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So the pre op diet is to lose weight. Then if I start losing weight now, I will be ahead of the game. Right?

steve - i am VERY new to this process as well. i actually just signed up for this website today. but what i did FIRST was consult my insurance company about the requirements/criteria from them. i then worked from there. my insurance company requires u to be a BMI of 40 or above OR a 35 BMI with a comorbid condition, under a doctor supervised weight loss management program for 6 months, and doctor's documentation proving i've been at a BMI of 40 for atleast 3 years. So, once I got that information, I researched weight loss doctors. I am going to my first appt tomorrow, and that is when i'll let him know I'm interested in the Lap Band surgery. I've also gathered all the information from BC/BS to take to my doctor as well. then, i called the doctor i want to do my lapband and scheduled a seminar with them. presently, that's all i have done- but that's what i did to start my process. keep us updated!

So happy for you! You will succeed! Best wishes on a speedy recovery and healthy weight loss!

Hello all! I am just beginning my lap band journey. I have been researching the procedure for about a year, and have finally decided it might be the right fit for me. I have been struggling with my weight since I was about 8 years old (I am now 22) and am just no longer willing to accept living my life in misery. I have tried just about every diet there is, and have been the most successful on weight watchers. That said, every time I lose weight on weight watchers (or on any diet) I end up gaining it back within a year. I cannot seem to keep weight off for any period of time. Its so frustrating! I think the lap-band procedure can help me with this. Right now, I have a BMI of 40.5. I believe that based on this BMI, my insurance will cover the surgery. I have carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. Does anyone else have this insurance? I am interested to find out more about everyone's exerieces before, during and after the surgery. How hard is the lifestyle to stick to? What kinds of things are you supposed to be eating on a daily basis? I have heard I cannot eat coconut anymore after surgery, why? Also, what were your friends and family's reactions surgery? I have had people tell me they think its "the easy way out," but to me, it doesn't seem very easy at all. It just seems like a way to help, and even safegaurd your hard work at weight loss. Thoughts? Finally, does anyone live near Annapolis, MD who would be willing to talk more with me about the surgery? Anyone had surgery at GBMC in Baltimore? That's where I plan to have mine done. I am going in for an information session in 2 weeks and cant wait. Hope to hear back from you soon! Best, Brooke

Well said Monkey! Also remember you did have some rescriction after surgery because you were swollen. The swelling goes down and your back to full capacity. You have no fluid in your band at this point. Welcome to Lap Band Hell. Weeks 3-6 was very difficult for me. I still kept measuring my food, but it was tough. Get your exercising routine started but start out slow...your still healing. Try eating extra protein that seemed to help with the hunger. Drink lots of water. Doing this I kept the weight coming off. I noticed a difference after my first fill. I guess I am a lucky person as I have a large stoma. I actually have felt some restriction after each and every fill. I am going in for another fill on April 2. Hopefully my last one. Good luck

There is no average or standard for how much people lose before first fill. Most fills take place 30-60 days post op. It can take several fills before you feel any kind of restriction or extended satiety. Fills don't make you lose weight. Eating fewer calories than you burn makes you lose fat.

I have high blood pressure and was not denied surgery. I take 160mg of Diovan and 12.5mg of hydrochlorothiazide daily to keep my blood pressure under control. On a good day my BP is 135/72 but it often goes higher. I agree about the consumption of caffiene...mine is much higher on days that I drink more than 2 cups of coffee. I would inquire about different blood pressure meds...as the first script that I had (can't remember what it was) wasn't nearly as effective as the Diovan. Are you exercising? Physical activity often decreases blood pressure. In addition to exercise you might want to decrease the amount of sodium that you are taking in and take note of any over the counter medications that you are taking. Causes of High Blood Pressure In most cases of high blood pressure, the American Heart Association says there is no one identifiable cause. This kind of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It is usually a combination of factors, such as: Weight. The greater your body mass, the more pressure there is on your artery walls. That's because more blood is produced to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues in your body. Activity level. Lack of physical activity tends to increase heart rate, which forces your heart to work harder with each contraction. Tobacco use. Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco can damage artery walls. Sodium intake. Excessive sodium in the diet can result in Fluid retention and high blood pressure, especially in people sensitive to sodium. Potassium intake. Low potassium can result in elevated sodium in cells, because the two balance one another. Stress. Stress can raise blood pressure. Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake can, over time, increase the risk of heart disease. Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older. Family history. High blood pressure often runs in families. Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure Lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may also recommend medication to lower high blood pressure. It is important to work with your doctor, because untreated high blood pressure may damage organs in the body and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, kidney disease, and vision loss. See a drawing of a hypertensive heart. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) There is some evidence that the supplement coq10 may help to reduce high blood pressure. A 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 people with systolic hypertension examined the effect of CoQ10 supplements (60 mg twice daily). After the 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the Coq10-treated group. Another study conducted at the University of Western Australia looked at the effect of CoQ10 on blood pressure and glycemic control in 74 people with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100mg CoQ10 twice daily, 200mg of the drug fenfibrate, both, or neither for 12 weeks. CoQ10 significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure(mean reduction 6.1 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg respectively). There was also a reduction in HbA1C, a marker for long-term glycemic control. To learn more about CoQ10, read the Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) fact sheet. Garlic In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, three trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure. Researchers concluded that garlic powder supplement may be of clinical use in patients with mild high blood pressure. Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) similar to aspirin. Garlic may interact with many drugs and supplements such as the prescription "blood-thinners" drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, Vitamin E, gingko. It is usually recommended that people taking garlic stop in the weeks before and after any type of surgery. To learn more about garlic, go to the articles about garlic. Hawthorn The herb hawthorn is often used by traditional herbal practitioners for high blood pressure. In a randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers in Reading, UK, 79 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either 1200 mg of hawthorn extract a day or placebo for 16 weeks. Medication for high blood pressure was used by 71% of the patients. At the end of the 16 weeks, patients taking the hawthorn supplement had a significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure (2.6 mm Hg). No herb-drug interactions were reported. Fish oil Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure. Learn more about fish oil. Folic acid Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels. One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure. Learn more about folic acid.

