citygirlnks

I didn't fly out of state but I did do it in the state where I am attending college. I don't have any family out here. My mom did end up flying out to be with me. My mom and my boyfriend was with me the whole time. Though I could imagine going through it alone since it's such a quick surgery. Though, it's always nice to have family or friends for the help and the support.

Congrats on getting banded! I was banded July 31st by Dr. Malley as well. I agree with you completely, it takes work to lose the weight and to get used to the new eating habits but at least it's working. Also, I too agree that Dr. Malley is one in a million. I couldn't have asked for a better doctor. He's caring and did such a wonderful job. I've had no problems whatsoever...thank goodness. I came out of surgery with minimal pain, minimal gas pains. By the time I went home, I felt great and still feeling great! I'm glad I'm a Malley patient! Again, good luck with your journey!:clap2:

I was wondering... My doctor recommended no more carbonated drinks after banding. But I also remember someone at the seminar asking if it's okay to drink beer and alcohol after being banded and he said you can. From what I know, the carbonation in soda can stretch your pouch...so what about the carbonation in beer? :girl_hug:

I was banded yesterday morning! I spent the night at the hospital and came home today. I'm having a great recovery so far with just a little soreness. I'm so excited to embark on this new life with my new lap band! I just wanted to thank the forum and everyone for helping me get prepared for my big day and helping me through this new experience. :clap2:

How does a steak shake sound everyone!??! Ewwww!

Steak, I love you, you been good to me, I'm gonna miss you!!! I have my surgery next week on the 31st. I'm excited, nervous, scared and everything in between. I've been noticing that I've begun to talk to my food. I go to eat a sanwich and I tell it I love it, I'll miss it and then I tell it goodbye. I'm crazy! I never knew how much food ruled my life. I can't wait to be able to control my hunger and feel full for once! :clap2: Tomorrow, I'm going to have my last steak dinner at my favorite restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I'm going to tell my filet that I love it and then tell it goodbye!

Goooood Luck!!!!!!!!!!! My surgery is next week on Tuesday. I'm so excited!

Thank you pjanes54! I think I will just watch what I eat from here on out...

How do you know if you have a fatty liver or not? My doctor is not making me go through any sort of pre-op liquid diet at all. I'm just a little concerned since I'm unsure if my liver will be a problem and I'm scheduled for surgery in less than a week!

Congrats with your new band! I hope you have a speedy recovery. I'm scheduled for surgery July 31st. I'm so excited. I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Malley so with your added good words about him, I'm feeling even more confident with choosing him. I'm deathly afraid of pain and the thought of going under. I've never had surgery before, not even dental work like having wisdom teeth pulled out! Just wondering if you felt any pain? How was it going under and waking up?

I'm glad I was of some help. I've learned a lot here at the forum. Good luck with the seminar, you'll have to come back and tell us what you thought of it. I noticed we're about the same age, are you done with school? I was just wondering because it sounded like you were wanting it done pretty soon, so I thought perhaps you were avoiding having it done later during the school year. I know I am!

My procedure is at Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital. Chances are, if you're self pay or going through insurance other than Blue Cross you'll end up at HSSH. If you're Blue Cross, you'll be at Menorah Hospital where surgeries with Dr. Malley are booked up until the new year! I went to HSSH for my pre-surgery exam and it was a beautiful hospital. The nurses and staff and really really nice and each room is private so you don't have to share a room with anyone else. A lot of people that have gone there have had really good experiences and people who haven't have said it's a great hospital. As far as financing, Dr. Malley's office doesn't offer that. But, at the seminar, there is a company that offers financing and the rep will most likely be there to help answer questions afterwards. Though, when I asked the rep about financing, the APR rate was comparable to opening up a credit card, so you might as well open a credit card where you can earn some airline miles. I understand the insurance situation. They'll make you jump through hoops and there is so much waiting and sometimes disappointment and frustration when trying to get them to cover this type of procedure. The cost I mentioned earlier is for the consultation with the doctor that you will go to after the seminar, the procedure itself, the hospital fees (including an overnight stay), anethesia and a year of fills. Oh, of course you probably know but the seminar is free but when you go to the consultation there is a $150 fee. If you decide to go with Dr. Malley, when you pay him for the surgery, the $150 consultation fee will be subtracted because it's included and you will have already paid for it when you went to your consulation.

