New member

Hi, I am new here. I have been researching WLS for about 6 months and have decided on the Lap Band. I have been overweight since having children and am ready to change that! I would love to hear about others experiences with Evergreen and the lap band! Shari

Hi Shari, I am fairly new to this board as well. I had my band placed on July 19 04. Monday will be the start of my 9th week. My experience with the band has been nothing short of a miracle. I haven't had any problems so far and as long as I follow my Dr. orders I don't intend on having problems. I came home from surgery at 270# and I'm at 241# today. I'm very pleased with my weightloss so far. I'm vigilant with my supplements and now with making sure I get to my exercise as well. I drink 3 quarts of water but always at least 2 if time doesn't permit. My Dr. is Myur Srikanth from the SWLC. I've had one fill so far of 2cc and can't wait for my next. I'm losing on average of 3# per week. Tomorrow is my first day of solid foods. My restrictions are no milk, no sugar, no bread and I'm ok with that in exchange for an end to my weight problem. I assume Evergreen is insurance? I had to pay out of my pocket for my surgery. My insurance doesn't cover any type of bariatric surgery. It's nice to see a fellow band member here on the WA board. I haven't seem many of them here. I usually go to the Lap Band Forum but I can still relate to anyone who's had RNY (weightloss is weightloss, right?) and just enjoy seeing ppl's successes from my home state. So Welcome Shari and congrats on your decision! TC Stacey

Thanks for the reply Stacy, I am paying out of pocket myself. That has been a little of the scary part for me is putting that much money into it. I have justified it with not having the health risks some of my family members have (diabetes, heart disease) also, I have 3 daughters ranging from 2-14 and want them to see mom at a healthy weight. I decided to go the lap band route for a less complicated surgery, recovery etc. How was your physical recovery? Congrats on your wl so far it is inspiring. How has it been not eating solid foods? I am going to make my surgical consult appt soon! Shari

Shari, My physical recovery wasn't bad at all. Mine was done laporascopically. I took two weeks off vacation and went back to office work just fine. I didn't even use all of my pain killers. After about 3-weeks I could sleep alot better (on side) but took it causiously because I didn't know if I'd hurt anything. I didn't. I was on liquids for 37 days total and that was the hardest. I was on puree 2 weeks (baby food, penut butter, blended cottage cheese) and that was ok because I felt like I was at least eating something with flavor. And the last two weeks of soft foods (beans, egg, penut butter and crackers) has been fine. I think the transition to regular food will be hard for me for some reason. I'm not sure why, maybe I'm scared. From start to finish from seminar to surgery was only like 3-months for me and I was done! Good Luck on your consultation!! TC Stacey

Shari, I am also fairly new to this board. I just moved from Michigan just North over the boarder in BC. I had open RNY on 3/15/04. It has been a wonderful journey. Best of luck to you and welcome! ~Vanessa

Welcome to the greatest spot for information and support. Glad to have you! Sister In Weight Loss, Tee