Weight Loss - Diet Ticker"> >

Hey there! I'm getting banded on 12/23. I'm really excited. I've been gathering tons of receipes together and reading everything I can. I'm 43 and I totally understand about the pounds creaping up. I'm 5'9 and a large frame so my weight didn't didn't really show much until I creasted 260ish. I've choosen to tell my friends, family and co-workers about my lap band decision. When I explain it I do stress that it is a tool and it will be work, just the band will make the work a bit easier and unlike all those other times I worked at loosing weight this time I will keep it off with the help of the band. I'm very fortunate to have wonderful people in my life that are supportive (life is too short to have bad people and their negative energy around me) I would say what you say and who you choose to tell is your personal decision...much like being banded.

Hello everyone, I am a 44 yr old guy, T2 diabetic, with sleep apnea. I am 6'4" now 300lbs, my highest weight ever. I blame my most recent increase, (it's never my fault) on two shoulder surgeries, and a knee surgery, and a recent severe accident in which I was involved, but not at fault. I recently attended a seminar, and have an appointment with the doc this month. Anyway, I have been battling weight my entire life. Some good results, but usually gain it back. I know of two women who have had Lapband, one with fantastic success, the other with good success. I have a few concerns, one of my crutches in life is caffeine, I can't drink coffee, so I get mine through Diet Coke. I have read you can't drive ANY carbonated drinks with a GB. True or false? Also read of problems with pills. I work outside, so in the summer, I drink a lot of Water, can I still drink water in large quantities? It would seem to be OK as water should not be effected by the band. True or false? Any other things I am over looking? Thanks, Tom

What is your BMI? It's more about your BMI than your weight alone. My insurance does allow high cholesterol as a co morbidity but I have normal cholesterol.

GERD is a reflux of acid into your esophagus. It sounds like you have a different issue. Your band may be too tight for now (when you lose more weight you can continue getting more fills) since you cannot get food down relatively easily and have a lot of phlegm. The saliva thing is automatic when you're somewhat blocked because you ate too much food and it's not going down easily. You wind up having having what is called a "productive belch" which is a small regeritation of food that is backed up in your esophagus. You should talk to your doc or eat smaller portions if this is a regular thing with you. That shouldn't happen that often.

I would like to start by saying my husband is very supportive now, but when I found out about lap band 3 years ago he didn't think I should get it, he said I could lose the weight on my own, and that he thought I was taking the easy road, well now he see's how much I went through after surgery and how I still struggle to eat right, it's not a magic surgery, I have to change my life, I still have some day's when I feel like I'm never gonna get to my goal, and I need a support system..

The doctor is aware of her going to the nutritionist and still wants her to see the dietitian. I think it is a case where her doctor doesn't really want her to have the weight-loss surgery. The referral for WLS actually came from her cardiologist. I'm just concerned that her doctor will fail to do something that she needs done to get approved for surgery.

