oliversmomma

Hey everyone! So I posted a thread about my horribly awful pre op appt. with my so called "surgeon" yesterday. I have never felt that low in my life when I left the appt. He was border line mentally abusive I think. I don't mind constructive criticism by any means, but he was just putting me down left and right. Knowing I will be having to see him for quite some time post op, made me decide to look around. Well, a friend of mine told me about another surgeon that's a little further away, but she said he was absolutely wonderful and so was his staff (which is also very crucial). I called them today and they think they can get everything switched over to still do my surgery by the end of this month. I'm praying everything goes successful. For someone that hasn't ever struggled with obesity, they have NO CLUE about it and what all it in tales. It's a disease. I didn't just end up this way yesterday. This has been a life long problem. I'm really wanting to get the surgery done before Jan 1 because our insurance is going to be under a different carrier. Same policy, but different carrier. I don't really think anything will change about it, but kinda scared to take that chance. I know that they pay for weight loss surgery but don't know about them requiring a 6 month diet, which I did not have to do with my current insurance. If for some reason I can't have it until January or February, I'm willing to make that choice. I just can't see myself going to someone that's going to ridicule me at every follow up appt. For instance, my friend was banded 4 months ago. She's lost 40 lbs. She went in for her fill, and he asked her why she hadn't lost more weight, and that 40 lbs wasn't good enough. JERK!!! I really think he is totally in it for the money and he's a bully. He also told me that he wanted to do the band with plication on me. I had no idea what it was and asked him to explain. He said, "trust me, it'll benefit you." what???? Something is not right about this man. Anyways, praying everything goes smooth and will be banded on Dec 21st.

From what I've read in these forums, every surgeon is different. I think the reason they want you to lose a little is to try and make sure your liver is as small as possible. Even with a 5 lb weight loss, it decreases the size of your liver. The location of the band is very close to the liver. If the liver is enlarged, apparently the might have trouble placing the band.

I do typo's all the time! ha! I am feeling the same way. 6 months is better than forever. I was thinking the same thing to as far as not wanting to deal with them if something was wrong. I just can't believe he has the business he does. He might be a good surgeon on the table, but he has the worst bed side manner I've ever experienced in my life. Brought me back to being picked on as a child. Terrible.

That's too funny! My mini schnauzer's name is "Rosco" haha Good Luck to you!!!

Thank you all very much for your comments. It's so nice to have found this website and be able to have support from people that actually "get it". I know that the pre weight loss is mainly to shrink the liver. I really don't have a problem with him wanting the weight loss before surgery. There's really no other surgeon in my area to go to, unfortunately. I am so close and I'm not gonna let him make me feel bad. I am doing this for me and plan on having as little contact with him as possible. The good thing is his staff is supportive. All of the nurses except one have had bariatric surgery so they've been in my shoes. I was talking to my Mom last night and she said people that haven't ever been in our shoes don't have a clue about being over weight. For me, it's been something I've struggled with my entire life. My Dr.'s office supposedly has a support group that meets monthly. I've thought about maybe meeting with them. Thanks again for all the kind words. Looking forward to the next phase of this journey!!!

Count me in!!! I'm super excited and SO ready for this new phase of my life! Surgery is scheduled Dec. 27th. Good luck to all of you!!!

Hello Everyone! I am fairly new to this site but am finding it full of resources! I have a question. I have my surgery scheduled for 12/27/11. I am having the Lap Band with Plication. I am trying to plan regarding time off of work. I have an office job so no real exertion. My main question is how long were you off of work?

Hey everyone! Just have a question. I am in the process of having my surgery. I was in to the office on Monday and my Dr. was talking to me about bariatric options that I have. I told him I was interested in the Lap Band. He then proceeded to tell me about a fairly new procedure he is doing called "Lap Band with Plication". The way he explained it, it is similar to the lap band but underneath the band, the stomach is sort of folded in half. He states the benefits of this is to prevent band slippage, and also he feels this prevents as many fills needed by the patient to reach their "sweet spot". I've googled this to try and read up on it, but am not really getting anywhere to research. The only thing I'm finding is the Gastric Sleeve procedure which isn't the same thing. Just wondering if anyone has heard of this or even had it done and what are your thoughts or results? Thanks in advance!

Congratulations and brag all you want! Hope to some day be here myself again!

Hey Ya'll! I'm glad I've found this site. I have been thinking on and off about proceeding with lap band surgery for over 2 years now. I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I joined the military in 1999 and was at a very healthy weight. I stayed at a good weight and was in excellent shape. Well, I met my hubby and got pregnant and gained over 100lbs with my son. No diabetes, just large babies run in the family. My son weighed 11 lbs at birth. Now, 5 years later, and I'm still about 130 lbs over weight. I'm attending a seminar on lab band on May 3rd. I just wanted to introduce myself and meet some of ya'll that can share your experiences with me! Thanks in advance! Darah