Lap Band-Southern Maine

Hello All,

I was wondering if there were any people that have or are going to have the lap band?  How its worked for them?  I know there are other forums but would like to hear from someone from Maine.

That is what I am going for, but I am still pre-op so I dont think I will have much info to give you.

I am in Bath.   I am 15 months post op and and thrilled with the results I have achieved with my band.   I have gone from a size 26 jeans to a 12/14 pants.  I have been speaking at seminars in Augusta and love it.  From the beginning I have treated my band like a tool.  There are multiple tools you use for weight loss, the scale in the bathroom, the one you use to weigh your food..both of these things are tools.   It is still up to YOU to do the work.  I run 3-4 times a week now.  Have run 3 5ks and am preparing for a 10 k in August.  I give the band 25% of the credit for my weight loss, but I give myself the other 75%. People ask if I love being a success story...I respond with,  I don't know, because a success suggests to me they have reached their goal and they are done..I will be working on this for the rest of my life.   I have lost weight multiple times in my life but this is the first time I have lost THIS MUCH and kept it off this long.  Please if you have any specific questions I would be happy to help you in any way I can.   Good Luck!   Kimberly

Hi kimberly,

Thank you for getting back to me!  It is nice to be able to talk to someone else about the ups and downs of lap banding.  I know on this site there are a lot from around but it makes it nice to know there is someone relatively close.  I see that in maine, there seems to be a lot of people that get the gastric bypass compared to the lap band.  My goal is to get to 199..As of current I am a size 24 and would love to be a 16..Its funny because when I was a size 16, I thought I was soo fat!

Anyways, thank you for your response and for offering your support and feedback.


Terry

You are more than welcome.  I remember when I was first researching the band there was little information out there...I needed people to be honest with me.  I used to go to seminars and hear, "I lost the weight it was easy and I am happy".  THIS IS NOT REALISTIC INFORMATION.  It is not easy, nothing worth doing is easy...unless you are happy before your band the band is not going to MAKE you happy...LOL.  I am very realistic when I do seminars and yes you are right there is a much larger percentage of people in this area that get a RNY.  It was just not the best decision for me.  I do NOT fault people that took that route, they did what worked for them.   I am sometimes jealous of the fact that it comes off a lot faster for them, but when I think about explosive diarrhea I am over it...lol.  I have been to multiple support group meetings and when people fail at one procedure they look to another...this is a one shot deal for me.  I was so determined to make this work.  If I chose to sit on the couch and wait for the weight to fall off I would have failed.   I have exchanged one habit (poor eating choices) for another habit (running like a mad woman...lol)  I am not living in a fantasy world and I realize that if I choose to stop running/exercising it could all come back.   There are SO MANY benefits of the band, but many OH readers are offended by when you promote one procedure over another I do not want to offend anyone.   If you want, I would be happy to email you any information you want.    I am sure you have A LOT  of questions.  It is funny to see your goals...mine were VERY similar.  I am 45 and have two children,  7 and 9.  I was a size 22-24-26 and wanted to be a 16...I have surpassed a size 16 and am in a comfortable 14.   I am very happy at where I am and could care less to loose another pound.   I am still "overweight" according to my BMI, but am healthier now that I have ever been.   Have you met with any Dr.'s in Portland yet?  Have you been to your first seminar yet??

Hi Kimberly,

What a beautiful Sunday so far!  I did attend my first informational meeting on 4/20 and decided to see the social worker that was on their list because MMC social worker would of taken months, I met with her on May 5th and passed.  The thing that I was having a hard time with was getting a simple referral from my doctor.  There was a mix up in his office and they we having me speak to the wrong person 9she has limited english) and she always had no idea why I needed a referral but finally after 3 weeks, have it straightend out.  My doctor was the one that mentioned that I would be a good candidate for some type of wls because I have no other conditions-yet.  He knows my history of struggling and losing all my life.

I went for a barium swallow which my PCP thought doctor Cobeans office would want and that was this past Friday.  I guess my PCP was also working on my referral and labs were faxed over this past week, so I am hoping that I hear something within the next two weeks.  In the meantime, I plan on going to a support group.

Here is my email: [email protected], if you would want to send me information there.  I really appreciate the time your taking with me.

Have a great day and tomorrow is going to be even nicer!


Terry

Why do you need to meet with a social worker??  I found that if my bariatric surgeon wanted tests he would order them.  There are a lot of unnecessary tests out there.  I have insurance, but I still have a co-pay and I have to pay 10% of all tests.   I thought I saw your BMI was 50 is that right?...do you have any co-mobidities?   It is beautiful today...we are on the water so it is VERY windy here.  As much as I need to get out and run there is a lot of cleaning on the inside I am trying to get done today.  I will get in a good run tomorrow.

I should of said the nut doctor..I have no copay and I work for the state so my health insurance is really good.  I do not have any co-mobidities and yes my BMI is 50, i am only 5'2 at 275lbs. 

I did clean a few closets today because it felt like the perfect day to do it.  As far as my doctor and ordering that test, I have no idea why but I did it.  I am thinking because I have had acid reflux come and go and when I get heavier, it comes, and when I lose weight, it goes!



Terry

Comes and Goes...LOL LOL   I had it 24/7 and it was terrible.  I assure you that I have no doubt I have done damage to my esophagus.   I have not had even one issue with my band...I bet you are going to do great!  We have BC/BS a 90/10 plan.  Boy how nice for you that you don't have a copay..I had to stop my psychical therapy because I was paying $25 a visit..$100 a month.  I tore my rotater cuff (a side effect of wanting to get rid of my granny grabbers...lol)  I do the work at home now.   How fortunate you are that you haven't developed any weight related health issues.  Does your insurance require a 6 month physician supervised diet? You may have received my email by now...I don't want to ask you the same questions twice...LOL  My house looks great!   My kids really got into it.   I cut up pieces of paper and wrote a task on each one...they chose one out of a hat and did it.   They actually asked for more tasks when they were done...LOL

 That is a great idea with the kids doing chores!  I should try that.  I already decided that It will be the band.  In my opinion, it will work the best for me.  I did call my insurance (Anthem 180/680), and they said they paid 100%, I even downloaded the medical policy and do not see anything about 6 months?

I hope your week is going well so far!  I will respond to my other email.

Terry