How long did it take you to reach your goal weight? I'm at 4 months and only about 45% to my goal weight. I feel like a lot of the people's posts that I've read had them reaching near goal at 6 months. I'm thinking that's not happening for me in 2 months time.

hi julie! don't let your fear of missing food get to you. i just attended a seminar about the band. the speaking MD did acknowledge the fact that many of us may practice bad eating habits occasionally due to stress, boredom, anger, etc. it's these things that helped get many of us in our current situation of being over-weight. we can see the band as one way of helping us handle resorting to food to relieve our problems. the best thing i (we) can do is to try to find other means of handling stress besides stress-eating. don't let this fear stop you on your journey to getting the band and having your health back. i truely understand how you feel. i'm not a stress eater myself, but obviously, i do enjoy eating......which is my problem, so i simply consider the band as one way of helping solve my problem. i wish you luck with your considerations of the band. i enjoyed my seminar and it made me more excited. i hope you receive all the info you'll need and don't forget to ask any questions you may have at the seminar. good luck again, sasha

I'm Carrie from Dallas, Texas. 45 year old mother of 15 month old Whitney. Work full-time, hubby out of a job, constantly tired, yes, morbidly obese, and the list goes on. The idea of gastric banding scares me on a very emotional and mental level. I am not scared of the procedure itself or what it can do for weight loss. I have spent more years than I can count using food to fill voids, placate, socialize, alleviate boredom, etc. Food is my drug. How would I prepare myself emotionally and mentally to take the plunge? It seems like an insurmountable obstacle. I am a medical professional and know that gastric bypass or the lap band are not quick fixes and require a lot of mental preparation beforehand. It's not like I have all the time in the world just to take care of me and me alone. There are plenty of stressors in my life currently. Especially a new daughter, having to work to pay the bills, hubby out of job. Any support is greatly appreciated! Carrie

At this point in the game, it seems to me that you shouldn't necessarily be waiting for hunger to get in your protein. Get yourself on an eating schedule to regularly provide fuel to your body, even if you aren't hungry. Not being hungry is useful to prevent unwanted snacking, but your body does need a reasonable amount of fuel to keep your metabolism churning along at a good rate to keep weight loss moving. Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Sorry to disappoint, but no, having the EGD and spending money doesn't mean you are approved. Call your insurance company (look for the member services number on your insurance card) and ask them what their requirements are for weight loss surgery. One thing I didn't see on your list which is a requirement for many insurances (or your surgeon if your insurance doesn't require it) is a psych eval.

Hi Danielle! I could have written your story as mine...three years ago banded - same problems with gerd and esophagas problems! wow...I'm 34 and had revision surgery to RNY in August. I had a tough recovery due to my surgeon did my revision as mini-open rather than lap...I'm finally feeling like me. I had gained all my weight back within three years of beingbanded plus some...I'm now down almost 50 pounds and had no pre-op diet. It is such a relief not to get that "stuck" feeling...never thought the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest was a good thing! Now I don't have that...I've gotten sick some post op...mainly learning what I can and can't tolerate and moving from food stages as I advanced in my diet. No more foamies either! I hope you continue to write here...I'd love all of us to have a place to talk and make some new friends

Jruss, Congratulations on your sleeve surgery and making to day 2 with your pain under control. Great job on your weight loss too that amazing!

Hi Katydid, and welcome to our forums. I am sorry you had so much trouble with the band. There are just some of us that seemed destined to have problems with it. I am also a band to sleeve revision and the difference is night and day. I am so much happier with the sleeve. You are not a failure. food is just as much an addiction as alcohol and drugs are. The difference is, we can't just quit eating. Until someone has actually walked in our shoes, it is difficult for them to understand how hard it is to commit to exercise and diet. Many of us need help, such as weight loss surgery. If it were as easy as some make it out to be, then there would be no obese people in this world. We are all here to support one another. You will find we are more a big family here than anything. And we are here for you whenever you need us.

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for your friendly welcoming and positive thoughts and advice. I will certainly try. It's a bit hard to stay positive at the moment, as I was told by my bone surgeon that it looks as though I'll have to have my shoulder reconstructed AGAIN. It was done approx 8-9 weeks ago but I've since hurt it again by being stupidly stubborn and not wearing my brace. As the weight is coming back with a vengence, I have only one blouse in the smallest of the bigger sizes I used to wear after giving everything away, thinking I'd never need them again. I spent hours yesterday trying to find something decent to wear for a change and hating having to go to the big sizes and especially having to go up another size again. I eventually found one but I came home totally depressed. Don't you find the shop fitting room mirrors the worst of all mirrors. It is so deflating to see the fat from all angles at once. Best wishes to all, Katydid.

I got an email from my surgeon yesterday telling me that I've been cleared to schedule surgery. WooHoo!! I'm so excited! I am supposed to get a call from the office in the next couple weeks to schedule, however I am seeking a June date so that I can recover during my summer break (Im a school bus driver) and not take time off. My only other Drs order is to maintain my pre surgery goal weight until surgery...for me that will be 6 months! Ugh. Thankfully I will have time to recover from any holiday weight gain. I'm hoping that won't be an issue as I plan to be "good" other than on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when I know the goodies will be hard to resist. LOL

Hello everyone! My name is Anne. I'm 39 and was banded in Nov 2008. I was 255 before and now, I'm at my goal weight of 130. I've been at my goal for some time but still watch what I put into my mouth, like a hawk.:thumbup: My sister was also banded this past January. She also loves her band. I wish all of you here the best of sucess in your journey to loose weight. It's so worth it in the end, to be healthy and happy once again.