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Still deciding between December or November...

hello i am 17 years old and i had a lap band fitted on the 7th november 2007 i am really happy that i have had it done but there is somethink in my head that still cant get around it! if that makes any sence. i think it help as my mum and sister both have a lap band my sister had hers put in may just gone and my mum had hers in march 07 but had to have it rmoved sept 07 as she weas always getting it filled as much as she could which caused it to slip but had a new one fitted the end ofoct 07 and since the first op she has lost nearly 4 stone

Welcome Peggylou! You have come to the right place to ask about these emotions. Look around, there are many of us not sure if we should tell others. I, myself, am scared to death to tell my mom. I just 'came out' to my sister and she was very supportive which was a relief. My mom has been overweight as long as I can remember and won't consider it for herself, so not sure how she will handle her daughter getting it done. I'm 39 years old and don't want to tell my mommy! Lol. But I know if I don't tell her and she finds out later, she will be extremely hurt. What it comes down to is, tell everyone, no one or a select few. It's your business. No one else's. I just saw an episode of "Say Yes To The Dress" and the bride lost 115 lbs since the dress was ordered. There is no way she did it without wls in the 8 months it takes to order a wedding dress. But it wasn't stated so it's her secrete. I am a teacher and am in 3 different schools. In my one school I am only going to tell the nurse just in case of emergency. Most of the teachers there are all skinny minis and couldn't relate. In my second school I am sharing more because the art teacher had the lap band done in November and the reading teacher had the sleeve at the end of June. She announced it to everyone because she will be a lot thinner at the start of the school year and she rather not be fuel for the gossips. My third school I am just telling a few that I know that also had wls just for someone to talk to. Best of luck deciding what is best for you. Not easy, I know but definately not a reason to not get yourself the help you need in getting yourself healthier. Keep posted on your journey!

I also have Anthem and live in VA. I would suggest seeing if ypur doctor's office has any better luck with getting coverage. You are close on your BMI. Do you have things like sleep apena, high cholestrol, heart issues, etc. These are some of the things the insurance company is looking for. The doctor's office has lots of experience working with insurance companies. Some thoughts to consider. During the past general assembly session, I received a call my by Doctor's office saying that there was legislation being brought forth to take coverage of gastric bypass surgery out of insurance coverage. What my doctor's office told me was that for lap band fills, I would end of paying about $600.00 per fill ($100.00 for the doctor's office and $500.00 for use of the hospital radiology department equipment. This scared the heebee geebeeies out of me. I was banded in 10/08 and have had 3 fills since then. I knew if this insurance legislation passed, I'd be up one long, bad creek with no paddle! PS I don't think the legislation passed based on information in the newspaper but open enrollment for our insurance is just around the corner and I'll know for sure then. I would suggest that before you make a decision about going to Mexico, that you read through some of the threads on this website from folks who have gone to Mexico and some of the difficulties finding a doctor where they live to do fills. You may want to check with the doctors in your area to see if they will do fills if you go elsewhere for the surgery. Good luck with your insurance and your decision.

I have been going back and fourth between the sleeve and gastric bypass and today after reading a ton of info and stories on here I decided to go with the sleeve. Im very happy with my decision...so far...hopefully I feel that way after surgery in september as well lol. From what I've read on here everyone seems to be pretty happy with it. *Jess*

My name is Sam. I'm 30 yrs old. I recently have become sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm fat. I don't care to sugar coat it. That's how I got this way. Pun intended. I will tell you I'm scared of surgery. I will also tell you I've done many things I've been scared of. I am so on the fence about bypass and sleeve. Originally I thought I wanted to lap band. That turned out to be very wrong. So my surgeon is really pro patient choice with in reason. And I am stuck... so I'm really curious how did you make your decision? What's your experience?

First, you look amazing. I would not have guessed you were dealing with excess skin. You hid it very well. I have about 150 I’d like to lose so I suspect will be in a similar situation. for now, I just need to recover from the bypass surgery. But it is so good to hear others’ experience. Thanks so much for sharing!

