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There are no nerve ending on the stomach so you don't feel the band or the stitches at all. And I had to lose 100 lb before I could even feel my port buried in that fat!! LOL!! The surgery itself was a real non-event.....learning a new lifestyle is the challenge. And, as the others said, I was scared of dying from NOT having weight loss surgery. If I had not done it two years ago, I probably would not be here today....seriously! And now I am unstoppable!! It's nothing short of a miracle.:cursing:
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How do I know if I need one?
Frangipani replied to Hollie519's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Hi Hollie, Congratulations on your weight loss!!!!:thumbup::thumbup: Many plastic surgeons will do "virtual consults" where you can begin the consultation process by sending photos via email. I suggest that you contact some Dr.'s who offer this service and who you might be interested in working with if it's determined that plastic surgery is the best course of action for you. Good luck!!!! -
Yes, I had a bypass in 2001 and had a staple line disruption in 2003. I gained almost all my weight back and my insurance quit covering weight loss surgery between the time that I had the surgery and the staple line disrupted. So after trying to sue and everything else I decided to go to mexico and have the lapband. Dr. Ortiz is the only surgeon that I could find that had a lot of experience with this type of surgery. That was 8/2006 and I have had no problems until recently. I started having some problems about a month ago with the band getting tighter... I had been on one type of birth control which made my period lighter but I had to switch from it and had the first "real" period in a long time. It took me a couple of days to realize how tight I was, until then I ate too much and threw up too many times. This irritated my esphogus and swelled it until it was way too tight. I went back to Dr. Ortiz and they did a complete unfill and put me on liquids. There was no slip (thank God) but I was on liquids for two weeks. Once irritated I should have taken myself on liquids but I had gotten complacent with the lapband rules. Hope this info helps. I will be getting a fill in two weeks and I am happy about that. I need restriction, I like feeling full.
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i feel the same way..i too will have 3rd fill on the 17th....i want it now..i feel the band is tempermental...some days its tight others its not...i was banded on march 12, my weight loss is slow, i feel as though its more me, not the band thats helping me along the way i need more restriction..so hang in there till we find our swee spot as they call it. good luck
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I too am unable to be as active because of my children and some health issues but I do walk a lot . Thank youmy wife and I are both getting surgery next week but we're wondering how people can exercise without being able to drink a lot of water at once or really consume very many calories...Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App I didn't exercise. I just waled 2-5 miles a day and lost that way. I didnt start exercisin until I could drinkmwater normally and calories were over 800 everyday. You can lose weight without exercise. I think it iseasier and faster weight loss not to exercise but to just walk. If you burn a lot of calories working out, you have to guess on increasing your calories enough that you don't go into starvation mode. And keep that balance.
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I've been off the site a while... Busy living and loving life. I had surgery June 9, 2014. My goal was to lose 70 pounds. I hit that at 5-1/2 months out. I never dreamed I could even hit it, but I followed the food plan, worked out 4-5 times a week, walked all over my town and here I am now, 9 pounds lower than my goal. I went from a size 16/18 jean to a 4 (baggy now -- think I'm going to have to go find some 2's). My brain is still trying to catch up with the weight loss. When I buy clothes I struggle with picking up that small shirt or medium, take both in the dressing room and almost always walk out with the small. I lost over 60 inches between my bust, waist, hips and thighs. I feel like so much in my life has completely changed. I have a new boyfriend who is active and very fit -- instead of huge meals together we eat reasonably and go for long walks together (power walking around the mall with all this snow). And we're taking swing lessons and go out dancing 2-3 hours every Friday and Saturday night. That counts as exercise, too and I would have never had the stamina to do that before. I hit the gym 4-5 times a week still -- worked out with a trainer for a while to learn lots of body weight exercises and other weight lifting programs, so I can build up muscle. I ran two 5k runs back in the late fall... will do that again this year. Signed up for a 5k mud/obstacle run with friends this spring (I know -- crazy). I feel like I've gotten a new lease on a happier, healthier life. No more sleep apena (after about the first 25 pounds), never any reflux. I enjoy the food I eat and the body I have. This Christmas I was a model for the fashion show my surgeon puts on at his holiday party for former and prospective patients. This surgery was a life-saver for me. I know they say the surgery works on the stomach but not the brain, but I'm pretty sure my bariatric surgeon did some brain surgery, too! Just wanted to share!
