Hi--I'm Rita and my husband is Jim--we live in Billings and both have had laparoscopic gastric banding--Jim in April and mine was done in January. I've lost 72# (including preop diet loss) and Jim has lost 89# (60 of it preop). Are there any local support groups that you know of locally for banded people? Jim was going to one, but they were all people who'd had gastric bypass and the facilitator wasn't too friendly to banded folks.

Hello! I am not having lap band but am from Billings and just wanted to say hello! Best of luck to you on your journey! Felicia =)

Becky , Can you post this for me on the boards please . Thanks ! For those that do not know our brother in WLS - Bill Walker ( WillBThin ) has had a set back from complications from his RNY last week . Will has developed a Septic Infection. He is in Critical Condition at St. Mary's Hospital here in Richmond VA . His wife Stephanie is by his side . He is currently on life support and a kidney machine . His fever is being controlled with antibiotics and a cooling blanket . If you would like to send cards to Will and Stephanie ,I ask that you send them to me . I am putting together a basket of things for them and will include all of your cards . I am so thankful for those that have reached out and prayed for all concerned . Please Please continue to do so . I have attached his profile link to his support page , if you have not stopped by please do so and let him know you are thinking of him . Send all cards to : Natalie Carden c/o Will Walker 621 Pinehurst Ave Colonial Heights Va , 23834 http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/status.php?N=b1145736268 Many Many thanks to you all here at OH .. Natalie TINKERBELL ~~'s Email Address: [email protected]

Hi, My insurance made me get a thorough physical, provide a letter from my doctor showing support for the surgery, provide proof of a BMI over 40, have a sleep apnea test, and provide medical records detailing all of my supervised weight loss activities. These included weigh-ins at the doctors office to prove how long I was overweight as well as medications prescribed and Weigh****chers receipts (that counts as a supervised weight loss attempt!). I also had my friend who has a nutrition degree from Bozeman write a letter detailing many of my diet and exercise regimens throughout the years. I had surgery 10/25/05 in Missoula and have lost 88 lbs in 6 months. I have absolutely no regrets, although it is a different lifestyle - I may have underestimated the impact it would have on my life. However, the good FAR outweighs the bad in my case. I wish you the very best of luck, Marcee

Hi Felicia, I had my RNY at St Pat's in Missoula on Oct 25, 2005. I had no serious co-morbidities. I am 39 years old. I weighed 250 lbs then and was down to 166 lbs in April. I don't know what I weigh now because I don't weigh myself (my scale sucks). I've been very faithful to my diet, protein intake and water consumption but could definitely stand to work out more. The staff at St. Pat's in Missoula is wonderful and very supportive. I have not heard the same about Great Falls - in fact I heard that their support was terrible. I don't attend support groups, but don't feel like I need to. Most of my questions are answered on this website. My insurance required me to have a complete physical and get a sleep apnea test (negative for sleep apnea), then they approved me. I was very lucky to have great insurance. I wish you all the best on your weight loss endeavors! Marcee Butte