I went through that stage. Man, the week before I started my pre-op liquid diet i probably gained 10 pounds just on my "goodbye food" tour. I had no idea what i would or wouldn't be able to eat. I remember sitting in McDonalds a year ago, eating a bacon egg and cheese McGriddle with tears streaming down my face as I mentally said goodbye to bacon egg and cheese McGriddles FOREVER. well, almost a year has passed, about 11 months actually, since my surgery and I am down about 90 pounds with NO FILLS and I can eat any type of food that I want to eat. the thing that has changed is the head hunger. I just don't feel it the way I did before surgery. before, food consumed pretty much every waking moment of my day. what will i eat next? what will i eat after that? what is the next meal? when is the next meal? i can honestly say i do not think that way any more. it's like a switch was turned off in my head and it really quieted that voice. sometimes i don't even think about food until my stomach makes a noise and i realize that i haven't eaten and i need to eat! can you imagine??? i certainly couldn't have imagined that *gasp* i wouldn't want to eat unless i was actually feeling hunger. so, although i can eat any type of food i want to eat, including bacon, egg, and cheese McGriddles, i rarely eat things that aren't serving a purpose. that means, i eat proteins first, as they fill me up, then veggies, then if i have it whatever starches there are. i can eat bread, but i don't eat a lot of it. every once in a while i will have a mcdonald's (or wendy's or burger king) hamburger with the bun...the difference is, I don't have the whopper or the big mac, i just have the regular size and it really is enough. i get the taste of whatever i am craving and then i move on with my day. if i have fries, i order the small instead of the super size. i also wait the 20 minutes after eating a meal to take a drink (like my doctor suggested) i still eat chocolate and cookies and cakes and sweets and things that aren't super duper healthy, but i don't have them every day. i usually have a cheat day or a special event that i save those things for. really, i don't think about sweets and starch and stuff like that in the way that i used to anyway. Holidays are really the only time where i indulge in sweets. can you say Cadbury eggs??? I'm so glad Easter is over and they have stopped selling these little eggs of evil anywho, i said all of that to say that what you are feeling is perfectly normal, at least it was for me. do what you need to do to mourn, but also know that if you chew long enough you can eat pretty much anything. the good thing about chewing is that once something spends a lot of time in your mouth and you really taste it for the first time, you realize that it wasn't a fantastic taste in the first place and you don't really want to eat it again. really, things don't taste the same to me anymore and i've lost the desire to have a lot of things that i once thought i loved. do i miss taking huge bites of delicious huge burgers? yes i do. sometimes, usually when it's that time of the month, but for the most part, i have competely changed my eating habits. i don't count calories or weigh foods or do any of that stuff. i think that now i eat like a normal person would eat. I have been watching my co-workers (who are all thin) and their eating habits this past year and i have discovered that we tend to now get hungry at the same time of day and eat roughly the same amount of foods and be full with the same serving size. this has given me joy to know that for the first time in my life there is something normal about me. i am eating like a normal person. not vacuuming the food down, not eating until i feel pain, not stuffing myself silly with supersized portions, but really eating and enjoying the tastes of food, all kinds of food. this band has actually opened up a world of food choices for me. i have discovered new flavors that i never knew existed or never paid attention to because i used to just bypass the chew stage. in the mouth and down the throat it went. no longer. now i spend time with food and since i'm spending time with food in my mouth, i want only delicious tasting things to go into my mouth. anyway, i could go on and on and on and on, but i will stop there and just say good luck to you and maybe give you hope that this isn't the end. you will be able to eat foods you like and love and you will be able to enjoy eating. just take it one day at a time and don't be discouraged. you will be just fine.

Monthly Support Group for Lap Band and Gastric Bypass Tuesday, Oct 21st @ 6pm Topic: Support Groups: Get ready to Zoomba! Ruby Barba to give a 30 min zoomba class. Wear comfortable clothing/sneakers. All levels of physical activity welcome! Location: 95 Woodland St. Second Floor Hall A Hartford, CT -- Free Parking Available Across from St. Francis Hospital ** Everyone is welcome to the support group meetings. ** The support group is provided by Connecticut Surgeons LLC. For more info, please call (860) 714-7447

I had seurgery for the Lapband May 2010. I lost 80 lbs and have gained it back plus more. I called my ins and they said that bypass is covered (it wasn't at the time of my band). I have completed all my requirements needed in order to be considered for the surgery but today I found out that the ins only pays for one WLS per lifetime. Will I have a chance if I appeal? The denial has NOT been received yet and I am hoping that it will still be approved based on all the documentation. Any ideas? Thoughts?

I had lapband 7 years ago. After a year, I had severe GERD and had to have most of the Fluid taken out of the band. After 6 more years of severe GERD and finally a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonias and staph in the lungs, it was recommended by the head of the GI department at a large metropolitan hospital that I have a conversion to RNY bypass. I am still down about 65 pounds from the original 100 I lost with lap band. Insurance approved the surgery in 2 weeks so I guess there's no question that this is the fix! I meet with my surgeon (the same one that did the lap band) next week for pre-op appointment and surgery date. I am scared, elated, preocupied with bypass information. I am reading everything I can get my hands on. I devoured the Big Book of Gastric Bypass and am re-reading it, marking questions and thoughts to talk with the surgeon and the dietician about. Not sure how or why I missed Bariatric Pal before, but I need all the help I can get. I have great family support and a couple of friends/acquaintances who have had bypass surgery so I feel supported. I need to move on from the "deja vu all over again" feeling and know that this is procedure is way different. I would love to hear from anyone else who has had a conversion.

