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I get my Band on 10/31/06. I have to admit,,, I'm getting nervous. I've got all these people telling me "Shirley don't do it! Youv'e already lost a lot of weight!" Like I don't no this wright??? Anyway they are telling me about how many people they no that have had this done, and they are forever sick. "My guess is By-Pass Surgery" They just don't no the difference. I'm told I wil never eat again. I no I plan too! I no it won't be much, but,, I still plan to eat someday. If some one out there wants to get back to me, and give me some pointers or tips. I would really appreciate it. Because I have all ready bought my Protien Drinks, I've watched a tape on the Procedure, I'm going for my Pre-Op visit Wednesday,Whew, I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row as they say. But,,, somehow my head is getting spun around So please get back. I'm in Michigan, my highest weight was 356, now 239 that's on 1200 calorie diet it works!!! My Surgeon is Jeffrey Genaw. Out of Henry Ford Hospital.

At my Spiegel seminar in August, he announced that University General Hospital was a new facility being built in Houston for Lap Band surgery. I imagine it will replace the Physicians SurgiCenter on Main. I had my surgery at 12 Oaks in September and went home the same day. Cost was the same at Physician's SurgiCenter as 12 Oaks, but the fills at PSC are $150 each since I didn;t have my surgery performed there. A small price to pay in the grander scheme of 100-150 lbs weight loss, but annoying none the less.

It's different for everyone. For me, the incisions were not painful at all, it was just the gas pain. But I was given liquid pain meds that worked like a charm!! As far as needles, IV's have always bothered me tremendously!! I had an upper endoscopy shortly before lap-band and the nurse used a prominent vein on the outside of my forearm, and it didn't hurt or bother me in the least!! When they got ready to do my IV before surgery, I asked them if they could use that same spot and they did and it was painless!! When I woke up after surgery the first thing I said was, can I go home now! I was in no pain. My port is just below my sternum and I rarely feel anything from it at all -- once in a while when I'm exercising I'll get a twinge there, but nothing bad. Go in with a positive attitude and you'll probably do better. Oh, and you're winning in two ways!! You're going to be saving $$ from not smoking and losing weight! It's a win/win situation!! Stay strong!

I have Anthem BC/BS PPO Ohio. I went to see my primary care doctor and he wrote a letter stating my previous attempts, such as Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, and Phentermine. When I had my psych eveal, the psychologist went through my history and wanted to know every diet I had tried. Plus, when I had my history and physical done through the surgeons office, they wrote down dates and diets throughout my lifetime. What I did was just make a time-line and and wrote down every diet I could ever imagine being on. It all went through fine and I was not required to do a 6 month supervised diet. Good luck!:thumbdown:

Yes, I had the doctors office submit everything. I just gave the doctor a list of all the diets I had tried and failed, and a list of my weight fluctuations over the last 5 years. I had the psych eval and the nutrition consult all done before the paperwork was submitted. hope that helps. Good luck!!:thumbdown:

Has started working out yet? I know I started after my 2-weeks were up. I started out doing 30-minutes on the elliptical maching and now I am up to a cool 60.lol... I know this will speed up the weight loss process as well but I am going to hold off on the stomach crunches for about 6mths or so because i dont want my port to flip or disconnect or anything... Now I don't have that much of a stomach anyway so it wont be hard for me to hit the abs and get them under control in like 1-2mths... but i just want to make sure that I am not alone with the working out and everything.... My best friend that relocated to Atl.. has been there doing everything with me, and it is so crazy because when i started on my liquid phase she said ok i'm going to do it to... she was more pissed off than i was... too funny... she was like hell i think i am going to eat my arm..... but after a few days it was better... and the next phases as well. Now she got a personal trainer and he is brutal....:thumbup:, and i told her everything he is telling her is so true.. and I will workout with her because I know it is do-able. He trains her 2-days a week and she started out doing 30 minutes of the elliptical like i did but he only gave her a week to get to an hour...lol... I am not a hard person to motivate once I see something I want nothing can stop me from getting it. Now does anyone have a workout routine set up??

I've lost (now-haven't updated in a little bit) 60 pounds since my surgery, but I've lost 85 pounds since my highest weight earlier in the summer (including 20 pounds in the two weeks prior to surgery that I was on Optifast). Bryan

From surgery...I'm going to the gym too but Dr reminded me "you loose weight in the kitchen" ...he said I would plateau soon but set goal of 30 more pounds by 6 months appt.