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I had my band put in Oct 10ccband. First fill blind poke three tries 3cc in. Second two pokes dig dig 3cc in, third three pokes dig dig 1ccin RESTRICTION!!! Ya good weight loss happy. Fourth wanted to tweak a little only had restriction in the morning fill 1cc five pokes dig dig. Next day no restriction I think I have a leak. Drive another 200 miles for fluoro and she is able to get 5cc out I should have 8cc plus doc put in 2cc at time of surgery (that is 10 in a 10cc band) she adds 1cc more Fill # Five now I should have 11cc no restriction at all I have a leak. She said sometimes the tube collapses and you can’t get a true read. She said you don’t have a leak because I got something out. They don’t want to take any responsibility for f-ing it up. The obvious problem with having bands in Mexico is the after care. I knew this and yet chose to go for it. If I go back to my doc it is $2500 to replace port and tube. Then what who do I have do the fills? I should have had a sleeve that is what my doc is famous for and there would have been no fills, no leak and it was $2000 more than a band so in the long run cheaper after you factor in the cost of fills and heart ache!! ANYONE OUT THERE DO NOT HAVE NORTH WEST FILL CENTER IN ARLINGTON WASHINGTON DO YOUR FILLS. QUACKS!!! So where do I go from here?? Right now after I beat myself up I am doing nothing can’t afford it so I am trying on denial to convince myself that I have restriction. Any suggestions???
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So, I started this whole journey in October 2016. I had just started a new job, whose insurance plan does not cover any weight loss plans, including surgery. So, I opted out and started calling around to different companies. I THOUGHT I found a plan that would cover it (the saleslady said it would!), but, I was duped. Fast forward 7 months, my parents agreed to pay (they are not wealthy people, so I know what the burden is). Now, here's the thing, I started with such a high BMI, that my surgeon refused to do the gastric bypass. He also advised that I probably would not find a surgeon who would. Instead, we decided to do the procedure in stages. So, I have a gastric sleeve, which I love. Now, I need to find an insurance plan to cover the bypass. My surgeon documented everything from the beginning to indicate that this was the plan all along, so that if I found a plan, they can't reject based on perceived failure of the initial operation. My question for you all is: Does anyone know of a plan in Ohio that will cover weight loss surgery?
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Well, I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday! I am excited, anxious and nervous about the future, but I know it's the right choice. Apparently my insurance, UMP (Regence), is pretty good about approvals, but I have to do the 6 months pre-surgical plan first. The clock started yesterday. I am going to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA, and my doctor is Dr. Michaelson. He was great in our consult, and explained everything very thoroughly. I had already done a ton of research and decided that the sleeve was for me, but he concurred and stated that it would be best for me, considering my age, lack of diabetes, and no tobacco use. I will have to lose 5% if my weight over the first six months (11 lbs), and my BMI is 43.4 right now, but they will be looking over the last 2 years of my medical charts. The insurance coordinator stated that if my BMI was below 40, they may be looking for co-morbidity and will send me for a sleep study. I do think over the last two years my BMI did drop below 40, so not sure how they will deal with that. Pre-Op is a 10 day/10 lbs lost diet, I will find out more at my next appointment with the RD in 3 weeks. I cannot gain weight now over the next 6 months, but obviously can lose prior to surgery. My out of pocket won't be more than $2500 as that is the max, and I'm saving my FSA amount to pay that out of pocket. I don't know how those that pay the full amount do it! I also have to schedule a psych appointment as part of the 6 month criteria, and will have the endoscopy closer to the end of the pre-surgical period. My final appointment will be 7/31 and they will submit for insurance approval on 8/1. Excited but a little impatient too!
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Soon to be banded in Roseville Ca
Papahemi replied to Papahemi's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I finally went to the Kaiser orientation class in South San Francisco. They really hammer the information home at a good rate. My head was really spinning by the time I left. Everyone was really nice and provided a lot of excellent nutritional information that I am going to rely heavily on in the coming months. It looks like I am on my own in my quest to lose the excess weight I carry. I was told that because I have severe sleep apnea I must be 100% CPAP compliant for two months prior to surgery. If I am not 100% CPAP compliant I WILL NOT receive a surgery date. In the 15 years since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea I have tried many times to use CPAP. I have major anxiety attacks trying to breath against the pressure of the CPAP machine. Because of this I have had to resort to using a dental appliance to help relieve most the affects of sleep apnea. It cost me $2200.00 out of pocket as Kaiser doesn't cover dental appliances. I had hoped the Lap-band assisted weight loss would help completely eliminate the apnea and improve my other so called co-morbidities. I will have to find out on my own without the help of Kaiser. More to come later on. Good Luck to all you bandsters and may you reach your GOAL sooner than you expect. -
