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Hi all! I am going to go speak to my primary care physician this Tuesday about lap band surgery. My background: 30 year old female low blood pressure low cholesterol 5'9 and 275 lbs depression documented over the years due to weight fluctuations out of breath when going up one flight of stairs (embarrassing!) I was an athletic kid all growing up, then grad school I started packing on the pounds doing stress eating. I'm still in a stressful profession and I haven't lost the weight. I just yo yo diet. I walk in the evenings but when I'm done I just start eating when I get back. I think the Lap Band may force me to take this all seriously. I want to get to 160 eventually. I'm looking for any tips in dealing with United HealthCare, how to approach my physician, referrals of doctors in the DFW area, and how to go about this with only my husband knowing (do not want work to find out, parents, etc.) Hoping to meet and talk to you all further! FortWorth

Hi FortWorth, I'm right there with you...I told my family this past week, including my boyfriend and everyone is very supportive. Like you, I've always been athletic but could never get under that 180lb mark, since high school I've gained over 70lbs in the past 10 yrs. Not happy. I've yo yo dieted and it's not fun anymore. Hope you have a great journey! Good luck!

Ope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was fantastic. Spent the better part of the week at my brother's home. The hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday was exhilarating. Wednesday, my godson was off from work. We woke up early, went to pick up the pies and then I took him to a pancake house for Breakfast. Being on liquids, i just sipped my Water, while Jace drowned his chocolate chip pancakes in syrup and dunked his bacon in the syrup. Afterwards, we went back home and he performed for me. He is 10 and musically, gifted. Played the drums for a while, then got on his piano and played Bach and Chopin for me. Anyway, yesterday, we all decided to go shopping. We ended up at Tarjay boutique, and my sister in law said 'Laura, we need to find you some pants, yours are unbelievably baggy on you. Grrrr, now starts the stress. Number one, I didnt want her to know my pants size is 24, number two, I hate clothes shopping. I look like a bum in everything! Ok, so she says to me 'get in the dressing room, Jay and I will bring you stuff to try on. She said 'MAKE SURE YOU COME OUT AND SHOW US BEFORE TAKING ANYTHING OFF.' So she says What size do you need? I honestly didnt know so I figured I lost some weight, maybe a 22?? Kim and Jay start marching from the clothing racks to the dressing room with jeans. The first 2 pairs Kim brings are size 18. I said 'kim, i will NEVER fit into these. And to make matters worse, they were skinny jeans. Imagine my surprise when they fit! I was absolutely blown away. I came out of the dressing room all timid like and embarrassed...and when they saw me in them, they started whooping and clapping and telling me how wonderful I looked. I felt hideous. I am 51 yrs old wearing skinny jeans and felt ridiculous. Jay and kim told me how great I looked and convinced me to buy 2 pairs. I started purees on Thanksgiving so I was petrified to get on the scale today. Felt like I gained 20 lbs now that I am eating. I was sooo surprised to see I lost another 4 lbs since Tuesday. But I stll went back to Target this morning and returned both pairs of jeans. I still cant juatify sticking my old carcass in clothes made for younger women. No matter how good they said I looked. Besides, they are family, they're supposed to say things like that.

This is great! I noticed that I first started getting jiggly while walking into my surgeon's office for my first post-op follow up. Even my mom noticed. You know those stalls everyone complains of? It seems to me that is when I tighten up more. Then I get jiggly again, then I tighten up, etc. I saw my PT for my lymphedema last week. We had put off heavy treatment until I had lost a good amount of weight after surgery. We are starting today. Anyway, she was REALLY happy that my legs are so jiggly. It is a good thing.

I gained 70 pounds while pregnant and only lost 30 of them. Now I am pregnant again. I hope I don't gain to much. I got down to 160. I would like to be 180 so hopefully after this little baby comes I will actually get to work out at some point. I am thinking about quitting my job when baby is six months and taking six months off to move to Florida. SO hopefully I can work out then!

