Neal's Lap Band Journey

On May 9th, I underwent Lap Band surgery. My goal is to lose the weight I have battled most of my life. I hope that this journey will lead me to a healthier, happier, and longer life with my family. So let the journey begin.....

What does Lap Band entail?

Click on the picture to veiw an actual Lap Band procedure. Warning - Not for the faint of heart.

My experience.....

I guess it started several years ago. I initially looked into getting Gastric Bypass. I was not aware of lap-band at the time. I had Cigna for my health insurance. I could not find a bariatric doctor that took Cigna HMO. Talking to the insurance company, in order to even be considered, it would have taken an act of Congress. I gave up before I even really began. Fast forward to 2006. I had several co-workers who had Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band. Our insurance had chaged at work to United Health Care. I watched as my co-workers lost weight and saw several more have the procedure. By this point I had decided that Lap-Band was the way to go for me. I decided to use Dr. Cribbins based on referals from some co-workers. I called and scheduled an appointment to attend one of his seminars/consultation. After the seminar, I waited in the lobby for my time to see him. I was called back. After, taking my weight and medical history, I was told I would be a great candidate for Lap-Band. I must say I had the easiest experience. Dr. Cribbins' office took care of everything. WHile the paper work was being done and sent to my insurance company, I went and had my required sleep study and psych evaluation. I passed the psych evaluation, but not the sleep study - I had sleep apnea (common with obesity). Shortly after, I was called by the Dr.'s office to inform me I was approved and scheduled my surgery for 5 weeks to the day after my innitial consultation. I went for my pre-op appointment an May 8th and went bright and ealy on May 9th for the surgery. The surgery went fine and was in my room for the night by about 2:00 pm. I would have been there earlier, but they did not have an available room and I had to stay in recovery for several hours. The pain was very managable. I stayed one night at the hospital and was released at about noon on the 10th.

A close up of me pre surgery.

Taken about a week before surgery.

Thanksgiving (209 pounds)

Next step:

I am now entering the next step to my weight loss journey: Plastic Surgery. I have a lot of loos skin in my stomach and thighs. I can live with the thighs since it doesn't effect the way my closthes fit, but the stomach skin has to go. I have been to a couple of consultations now and have picked a surgeon. Dr Patty Young. I am impressed with her experience and her personality. She was very helpful answering questions. She was also recomended by Dr Cribbins, my bariatric surgeon..