Gastric Sleeve Surgery: SAGB Procedure with Adjustable Lap Band

I’m looking for anyone who has actually gone through the stomach surgery—specifically the adjustable gastric band procedure. I need to know where this can be done in Washington, D.C., which hospital they recommend, specific doctors to look for, and what the total cost looks like.

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My primary care physician suggested I start looking into clinics in Beverly Hills because she thinks this might be my last real option after years of fighting weight gain and constant fluctuations. Personally, I'm very much considering it.

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I currently weigh 265 lbs, so if you're just a few pounds overweight or some self-proclaimed "patient" who thinks being slightly over a goal weight is a crisis, please stay out of my comments and keep your unsolicited advice to yourselves. 🙏 🙏 🙏

Grace Grant, you should check out that weight loss thread over on the women's corner; there's this girl popping up who actually managed to lose weight using a pretty similar method

I can't speak from my own experience, but I have a friend who went through that surgery. He actually did it in Italy, where he cleared all his medical exams and psychological evaluations before getting the go-ahead. The procedure itself was quick—he was handled by one of the top laparoscopic surgeons in the area—and if he stuck strictly to the post-op plan, he lost the weight. His biggest hurdle, though, was that despite his best efforts, he could never quite stay thin because he grew up in a family of big eaters.

Thanks, Donna Lewis49, I'll check it out.

Dear ladies of this forum, I’ve been lurking here for quite some time now, and I find myself facing one major hurdle: I am carrying a significant amount of extra weight. I’ve tried the various fad diets, but the pounds always seem to find their way back. I actually spent a year seeing Professor Bekavca-Bešlin previously, but I ended up doing absolutely nothing because our consultations left me feeling so intimidated. In the meantime, my husband fell ill, and I simply didn't have the mental capacity to focus on myself. Now that he has recovered, I suppose I am finally ready to think about it. I’ve read extensively about gastric bypass, and frankly, I don't know if I'm prepared for such a restrictive lifestyle, the surgeries, the pain, or the potential health complications—not to mention the idea of having an open "port" or needing skin removal surgery later on. It all truly terrifies me. Since I’m no fearless hero, I just can't seem to make a decision. Once you cross that line, there's no turning back. I saw photos of abdominal scarring on one patient, and it was deeply unsettling. Is there any way to overcome this fear? I would be so grateful if those of you who have gone through this could tell me: does life really mean eating mush forever? Does everyone suffer from post-op health issues? Where, how, and how many skin surgeries are typically required? And most importantly: HOW DO I OVERCOME THIS FEAR?
I have already scheduled an appointment with Dr. Mirošević, but I haven't taken any further steps. I spent a whole day crying, feeling overwhelmed by how much weight I've gained during various crises in my life, and wondering if I've let myself go too far. My biggest dread is that I will end up being a permanent invalid after the surgery. Constant checkups, endless blood work... and that port—will I just have a raw, open wound right under my breasts?

Please close the entire thread about this

if it's really what I think it is