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A few years back it was common for some surgeons to remove the gall bladder at the same time they did the gastric bypass. Clinical studies failed to show that the incidence of gall bladder disease following bypass justified the "automatic" removal so most surgeons discontinued the practice. But as music has indicated, with your pre-op diagnosis, the surgeon will very likely remove the gall bladder at the same time. There's no point in having two surgeries when the same job can be done with one. You're gonna love the new you!!

@@Marie8777 The thinning/losing of hair can be attributed to a couple of different things, if it happens to you at all. Human hair "lives" on a roughly 3 month cycle. The hair you were just popping out at the time of surgery will tend to fall out anyway at about your 3 month post-surgery mark. What adds to normal hair loss this is...because of the massive changes your diet goes through with bypass surgery, your body will go into "Shock" mode and try to preserve any and all Protein for muscle mass & organ function- not for things like pretty skin, lovely nails and full, lush hair. This is one of the reasons surgeons stress to be sure you eat protein first and get your full recommended grams. Every. Single. Day. If you give your body the protein it needs, you'll not only be helping to preserve muscle mass, but you may also limit/reduce the amount of "shock" you put your body through and therefore potentially lessen the additional hair loss. With that being said, there's a compound available at places like GNC called Biotin. It's created specifically to promote healthy skin, hair and nails. But remember... nothing is guaranteed. You could take Biotin, get all your protein, and still experience hair loss, or not take it and be perfectly fine. No two people are the same.

Hi! I haven't been banded. I am just doing research regarding LapBand. I weigh over 100 lbs. beyond my goal weight, but the gastric bypass is too invasive! I am 59, and not sure whether this is for me. Secondly, my husband has Medicare with Tricare for Life, and I am covered as his dependent (spouse) with Tricare Prime; I do not qualify for Medicare. I found Tricare Prime accepts referrals from Primary Care Physicians for GBS. However, I checked about 4 months ago about whether they approve for LapBand surgery, and was told "No, not at this time." Has anyone heard different as to whether they have reconsidered? I am curious. Does anyone know why Tricare Prime would pay for GBS and not LBS? Maybe because the procedure is still too new? I would also like to know why it is easier to exercise and eat right when one has the LBS, than before the surgery? Doesn't the motivation have to continue? Perhaps the LBS does motivate, when youhave gone that far? I know one thing... I have been too heavy, too long (about 8 years) and realize that soon I am prone to diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. as it runs in my family, both sides. My motivation to lose lasts about 1 week, then it fades. Could be because my husband can and does eat Desserts, or anything he desires, with no weight gain. Guess you might call that co-dependent, but I can't help it. When sweets are around, I weaken. I have not been a happy person for a long time now. This weight is depressing. I would hate to think that I would have to carry my two dogs around all day long, but my excess weight outweighs them! ...and they are BIG dogs!:help: Any information about insurance, or advice about LBS will be appreciated! Thank you! Pam :clap2: pamblundell@aol.com

Umm...i could use some help...I had my surgery over 2 years ago...for the first two years, i lost about 80 pounds...i "thought" i was doing good. But i was sick, my band wasnt placed right, adn i was throwing up every day...it took that long and a switch to a new doc to get it fixed, back in november. since then i have gained 30 pounds...i am trying so hard...i am so tired of thinking about exercising, eating, every tiny tiny thing i eat. I am terrified that i am going to wake up and weigh 300 pounds tomorrow. I cant go back there....i am exhausted and drained. I know others have been though this...and gotten back on teh wagon..i could use some help.....thank you so much in advance.

