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Well, loosing your hair will NOT: Give you diabetes Give you heart disease Give you sleep apnea Possibly contribute to COPD Keep you from fitting into your clothes Keep you from doing many activities because you can't physically do them And a host of other things. But being 150 pounds overweight likely WILL. You will NOT lose all your hair because of this surgery unless you develop some weird complication that no one else has. SOME hair thinning may be POSSIBLE but not necessarily an absolute probability.

I looked into WLS a few years ago, but my insurance didn't cover it, so that was that. A couple weeks ago, my wife told me that someone at her work is having WLS and that her insurance covers it. I've always had her insurance as my secondary insurance, but it never occured to me that they would cover it even if mine didn't. I called the clinic that her co-worker had hers done at, and inquired about my insurance situation. Sure enough, if my primary insurance doesn't cover, the secondary will. That clinic is out of network, but told me that they will bill as out of network, but then for my co-pay they will only charge me as much as if I was in-network. I made an appointment. I completed my paperwork and faxed it in a few days ago. I was scheduled to have a phone appointment tomorrow, and then a meeting with the surgeon a week from tomorrow. The clinic called me today and said they had a cancellation tomorrow and wanted to know if I wanted to move my meeting with the surgeon to then. I'm super excited to meet with the surgeon tomorrow and get my process started. I'm hoping that my secondary insurance doesn't have a 6 month process the way a lot of them do. As for my story, I've been overweight a good portion of my life. When I was 17, I was helping my dad move an 1800 pound safe off a truck and it fell off the truck and onto my foot. It resulted in a 10 day hospital stay and amputation of my foot. Even with that, I've always been active but a few years later was north of 300 pounds. A few years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and also borderline high blood pressure. I've been trying, without success, to get some weght off to keep my diabetes in check. A year and a half ago, I woke one morning with incredible pain in my back. I went to my PCP, who told me essentially to quit being a baby and go home and walk it off, and if I wasn't feeling better in a few days to a week, then come back and see him. Later that afternoon, I went to my chiropractor, who advised me that with my symptoms I should go to the ER. I did and was diagnosed with cauda equina, which is essentially when a disc ruptures and presses into the nerves in your back. I was immediately transported to Swedish in Seattle (about an hour and a half away) and that night had surgery on my back. My neurosurgen told me that if I hadn't had surgery within 72 hours, she is pretty confident I would have been paralyzed. I ended up with some significant nerve damage in my legs, but I was lucky because I seeked out prompt medical attention so I can still walk and have use of my lower extremities. I do still have a lot of nerve pain in my legs, and right now my neurosurgen is trying to address that. Every day that I have to be able to walk and play with my kids is a blessing however. Now I'm hoping to get rid of this weight so I can be even more active and involved in their lives. Wish me luck at my meeting with my neurosurgen tomorrow! I do have my reservations however, because I'm going to Puget Sound Surgical Center, which, for those of you who have been following, is where iggychick got her sleeve done. However, her doctor was Dr. Billing and I'm meeting with Dr. Crouthamel. It will be interesting knowing iggychick's story, how forthcoming he is when I ask about complications, not only his, but of the clinic as a whole. It will show me how trustworthy Dr. Crouthamel is.

Hi Everyone, Today has been a banner day because this morning I saw my Primary care doctor for the final time required by my insurance . Let me step back in time 6 months . Like so many others on this board I have a lifetime of being plus sized. I have many reasons over the years not the least of the is that I have a congenital disorder that requires me to live on steroids. This has always made weight loss difficult but not impossible. So over the last 2 decades i would go up and down more up then down. Then this strange thing happened called menopause and the ups kept happening and the downs got harder and harder . Hours in the gym would result in weight gains. I felt like as long as I was healthy and active then I would be okay not everyone in this world was meant to be thin. I have a great life so i was content with the state of this for a really long time . Then I Quit Smoking and changed medicine and the menopause at the same time and I gained a lot of weight very quickly. This tipped my scale so to speak . I Started having serious medical problems . i kept saying to myself I am only 4_. This will get better but it did not . Then 6 months my insurance changed and I had to get a new Dr. She did a physical and a full on battery of test to "see where I was" . 2 weeks later She called to tell me i was diabetic and needed to be on medication asap. My Grandfather, My Father and My partner of 12 years all died of complication to diabetes , I know that road. i hung up the phone cried for 10 minutes . Picked up the phone and made an appointment for a consult with a surgeon. i was not letting that disease control my life. I was ready or at least I thought I was. My Insurance company had a few things to say about that. They have had me jumping thru quite a few hoops. I have never seen my primary care doctor so much in my entire life!!! I have had go and talk to her about diet and exercises once a month for the last 6 months. The Funny thing is as far as the insurance company is concerned I have to go and get on a scale talk about diet but if I do not loss a pound that confirms for them that I "NEED" the surgery. Whereas My surgeon will not do the surgery unless i loss between 10-20 pounds. In the middle of all of this my original doctor Dr Jossert left the practice and I had to switch to his partner.Dr Cirangle. What made today a banner day is that the day i called I had no Idea what i weighted because my scale only went up to 330 and I was over that. The day I arrived at LapSF I weighed 327 pounds . Today I weighted 314 pounds . I lost the last 3 pounds over the weekend and because i did i got a Surgery date of Nov. 29 today. As long as the insurance approves everything that is my date. So that is my story to date... more to come i am sure