If you don't, then, No, you shouldn't. Seriously. 1.5 is very little and, if your band was installed empty, I'd say your surgeon takes a more conservative approach than others. You'll continue going in for adjustments until you recognize that you're in a good place. Until your band is adjusted to a saline level that works for you, it's up to you to eat properly to lose weight. When the band is at the right level for you, it's up to you to use it as a partner. No matter what, you've got some work that you're responsible for. There are no magic wands in Bandville. 'Tis pity. Just so you know as you go along, each of us has an experience different from the others. If you and I have the same sized band, we may or may not also find that the same saline level works. This is an individual trip. I believe that the band is about more than "restriction." It's about diminished appetite. When I'm mindful, I know I'm in good shape if, at a meal, I think I can eat another bite or two, but realize that I don't need them because I'm sated. Have a great time as you go along. I was in NJ yesterday and had fish for dinner.

Hoo hoos are above my pay grade, but I feel ya. I'm losing weight like crazy and the fat pad of my pelvis hasn't gone anywhere and I too feel like I have a FUPA.

Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies has some good information that I found helpful.

If you just got banded in May you do not need it out. Even now with my band out I still have port pain as they left my port in and it has nothing to do with the band. I would do anything for my band back. I fight every day to maintain my weight and I am no way happy weighing 244lbs. I my husband does not want me to be banded again and I knw I need help! Take care of your band, help yourself and take advantage to get awesome weight loss!Port pain is no big deal-good luck!

Ohhk I am hoping my weight is documented in all records

hello well it sound like ur doing really good. well i cant really tell any diffrence yet i havent weight my self but will try next week. i am so ready to work out but its only been 3 days till my surgery and my stomach doesnt seem to like anything cold so i am doing warm clear fluids. ugh wat i really want is some real food lol

On October 1, 2009, I met with Dr. Kuldeep Singh and Arlene Swantko - who were to become my Bariatric Surgeon and my Nutritionist as of that day. Dr. Singh is a fan of the liquid diet. He wants his patients to be on it for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. He also made the suggestion that I try it. I looked at him as though he had 3 heads and responded "NOW???" Well, his answer was yes and his rationale was that I could sample some of the protein drinks before I HAD to drink them and that it's always a good idea to lose weight prior to having surgery. At this point I had no idea when I was having surgery, so the idea of the full liquid diet was extremely premature for this brain! I didn't see Dr. Singh again until January 2010. After being excited about collecting everything the doctor's office requested so that they could submit a clean package to the insurance company we realized that if we waited until January 1, 2010, then we wouldn't have to file an appeal and get into a big hassle because my husband's company had finally wised up and added the bariatric coverage to their insurance plan! YAY!!!! More waiting...and waiting...and waiting...it seemed that January 1st would never get here. It arrived, and along with it came a very nasty case of double pneumonia, pleurisy and a sinus infection that landed me in the hospital on New Years' Day 2010. Wow! I'd never had pneumonia before and this was nothing to mess with! I was in a lot of pain and I couldn't catch my breath. I was coughing like crazy and feeling as though someone was stabbing me in the side and back. Yet all I could think about was that this would delay my LapBand surgery and that even I got approved for the surgery I would have to wait to be cleared of this disgusting illness! The approval came on January 14, 2010. Just as I was starting to feel semi-human again and was making plans to have follow-up pulmonary, primary care and CT-Scan appointments. I wanted to do a happy dance! Problem was, I didn't feel well enough to do a happy dance! LOL So, I waited some more and even though I wasn't yet released from the pneumonia, I scheduled my surgery date for March 12, 2010. Surely that would be enough time! It was and I started the dreaded liquid diet on March 1. I decided that I was going to start on a Monday and didn't care that I was actually going to be on the diet for more than 2 weeks. Nothing really mattered anymore except that this was REAL! I was following the liquid diet perfectly, doing pretty well, losing weight and feeling a little bit better with each day. Until that fateful Wednesday night a week and a half into the diet. Looking back - WTF was I thinking??? I offered to make dinner for my husband while I was on the liquid diet - even though he had been perfectly supportive and wonderful with taking care of his own meal needs. Nope - I was going to make him a meat loaf! Was I kidding? Well - NO, I wasn't kidding, and he only wound up with about 2/3 of the meatloaf left because I couldn't help - one small piece with ketchup - ummmm - it was SO good...but not quite enough - one more small piece with mustard this time! Oh, YUMMMM...I hadn't had meatloaf in SO long! You get the picture! Before I knew it I had about 1/3 of a small loaf and was feeling full, bloated and disgusted with myself. The good news was - it was the only slip in the 2-1/2 week process. The better news was - it was a protein at least - it could have been a whole lot worse! So, I dealt with it, refused to feel guilty about it and went on with the liquid diet - finishing up the night before surgery with no more interruptions of the spirit or the brain! I'm 4 days post-op and I'm starting to get some of my strength back, starting to feel pretty good. SO - I look forward to the support and the friendships that I will develop here - those that have gone before are a wealth of knowledge and information that I intend to use to the fullest! Thanks for being here and I am viewing my future with hope and excitement for the first time in many years!

