Information on Lap Band, anyone in Cave Juntion Area??

Just starting the road....I have so many questions on the Lap Band, how soon can I return to work? Does Pacific Source (three Rivers school Dist.) cover well? When I am double covered do I have to pay the deductables? Where do I find this kind of information? Has anyone out there had Lap BAND at Southern Oregon Bariactrics? Do you have a lot of pain after surgery? How long is the "normal" hospital stay and can you sleep in bed when you come home? This site is wonderful! Thank you all for all the help. Kathy

Hi Kathy, Welcome, you are in the right place.... I am sure you will find many of your answers here. I felt very similar to how you are feeling now about 1 1/2 years ago. I thought I was going to do the band, but ended up switching to RNY for many reasons. I know there is a lap band board on this site that might be helpful. This board is awesome for local support, and is a fairly active group, there are some lap band Oregonians in here who might be able to better answer your questions. The band is less invasive so my personal experience won't help much. I do know if you are going to have the surgery laprascopically the recovery is much faster, I only had 5 small incisions, that healed fairly quickly. I had a good deal of bruisin from all of the movement, it looked like I got beat up after a day or two. LOL but I was up and walking the next day.... they want you walking as soon as possible, to prevent clots etc. Good luck and keep coming back, and ask those questions!!!  How far is Cave Junction from Medford? My cousin lives near Medford, I visit her every few months, it is a besutiful area. TTFN Christina 

Thank you for writing Christina. I grew up in that area. Went to Lacomb elementry, then  High School there in Lebanon. I live an hour from Medford now. That is where surgery will be. You have done so well with weight loss. My husband and I made the decission for Lap Band for the faster recovery time. I can not miss a lot of work. Thanks, Kathy

As far as what your insurance coverage covers, call them up and ask them. I did that with my carrier and they sent me a packet of information to help "get the ball rolling".  I was covered, it gave me the deductibles, even gave me a partial reimbursement for travelling expenses.  So that was nice.   I had my surgery 12/12/07.  There wasn't a lot of pain, but there was pain.  It pretty much felt like someone had used your abdomen for a punching bag.  They gave me meds in the hospital for that, and sent me home with meds. I quickly weaned myself off of those.  I chose to stay in the hospital overnight, as I had gone to Portland (I live in Springfield).  If I had been closer I would have gone home the same day.  Recovery time is individual.  I took a month off, because of a weight lifting restriction, but had it not been for that, I could have returned to work sooner.  As Christina mentioned there is a lap band forum on this site.  It has tons of information, and it is yours for the asking. Go check it out, lots of friendly people willing to share their experiences and knowledge.   More questions,please ask....and best of luck with your weight loss journey! 

I had my band done in Mexicali Mexico last June 6 and was up walking the same day. The next day I went shopping and walked back to the hospital from the mall (about a half a mile). The day after that I walked about two miles in old town San Diego. I had some gas pain that was quite uncomfortable, but walking helped tremendously. I returned to work about 4 days after surgery with no problem. I only took liquid tylenol afterward for pain. I ended up having an unrelated cycle of migraines and needed way more pain relief for them than for my surgery. I started at 286 and lost about 8 pounds pre surgery. I am now down to 210. I have lost slowly and steadily and have had two fills. I go to the gym 5 times a week and take yoga. I am in the best shape of my life. I am really trying to eat a normal balanced diet with moderate portions of healthy food choices and use my band as the tool it is. I hope some of this helped. Best of luck to you!

I had surgery at Bay Bariatrics in North Bend almost 3 years ago. With the Band you dont stay in the hosptal its day surgery, but you have to stay in town until the next day to go in for a follow up appointment. I had surgery on Monday Drove home on Tuesday - well husband drove me home and return to a desk job on Friday.  Yes I slept in bd no problems you just have to sleep on your back for a few days. Good Luck ! I love my band ! 'Gail