Waiting for the call

I was wanting to talk to some people that have had the lap band surgery. I have been trying to do my homework. I would really like to hear from others about their experiences and any advice would be great. I am going to attend my first meeting at the Womens and Childrens Hospital in Charleston March 15th. Is anyone going to that meeting? If approved, my surgeon will be Robert Shinn. I would appreciate any and all comments and support. Thank you in advance, Beth

Hi there, I didnt go to the meeting, I did the seminar online. When I went to see Dr. Shin I waited about 8 months beore I got my approval. Just make sure you have all of your documentation in order. The insurance companies check every little detail. I'm having the bypass on the 28th of march. Good luck to you and if you have any ?'s let me know.

Hi Beth, I had LB surgery 5/03. Lost 45#. Between 5/04-1/05, I was so sick, nauseated, mid abd. pain. Many tests, X-Rays, 3 CT scans, colonoscopy didn't show what was wrong. I continued to be sick. 1/05 entered KDMC, Ashland, KY with severe abd. pain. My surgeon ran many more tests and then took me to surgery. Long story short......The band had eaten its way through the abd. wall and was laying inside my stomach. I had two abd. holes, one fairly large. I had peritonitis. The band was removed, I was hospitalized for two weeks. The peritonitis nearly killed me. My labs are just now coming back to normal. I have gained my wt. back plus some. Beth, you will not lose very much weight with the LB. On Monday, 3/19, I will have the RNY. I am looking forward to getting in control of my eating again. I believe in WLS. I just do not feel the band is safe. My BMI prior to the band was 39, today it is 41. I am a lifetime non smoker, registered nurse, do not drink and followed the LB post diet well. It just doesn't work on the long haul. It helped with 45# then that was it. Good Luck, Pray USA