Hi!!! I was revised from band to bypass on May 21, 2014. Omg I love my bypass! What a difference!!! I don't feel like I'm stuck all the time, I don't throw up, I don't have to find a barroom before I eat to make sure I can run there in time.. It's awesome! I was successful with my band lost all my weight 120 pounds in 9 months, kept it off for 5 years then bam one day I couldn't keep anything down even with an unfill. So revision was my option.. My band had eroded. I can tell you the revision surgery was easier for me than the band surgery. I knew I had to get up and walk ASAP after surgery because the gas pain killed me last time so I did!! I walked within 2 hours of surgery and kept walking. I was able to go home day after surgery and my recovery was amazing. Felt awesome! I even asked my doc if he really took out the band and did the rny I felt so good!! Feel free to pm me with any questions!!! And good luck!!

I lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks, after losing 40 from Early September to late November. I was blamed my slowdown from now being on TPN, but maybe we are entering an atypical phase? If we are doing all the right things, checking off appropriate boxes, kick back mentally and stop worrying!😝😕😝

Hi! This is my very first post and the beginning of a new chapter. I have jumped through most of the insurance hoops and am almost ready to make the appointment with the surgeon. My psych eval is October 14th, after that, all of the paperwork gets turned in to insurance for approval. I did have to do the three month medically supervised diet. I am so nervous/excited/anxious for this part of the journey to be over. I have no idea what the next steps are, but I believe that it is possible to have a surgery date by the end of November. Am I being too optimistic? You have all been so inspiring and helpful to this newbie. I know this is the right thing for me and no matter what the naysayers tell me, I would never be successful without this opportunity. Thanks for listening!!!

Ah Darlin', this is not a normal and logical situation sweet Frustr8 is in. I am the rarer , watch out for your surgeon might have skimmed over talking about. I have a stomal stricture in Precious Pouch, and she has 2 ulcers also, on the back wall of my jejunem- the portion of small intestine the pouch attaches to, I have 3 more angry ulcers and the potential to ulcerate on down toward the ileum. I have had 4 endoscopy scopings, on every EGJ is still was not healing up, solider foods can't pass through, so I was on a liquid diet and still am, in theory. After my last scope I was hospitalized, that was November 28th, on the 29th a PICC LINE was established in my upper left arm, snakes through the venous tree, 48 cm, roughly 19 inches long, the tip is located in my superior Vena Cava, and rests only a couple inches from the right atrium , the upper chamber of my ❤. The line rested for a day then on the 30th TPN, which stands for Total Parenterel Nutrition, I get a feeding solution pumped in, I was on 14 hours on, 10 off daily, I just graduated? to a 12-12 cycle on January 1sr, I can try 1 meal of liquid something daily if I desire but the solution supplies my nutritional needs as it is. 1430 calories of goodness, Wowser that's about twice what I was taking when I was feeding by mouth. I simply count not ingest the 90-120 grams of protein Dr Noria says I needed to heal the verdompt ulcers, so this is an easier way for me. Oh I wasn't TOO THRILLED to have this happen to me, my son and I learned the steps so we do it all ourself, no stupid home health nurses having to do it. Twice a week I have blood draws, luckily they can remove blood from the PICC line, better than having someone go up and down my arms looking for an non- rolling surface vein. I used to look like someone threw rocks at me. I have lost over 100 pounds from my highest weight, lost 15 pounds on my liver shrinking diet in August , and close to 50 since my surgery September 5th, for a while I was protein poor and nearly malnourished , I was losing weight like a sea-sick anorexic sailor, nice losing but it was pushing me me into a depletion corner. Weighed myself last week at my Primary Care while my son was doing his appointment, looked like I was stalled by came home , did a giant #2, had to flush 3 times so I have to weigh less, tomorrow is blood draw and then appointment at Primary care for me, why they couldn't have booked us same day, is beyond my comprehension. But anyhoo, I shall weigh and see.And PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Cathetern see you're getting a mini-tutorial today. How much longer will I have it? I have a surgeon appointment the 15th, another endoscopy the 25th with his Partner Dr Noria who love love loves doing them, she is also is a super competent Bariatric, Gastrointestinal and does do General Surgery but Endoscopy is her " Bang Zone" I really like her and Dr,Needleman, and have to believe they have a Plan of Care and have my best interests at ❤ but this sure is not the scenario I had planned for myself.👈😡👉💉💊