I constantly read all the blogs about weight loss - they are so inspiring. I never really imagined I would have the opportunity to become a wls blogger. Life changes fast. I have been trying to get Lap Band surgery for 3 years. My insurance company, Tricare Prime, excluded the procedure. Of course, I didn't find this out until I had done all of the leg work . . . let me take you back a few years. The year was 2006, I had been researching Lap Band and knew I wanted it. I checked with my insurance and the manual said wls is covered if you are . . . then it listed the types of surgery. One of the ones it listed was vertical banded gastoplasty. I just assumed that was lapband. I went to my PCM, he said that he thought it was a great idea, gave me a referral to the Dr. (Dr. Spiegel), who was in Network. I went to the seminar, met with Spiegel, he said that I was a great candidate. They said I need to have a psyh eval and to meet with a nutritionist. I waited forever for a psych visit. Finally got in. I tried to find a Nutritionist that was in network and couldn't find any - so I called my insurance company, I explained that I was trying to get a consult for lapband. They quickly informed me that lapband isn't covered. I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. Sure enough, I hadn't done my research well enough. It was an excluded procedure. (They quickly approved me for Gastric Bypass) So, I decided I would either change jobs to get medical coverage, or try to be self-pay. After talking with all sorts of people on lapbandtalk, I realized that most of them were under the impression that our insurance would change come January 2007. I waited with baited breath. January, February, March, . . . nothing. I made the decision that I was going to wait till the first of the new year, then go self-pay. Come December 10, 2007, the word came down fast - it was going to be covered. I had never been happier. I had to make another appointment with my PCM, to get another referral to see Dr. Spiegel. I met with Dr. Spiegel on December 20, 2007. I brought all of my paperwork with me, gave it to the nurse to put in my file with instructions how to progress with my Insurance. I should have been suspicious when she didn't write any of it down. I waited until January 3 to call back (Christmas and New Years). They had called, asked if it was covered, got a NO and sent it back. I explained that the change wasn't in the system yet. Explained again how to deal with it. Finally, they got it. My paperwork was submitted to the Insurance January 22, 2008 :eek: I am waiting ever so patiently for the approval. Please, please come fast.

Hello everyone! I am getting sleeved probably sometime in November or December of this year. I am super excited! I was wondering if there was anyone out there who suffers from IBS and has had the surgery. Has it helped any? Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Hi, My first formal appointment after the orientation was November 12th and I am scheduled for January 30thBe aware that some insurance companies make you be on a physician monitored 6 month weight loss journey before you can even start the process. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel, I had to wait 6 months and I'm still not done. My last dietitian appt is Jan 17, I'll finally meet my surgeon that day too. People kept saying time will fly by, but the only time it seemed to fly by was when I was not on this site. I think I went the entire months of November and December without being in here and yes time did fly by then. Reading all of the success stories and post about everyone else getting their surgery dates, actually having the surgery and loosing all their weight gets you all amped up, anxious and impatient and then its all you think about, it was driving me crazy. So now that I'm closer to completing the process I figured it's ok to get back on here. But your day will come and you'll get there, we both will get there.

Has anybody tried this? I bought 2 bottles and I love it. You take 2 oz in the AM and 2 oz in the PM... it equals 13 servings of fruits and vegetables and its in liquid form. It's 30 calories per oz and 4 grams of sugar per oz (for those bypass pts) ~ Mone-Vie is also a multi-level marketing program where you can become a distributor... so, that's what I did just so I can break even on the juice I'm drinking. It's expensive at $35.00 per bottle. Anybody heard of it or tried it?

It seems like my battle to get my lap band out and get the bypass has been nothing but an uphill climb! I hate to complain, but my goodness! I had my original date changed and I had to battle work. Then I woke up from surgery to find out I only got my band out and they couldn't do the bypass. Now I may not get my bypass till aug or sept due to my surgeons schedule not lining up with my work schedule. I could cry. I just want this to be done. I'm so depressed and anxious waiting to hear back if my surgeon can make an exception with her schedule and do mine when she said she was going to-- beginning of next month. Please pray. This stress is getting to me.

Hi GUYS I have not had my gastric bypass yet but saw an item on their shelf at GNC that MAY help us as we lose hair. It is called VIVISCAL in a pink and white box. Under the title it has Hair Growth Program. Next it reads that is NOURISHES thinning hair and promotes existing hair growth* from within. 60 tablets Extra Strength Dietary Supplement PRICE is 49.99 but it is less right now~ Just sharing to see if anyone has heard of this or is someone has tried it....