This does sound frusterating! However, you do need to LIVE through bleeding and complications first.....then you can have the luxury to lose weight. Please be kind to yourself. Don't lose sight on what's most important! Trust your body to know when it needs to protect itself.

I'd do it again for sure. And again. And again. The results were more than I could have hoped for, and it was the icing on the cake of my weight loss. That said, I had a great surgeon, nearly no complications and no keloid scarring, so in that respect, I could not have had a better experience.

The band is supposed to be a permanent fix. You should not think that it is temporary. The only times the band needs to be removed is if it errodes, slips, etc. I believe some of the people who had to have revision surgery was due to complications. I know for me if anything happens with my band I will have no second thoughts about getting a revision and keeping it. I love my band and I'm so glad I have it.

I had a band revised to the sleeve in June 2009. I take Prilosec 20mg once daily to prevent any acid issues, and have taken it since about 6 weeks post-op. I have had zero issue with acid reflux. Take some time to research gastrectomies one for stomach cancer, or ulcerative conditions. I did a lot of research before I decided VSG was the way to go because I felt the same way about being fat and happy instead of skinny and miserable. BUT, let me tell ya, I am now skinny and elated. I have zero regrets with my decision. The band and sleeve are like night and day. For me, I wanted something permanent. I wanted the deck to be stacked in my favor. I figured I really didn't need that huge, stretchy part of my stomach that allowed me to eat huge portions of food. I can honestly tell you I don't miss that old habit one bit. My cliff note version of my band to sleeve goes like this kind of: Band in October 2008 Lost 23-25lbs the first couple of months Complications started from the flipped port Couldn't get a fill even under fluoro, Band doctor sucked, left his practice March 2009 Started researching revision options. Chose VSG instead of a port revision VSG revision June 3, 2009 Had a leak found on June 5th (now don't get scared, remember my port was not accessible under fluoro or ultrasound, so I could not have the Fluid (3-4cc in a 10cc band) removed. Plus, the port actually migrated around in my abdomen, and was causing the tubing to tug on my stomach tissue.) Longer recovery Stuck with the dietary guidelines for 4 months 600-800 calories per day some days I barely hit 600 never anymore than 30grams of carbs 60+grams of Protein Dropped 80lbs, surgeon and I discuss that my loss is extremely rapid so we revamp my eating. Increased carbs a little increased a little. Goal of 150lbs reached around 6.5 months post-op. I started at 263 the day of my revision. 270 was my pre-op band weight. I am currently trying to maintain at this point. I've fallen below goal, but I'm only 5'2" and am still in a healthy weight range at 127lbs. I feel fabulous, my energy level is through the roof. My overall mindset has changed drastically. I sometimes forget I had surgery because I literally just enjoy life. I eat whatever I want, just in smaller portions. I don't overindulge often, but I refuse to deprive myself. If you have any specifics questions, or need a shoulder to lean on, please feel free to contact me. I had a hellacious recovery, but like I've said many times, I would do it all again to live the life I am living right now. Stay positive, and have faith in yourself and your surgeon. Keep us updated with your progress. Also, there are other band to sleeve revision patients that you may like to contact. *susan* (she's a moderator here) 3636Millie OregonDaisy Shontel Annak4 There's actually a lot of band to sleeve revision patients here that can share their stories with you. You can find those members profiles and contact information by clicking on the "MEMBERS" tab at the top of the forum, then you can message them. Everyone here is really great, and we'll be your biggest cheerleaders from a distance.