Sunshine: If it helps, try weighing yourself precisely on the same day every week at the same time in th same state of dress. Keep a record. Nothing wrong in weighing every day if you like, but that can be distressing to some and weight goes up and down all the time. Once your find your pattern of weight loss you will be more relaxed with gains. For instance, I start of real low at the lst of the month, and gain in the 3rd week then show my true weight at the end of the month. For fun and to keep me focused, I weigh in every few mornings to keep me on track but discount any weight gain. Others feel it better to throw away the scale and only weigh in at the doctors. Whatever suits you but remember you will show weight gains sometimes. Hope this helps

I can drink weight loss shakes from doctor and I don't drink smoothies till after surgery.. I can't eat include Rice Bread Fried chicken&batter food No pasta till after surgery And lots mores I can eat what on my lists Fruit Vegetables Unsalted nuts And lots mores

I LOST 12LBS PRE-OP I WAS ON LIQUIDS FOR 8 DAYS (JULY 2nd TO JULY 10th) AND LOST 15 LBS IN THOSE 8 DAYS I HAVE BEEN ON MUSHY SINCE THEN AND TILL NOW AND I HAVE BEEN STARVING AND I FEEL I CAN EAT MORE THAN I AM SUPPOSED TO, AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I THINK I GAINED 5 LBS SINCE I STARTED MUSHIES.. ANYONE ONE ELSE HAVE THIS HAPPEN??:thumbup:

It is very normal. You are not in the weightloss phase yet, you are in the healing phase. People can gain 5-10 pounds during his phase which around here, is called "Bandster Hell". The real weightloss will come with a few fills.

Oh if there were only a real magic cure for loosing the weight and keeping it off. It's so darn hard no matter what. Im banded now since Nov 09, the band is my TOOL I lost a lot before my band, some after my band and still have some to go. To be very honest with you all I dont think I will ever reach "goal" but for the most part, 10 pound up ... 10 pounds down. Im still happier, it keeps me in check. The key is being tight enough, I say a big fill and go on liquids. Get super tight so its just hard to even get a shake down. Get off a bunch quick that way then slowly unfill so you can eat protein again, then another unfill so you can get some greens in. Im also a big fan of juicing, I have a blend tech so I keep all my fiber. My breakfast is ALWAYS veggies now. Kale, swiss chard, spinach, zucchini, a whole lemon (skin and all). Still must get your veggies in and when you are tight the green drink helps keep you nutritionally correct... try it!

I have truly struggled with the all liquid plan. I tried doing liquids for breakfast and dinner with a salad in between or something without a starch. I was doing good with it at the beginning of last week, then I fell off. Im gonna get back on track with this plan for tomorrow. I know I have to do better to get this weight down. Cause where I am now is not where I am suppose to be.

How did you lose the weight before? Did you exercise? Watch calories? Did you ever reach the green zone? Maybe a good place to start would be a visit to the surgeon. Could you get a fill? I think that just coming on here and showing interest is a great start. Make small changes every day. And go see your doc.

