2012

You can do it, don't forget sugar free popsicles! Out of curiosity, do you have to drink every 20 minutes? I was also banded on 07/09 and this 20 minute rule is insane. I have do do either pureed 1 oz food or 2 oz liquid every 20 minutes and being that it's Saturday, I can't find out until Monday if I'm doing this right

I self paid for surgery, anesthesia, and 2 year refills for $13,000. Are they giving you a golden lap band? My goodness that is ridiculous. A bypass does not even cost that much and it costs a lot more than lap band.

Thanks!

Hi, I did struggle and even had the financial person at the office suggest that I do VSG because everyone keeps revising the surgery from lap band to VSG. Ultimately I went with lapband because it's removable. Both parents had stomach issues where surgery was needed and if you have VSG, there is so much scar tissue it's about impossible to get in there and fix what is wrong. I just did not feel comfortable with having my stomach cut out and it's a greater risk.

I think it is meant as additional since they want you to get 60-80 grams of protein a day because the table says to use protein drinks "as needed", the manual is a bit contradictory here and there. You probably have not seen this manual yet and only the little one they give you on the consult day, but make sure you request a copy of the 68 page Surgical Weight Loss Manual after you schedule for your surgery, which I think you have already done if you had your nutrition class. Erin is great! Rebecca is too, but I have always liked any suggestions Erin makes that I would never think of. Ricotta and spaghetti sauce is really good and the refried beans and chicken broth is really good too, I was surprised, these were mentioned at my nutrition class to use a pureed items.

Anytime, if you have absolutely any questions, just let me know!

I know this is an old post, but I thought I would give it a try. How long did it take the Pearls to take effect and help with regularity?

Thanks, I have read the manual a million times and I don't know if I'm reading it wrong or not because after you see what to do for 2 weeks and then see you have to eat 1/2 cup meals, 6 of them, water, etc. it just seems a bit too much in a day. Not enough time in a day to get it all down at 1 or 2 oz portions at a time. I had my nutrition class about 3 weeks ago and my surgery was this past Monday (9th). I've been off work, so eating like this was no biggie, but I'm worried when I go back to work.

I had steri strips used on me, but a lot of people on here mention glue being used for their incisions, maybe you could request this instead?

Self pay patients take about a month to go through the system. You have a consult, then a nutrition class, where you get your pre-op diet (mine cost an additional $188.00 for 2 weeks) and I had my surgery on July 9th. When you schedule your surgery, ask for a copy of the Surgical Weight Loss Manual (68 pages), not the small one you receive in your bag after you go through the consult, it is very useful. I think they forgot to give it to me because someone at the surgical center (Journeylite in same building as Curry) asked me if I had it right after my surgery, which I said no, and they said I could contact one of the nutritionists for it. Kind of surprised me they couldn't walk across the hallway while I was there, as I'm 45 minutes from them, but I was more concerned with walking around and getting out of there.

The staff seems alright. The only thing is that I never got this diet manual until after I had my surgery and it would have answered a lot of questions I had before the surgery. Also, I never got called about my blood test and I won't be going back to that lady at Quest Diagnostics (down the hallway), she is horrible, who leaves a bruise for a week with a butterfly needle, no one I have ever dealt with. My priority is the doctor and whomever does my fills. But I think both nutritionists are great, Erin has awesome suggestions on food, things you would never think of doing.

Hi Ren, I went to Curry and paid $13,000 for the surgery, just had the surgery July 9 if you have any questions. You have to pay for your pre-op diet too, which they supply (Medifast). I had to do it for 2 weeks and paid $188.00 for this. And then there's the psych eval which cost $200.00, which was cheaper than sending it through my insurance, you may have a better option. The $13,000 is for surgery at Journeylite which is the same building as Dr. Curry. If you get it at Jewish I believe it was about $1,000 more, but don't quote me on that.

Wow, you all are very lucky, I wish I could meet someone who loves me for me. This is awesome to hear it still exists!

Up your water intake if you feel you are hungry and if it's a sweet tooth problem, sugar free gum, mints, and popsicles were my best friends.

Is anyone having pain in their left side? I'm not sure where my port is and I don't like poking around my incisions (weak stomach with cuts, blood ), so this may be why my side hurts, but it could be gas too. My shoulder hurts, but Aleve helps with this. I have been taking Gas X strips regularly and they sort of help.

My diet is only 24 hours of liquids and now I'm pureed for about 2 weeks, which means that it cannot be any thicker than applesauce. I have to eat/drink every 20 minutes between 1 oz pureed versus 2 oz fluid. It's okay now that I'm off work, but when I go back next week, this is going to be a pain.

That woman seriously needs to get a life and a new job, obviously she has nothing better to do than gossip about someone else's business.

Everyone mentions to walk, how much walking do you advise? I just had surgery Monday and still have the gas pain, but I also had a hiatal hernia repaired, whcih I am sure is part of it. Aleve has helped a lot with my shoulder pain as well.

I have steri strips on my incisions, did anyone cover their incisions or protect them somehow when putting on regular clothing? I have been wearing really lose clothing since surgery (July 9th), but I really need to leave the house and need to wear more snug clothing. Any suggestions, or should I not worry?

Thank you both, I appreciate it!

I had to complete about 260 question, questionnaire and then spoke to the actual doctor for about 15 minutes. The questions were just one liners and some were very odd. If there is anything you don't want your lap band doc to know about you, don't tell the psych doctor. I was surprised when I got a copy of my letter from the psych to the lap band doc and mentioned why I was unhappy in the past, this was unnecessary to tell the lap band doc. All he needed to do is write something like issues resolved, not the actual reason why I was unhappy.

I feel okay, I also had a hiatal hernia fixed so I think that's why my shoulder pain has been worse. I have not been too active except to walk around and move around my arms. I am getting ready to leave the house for the first time today to get some things. I'm a little worried about putting clothes on over these incisions, like jeans, so I'll see how that goes.