I'm enjoying my Planet Fitness membership and workouts. I stop on my way home from work and work out at least 30 mins. I got the membership that includes access to the circuit training area for the days I want to work out, but not have to "think" about all the reps, etc. Also, I've not had a problem getting access to any of the equipment when I wanted to workout in the main room either on elliptical, recumbent bike, weight machines, treadmill, etc. The Y has a center across the street, but the rooms were so small and claustrophobic feeling, and it doesn't have a pool, I decided PF was a better fit for me. When I joined, I was still recovering from complications that set in several days after my surgery and put me back in the hospital for another 13 days plus 6 more for inpatient rehab, so I needed to regain some strength and energy back before I could really get going with a more intensive workout routine. After a month of outpatient physical therapy, I joined PF. The circuit training area was what I really wanted and it helped a great deal. In addition to my gym workouts, I walk 30 minutes on my lunch break at work more days than not.

I'm 6 months post op and I'm still in bandster hell but with the help of my fitness pal I'm doing OK. I know that when I go for my fill in August I will be where I should be. My doctor is extremely conservative with fills. I don't want to be overfilled so I'm OK with that.i'm also glad that my surgeon does my fills so he is on top of any complications that might occur.

I had an individual Anthem plan previous to the ACA and it covered the surgery. I was too scared at that point to do the surgery. Fast forward, after the ACA my plan was no longer available so I was forced to purchase another plan. Today I called to find out what I needed to do and found out that my plan doesnt cover the surgery in VA. Only 22 states do cover the surgery. Even if I self pay, they will NOT cover any cost if there is a complication...that is just too much of a risk for me to take. I am at a BMI of 45, my doctor actually suggested the surgery to me a year ago...I tried once last attempt with Ideal Protein and lost 40lbs but have now gained back 50lbs. I can't believe that I have missed my window of opportunity Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hello mcloser, welcome to LBT and welcome to bandland! I posted this on another thread, but thought it might help you so I'm posting it here, too. I do understand your desire to chew something, I really do, but... Just because something goes down okay doesn't mean it isn't setting us up for damage later. ANY solid food is just that, FOOD and could be "major." The sutures are helping scar tissue form around the band and that's what holds it in place on our stomachs. The sutures only help hold it on the front, scar tissue is all that holds it on the back of the stomach. Everytime we eat something more than a liquid, (and no, chewing something until it's liquid does not count) it causes our stomachs (which are muscular) to churn and undulate to digest that food. That churning stops the scar tissue from forming, or helps break new scar tissue just barely formed. Liquid requires little stomach movement to process. When we start to chew something, that lets our digestive system know that food is coming down, fluids begin to be secreted to aid in digestion and the stomach starts moving in preparation to start the breakdown of food. I understand that some doctors move folks along faster in their diet programs, that's okay if it's what your doctor says to do, but Allergan (the manufacturer of the band) advises a very slow progression. Damage we do now freshly banded may not show up until a year or two down the line. Maybe we have a bad episode of vomiting and because we just couldn't wait to chew, we didn't get good adhesion of scar tissue early on, it may slip. Most everyone here says that we should always follow our own doctor's advice. My doc's practice is a slow one, 4-6 weeks for solids as well. The Allergan website (the folks who MAKE the LapBand) says this about food stages: Post-Surgery Nutrition After surgery, you will need a new nutrition plan. Your surgeon and/or dietitian can help you learn about and get used to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make. It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the operation. In the first few weeks after your surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, you will be able to eat solid foods. Granted perhaps there is new research that says prolonged periods on liquid diets are not necessary and the Allergan site just hasn't been updated yet. However, I would want to know WHY a surgeon and nut (nutritionist) would make such drastic changes to their post-op eating plans. I would also ask that surgeon about what her/his complication rate is and more specifically what their SLIP rates are. Are they making these changes because of the AP band and the selling point that it's less likely to slip because of it's width? Is there a study they can show me to support the move so soon to soft foods? Has surgical technique changed and is there a way now to access the back of the stomach (not previously accessed because of it's proximity to the spinal nerves) and suture the band (I haven't heard of it)? At least that's what the band folks have said for years that is how it all happens. That's how I was always taught that digestion works. Perhaps someone somewhere has done a new study and what we've always believed is actually not right. It's possible. Do you see now why I'm hesitant to eat early? Of course, if somoene can show me concrete good data (not just a study with a sample of a few patients) that our previous held beliefs are wirng, then I'll be happy to change my thought process. Think about this, it is only 4 to 6 weeks out of your LIFE. Is that really that awful? Are we so far gone that we can't make a committment to something for a month to then have it help us in the long run? You can do this!!!! We can do this!!!!