Hey there! I'm a newbie waiting for a surgery date! I've actually been waiting quite a while. As a Kaiser patient in Northern CA, Lap Band wasn't available until just recently (this month they did their first round of installations). When the FDA approved it in 2002 I was all over their backs to start offering it to their patients. So, here I am four years later, and ready to go. I've done the pre-op routine: nutritionist, psychologist, surgeon, lost 10% body weight...and now I'm in a holding pattern. Hoping to at least maintain my loss until I get my date. Kaiser says if you're over your goal weight, they'll walk you out of the surgery room and back into your car. Don't know if this is true, but don't want to find out. I've been to a few support group meeting for weight loss surgery patients, but have only met one person who has the lap band. I can't seem to find a support group around here specifically for LB. Alas, I found you! So, I've got tons of questions which I'll post in other threads. For now, here are my stats: 35 years old 5'7" 254 lbs heighest 220 lbs current sleep Apnea High Blood Pressure Lower Back issues Knee issues Reflux Sounds familiar, huh? --Alisha

Hi all! I have been considering getting a lap band for a while now. I couldn't before because of my insurance but it looks like my husband's new insurance *might* actually cover it... knock on wood. I went to a meeting a while back and the doctors were saying that, in order to succeed with a lap band, one must have a lot of self control and, if not, one should opt for the bypass instead. Personally, I could probably keep myself in check if I was single but I have 2 children and a husband that ALWAYS attempts to sabotage my weight loss attempts. I don't think it's conscious but he is not willing to get the lap band with me and I fear that if I get it he will only encourage me to push it to it's limits. I don't like the idea of rearranging my organs, (at all), but I don't want to get a lap band and then not be able to keep myself in check, with him taunting me along the way. Has anyone had a similar situation and, if so, what came of it and your weight loss decision? Please, no "no one can sabotage you, you can only sabotage yourself" kind of comments. I have heard them all and have learned one thing over the years: if it's in front of me, I will probably eat it, (and like it). Thank you, in advance, for your experience! Shannon

Hi everyone, I just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Melissa (Lissy), and I am at the beginning of my lap band journey. I am scheduled to take the informational seminar on April 8 in Pittsburgh, PA with Dr. Quinlin (UPMC - St. Margaret's Hospital). My insurance will only cover the procedure if I am having it done at a "Center of Excellence". I found out that Altoona Area Hospital is also one of these, so I am considering have the procedure done there instead, as it is much closer to me. Couple of questions if anyone has any insight, please chime in: 1. Have you had any experiences with Dr. Quinlin (Pittsburgh) or Dr. Newlin or Dr. Schmidt (Altoona)? Please advise. 2. Since I have been working with my doctor on my Type II diabetes and trying to lose weight for over a year now with diet, etc. - do you all think that would count as my 6-month doctor supervised weight loss program prior to the surgery (I've heard that UPMC requires a 6-month program prior to surgery)? 3. Why the heck do they make us try to diet for 6 months prior to surgery - if that worked for any of us we wouldn't be having the procedure done! (I understand the preop diet - that makes sense to me.) If anyone has any insights/advise, please let me know. I should mention that I am curious as to how long this whole process will take. I would love to be banded over my vacation from work in early June. What do you guys think? Lissy :confused2:

I used the "pill" for many years. I was never regular. Gained lots of weight. Tried the norplant (tubes in the arm) and had a bad reaction & gained 80lbs. By the time I was 31 I tried the nuvo ring and loved it! But at age 32 I had my tubes tied. I was looking into having an ablation (which will also cause sterility) and found out I needed a hysterectomy at age 33. OMG! It was the best thing I could have ever wished for! At age 33 I would never have the embarassment of a leak, cramps, monthly mood swings, etc. I am now 41 years old and do not miss Aunt Flo one bit.

Well today I finally got ahold of the lady to make a schedule for the surgery. She said we schedule the surgery then work back from there and on backwards. So she listed me some dates and neither of them go with my work schedule, and it look like it will be around Nov when I can make it happen. She also said I will be staying in over night also thats just there proceedure. Honestly right now Im asking my self have I really done all that I think I can do to lose this freaking weight, is there a real possability that I can do it on my own?? Im so uncertain about so many things Iim considering just not getting it done and try some more on my own. After all I made it this far on my own? THanks for reading

Don't worry about whether or not you lose weight on the pre-op liquid diet--losing weight is not the goal. I only lost a couple pounds during that phase, although I had lost about 12 lbs. prior to starting the pre-op liquid diet. Even though I did what I was supposed to do during that time, my surgeon told me after my surgery that my liver was "fattier" than he was expecting it to be. Just keep doing what your surgeon and NUT tell you to do and you'll be fine.