I had my lap band in august, I've lost 70 lbs, I hate excersising and I got a personal trainer, to meet with me for 30 mins twice a week, you need to turn fat into muscle, and the more you excersise, the better you feel. From a woman who hates exercising. I chose the band because I never wanted to have sugery again, and there are a lots of risks with bypass, and something could throw you back on the opperating table again! This is serious stuff, and recovering from the band is easier than the bypass, even though recovery still is hard. Get your sugeon to deal with your insurance, I know that my hospital did - good luck Caroline

Well I just got back from the gym. I caught a cold before Christmas, so I'm just getting my "wind" back and feeling like I can breathe again. Let me tell you - missing a couple of weeks can REALLY make it hard to get back on track. Unfortunately I don't have a very good support group in my corner, so its all on me. I don't own a scale at home, so I have to rely on weighing in at the doctor's office or at the gym. Anyway - I've made it a habit to weigh in after my work out before I leave the gym. I'm soooooo excited to say that as of today (1/4/14) I am officially under the 200lb mark weighing in at 197lbs! Can I say that again - 197 pounds! I've been able to see the results in my upper body and my legs, but I still have that "spare tire" that I can't seem to loose. My sister in law (a bypass patient) promises that if I stick with the gym it will eventually melt away. I hope she's right! We're going on a cruise in May and while I know I won't be in a bikini or anything, I'd sure love to feel comfortable in a bathing suit by then. I was sleeved on October 17, 2013. The day I went in for surgery I weighed 238 lbs. I wore a pair of size 22 jeans to the hospital and came home in a pair of XXL sweat pants. I'm happy to say that I'm comfortably in a size 16 right now. My leggings were beginning to sag in the butt, so I got new ones in a size Large! I bought a pair of 14 jeans yesterday to hang on the back of my bathroom door. Right now I can't even get them zipped, but gimme another month and I'll be there... I just wanted to share cause I know y'all "get it". Like I said, I don't have a really good support group to encourage me when I miss a couple of days at the gym, and I work out alone. My husband praises me and loves my new look, but I can't get him to walk or work out with me

So this may seem like a strange question, but after bypass, do you still burp? Or burp less? Is it painful?

Seems to me like the fellow they talked to has issues with LapBand. They only studied 100 morbidly obese people. That doesn't sound like a very large case study. Gastric bypass better than Lap-Band, study says

I was banded on Dec. 3rd. I had my first weigh in this morning and I have lost 30 pounds. My last weigh was November 17th at my pre-op appointment. I am so excited, I have lost a total of 50 pounds since August when I started my 3 month clinical weight loss required by the insurance company.

If you had posted this during the beginning of the approval process, I would have told you to let those people have it. I've worked in the medical field and patients that can be pushed around are pushed around because a lot of people who work in medical offices, not the doctors, PA's or people with actual medical education, have a minimal education and are exceptionally lazy. If someone is rude to you, you call them out on it right that moment. If someone wants to push BS policies like these, you explain to them that your insurance does not require that procedure and if they are going to insist on following arbitrary rules that are not required, you will absolutely go elsewhere. You are not just the patient, you are the customer....if they don't treat you the way you deserve to be treated, you let them know you have no tolerance for it, and you walk away. I have a doctor (not my sleeve surgeon- he was a tool) that I love and who has largely very competent people. A few of his front desk girls though are complete idiots, so instead of dealing with them, I just ask to speak to someone who is competent or I tell them to have my doctor call me. If someone can't do their job, I will happily bypass them and let their boss know exactly why I didn't bother going through his little chain of dummies. That being said...you're so close to approval, let it go until after surgery. In the end you are getting what you want and after surgery you can write them a very long, detailed letter and potentially a review online that should allow them to revise their procedures and their behavior.

So I'm only 17 pounds away from hitting my goal. I'm a fairly quick and steady loser with no stalls at all in my whole 9 months since surgery (thank you, body, for finally cooperating with me on something!!). I'm estimating I should be down to my goal weight by early November. That's not too far off, and I want to start planning for maintenance now. Can anyone share things they wish they'd known before they went into maintenance mode, things that make it easier/harder, and how my daily life should change during that phase? I want to start preparing psychologically now so the transition won't be as bumpy. Thanks!!

Oh my KeeWee. I am so sorry. I really hope they can control your reflux with medication. Will be thinking of you and wishing you well. Please keep us posted. (((Hugs))) Ps - You may want to do an internet search on the Linx procedure for gastric reflux - may be a long shot - but possibly an alternative to bypass if you can find a surgeon on your area who is certified and if your insurance will approve it. Don't know if they are doing it in sleeve patients or not.

