G’head. Ask me anything 
Since I’m too lazy to Google it, what the heck is Bariatric Lap Band installation?
So, what’s it like? I want to have bariatric surgery (a different type, but I am still considering the lap band).
My insurance won’t cover any bariatric procedure at all after year’s end (and I didn’t get started on the prerequisites early enough to qualify by then), so anything I have done will have to be self-pay. This may mean that the lap band is my best option. I want a biliopancreatic diversion w/duodenal switch, but that is the most expensive procedure, from what I understand.
Can you feel the tubing and such? What can you eat? Are you still in that “what have I done to myself” stage? If you’ve gotten past that part, how long did it take you to reach that?
I’d also like to know what type of pain relievers you can take. I know with the RNY, you’re not supposed to take any NSAIDS (and ibuprofen is the only thing that seems to be effective for me) because of the danger of ulcers. Does that apply to VGB as well?
Have I asked enough questions yet? I can be a bigger pain in the butt, if you’d like!
Actually, I didn’t have to Google after all. The Google ads at the bottom had links that described the procedure.
What time is it?
–Cliffy
it is a silicon band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach, essentially turning the stomach into an hourglass; it makes it possible to feel more satisfied on less food.
And the main advantage it has over the gastric bypass is that the band does not disrupt the natural physiology of digestion.
http://drgeiss.com/Lap-Band/home.html
Wow, and I thought a lapband was like a lapdancer, only a whole band. (I was thinking Dave Matthews would be really nice).
I wonder if you’ll have some of the same problems as my friend, who had blast-your-assy. Once he lost the weight he had terrible back problems (I forget why) .
Good luck to you.
It’s like nothing I can describe (there’s a link on my reply to SidV)
It was done laproscopically, so i was home the next day
I’ve never heard of that procedure; and if it’s new (less than 6 months since the FDA approval) stay away from it
no - there’s some scar tissue around the port area, i can feel that; but there is no physical sensation internally
pretty much anything I want - I still have to make sensible choices - it’s be pretty stupid of me, after going thru the surgery and all the test leading up to it, to eat a lot of high fat high calorie foods the way i used to
there are restrictions initially, while everything heals, your surgeon is probably working with a nutritionist who will give you diet plans to follow; but once you get past the second month, it’s pretty much up to you
not at all - never was as far as the surgery is concerned -
I was like that prior to deciding on the surgery - “how did i ever let myself get so obese?” But I’ve learned that “shoulda-woulds-couldas” only lead to stress
I heard a quote, tho I don’t know who actually said it, and I may have the wording a bit wrong but essentially it’s: “At the moment of committment, the universe conspires to comply” As soon as i made the decision, everything started falling into place. It was, without a doubt, the best decision I had made concerning myself in years, decades even,
I take Vicoden, Tylenol is also acceptable; I will find out next week if I can resume the NSAID; But ultimately it is up to your surgeon
I don’t know what VGB is
You did ask a lot of questions - there may be m
7:40:32 pm
uh 7:40:37…38…39
oh whatever
I don’t really have any questions but I wanted to say congratulations. 
I hope the lap-band makes you as happy as it has made me. I’ve had my lap-band since May 2003. Earlier this year I had a tummy tuck and I’m down a grand total of about 150 pounds. I’m soooo much happier and healthier now than I was before surgery! I like to see people going with the lap-band since it seems to be much easier on the body than the bypass procedures.
apparently there is a character limit within each post
the rest of what that sentance was is
“there may be more answers in my blog: http://anyrose58.tripod.com/id12/html”
thankyou
i actually lost a little over 40 before the surgery, without really trying; i guess subconscioiusly I was monitoring myself, (part of that whole ‘conspiring universe’ thing) and since 8/1/05, 23 more
funny how they always tailor themselves to the thread
Um…can I ask how much you weighed before the surgery? If it’s not too personal.
:smack: I’m sorry that my post sounded smart-assy. I’m learning that this forum can be tricky, switching gears quickly between humorous and serious posts, and I was still in silly-mode. My friend did indeed have gastroplasty, and did have serious back problems as a direct result of rapid weight loss. While I worded it facetiously, my concern and interest is genuine. Please accept my apologies.
My husband is considering getting this done. What kind of recovery time are you looking at? Did you have to go to any counseling sessions or anything like that beforehand?
i didn’t see your first post til i read this one; and had i seen it, i probably still would have ignored it.
But thank you for your concern. The procedure i had is infinitely safer than the gastroplasty, or the bypass, or stapling (which i think they dont even do anymore - or is that what the gastroplasty is?)
I posted a link up near the top of my surgeon’s website’s section on the procedure itself. It does a much better job of the details than I could
actually it is too personal (there are forums in which I will divulge, but not here) - suffice to say I still have a long road ahead of me
I have posted a “before” pic in my blog (the link is in reply # 12) and at each milestone I will post another pic.
There are many tests to go thru beforehand
Upper GI Series, Stress Test (and/or angioplasty), Pulminary Function Test, Sleep Apnea Test (and if needed, fitting for a machine) Chest X-Ray and EKG, Nutritional Counseling, Psychological evaluation (mostly so the patient understands that the band is not the solution to weight loss, just a very effective tool. the patient still has to make good choices in food and exercise)
His surgeon and surgeon’s staff will tell him exactly which tests he’ll have to go thru. The procedure itself is about 90 minutes (give or take) barring complications (which there hardly ever are); and the hospital stay is basically just overnight. My blog (see reply # 12) has more details about that.
Also here is a site with tons of information about all the weight loss surgery options
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/
I’ve said it before, but this was the best decision I have ever made. Ever could make.