Long time reader

Been looking on this forum for a few months here, and this is one of the most friendly places I've ever come across on the internet. I've recently decided to get the Lap Band surgery done. I'm a college student, planning on going to medical school. I've been big my whole life, be it either fat or tall. I'm currently 6'4 and 320 pounds. I am so ready to be a normal weight and look normal. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself!



The name is Drew btw :P

Welcome. Had my band Friday. I just signed up to this site yesterday. From what I can tell so far, there are some great folks here that are very supportive. Best of luck to you.

Congragulations La La on your surgery. I will be getting mine on
May 29th. I can hardly wait. Keep me posted on your progress and best of luck to you.

Drew I agree with you 100% this is the best forum I have ever ran across myself. I don't know what I would do without it. Support, Support, Support and more Support is all I can say. Good luck to you on your journey.

Thanks for the welcome!

Congrats on your surgery La La! I can't wait for mine :)


Here's a quick question for ya. About how long, from the first meeting with the doctor to the scheduling of the surgery, was the process? Thanks again everyone!

Welcome to LBT Drew! Congrats on your decision to get Lap Band. I'm so glad I did it, best health related decision I've ever made.

Regarding your question about the time frame, it depends on many factors. Have you been to a seminar yet? Are you going through insurance or are you self-pay? Have you met with a doctor yet?

If you are going through insurance, some companies require you to do a supervised diet for a while before surgery. It's much faster if you are self-pay. I was lucky, I have BCBS Federal Emp insurance and I had a surgery date set for 3 weeks after my 1st consult.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!

LaLaLoser,

Congrats on your surgery! How are you doing?

I'm just starting out. I still have to go to a seminar (is it required? I mean I've done TONS of research on it). But I am going to through insurance, and I am more than willing to do the pre surgery diet. I mean I would love to go through without it, but oh well! And thanks again for the warm welcome! This place amazes me more and more all the time!

Hi Drew. I started reading at this site about 6 weeks ago. I actually joined the site in April. I had my seminar on April 3rd, found out my insurance would cover it. I had to do 6 months of a weight plan. I've been at LA Weightloss for a year, so I'm hoping that will count. All the paper work was sent in 2 weeks ago.. so I'm just waiting!

My particular benefit plan design did not cover the procedure, so I was a self-pay. They didn't make me attend a seminar. I had my first appt on 3/31, had a stress test on 4/9 and was banded on 4/18. I'd looked into it 6 months ago, but backed out as I just wasn't loving the doc. Found a new one and got it all done before I chickened out.

Doing really well. Went back to work today. Am still a little sore. Getting up and down from laying down is the hardest. Other than that, no problems. I was up and walkng around an hour after the procedure and left the surgery center about 45 minutes later. Slept off and on for most of the day, but more as a result of the anesthesia than the surgery.

Day 2 was a little harder. Sorer, but that's to be expected. Felt much better yesterday and even better today.

You'll survive the pre-op diet. Is painful while you're on it, but is over before you know it.

Best of luck to you! And thanks to all of those that are further along in your journey. Appreciate your words of wisdom and support.

Welcome Drew :)

The seminar was required by my surgeon, not by my insurance company. YMMV, of course.

Even if it's not required, it's good to go. You'll get a good idea of what you can expect from your doc -- and what they expect of you.

Like you, I'd done a lot of research and pretty much knew what to expect, but every doctor is different and you'll need the seminar to learn about some of those differences.

Best of luck to you!