elinrw

:clap2:Hey, Fat Attack---I hate to call u that. My name is Clara. I will be 59 this October. I have been tossing lap band around and around for some time. After much research and thought and prayer, my date is August 27. I do feel like the "old lady" here. There are a few of us.

I have had left knee replacement; my right hip replaced----3 times before they got it right and my hip surgerys were all within 18 months---all 3 of them. I know about aches and pains. I am also diabetic.

My doctor said he usually uses the age of 55 as his cut off. Thank he is making an exception with me. I am also a self pay . If you have any questions, this is the best place to get the answers. These people are terrific. Let me know if there is anything you need.

Clara, can you tell me what the weight range is for knee and hip replacement? My right hip is killing me and my knees are shot. I have been waiting to loose more weight before I see an ortho. man. I wonder what your experience was like/ It's scarey to see "three times before they got it right" Thank you so much!

Hi Clara,

am curious about your ortho surgeries? Do you know what the cut off is for doing them? Hip and knee pain are excruciating for me and one of the biggest motivation to have done this surgery. I am counting the days until I think I can deal with both and get on with life>

Hello,

I am 61 and was banded on 8/31. It was the easiest surgery I've ever had--pain went away about four days later. No gas, no nausea. went home the same day. I just feel very tired but some of that I think is from not eating much. I would encourage you to go ahead. You still have many good years ahead of you.

Well, I haven't had mine yet, coming on August 31st. I imagine that you have produced some soreness from causing your stomach to work to try and digest food. My doc says no soft liquids for two weeks. Why not call your surgeon and ask?

Do you mind telling me how much this cost? I haven't been banded yet, but have lost 50lbs on my own and my pani is already sagging. I envision it dragging on the ground if I reach my goal. I'm having to borrow money to pay for the lap band and will have to borrow for the rest of it so I'm looking for cheap as well as competent!

This happened to me about 3 months ago and I fought it for 6 sucky weeks. Thanks to the band, I didn't gain, but I wasted time and didn't lose either. I'm not sure what happened but I was finally able to go about 3 days without the carbs/overeating, and once I had those 3 days behind me, I found my enthusiasm again. Maybe sometimes we just need a break. Or maybe that's an excuse. Either way, find your three days. It might make the difference.

Hi Julie, I am dazzled by your weight loss! I'm going to be banded on 8/31 and need to loose about 200 lbs--I'd love to know about your struggles and tremendous sccess!

hello, i am pre-band-no surgery date yet-i hope in may or june.

i think i weigh 375 and @ 5'3 1/2", my bmi is 65!!! i get so discouraged

to think about it--having to lose about 200 lbs. at least. i KNOW i will be

all wrinkly and saggy and will not be able to ever have any cosmetic

surgery, but hopefully i will live longer. i would like to be able to take a

shower again w/o a shower chair-you know -maybe actually stand up!!

not have to ride my scooter when i have to go out in public. i don't use it at home--but i am sure my kids hate me having to use it for ball games,

school functions, etc...........oh, well , i know i have a long way to go--

and i am committed--i will look for the small victories ....:straight

Oh my dear, I so feel your pain and can relate so much to your struggles with mobility. Even fat I used to e fairly fit in a walking/swimming sense until about 8 years ago when I got this desk job and turned into a blob. I am to do my surgery on 8/31--How have things gone for you since you posted? I hope all the best!

I was heartened to see your story. I weighed 371 at my first meeting with the dr yesterday. I wish you all the best and would love to hear how your journey goes.

