Considering Lap-band

Hi I'm sure the basics of my story is the same as everyone else...want to lose weight, have tried everything, nothing's working. I'll lose 10-20 and wham it's back full force. I gained more weight after my 3rd child than I did with any of my pregnancies!!!! I have a friend that I met on a forum like this for Weigh****chers, about 6 or 7 years ago. I was moaning about not losing anything and being frusrated and she suggested Lap band...I glossed over it. It's a runnnig joke at my job between myself and 2 other girls that we are going to see if we can get a group rate. Well on my way back from out of town today, I was listening to the radio. There was a health fair at a local mall and DayOneHealth was one of the sponsers. They were talking to post op people and my hubby turned it up, hint hint! I could never catch what type of surgery, I new it wasn't gastric bypass because they said non-invasive. I have had 3 c-sect...I don't want another major surgery! SO lap band sounds like it may be for me. I am about 160 pounds overweight with a BMI of 52.2. I have been diagnosed as a pre-diabetic and my once perfect blood pressure has begun to be all over the place. SO here I sit considering this surgery, I have registered for seminar and I think I may want to do it. I need to call my insurance company. My main concerns are, recovery, costs (if not covered) and side effects or negative outcomes. I'd like to know both sides of the coin. Can anyone offer any suggestions, advice? Thanks in advance

Zandra - I had lapband surgery 1/30. I have 200+ lbs to lose. I had similar fears/apprehensions about gastric bypass (previous surgeries and complications) that swayed my decision to lapband. My insurance did not cover the surgery so I am self-pay. The surgery was a breeze. I did not have any of the side effects like bad gas and hardly any pain. I was back at work after a week but I really didn't *need* to take that long. I have lost 35 lbs so far. I have had one fill so far and it was also easy. I have not done any of the things like sliming or PB but food has gotten a little stuck a couple of time which is a bit painful but it went down pretty quickly. So far, I think I'm doing really good. I really belive I made the best decision for me. Good luck with your journey. Feel free to get in touch with me if you want to ask me any questions. -- Lauri

HI, I also just lap band and my only thought is that I wished I had done it sooner. I have lost 25 lbs so far and have another 99 to go. I feel incredible and confidant the remainer of the weight will come off. I had similar fears, even up to the time of being wheeled into the operating room. It takes a lot to mentally prepare yourself for a life changing event. I can tell you that I finally feel better about myself and enjoy life again. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask... I wish you well, Renee

Hi! Well i had the lap-band done Sept. 2005 so im over a year and half out. I am down around 72 pounds or so. i of course still have a ways to go. I was self-pay because my insurance doesnt cover anything that has to do with obesity. I think i paid somewhere around $17,000 i think im not for sure on that though. I feel that it was the best decision. I was out of work for a week and i really didnt have much pain at all. I had some gas but that is totally normal but its not painful. The thing is that you have to remember that the band is a tool and you have to work this tool. I lost most of my weight within the first few months of my surgery and now its slowed down a lot. Fills arent that bad all. You more than likely wont see restriction right away. Its really weird how that works. It takes about a week (for some maybe longer) for it to actually kick in. The only problem i have had (which was my own fault) is that i stretched my band. I overate which then stretched it out so i had to get an unfil and let it settle and then start over again. So you can beat the band but of course you dont want to do that. You have to know when to stop when you feel full. Anyways not sure what else to tell you but feel free to e-mail me with any questions.