I know, I know. It’s been toooo long since I’ve updated. We’ll just blame it on life. The last couple of months of 2010 were a dooozy. I was so glad to kick that year in the arse on the way out the door into 2011. *sheesh* Praying for a much smoother ride this year – though all things considered: at least I got my health on track. shake weight for Christmas. Might seem like a gimmick, but it’s doing something. I feel it! I won’t even talk about the rapidly depleting “fun-bags”. I’m greatful I still have significant cuppage – even if it is on the count of them being so longgggg. By the time I scoop the slinky’s up into one of my FAB new over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders from Lane Bryant, I still have an ample bosom. *cheeze* I have also noticed that my build-a-booty exercises are working better than I expected. That, and a nice proper fitting pair of slacks makes me look Beyonce-bootylicious (even if HERS is fake). Speaking of slacks – I’m in a size 18 now. CANUFRIGGENBELIEVEIT?? At my biggest (in August) I was a sz 22/24. I’m now about 60# down (give or take, depending on the day), and its still somehow lost on me. Yeah, I get that its gonna take awhile for my old brain to catch up to my new body, but I feel like in some weird parallel universe at times. I mean – is “this” really…ME? The last time I saw 250# was over 10 years ago. And now, I’m only 51# away from my first super big goal of getting UNDER 200#. I’m on my way to ONE-derland, baybee!!! Though, I guess me hitting 50# was worth some fanfare – I just kinda…forgot. *shrug* People ask me a lot how I feel. Well, most days, I feel pretty good. I’m pretty much back to “normal”. With the exception of raw veggies/salads (and I’m craving a ceasar salad something fierce). The nausea/vomitting has subsided. And my knees and back/hips are thanking me. I’m more active in terms of walking when I can, takig the steps when I can, dancing when I can, and doing my lil mini-workouts in the bedroom. Really, its been going pretty well. I’m rather proud of myself, even if what I’m doing is minimal at the moment. Protein in the first couple months…my hair started falling out. BIG time. In CLUMPS. My big beautiful fro is no more. *sadface* At first, I went with rockin drawstring pontails for a minute, but I just didn’t feel like…ME. So, on Christmas, I cut my hair off. I figured I rather have short, vibrant, healthy hair.. then longer/bigger patchy hair. So I’m going to keep it short for the next 9 months or so until I can get my protein & everything where it should be. Maintain my fiery crown of red (with the help of Clairol textures-n-tones “Flaming Desire”), however short, and rock on… I will say one last thing – the weightloss surgery was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Rough start aside, it gets easier every day. I’m making much better food choices, which means I still get to enjoy the things I love on occasion (cupcake, anyone? Well, in my case 1/2 a cupcake *lol*). I’m even rather fond of green veggies. Who woulda thunk it!? I do still feel guilty when folks give accolades of “keep up the good work” b/c I don’t feel like I’m doing much to earn that. But, if deciding to actually “do” something about my weight & health (surgery or no)…well I guess that counts for something! Thanks to all who have continued to support, encourage, and drool. Think I’m lookin hawt now? Just *weight* until the summer almost halfway there!

Ditto! Good for you, Eureta! That is so inspiring to read you've lost all your weight. Very cool :clap2: Since my surgery is next week, I can only hope I can be able to say the same someday. barb

Well... here's what little light I can shed. I went to 4 apts in 90 days with a program approved physician/ARN. As for "supervised exercise"- well, she would advise me to exercise and Id do it and then at my next apt we'd go over my compliance. I did not lose weight on my 90 day program, partly because mine started over the holidays LOL. I actually gained 3 lbs and then lost 1 lb. BTW, I rescheduled my surgery for 4/2. End of the month at my job is pretty important I be here. Phew. More time for me to lose those 15 lbs I have to!

Of course it's worth appealing. They are just trying to get out of paying for it. Tell them why your weight went down. Do you have any documentation of taking the pills? Did you see any other Dr.'s that year? Don't give up!!!! That is what they want you to do so they don't have to pay. If you need an appeal letter let me know and I can send you a three page one. My email address is Tazz7722@aol.com. If you would like the copy. Good luck! Don't give up and fight, fight, fight!!!