my oldest son is allergic to gluten. To put it simply, gluten is a Protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some signs of a reaction include: Gas Bloating Constipation Diarrhea Abdominal pain Unexplained weight loss Anemia Distended abdomen Bone pain Joint pain Fatigue Vitamin deficiencies Mineral deficiencies Delayed growth in children Failure to thrive in infants Tooth abnormalities Migraines Recognizing grains that contain gluten is the easy part. Wheat, barley, and rye are all off-limits. Experts in the United States feel oats should also be forbidden due to dangers of cross-contamination. That means the following items are usually sources of gluten (the exception would be specially-made gluten-free versions): Bagels Biscuits Bread Bread crumbs Breaded fish Breaded meats or poultry Bread pudding Cake Cereal chicken nuggets Croissants Cookies Crackers Croutons Doughnuts Dumplings Flour Flour tortillas Fried vegetables Graham crackers Hamburger buns Hotdog buns Ice cream cones macaroni Melba toast Muffins Noodles pancakes Pasta Pastries Pie crusts pizza crust pretzels Rolls Spaghetti Stuffing Tabbouleh Waffles Beer <LI>Beverage mixes <LI>Bologna <LI>Candy (many candies are gluten-free, so read labels) <LI>Canned baked Beans <LI>Cold cuts <LI>Packaged cereals, even corn cereals <LI>Commercially prepared broth <LI>Commercially prepared chocolate milk <LI>Commercially prepared Soup <LI>Custard <LI>Fruit fillings <LI>Gravy <LI>Gum <LI>Hot dogs <LI>Ice cream <LI>Non-dairy creamer <LI>Potato chips <LI>Pudding <LI>Root beer <LI>Syrups <LI>salad dressing <LI>Soy sauce <LI>Vegetables with commercially prepared sauces
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10 months out...94 lbs down PICTURES
Curvy Girl replied to Curvy Girl's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I did lose hair especially on the side and top. I wear clip on extensions to "thicken" up my hair. It does seem to be slowing down. I get all my protein, vitamins in but STILL lost hair...but they say it does grow back. -
I'm not shy about my surgery either. I don't view it as a way out. I see it as a chance to get my life back. My family knows all about the surgery and they are very supportive. Out of my husbands family only my sister in law and mother in law know. My mother in law has thrown a big fit and has made it known that she doesn't approve of my having surgery. I could care less what people think this surgery is happening, but at the same time I wish she would get on board with it and be happy that I have found something to add in my weight loss and in the end result in a new healthier happier me. That's the extent of people knowing about my surgery. I don't air it out for the world to see my decision. If people ask then yes I will tell, but if they have anything negative to say I don't have time to hear it and walk off. Don't let this bother you. Maybe they are jealous that you are getting time off for a surgery that's optional for some and very much needed for others. Stay strong and don't let others bring you down. Met surgeon for first time March 3, 2010 Started supervised diet June 3, 2010 Met new surgeon September 27, 2010 Finsihed Supervised Diet November 15, 2010 Approved for Surgery December 8, 2010 Surgery Date December 21, 2010
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Having Issues With Liquids
Tink22-sleeve replied to klperry's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/flat-belly-diet/flat-belly-diet-and-sassy-Water sassy water. try making this--refreshing -
From the album: Getting banded on August 28,2010
<font color="#1c2837"><font face="tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif"><b>I am 191 now my total loss since august 28, 2010 is 48 pds..... I was 239 before surgery <img src="http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt="<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://cdn.lapbandtalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' />' />' />' />' />' />' />"> not at goal yett but working on it!!!!</b></font></font> -
Hi Tammy, Feb 20 was my VSG. Most days I get all of my protein in. Water is more challenging, not b/c I can't drink it but b/c I never drank 64 oz a day before surgery. I have tolerated all the foods I've tried so far. Weight loss has been slow and steady and I eat 2-4 oz usually at meals. I have been working on eating slower, my challenge there is it has reduced my intake by about 150-200 cals. So my quandary is do I eat at my own pace and risk eating too fast or eat slow (2 min btwn bites) and get in around 500 cals vs. my previous average of 700 calories. I'd love to hear people's thoughts.
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DO's and DON'T's of Having Cosmetic Surgery in Mexico (or other foreing countries)
MsVetRN replied to MsVetRN's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
lara0280, I find it interesting tha all of a sudden you are posting on several sites, none of which you were ever on until the other day. You dont mention your SLEEVE surgery, sleeve surgeon, weight loss, where are you from, etc. Just wondered... -
It is completely out of a nutritionist's scope of practice to form a professional opinion regarding the suitability of a particular procedure. What you are receiving from her is purely a personal opinion---and you will get many of those from people who are equally as unqualified to give them. Put it in perspective. She has a personal bias; she does not have the professional expertise to form a professional opinion regarding whether surgery is appropriate. Her role is to impart the information you will require in order to be successful with loss once your banded. That's it. Ideally, she should be on the same page as the physician who referred you to her. She should provide information that supports the stated goal--which is eating/weight loss success with an adjustable gastric band. It sounds as though you just got a vibe from her. Even if she didn't actively discourage surgery, I think this is worth mentioning to the surgeon who referred you.
