Killeen/Ft Hood?

I don't mind....I chose LAP-BAND^® because it wasn't as invasive or as extreme as gastric, and I'm obese but not extremely obese. Plus I've known a few people who had bypass and there is only one who has kept most of the weight off. Plus, two of my aunts had the LAP-BAND^® done, both of them lost about 80lbs. in a year and haven't had any problems. I had to get an unfill because I got overfilled, I couldn't even keep water down (and water was all I had all day) so they took all of the fluid out of my band. But the doctor's office called today, and he wants me to come in on Wednesday to start getting filled back up. No big deal, they told me it happens occasionally.

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Banded-6/12/08

Good to hear its nothing bad. I picked LAP-BAND^® for the same reasons. What exercising were you able to do right away? I plan on swimming at Abrams Gym and working out there. Maybe we can get together. Have you meet any of the other girls on here? Have a great day. I am going to go play with my son. TTYS

I was able to start walking the day I got surgery, I just couldn't walk as far as I had been. Every day I walked a bit more, I just made sure that I didn't push myself too hard. After two weeks, I was allowed to start swimming again (they banned swimming for a while due to the incisions). I'm planning on starting the water aerobics class at Abrams, I just have to wait until my daughter starts school. The website says that the classes are Tues./Thurs. from 8am to 9am, which is perfect because she has to be at school by 7:30. They also have yoga and spinning classes that I might try out. I haven't met anyone on here, but I'm looking forward to it!

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Banded-6/12/08

I'm here at Fort Hood as well. :) I'm getting banded at Scott & White this month on the 27th.

Which surgeon do you have? I go to Scott and White, I love it there.....good luck, let us know how it goes!

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Banded-6/12/08

I got Dr. Richard Symmonds. My husband had forgotten his name, so last week at the pre-op appt he saw it and started laughing. Who'd you have? I've wanted to back out so many times it's unreal - did you go through that phase? *lol*

I had Dr. Symmonds too! I actually see him on Wednesday, the nurse who usually does my fills is not there so Dr. Symmonds is going to do it for me. All I can say is don't worry, he's a great surgeon. And yes, I wanted to back out a couple of times too, I've never had surgery or been put under before so I was especially worried and nervous in the days right before surgery. Even when I was at the hospital getting prepped for surgery, I thought about it. But I'm soooooo glad that I did it and I know you will be too. It's totally worth it.

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Banded-6/12/08

Please help!! I am new to the area and trying to find a doctor that supports the LAP-BAND^®. My insurance is Tricare and I was going to the on-post doctor but all I get from them is a run around. I'm 30 years old with a BMI of 40 and have been trying to lose weight for the last 7 years. I excercise 3-5 times a week and eat very healthy but no matter what I can't lose the weight. I really want to get this procedure done sometime over the next year while my husband is deployed but I need a REAL doctor... Any suggestions who to start with?

Had posted in forever, so I figured I'd put that I did go through with surgery. *lol* I didn't get overly-nervous until they came in to take me to the OR, and thats when I panicked a bit. I did good though, and almost 5 weeks out I'm feeling great. (I'm still a bit sore from a road trip this weekend, but I think that's normal *lol*) I go for my first fill on the 7th, so I'm hoping to have even more restriction than what I seem to have now. So far I'm thinking I did the right thing.

My doctor is off-post, but I'm guessing yours could write you a referral to a doctor to get it done? But I had to go to a conference at the Killeen Convention Center (you might be able to call and see when they have it) where they told us the steps to getting the surgery done at the Scott & White hospital in Temple. After that I got my counseling part done at Chupik & Assoc, made my appt to see the staff at the bariatric center at Scott & White, then my pre-op where I met everyone doing the surgery, then surgery itself.

I know some people had to get extra tests done for other reasons, but mine was straight forward with nothing extra. I started this journey at the end of March and was banded at the end of August. Dr. Richard Symmonds did mine.

Good luck!

I also live in Killeen and I will get banded on Dec 16th. Would be great to have a local support group to give support to each other...
Greetings Bea