Hey guys I'm Courtney I'm 22 years old and I've been big my whole life. I have tried losing weight so many times and different ways. So I have been doing my homework about the bypass and the sleeve and I believe I'm gonna go with the bypass but I still have to go to the seminar which is July 21 it's for middlesex hospital in Connecticut! Then after that I'll make an appointment to see the surgeon for the first time ever. I'm really nervous for all of this. Could anyone give me some insight on what to except? Or what I have coming to me in the next couple of months like pre op testing? And pre op diets I heard that it's a 6month wait before even getting a approved because I have to lose weight before? Anyone info would help thank you all Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Laci: there are two directions we can walk each day....one is toward our goals and dreams....we may tire, we may falter, we may even crumple in the dust.... Our success is not measured by how many times we fall but how many times we arise and take another step toward the Light.... We can choose our path....or it will be chosen for us; we can act in our own interests....or we can remain trapped by forces that hold us prisoner; we can move ourselves by discipline or we can be imprisoned by our old habits. The energy we lose bemoaning our fate can be better used to move us yet another step in our journey. Which do you choose? Jack posted the above message to a woman who was struggling because she seems to have lost her wind. Jack is one smart mofo. Its all a personal choice, isnt it? Its all about if youre willing and able to focus and if you truly want to change who you are. I have said to my bestie ray a few times, you know dude, if I had had the gastric bypass, it would have been much quicker, and much easier. Then I remembered why I had the lapband in the first place. I didnt want easy, I wanted to OVERCOME. I needed help slaying the beast of the fatness. I have gone from eating 10000 calories a day (believe it or not) to eating 1200-1500. I have gone from eating out every single day, sometimes two or three times a day, to cooking my own food (imagine that). I have gone from sitting down all day long, and being exausted, to walking around the building I work in (circle it twice and its a mile, I try to circle it 6 times a day), plus doing a work out tape in the morning. I have gone from not giving a shit about my apperance to actually caring, to painting my nails, and doing my hair, and taking care of myself in a way that I was almost embarrassed to do when I wasnt doing anything about my weight. Look, my weight loss has been slow, and it doesnt take a genius to figure out how to eat around the band, but it takes a helluva lot of will power to stay on track. Sometimes I stumble, sometimes I falter, but my LIFE is changing. I'm proud of MYself and this is causing a huge shift in my life, in the way I carry myself, in the way I generally feel about the world. I wake up in a better mood, smile more often, I dont always 'look mad' anymore. My band is the best decision I have ever made, and its been difficult, but I would do it again a million times over. Now then, speaking of cooking, I made a sort of low carb something last night, and its really really good. Okay, so I got 3 chicken breasts, threw them on the foreman, a decent sized can of green chilie, 2 tomatos, and about a half a cup of onions. I have this new awesome little vegetable chopper, I dont have to cry when I want to use onions anymore, and it minces it up really finely. So after the chicken breast were done on the foreman, I threw the can of green chilie, some cheese, the tomatos, the onions and the chunked up chicken in a glass baking dish and put that in the oven for about an hour. That stuff is SO GOOD. HA. Angelica, master chef. -A :thumbs_up:

I heard about Lap-Band late in the year, 2006. I attended an informative seminar in Tampa, FL and became intrigued with the process. I'd had an uncle who'd had gastric bypass and he'd ended up losing weight, then gaining it all back after returning to normal eating habits. But SURGERY? to lose weight? Wasn't that taking drastic measures? Couldn't I just do better with changing my eating habits to healthy ones? Was I too weak to do what I had to do on my own? What would people say/think? And if I did do this... everyone would know that I'd taken the "easy way out" by the way I would have to eat. And surgery was forever. And what about that port thing... would it be visible? if I were intimate with someone, would they feel it and be repulsed? Not to mention all the risks surgery intales. If I did this, would I end up like my uncle and go back to my old ways, stretching out my stomach? I just couldn't resove it in my mind and heart. It was tempting.. sounded ideal (Other than the whole money aspect of it all). So I let it sit on a back burner til just a few weeks ago. It was then that I started my own research on the internet about LB and found this site. So many people's opinions and experiences were just what I needed to hear - good and bad. Then one kind-hearted individual answered all the serious and silly questions that I asked. Her openness really allowed me to come to grips with what this surgery would mean and how it could effect my life. So now I am in the process of journalling my eating habits on Fitday.com (which I heard about here) to see just what I am eating and how it breaks down. This has been seriously eyeopening. Once I have a week or so documented, I plan on working on reducing my caloric intake and eating my protien first, then veggies, then carbs. Basically I am going to start changing my eating habits now, in hopes that when I do get insurance and can afford to do this surgery, I will be setting myself up for success, not failure. I feel positive about this life change. I think I can do this. And I don't feel so bad about myself for it. :whoo: So this is where I will journal and document my journey. This is where I will voice my fears and concerns, my joys and accomplishments. And if someone else can get some info, support, or comfort from reading it, then praise be to God. Woohoo! I'm on my way to a brighter day!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Robinson and his Assistant on Monday, and I am shocked! This process seems like it is going to fly by! Here's how it went: I was scheduled for 2:30 but got there at 2:00, so they sat me down with paperwork to fill out. It included all the expected questions, including lists of failed diets, weights throughout your life, co-morbidities,etc. It took about ten minutes, and then they took me in early. The Physician's Assistant (to be called P.A. from the point on) took my blood pressure with a cuff that actually fits me, and it turns out my blood pressure is pretty darn good for a 300 lb. girl! 126/74. They weighed and measured me. We discussed the potential risks of banding, why I wanted the band vs. bypass, etc. It was all pretty straight forward. Then doctor Robinson came in. Dr. Robinson is a man of very few words, but I am not going to him for emotional support. I am seeking him because he seems intelligent, honest and open. He told me right off the bat that I am going to need a boob lift and lower body life after surgery. He also implied that if I mention later on down the road that my boobs sagging cause back pain, and the if I start getting rashes under my extra skin, that I will be able to get both procedures covered by insurance. He then laid me down on the table, looked at my belly, and told me to loose 20-25 lbs. beore surgery. He told me he wants to see me in four weeks for a follow up. If, at that 4 week followup, I have lost 10 lbs, then he will schedule me for surgery. I was told that we're looking at the first week of August, possibly!!!! I left with a to-do list that states which tests I have to have done, which medical records to have transferred, and how to pay the program fee. I have to get an upper GI, see the nutritionist and the psychologist, have a sleep study and have some blood drawn. All of those except for the sleep study can be done on the same day, I was told! Now I am just sitting here at home, waiting for the phone to ring with my appointment dates from his secretary. I am SO ready to go!!!!! :thumbup: Tomorrow is the lap band support group, and I am really debating going!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Robinson and his Assistant on Monday, and I am shocked! This process seems like it is going to fly by! Here's how it went: I was scheduled for 2:30 but got there at 2:00, so they sat me down with paperwork to fill out. It included all the expected questions, including lists of failed diets, weights throughout your life, co-morbidities,etc. It took about ten minutes, and then they took me in early. The Physician's Assistant (to be called P.A. from the point on) took my blood pressure with a cuff that actually fits me, and it turns out my blood pressure is pretty darn good for a 300 lb. girl! 126/74. They weighed and measured me. We discussed the potential risks of banding, why I wanted the band vs. bypass, etc. It was all pretty straight forward. Then doctor Robinson came in. Dr. Robinson is a man of very few words, but I am not going to him for emotional support. I am seeking him because he seems intelligent, honest and open. He told me right off the bat that I am going to need a boob lift and lower body life after surgery. He also implied that if I mention later on down the road that my boobs sagging cause back pain, and the if I start getting rashes under my extra skin, that I will be able to get both procedures covered by insurance. He then laid me down on the table, looked at my belly, and told me to loose 20-25 lbs. beore surgery. He told me he wants to see me in four weeks for a follow up. If, at that 4 week followup, I have lost 10 lbs, then he will schedule me for surgery. I was told that we're looking at the first week of August, possibly!!!! I left with a to-do list that states which tests I have to have done, which medical records to have transferred, and how to pay the program fee. I have to get an upper GI, see the nutritionist and the psychologist, have a sleep study and have some blood drawn. All of those except for the sleep study can be done on the same day, I was told! Now I am just sitting here at home, waiting for the phone to ring with my appointment dates from his secretary. I am SO ready to go!!!!! :crying: Tomorrow is the lap band support group, and I am really debating going!