has helped you with the emotional eating as well; and to know i'm not alone in wondering regarding the hunger compared to emotional eating issue. Thanks for what you've shared @Orchids&Dragons thanks very much for your reply here. Definitely not something to do as a first option. i've done the loss, maintain, regain thing ........ a number of times. I've read some of the stories of sabotage after wls, and this is definitely something i want avoid, and to try and sort through before the surgery and find ways to reduce that happening. So working on my head, and finding new coping tools; that will then help with the surgery (as another tool) seems to be the direction I need to be taking

Hi everyone! I'm Micki and new to this forum. I just completed all the requirements for the insurance company and am waiting on approval for sleeve surgery, which my doctor's office seems to think will be no problem. Three years ago I saw a weight loss medical doctor who prescribed Phentermine which I was on for 15 months, (she called it off label). I loss all my weight and and wished I could have been on Phen forever! It gave me the feeling of never thinking about food or caring if I ever ate again. I was wondering how you felt compared to how I did on Phen after things normalized after surgery for you. Once the doctor took me off Phen, I slowly gained all my weight back and she told me that 80% of the patients on Phen do gain their weight back! Now why didn't that B**** tell me that before!! So, my next question is ..how many have gained all their weight back after surgery? I can understand a normalizing period where you may gain some back, but some is not all. I'm just hoping that surgery is a more permanent effect. Nice meeting you in advance! And Thanks Micki

I have officially lost 50 LBS since my surgery! The scale this morning was at exactly 242. Including Preop weight loss I am down a total of 69 LBS. Yea!!! Just a quick note. Shower is waiting. :frown: PS see my album As I Lose to see photo progression.

Just read at least two different people who experienced large losses of hair post surgery. Is that common? Any way to keep it from happening?

My surgeon said that most people will experience some hair loss after surgery. The reason a person might lose hair is that after you're sleeved, your body goes into a kind of "controlled starvation" mode. Your body starts to make decisions as to what it is going to prioritize. You want your body to focus on maintaining muscle mass and to focus on burning fat. Hair growth and maintenance isn't realy that high on your body's list of priorities when you're starving. Of course you don't feel like you're starving because your new stomach is so tiny, and that's the idea. That said, I have experienced no hair loss yet at 3 weeks post-op. I take two multi-vitamins as directed, get plenty of protein and biotin, and avoid harsh shampoo. You might consider looking into a cleansing conditioner to use the gentlest possible products on your hair.

HAHAHA! Gall Bladder issues are VERY common with rapid weight loss. (Mine was already gone). But there are some medical treatments during your BIG weight loss, if you don't remove it prophilactically (sp)

I'm really nervous about my hair thinning out. Anyone using any new products they have for hair thinning and is EVERYONe experiencing this issue or is it minimal? I have not had surgery yet but am getting close ... Any advice? Anyone not experiencing it and if those ppl will explain possibly a solution to it?

I was banded by Dr. Hollis on 8/19/2007! Go to HoustonAreaBandsters@yahoo.com and there is all kinds of info on local support groups. Dr. Hollis is on the site as well as "LapBandDoc". You and I have almost identical weight loss since our surgeries. Do you get your fills at True Results? What has your experience been? There is a huge difference between the two women who do fills and I have had issues...just wondered if you had too.

Congratulations on your new found confidence and weight loss.

So, I had a girls night out this past friday, and I had an awesome time. And, with the exceptions of being out for the first time in months and getting to hang with my girls, I am crediting my awesome time to my new found confidence with those 43 pounds gone. I got myself all dolled up-did my makeup, cute outfit, a pair of boots. And I felt pretty awesome when I finished getting ready. So we get to the club, and i go outside to the patio with hone of my friends because the weather is awesome, you can hear way better, and my friend wanted a smoke. Now, normally when we go out, it the guys that talk to her, hit on her and what-not, and generally tend to-well, not ignore me, but you know the feeling. This time they were talking to both of us. We ended up talking to these guys off and on thru out the night. My friend and I ended up staying outside for most of the night. We ended up talking with 2 other girls, and I got hit on by one! Ego boost starting for me, because she was this tiny little blond. With the body I wish I had. While we were talking to these girls, another girl came up thet knew them, and she hit on me too. *shock* A couple hours later, I was coming back from the bathroom with the blond, and we were headed back outside, and we got stopped by this guy at the door. He came out with us, and to my shock, started flirting with me, not the blond. My friend and I ended up hanging with him for the rest of the rest of the night, and giving him a ride to his hotel room because his friends had left him.(He lives 1-2 hours away from where we were at) And he asked for my numbers, then called my phone so that I had his :laugh: To think, what a difference that 4 months can make. Bring on the rest of the weight loss(and hopefully a call or text from him:wink2:)

