hello.

I am new here.. though i've been lurking on 3fatchicks for years..but now that i am in the process of researching Lap Band as an option, i had to take advantage of all this HIGH energy and good communication by you lovely ladies ( chickadee and all the rest).

Ok, my situation basically which i have questions about is I am currently pregnant with my first baby. I'm a military spouse and we currently live in Germany.

I have tricare.

Anywho---it seems my beautiful little girl, which is transverse breech, and has the umbilical cord around her neck in my tummy was to arrive around Jan 12th but OB is scheduling me a C-section on Dec 22nd.

Do ANY of you have an idea as to if i have a C-Section in Dec... it would pose a problem to get a Band in let's say --April??

I have no idea.

I've started my whole documentation with the reg MD - ( foot/ankle/knee pain, plus i weigh about 275 ( that's pre-preggo)..i now weigh 293 lbs.

Any thoughts would be helpful on this.

HEATHER - SMILESAREPRICELESS

oh honey.. what a lot of stuff is going on!!!! but the great thing is that they know the situation is with the baby, and it sounds like you're in good hands.

and i doubt very much that a c-section in december would pose a problem for a springtime lapband... different areas of your innards, but talk with the doc..

so glad you've joined us...

more later [i'm at work - which sooo interferes with my life!!!!]

Hi Heather,
I also don't see any reason that you couldn't have a band placed in April or so. One thought I do have though is that if you are nursing you might not get enough food for good milk production. My surgeon had me on full liquids for a couple of weeks after surgery and pureed food for another two weeks after that, so I'm not sure if you would be getting enough food for two.

The other thing is that you would need someone to help you with the baby for a few days, because even though it's laproscopic surgery, you probably won't want to be lifting Ms. Adorable too much, especially since she'll be all kicky and squirmy by then.

Good luck and what a wonderful Christmas present you're getting this year!

(the lovely!) Chickadee

hi chickadee -
Yes, work - how dare it interfere with our message board posts I don't work -- but know what you mean.

I have talked with some moms and in regards to the milk production, i was hoping/thinking i can pump and have a good supply for the time just pre-surgery and post-surgery ( and then pump afterwards hoping to keep the supply/demand process coming on.)

I would like ideally to breastfeed for 12 month( which would be 7 months after surgery, but we're on a time sensitive situation with the insurance we'll have so april is the prime time.

I'm also so frustrated at hearing insurance companies will cover RNY but nop lapband often.......My TRICARE contact has told me they cover it, but i think she may have misunderstood me, and was talking about RNY -- so i'm needing to find out for sure on that one..

Well, thanks for listening and i would love to be able to get this done...

It kind of BUMBS me to think it couldn't be covered b/c i just can't bring myself to getting the RNY --- too much/too risky for my chicken self.

I know that this is a pretty old thread but I have a question. I was looking on a website that had this as the number two question to see if you qualify for the Lap Band:

2. You must have undergone at least several medically-supervised weight loss programs without long-term success.



Did any of you qualify even though you hadn't undergone any medically-supervised diets?

Greetings to all the hard working folks here. This is my very first entry and I'm very excited to hear from everyone. I'm working on a loan for my lapband surgery. I'm going to have it done in Mexico and would like to hear any feed back from anyone that has had it done there. My best friend had it done 2 weeks ago and is doing great so far. I am tired from all the let downs I've been through on my journey of being over weight. I know now that I let people convince me I was fat when I was younger so I lived up to it with out realizing it was happening. Now I know I can do this for me no matter what outside oppinions are. I am ready to hear others say I can do it and support the small steps instead of thinking it has to be big steps before anyone will care. Thanks for reading my chatter and can't wait to hear from any of you. Good sucssess to you all.

Fallen -- That requirement is used by some insurance companies, but wouldn't necessarily apply if you are self-pay. My insurance asked for 6 months of doctor-supervised diet. It was covered by a prescription for Meridia, even though I didn't really take it that long. My medical records showed my weight loss and gain and talks with my doctor.

You could check with your insurance company about their requirements. Many don't cover the band at all. Some will cover it if you appeal. First step is to see what yours requires.

Hi Everyone,

Fallen - My surgeon's office gave me a packet with all kinds of information to fill out. One of the things required was a list of all the diets I'd tried and the outcome of those diets. I made my own chart on the computer and submitted that to them. It seemed to satisfy them. I think it all depends on your insurance company though. I called mine (found the 800 number on the card) and asked what they required.

ShadiePurple - Good luck on your quest to get this surgery. There are lots of people who have had the surgery done in Mexico with great success. My advice to you is to make sure that you have a local fill doctor lined up before you get it done in Mexico. If you can't get fills, the band won't do you any good. Some people go back to Mexico for fills, but I don't know where you are. The reason I mention this is because there are lots of US docs who won't do fills on patients who had their surgery done in Mexico, so make sure your ducks are all in a row.

Chickita - When were you banded? I went to your profile to look for your website, but I must have not looked in the right spot. I want info, other-Chickie!

Later gators,
Chickadee

Hi Chickadee!

I'm sorry! I thought I had filled out my profile.

I was banded on June 3, 2004, about 11 months ago. I have lost 80 pounds and am on an extended plateau with 25 more to lose.

I know of 2 other people who were banded on April 6th. It must have been a busy day! Glad to see you are in onederland.

Considering having lap-band surgery. Right now i've been researching surgeons. Could someone help me out? I need to know specific experiences, cost, and post-op experience. Thanks

I am a new Bandster, I have had my first fill, which to me did not do much, my second one is scheduled July 16, I have lost weight, but I need to stick to my bandster rules... I look forward to reading the posts in this forum..
Lynne

I was lucky I have good insurance that paid for my surgery, I did have a phycologist consult and had to get my teeth checked out, but that was it. I started this in Dec. and was banded by April 11.
You do have to follow the rules of lapband, I don't eat half as much as I used to but I have to work on the times I eat and try to pick better selections for me,, Protien first, veggies, then some carbs.. No drinking during meals and no straws, or soda..
If you forget, it feels like a golf ball going down...NO LIE!!
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Lynne

Hi Ladies and Gents

How much water can you drink and/or liquids in one sitting. Do you have to really pay attention to that as well ?

TY

Hi Leenie,

You can drink as much water as you want with the band - just be sure you're paying attention to the signals your body is sending you. If you're really restricted, it will go down more slowly, so you can't drink really fast. If you sip, you can pretty much drink whatever you want.

It's important to drink lots of water/fluid, just as it is with any eating plan - I try to do at least 80 ounces a day. The no drinking with meals rule is important too, and the one I have the most trouble with. I do take little sips sometimes. The reason you aren't supposed to drink with meals is because it washes the food through your stoma faster and then you don't feel full for very long.

Some doctors say no sodas, other say they're fine if they feel okay to you. I have to admit, I had a Mike's Hard Limeade last night and it felt just dandy!

Are you thinking about this surgery? If I can help, let me know!

Later,
Your feathered friend Chickadee

Hi Chicklet

I was just curious about the water. One thought came to my mind when reading all your posts was, gee I wonder what you do on a hot day when you are SOOOO thursty. I have a tendency to gulp my water down really fast and was wondering if you were just limited to a certain amount at a time or what?

Really !! you can have alcohol ? (not that I really drink it but its nice to know you can still have it).

Thanks for your post

Hugs Leenie