#1 I lost about 50 with one or two fills. It seemed to me that the band was no longer working. I would eat and be hungry again in a few minutes. Anyway, people here pointed out that I needed a fill because the weight loss caused loss of restriction (so, fat near band). Got a fill and lost 12 more. Now I am again getting hungry. Could I need another fill already? Would 12 pounds do it? #2 has anyone asked for the band to be loosened to go on vacation or for a break? I am vacationing with my in-laws who will make me nuts. I eat way more often now and a lot less.

I'm hoping that having my curves owner print out montly my attendance log will suffice. Has anyone else had to prove the exercise? If the surgeon documents that you are exercising will that do it? That is one area I am a little unclear on. The insurance person at my dr office thinks the curves idea is a good plan for the 90 day diet. I am starting week 4 of the 3 month supervised diet and I have my first weigh in wed. I have lost about 13 pounds so far in 3 weeks on an 800 calorie a day diet. I feel pretty good. I have lost 21 pounds in 6 weeks altogether since starting to loose weight this go around.

Hi Jamie, that happens to a lot of people. It happened to me too, I have since started loosing again. I think there are a lot of factors that contribute to the plateau. First is that yo body is adjusting to the new way you are eating and is now conserving energy. Do you get cold easier now? My body temperature has been running around 96 degrees so my body is conserving emery that way. Also a a lot of the weight we loose in the first few weeks is water weight because we are drinking so much, then when we star eating food we gain some of that back, especially if you like salt. Also watch for constipation, that can make it seem like you aren't losing. What to do then? Make sure you journal all you food on a site like livestrong.com so you can watch you sodium and protein intake and log your water. If you aren't exercising, start as long as your doctor approves. You should at least be able to walk. Yo cat track that as well on livestrong.com. Once you body quits freaking out over the cut in calories the scale will start to move again.

I've been stalled for about 6 months myself and I still get stuck. But, I know why I'm not losing weight. I eat the same amount of calories I burn off. So, no weight loss. Funny how that works eh? So, if you want it to work, consume fewer calories than you burn. Count your calories. If you don't have restriction or near the green zone, find out why? Talk to your bariatric WLS nutritionist too. They have great insight into how you can make this work. Like Missy said, it's not going to make you lose the lbs if you don't use it properly. tmf

I had the same thing. I saw my pcp 3 times. My nut 4 times and physical therapist 3 times. I logged my food 3-4 days a week and exercise 3 days a week. After all was done my pcp sent my weight history. My nut wrote up a summary of everything with diet and exercise and weight for 3 months. My friend is going thru this right now. She is doing the same thing except seeing the surgeon 3 times instead of pcp.

I just got approved by UHC today, I have no comorbities, but my bmi is 45. I had to show a 5 yr. weight history. Although it did take a few weeks for them to even get my info from my dr. My dr. office faxed the info to uhc four times, finally Monday they recieved it and approved me today.

Was anyone denied for not losing weight (or gaining) on the insurance required 6 month docotor supervised diet? I am so concerned about this. I lost about 9 lbs the 2nd to 3rd month because I had my tonsills out but ever since then, I have been adding maybe 1-2 pounds a month. I may be exactly the same on my last appt. as I was on the 1st one, or maybe a few pounds more at the most. Will this be a problem???

Haha! I guess someone was even more desperate! But I wish I had your problem - I've had basically zero sex drive for the last 6 months or so, my boyfriend's annoyed (although understanding). I thought it'd get better when I lost weight (nope), went off the pill (nope), or exercised more (nope). It's kind of frustrating.

Jillybean- I know what you mean about the slow weight loss. Since I started regular foods I haven't lost anything! But I have also been sick with chest cold and have not walked or excercised. I'm feeling better so will start walking again with the hope the I will drop some more weight. I have had one fill at 2 ccs and feel little to no restriction, but I am trying really hard to not overeat. The band is helping if only because I don't feel hungry, but I still think I can eat more that I would like. Drinking lots of water helps too. I am going to start logging all my calories to see if I am perhaps eating more that I thought. If that's the case I will cut back and get back on track. Hope that helps you. Good luck to you.