Judy, I've been exactly where you are! I was so frustrated with the back and forth that first month. I couldn't believe I wasn't losing on 600 calories a day! I only lost 4 pounds the month after surgery and four the second month after!! It's so hard seeing everyone's tickers that seem to be losing so fast and you're doing everything right and not losing!!! Well here's the good news - After that second month post op the weight literally started falling off! I believe my body decided it wasn't starving and decided to let go of the calories. I know a lot of people on this forum do things differently than me, however this is what is working for me: I average 700 calories a day, 60 - 70g Protein, 30 -40g carb. 70 - 80oz. plain water. If I get hungry between meals I drink 16 - 24oz water all at once. My fills have helped, but I've been doing this from the beginning The fills have definatly helped curb my hunger, but I have to work very hard at it. It is so worth it though to see the scale go down every time I weigh now! Many have lost faster than me, but with my record for weight loss _ I'm thrilled. Just be patient and it will happen for you. You seem to have a good idea about what it takes to be successful so keep up the hard work and your body WILL respond!! Best wishes to you! .

I am 4 month out and still struggle with the food obsession. Planning ahead helps me do better. I try to go to the healthy choices first. I don't always stop there and that is slowing my weight loss at times. I think being kind to ourselves about mistakes is important. Don't beat yourself up, just remind yourself that you promised to get healthy and make better choices. Drink some water, get up and move, and love and believe in yourself :)

Hi everyone! I am just starting my surgery journey and need all the help I can get. I've gained and lost the 160 lb monster that's attached to me so many times it's insane. However, now with the threat of needing new hips it's just time for "her" to die. I have certain health problems but managed to dodge diabetes and cholesterol issues. I have high BP, now the hip thing, and sleep apnea. I am fairly active still for 330lbs doing hair about 50 hrs a week. I've been as high as 400lbz and as low as 189 in the past 10 years. I'm at the end of my rope. I need advice on how to get insurance to help pay. I have. BCBS of Louisiana. Has anyone here hD success with them? Any help is sincerely appreciated.

I will be 6 months post op on 10/9 and finally feeling fantastic !!! I had to have gallbladder surgery 10 wks after my RNY so that put me back a bit. Then healing from two major surgeries was tough. I did sall thru both surgeries without any problems what so ever. My weight loss has been slow and I am at a standstill right now. I only lost 41 lbs. so far and have 40 lbs to go, now that I started jogging I feel my clothes getting loose but the scale only moved 1 lb. either way what just fit is now fitting great or loose. This was the best thing I ever did !!! what a great tool to assist in your weight loss.

HA! I was going to say you won't see to many people here that did it without exercise! Listen in the early stages you will drop weight, but at some point exercise will become necessary not only for weight loss but to help tone up too. Walking is something that most of us can do. If you don't want to do it in public buy a used treadmill off of Craigslist.

Chapstick phone/charger kindle/ipad facial cleansing pads←I washed my face 3 times a day. I've always been greasy though Antibacterial hand/body wipes←same thing I liked wiping myself down lotion I took tshirts, sports bras,panties, slip on shoes and loose pants. As soon as my catheter was out I was in my regular clothes. They unhooked my iv so I could get dressed up top and I took a "bath" with my antibacterial wipes. Slip on tennis shoes so I didn't have to walk those halls in my socks. Gross hair brush Hair ties soap. I took my own and shampoo and conditioner. The stuff they give you blows.

Welcome, and congrats on your great weight losses! Good luck to you and your future losses! Karen

I will have had my band for a year the 25th of Feb. and so far I have lost around 50 pounds, is this a normal weight loss for 1 year post op? Also, I have not lost any weight in about the last 3 or 4 months. I thought I was because I needed a fill, but i got one in Dec. and still no loss. I have been able to eat alot more food than i think I should be able to eat, mostly stress eating, and I have 6.5cc in 10cc band. Should I get another fill? I know that I have made some bad choices and I could exersice more, but even with that said, I'm just not sure if this is normal. Any advice would really be appreciated. I have been really down for queit a while now.