Hi Reba, I've only just had my surgery under two weeks ago so I don't know how much help I could be. But I can share that I did not have heartburn before my surgery yet, I had a hiatal hernia that my surgeon repaired during the surgery. I am on Prylosec (sp?) once per day for the next six months. I will most likely wean off after the six months are up. My surgeon told me that only about 5% of people continue with heartburn post surgery - of those who had it before surgery. He's performed well over 3,500 of these and in his practice he's not had anyone have heartburn after the surgery who did not already have it before hand. Most get better post surgery. He attributes this to the hernia repairs, which he does routinely if one is there. Regarding vitamines, I could not stomach the chewables (pun intended :-) ) after the surgery so, I am on liquid. I take a brand called Blue Bonnet. Each dose had 5 carbs but I am not concerned. They work really well, go down with no prob. Taste is a little yukky but so what? :-) I don't have difficiencies and my surgeon does not expect I will have any - barring some kind of complication etc. Currently I feel great. In fact, right around two days ago I began feeling such energy that I described it as euphoria! LOL I think my happiness and joy and hope for the future has contributed to that. I feel great though. Best of luck to you in the process. I know it can be scary!!! One more tip, the psychologist that did my eval turned out to be an incredible person who has been a wonderful source of support. He really helped me address lots of fears and concerns... better than the surgeon!!! Hope this helps a bit. Once again, good luck on your journey!

Hang in there. I had surgery May 17, 2012, was in hospital 9 days and had to go back weekly. for about 2 months for IV fluids as I was dehydrated. Couldn't keep much down. I had 4 endoscopic stretches over the first 2 -3 months and finally started doing better. Just want you to know, I now have no regrets. I have lost a total of 161 pounds including 54 pounds lost pre op. Early on I had the same feelings of regret that you are having, but I want you to know that not only do I not regret the surgery, I think its the second best thing I've ever done. Going to therapy to prepare for this surgery was the first best thing as I know I would not have been successful had I skipped that step. I hope you will soon be done with the complications and miserable times and begin to enjoy the many benefits and pure joy and amazement that I feel as I watch my body change and my health improve each day. Sending prayers and.positive thoughts your way for strength to get through this awful time and fast healing and recovery.

Hi! I'm (obviously) new here. Anyhow, I'm from the Philippines and I'm going to be banded on May 11, 2009. My surgeon is Dr. Rey Santos and I think he's going to perform the surgery with 4 other surgeons. I've actually had a chat with my surgeon already and have already raised my questions and concerns (mostly drawn from reading the posts here. Hehe). Admittedly, after reading the Complications section, I'm still a bit afraid of what can happen post-op. But, I'm really trying my best to stay positive. I really want to become healthy. So, just a little background info. I'm 22 years old and my BMI is currently at 41. Since I'm Asian, I am most definitely morbidly obese (35 is the cut-off for us) I'm at my heaviest right now at 257 pounds. I'm 5'6 and I'm an incoming 2nd year medical student. Fortunately, I don't have any complications from being obese. My lipid profile is normal, no diabetes (no family history either plus my blood sugar is usually around 80s to 90s), no hypertension, no PCOS, no chest pains, some slight insulin resistance, etc. The only thing that's really bugging me right now is that my ankles hurt sometimes. Actually, when they started acting up, that was the time I really started to worry and considered Lap-Band. Ever since I was three years old, I've been overweight. I tried to lose weight when I was 14 years old and enrolled myself in a gym that summer. I lost 30 pounds that time and from 210, reached 180. But I gained the pounds I lost eventually and then some. After that, I still worked out every summer but I wasn't able to lose as much before. I tried cardioboxing too, South Beach Diet, Sibutramine and even Orlistat (yeeech). All of them helped decrease my weight but not significantly. And I gained them all back eventually. I had two nutritionists but they weren't able to help as much. So there. That's basically the story of my battle with obesity. I'm sorry if it's so long. Haha. I have this tendency to overshare information. You guys are really supportive and I'm really glad to have found this community. I hope I'll get to know all of you more. :thumbup:

Hi mimi, I have Kaiser Select. So, now I am going to GBMC. Kaiser said they only approve patients for bariatric surgery at John Hopkins if a patient has major complications prior to surgery.