When you say "do it all", what do you mean, what's included?? It some how sounds to good to be true for it to be in the U.S. My kid needed stitches for a cut in his arm last year and it cost me me near 2k. And somewhere I heard the band alone is like 4,000 dollars. Does he have another surgeon assisting him, or does he do it alone?? Is it in a hospital or in a clinic? I've called around and the reputable doctors go from 16,000 to 25,000. I don't know about this. Thanks for the info, I'll check into it.

the cost includes pre op consultation, surgery at a surgery center as opposed to a hospital. My daughter had plastic surgery in one and they are not that uncommon. Fee includes anesthesiologist, dr's fees, operating room fees, etc. When you go back for fills it's $15.00 a fill. I can understand your anxiety, but the dr. was very frank about getting little business when doing it at hospital and that he had negotiated a package deal with the surgery center etc. I looked at his diplomas and he graduated from very good schools--I've read other threads about him and people seem very happy. One of my reluctances about doing Mexico is that American drs. don't want to deal with you afterwords. Had I not been able to get this price I probably would have done the Mexico thing, but to be honest, I haven't flown since I got really fat and don't want to deal with the whole hassle of fitting into an airplane seat, etc. I realize that if you are in another state you'd probably fly anyway. I think, although I've not done so, that there is some state agency which collects complaints about drs. GOOD LUCK!

I have been reading all kinds of threads and posts from all of you out there..I will be selfpay (my insurance won't even considerme) so I started reading about Doctors in Mexico and Canada for some reason the $$$ difference is very high and in my case, it is what's making me look more in to Mexico, I'm 6'4" and weigh 310 lbs i have to do this if I want to have any kind of quality life otherwise everyday for me is harder and harder to do even the simplest things...I can't go on like this. Any info will be appreciated,I have to do this soon before it's too late for me. Thanks!!!!

I'm not sure what your bottom line is. Dr. Kirshbaum in Aurora CO will do it all for $9950 and you don't have travel hassles, etc. I met him yesterday and found him to be very kind and supportive.

probably--I asked if you were a satisfied customer or some similarly inane comment. I arrived a little after 2:30

Not to be intrusive, but would you mind sharing your experience post op? I had gallbladder surgery and the gas pains were unbelievable--Do you mind sharing how much you lost? How soon were you able to resume a fairly normal life style--I hear about people who go shopping the next day, etc.

Hi Elinrw,

What time was your appointment yesterday (7/23)? I left his office around 2:30 and met a new patient of his coming out of the elevator. Was that you?

Sheila

probably--I asked if you were a satisfied customer or some similarly inane comment. I arrived a little after 2:30

I met him yesterday and am going to go ahead with the surgery. He has had no one die and only two complications after the surgery. I found him to be credible, kind and competent. He explained how he negotiated a package price with a surgery center since when the surgery was offered via hospital it was $15,000 and he had only five customers in a year--much as we might not want to believe it, medicine is a business.

Well, let's keep in touch and see how it all goes together. Ok?

What name do you go by?

Patti

I am a bit confused as to how this all works. My name on this venue is Elinrw.

Hi everyone,

This is my first post and I am sooo excited to be at this point in my life.

I have my first appt. with the surgeon July 30,2007. for consult.

I received my instructions from the bariatric center (St. Mary's & Elizabeth bariatric)on what my insurance expects from me and I have sent all of the letters and information to the center.

I have wanted this for so many years and I am so excited to think I might be very close to getting this done.

I have been sitting back and reading the post every day and night for about a month.:ranger:

You guys are great and very informative. It's so nice to know where we are headed, and what to expect with this surgery.Normally we would just find out the hard way...afterwards.

I live in Indiana, but I am going to Louisville, Ky. to a Dr. Lusco for my consult.

I am 61 yrs old and I have wanted this for a long time and I just found out our insurance is covering the LapBand.Before, they only covered gastric bypass.

I will keep you posted on how everything is going, and I am sure I will have plenty of questions, just like all the newbies.

Hubby and I have been married 40 yrs. and we have 2 beautiful daughters that are R.N.s and they are all 3 very excited for me.They want me to be healthy and happy, and live a long life.

Hugs to all,

Patti

P.S.- Sophie(my Shih Tzu) is excited for me too. LOL

Hi Pattycake. We have a bit in common. I, too, am 61 and will see a surgeon for consultation on July23rd. I am nervous and hopeful. Will be interested to see how your journey goes.