I picked the sleeve over bypass for several reasons, but only YOU can choose what's best for you. If I was diabetic, I would have had bypass. I am not. I wanted to live and eat as "normally" as possible and I was not interested in the possibility of "dumping". I wanted to be able to have a bite or tow of cake or a brownie here and there and I can do that with the sleeve. That said, rich ice cream (my favorite dessert in the world) makes me dump like a pansy biotch. Rich cream Soups do, too. ARGH. Malabsorbtion scared me. I suck at taking Vitamins and pills and I did not want to be on that regimen forever. I don't swallow pills. With bypass that's a must. With sleeve it's a YOU REALLY SHOULD DAMMIT but I don't. I didn't want my intestines re-routed. I don't have a logical reason for that, I just didn't. I loved the idea of my grehlin factory being shut down and it has been. Appetite suppressants have always worked well for me, now it's happening naturally. WIN!! The sleeve was my best option and my surgeon was behind it 100%. As active as I am, and as dedicated as I've proven to be, he agreed that the sleeve was my best bet. I am just over two years out and have been at goal for almost 16 months. I'm thrilled.I more than thrilled. I'm feaking ecstatic. I've had my share of complications but I don't regret a single moment. Not even for a second...

i am booked for Aug 26 for Bipass. The doctors at my hospital dont give you a choice it's bypass or sleeve if they find complications when they get in there. I am soooo scared. I am very healthy other than being overweight. Worried i am gonna trade one problem for another. I am trying to focus on the after, but it's so hard not to worry. Having surgery at St joseph's hospital in hamilton, somebody pls talk to me

Marie Car I am not as close to surgery as you but I share your feelings exactly. I am so scared but I know I need to do this. I focus on the good everyone says but I feel like in petrefied. Gastric bypass seems so serious I don't know how I got like this. I feel like no one gets how afraid I really am. It's a lonely place to be I'm healthy as well but I do not want to wait till I'm not. We can be here for each other. Surgery sistas.hang in there

Oh so excited I cant believe it I have hypertension never ever had it and borderline diabetic so I know this is the right decision tomorrow pulmonary.. cardiologist and psych clearance and nutritionist and then I get my date once insurance is done for NOvember Dr said yay nervous excited !

Hey!! I am happy to see a message from you!!! Woo HOO!! I hope your call comes soon!! . Today eating in moderation seemed so much raiser than in the past!!! I met the surgeon and I DO NOT have to loose the 15-20 like I was told!! But I am staying on track and loosing!! . I will have a three week pre op diet that is three small meals and two small snack and does not include Protein shakes!! I was given a list of the food I can have during this time. Luckily I love all of it and it allowing for variety. I should be set for surgery in November!! When do you think you'll be sleeved? How's everything else going for you? Smoking cessation? Best, Sannah Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey, I was wondering if anybody would like to tell how the sleeve changed their life with PCOS. I am having my surgery somewhere between October and November and am struggling with trying to get a grip on what will happen after surgery. Is it easier or harder after surgery to lose weight with PCOS? I appreciate everything and thank you ahead of time!

Hi Everyone, I'm Dana from New Orleans. My surgery date is December 21st. I've been on VST since July when I first started in researching VS. I've been in the November blog all this time because that is when I originally thought I'd get through the process...but my surgeon was booked ( he's the best in this area)...So now I'm a December Sleever I had my final appointment today -- signed consents, paid the $$$.....met with the surgeon..it was just what I needed because he totally put me at ease about the whole thing. Now I can't wait for the 21st. I hope to get know all you guys who will be going through this journey around the same time as me..... Are there any New Orleans or Louisiana people here? Nice to meet you all! ~Dana

Good evening. I am getting the band on 12/17/08. I have been on liquids only (three Slim Fast and soup each day) so it is not quite a shock after surgery. I met with the nutritionist and who said that the Slim Fast had too much sugar. The four items above give me the Protein required. I am wondering if the sugar is such a big deal when I am taking in only 1,000 calories per day. Any advice for alternatives. I thought sugar was a big deal with the bypass. Thank you.

Hi there, I had my sleeve on November 20th. I am starting to eat sort of normally now and I have a LOT of gas. I have read and been told (I think) that the gas will stretch my stomach so now I am freaking out that my stomach is big again. I have an appetite but can only eat a small amount at a time and I am still losing 2 or 3 pounds a week. Does anyone have any information on gas and the sleeve surgery? Thank you in advance, this forum saved my sanity after the surgery!!!! Addie

Just wanted to stop on and say hello to everyone. My bypass surgery is planned for January 24th so it is coming up very soon. I went to an all day seminar in June at the hospital to learn about the different options and started all my pre-requisites for surgery from there. Initially, I thought six months would take forever but the time has really gone fast. I finished up everything on November 30th and was approved for surgery on December 21. I am a RN and have done tons of research and feel very confident that I am making the best choice for myself to get my health back on track. Any advice is appreciated and I look forward to getting to know people