I think I asked this before and I still have a difficult time wrapping my mind around your situation? So your pouch is enlarged and now they're going to wrap a band around it? Do they remodel the rest of the pouch below the band if it's dilated? At any rate, good luck with this and lean on us if you struggle with portions sizes and any complications from the band. tmf

When a client/patient buys a policy, they receive the specifications of the policy, the claim process, the policy and the general conditions. The “specifications” document mentions the plane ticket and accommodation up to 12 months later. The max policy term means the number of days the patient stays in Mexico for the procedure. But regardless the number of days they stay, if a patient has a complication they will receive coverage for 12 months and up to $160,000 USD. If, due to a complication, a patient has to come back to Mexico for checkups, the insurance company would reimburse the plane tickets and hotel expenses to the patient as long as they prove that their trip is because of the medical complication covered by our policy. See attached for the brochure. NOVAMAR ACE MEDICAL TOURISM INSURANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS FINAL.pdf

I didn't go to Mexico, but my doc's office is a 2 hour drive from my home. He was the closest that my ins. would approve. I would go back at least once or twice just to be sure there aren't any complications and things are going well. I quit going to my doc after my 3rd follow-up. I got tired of him being late for every appointment.

@Alex forgive me if I missed it, but the care for complications that arise after I return home must be treated in MX? Hence the flights and reimbursement mentioned above. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I am a former LapBand patient. I unfortunately had to have the LapBand removed in February of 2009 because of complications that my surgeon didn't catch early on. Because of the complications (the band slipped, causing an extra pouch above my stomach and severe scarring on my stomach), I cannot get another band put on. I recently heard of the VSG on TV and have been contemplating this surgery. When I had the band removed, I was told my only option was a gastric bypass, but I have not met one person that hasn't had to be re-hospitalized because of severe complications with the bypass - so that just isn't an option for me - scares me a little too much. So, I am wondering if this surgery would be a better fit. Through the different forums I have read throughout this web-site, it does seem like there are a lot of similarities in the side-effects with the 2 surgeries. So, I guess I am wondering if there is anyone out there that also had the LapBand removed and had this surgery done? Or, if anyone that has had this surgery done, can you tell me a little bit about your experience -- how the weight loss has gone, how much you are eating, etc. I have gained 85 of the 120 I lost and it really is depressing. Especially when I try my hardest to eat healthy and exercise. I really want to run with my kids again and have the energy back that I have lost with this weight gain. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and any information you could provide -- that would just wonderful!!!

I had my sleeve yesterday -- no complications! My only complaint is dry mouth...waiting for my swallow test in order to get some ice chips. So excited!

Congratulations! It's encouraging to know that despite your many complications you are now thriving again, and losing weight right on track. You give us hope. Best of luck to you!

Glad you are here to get support. Keep posting and reading...a lot of great people here willing to listen and empathize and provide a hand. Hon, if I had answers on how to not be hungry dunng the preop diet, I never would have needed VSG surgery. HA HA It is hard, torture really but worth every single moment of misery you may endure. Preop diet is for your own protection so during surgery you do not have any complications. Reduce the fatty liver and all. Continue to be strong...you can do this! Also, I highly recommend you read under General Sleeve Surgery Discussions the thread about what will you need for surgery. I personally like for post op, a heating pad, G2 gatorade to sip on (do not want to get dehydrated), decaf peppermint tea, chicken Soup (strain out chicken/noodles and diluted) and wear loose clothing. Found that if I did not refrigerate my drinks, they were easier to sip on. Good luck on upcoming surgery and keep us posted to your progress.

I got sleeved on July this year, best decision Ive ever made, the pounds started melting away, I excercised, I ate right....but now 5 months later I have to confess Im stuck and Im feeling very very lost, I have continued to excercise and Ive lost 52 pounds, I still have another 50 to go and I feel like Ive lost all my will power and my confidence, Im so afraid of gaining weight and to be honest I havent been eating right, I have even been drinking its just that my life is very complicated right now Im studying my masters and everything is so stressful I go back to being my old anxiety eating self!!! I know I have no excuses but right now Im afraid of ruining my sleeve, is it possible that I've ruined everything??? Right about now the only good thing I've accomplished is the excercise habit but now that Im on school break even that is failing, I feel like such a failure like Im not gonna make it, Ive seen everyone here be so confident and positive, reaching their goals, how do you do it????? Im so afraid of not reaching my goal, and making this huge sacrifice for nothing, I will never forgive myself If I ruin this...Im very sad

My husband wants me to ask if anyone knows how things work AFTER a surgeon in Mexico performs a VS. If I happen to have some type of complication either on the flight home or after I'm back home will my Medicare/Medicaid cover me for treatment related to an out of the country surgery? Sorry, seems a silly question to me but he seems very VERY reluctant to go along with an out of the country surgeon. I hope someone has some info on this subject. Thanks ~K~