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Pre-surgery Counseling Approval
dm5201 replied to Michsha's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Go to another psych doctor that is familiar with weight loss surgery! Get the heck away from that person and get on with the life you want! -
I have a double whammy not just loose skin after weight loss but being 61 the wrinkles and sag to boot. I wasn't wrinkled until after I lost the weight. I just started dating a guy and since I am the first person he has dated sine his wife's death we are going very slowly. BUT... i know eventually we will get to the point where we have sex and I am really dreading having him see me without clothing. I love how I look in my clothes but not so much without them and almost feel like it is false advertising. What you see is definitely not what you're gonna get, if you know what I mean. I know all the," if he really cares about you stuff" and while it is true, I also know men are visual and I know he is attracted to me physically. Just not so sure he would be when he sees me au naturel. I am not considering plastic surgery because I can't afford it and at my age I prefer to put my money towards retirement. I would love to hear from any older women who started dating after their weight loss and how they handled it.
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Franklin, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill Area
jbtullis replied to msm1961's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thanks for the link. I didn't find any info for the meetings on that page so I called them. She gave me the center's number and I got a web page from them and the meeting times. Here is the link if anyone else is looking welcome to Middle Tennessee Medical Center | Hospital Services | Bariatrics/Weight Loss | Support Groups -
Hello, I just came across this forum. I have a support group on FB and we have a couple of girls on there who became pregnant within months of having RNY. If you are interested talking to them, the group name is Pregnant after Weight Loss Surgery. Good Luck to you!
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thanks for the question. i am 6 days post op and thinking of what you said has allowed me to kind of solidify in my mind that i feel i made the right choice. i can give you more than 5. 1. i felt that by pass was too invasive. 2. hospital stay and time out of work simply too long for my schedule (i have a 5 year old and work and have my own business) 3. while i want to lose weight, like the other poster, i don't want to lose it too quickly. gall stones is a concern after either procedure but it is my understanding that what really causes gallstones is rapid weight loss and the band loss is more gradual 4. being more gradual there is a better chance for my skin to pull tight rather than sag and i don't just want to be thin, i want my body to look healthy. 5. i didn't want to worry about mal absorption, thinning hair 6. once i heard about dumping syndrome i knew it wasn't for me. i don't think i can go the rest of my life without EVER having ANYTHING with sugar in it (i can't stand artificial sweetners) and the thought of dumping scared me. 7. yes with lap band there is PBing which i haven't experienced and i know how awful it is, but i felt that it might be the lesser of 2 evils (we'll see after my first experience with it) 8. bypassers lose more weight up front but then gain some back. i don't want to continue to yo-yo. 9. knowing that the band is reversable and adjustable. in case of serious illness and i need to focus on my nutritional intake saline can easily be let out to allow for more calorie consumption. 10. if i start gaining in the future i can always have the band tightened again for continued results 11. complication rate/infection rate is lower with band i think i could go on and come up with even more. i would join a bypass group and ask the same questions to them. i would be curious to hear their answers. i will tell you that my brother's girlfriend who is 27 and lost 115 lbs on the band told me some of the reasons she chose bypass over the band were that she didn't want to have to deal with such close monitoring required for fills (which is another thing i actually like. i like my surgeon to be involved as an additional support person for the rest of my weight loss journey) and she also had acid reflux which her dr. felt would be made worse with the band. please post again and let us know what/if you decide. good luck
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Doctor cleared me to keep trying for a baby 5 weeks post-op
karenb4729 replied to Fat2PHAT's topic in Pregnancy with Weight Loss Surgery
I would run it past your surgeon and if they give the ok then go for it. Infertility is tougher to deal with than obesity and I think the main reason weight loss surgeons want you to wait is so that you can get the most out of your weight loss. I have never heard of any instances of birth defects caused by VSG or even RNY, as long as your are taking your Vitamins and getting proper nutrition. I know when I pregnant with my 2nd child very closely after my 1st I stayed on a low calorie diet, 1000 per day the entire pregancy so I wouldn't gain any additional weight. She came out perfectly healthy and is turning 31 yrs old this year! Good luck! I truly wish you the best of luck! -
Just had surgery...gaining weight???
Jules K replied to mightymorris03's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This happened to me. It's very discouraging! I lost 10 lbs after surgery and then gained 5 lbs back. I have slowly taken it off and lost 3 lbs more. I checked with my dr. and he said the first 6 wks are for healing. Weight loss starts after the fills. Your job now is to protect your pouch and let your stomach heal. It has been 6 wks since my surgery and I have lost 13 since surgery (35 total counting pre-banding lbs.) I have followed my drs. guidelines and my dietician has reviewed my diet journal and says I'm eating the right things. She suggested bumping up my exercise to 1- 1 1/2 hrs a day. I did increase my exercise. It just is slow going. I'm looking forward to my first fill next week. Hopefully I will see more results a little faster. But truly, my dr. says 2 lbs a week is good and that should be happy with that--which I am--beats what I used to weigh. Good luck and follow your drs. rules. It will come off. Keep your chin up!