I have Aetna, but not managed choice, so your experience may vary. I had to do a 6-month pre-op diet, but I've read on here about other Aetna members only needed a 3-month diet. If you call Aetna, or look at the Web site for your plan, you'll be able to find out the exact requirements. I had to have a couple of years of documented weight problems, and had to do several pre-op tests: upper GI, heart scan, and psych evaluation, in addition to a lot of blood work. Other people have had to get a sleep apnea study, but I didn't. I was able to get all the tests done in a month. Good luck!

@@goodnuff my husband had a hernia repaired a few years before we had bariatric surgery. I did not like the way that Dr. put the mesh in and always thought that it was never "right" now as he has lost weight and been doing more sure enough the hernia has popped back through around the area of the mesh and he needs to have it done again! This time our bariatric Dr. will do the hernia repair, but they are right about restrictions for a few months after the repair work is done. It takes anywhere from 3-6 months for that area to heal. Doing heavy lifting and/or core work could cause the sutures to rupture and push the organs out again and re-create the hernia. When you have a hernia (you probably know this being a nurse) your organs (intestine) are being pushed out through and past a whole or weakness in the muscle. This can end up in necrosis of the organ, and it can lose oxygen and blood flow causing that area to die and cause a whole new host of serious issues. When the organs push through or around the mesh it is even worse as the mesh could actually puncture the organs. Have them take an x-ray, CT scan or sonogram to really check and make sure you are OK. My hubs is a fire fighter and was out of work for nearly 4 months from that umbilical hernia repair due to lifting restrictions. I wish you all the best!! Take care of you!!

I started having a burning pain that turned into sensitivity around my belly button on monday. I knew I was seeing my surgeon on Wednesday for my three month follow-up appointment so I just waited until then. He thinks on of the sutures that anchors the mesh "popped". He asked the same question he has asked at every appointment, how much weight I lift at work. I told him once again that I'm a labor and delivery nurse and my patients weigh 150-300 pounds. In urgent situations I reposition them by myself and they often have epidurals that limit their ability to help. I also help hold their legs while they push their baby out for up to 3 or 4 hours. Epiduralized legs are not light. I don't understand why he seems to have a difficult time grasping the concept that my job is physically demanding. The first time I answered that question he tried dismissing my answer by stating that "babies don't weigh that much do they?" I told him that as a Labor Nurse I rarely hold a baby, I work with the moms. Anyway, after listing some of the things I do in a typical day he advised me to wear an abdominal binder at work. He told me at my six week appointment not to do sit ups or anything that would crunch my stomach in half but cleared me to start working with a personal trainer. I followed his instructions but was curious why I couldn't do a sit up if I was released to work where I'm bending, stooping etc.? I asked if I could continue my work outs, he kept saying that he doesn't think I need to lift weights and that I should just do cardio to lose weight. I explained to him that I do the weight lifting to tone-up and build strength, he seemed confused as to why I would want to do that but said it was ok to do. I asked if I could do planks, again...I'm engaging my core at work All. The. Time. His response was to "give it two months to heal". So I can work. I can work out. But I'm not supposed to use my abdominal muscles? Umm, ok. The biggest irritation is that this hernia never bothered me before surgery. I was aware that my stomach pooched out a bit but it never hurt and never gave me problems. Now there's constant pain, severity depends on position and if I have anything to eat or drink. I really really hope this isn't the start of long term complications. Anyone have similar hernia issues after repair?

It's the first day into 2007 and no band. Good and bad news: Right before making an appt to see the surgeon for the first consultation, our company announced changes in our health insurance. Now we have Cigna, whose benefit plan states that the band is covered under an HCA facility. Lucky me! Here I had gone thru a 7 month program requirement by my primary; physican/nutristionist/excercise/lab program. Now with this new insurance I have to be under supervision for 6 months. Like starting all over again. I have to find a new primary, HCA affiliated surgeon and HCA facility. I've talked to Cigna and there might be a chance that if I provide proper documentation of my previous program that it might be taken into consideration for individuals with lifelong morbid obesity. I will do everything they ask. Even it takes six more months I will do it. It's been a journey, but I've learned alot. Plus it's given me time to think things thru. Tomorrow I start my search for providers. At least I know what to expect with a physician-directed weight-management program. just waiting