Hi Ally! I'm a self-pay and from my personal experience, everything from the first initial seminar to the surgery date was about a month. I went to the seminar, had the consult a couple days after that, then was scheduled for surgery at the end of the month. If you're self-pay, they'll schedule you in as soon as possible so it really depends on how busy their surgery schedule is. So far, I've had nothing but a wonderful experience with Dr. Malley and his staff, they are very supportive and are easy to talk to. The hospital I am going to also had nothing but good things to say about him, so I feel confident I went with the right doctor! As far as how much, they'll discuss it at the seminar but roughly you're looking at $5,000 (Dr. Malley) + $10,000 (Hospital) + $1,200 (Anesthesia) = $16,200. Hope this helps!

Congrats Patti with your new band! One week check-up...wow...how exciting! My surgery is on July 31...it's just around the corner! When I went to the hospital the nurse there told me a play by play of what was going to happen on the day of surgery. It was nice to know ahead of time what's going to happen. Even though, I am nervous but even more nervous of any pain I will feel. A lot of people say it's not painful at all but still...I'm nervous. I've never had any surgery of any kind...not even dental like a wisdom tooth being pulled, so, the thought of being completely knocked out is scary. I keep telling myself it's going to be ok but it's easier said than done!

Patti, Thanks for the insight! I'm a self-pay and so they booked me at Heartland so I wasn't sure if I was missing out an any benefits from being in a big hospital like Menorah. I went yesterday for my pre-surgery screening to do bloodowork, ekg and urine test and I absolutely was impressed by Heartland. It IS like a day spa. The nurses are sooo nice. I was given a tour and I think I'll be just fine! I'm excited about the private rooms. They also really try to accomodate family and friends that will be there with free food. Everyone at the hospital had great things to say about Dr. Malley. I'm so glad I chose him! :clap2:

I sure did. I've never had surgery before and felt I should have a medical directive just in case.

Terri, Thanks for the support! I found the Complcations Forum and have been obessed with reading it. I like to be in-the-know, but I know reading all the complications people have had will just raise my blood pressure and make me worry...I don't need any of that! I am so glad I found this forum, it makes me feel less crazy knowing other people are going through the same emotions as I am!

It's so much of a personal thing. I had a difficult time facing the facts and verbalizing to my boyfriend and my family about how unhappy I am about my weight and the other health problems I am having because of it. It's an emotional and personal thing, I'd say only tell people if you honestly feel comfortable telling them because you are doing this for you and not anyone else.

It's all a matter of how comfortable you are telling someone. For me, I've only told my boyfriend and my imediate family members. It was really difficult facing the fact that I am unhappy with my weight and failing all other weight loss programs and I found it hard to verbally disclose my unhappiness. It was difficult enough telling my family and my boyfriend. I am glad they are supportive but it's not something I feel I'd be comfortable telling my friends or coworkers, to me, it's just so personal.

Hello and welcome!!! I just joined a few weeks ago and I have found this site to be so helpful as I prepare for my surgery at the end of this month. Everyone here is so helpful and thoughtful-glad you joined!

Welcome!!! I am scheduled for surgery on July 31st...eeek! I was so excited at first but now as it is getting closer I'm also getting anxious and nervous. I keep reminding myself that this is what I have waiting for so long and that I should focus on how much my life will change after surgery rather than worrying too much beforehand. Things will turn out alright, you'll be fine. Just keep reading posts on the board...everyone is so friendly and helpful!

I'm sorry you missed the seminar :cry. I wish they had more seminars. I remember missing two in a row due to conflicts in the day or the time before finally making it to one. But once you do go to one they usually can get you an appointment for a consultation pretty quick. Well, I hope you make it to the next one, he's a great doctor! Good luck with the pre-surgery diet .

I was just wondering are all the incision sites stitched up? And are they stitched up with the ones they have to pull out later or ones that dissolve? Also, how long did it take to heal and how long do you have to refrain from getting tha area wet?

Sarah, Have a fun time at the seminar. It was such an eye-opener for me and helped me make up my mind right that day that this was something I wanted and needed to do for myself. I'm currently in summer school at KU and was tempted to get it done suring classes but since Dr. Malley is booked until the end of this month I figured it would be best to have the surgery after summer school is done and well before fall semester. I too was scared about having it done during the semester. I was worried about missing class and how I'd feel emotionally and mentally. I hope your insurance situation works out okay. Let us know how the seminar went!

Tracy, Thanks for the update. I just read all seven pages of this thread and it is so good to see how well everything turned out for you! I can't wait for my surgery at the end of the month...I just want to be recovering and starting a new life already, the waiting is tough!