BandZski

Actually, I decided to go to out to Port Huron. It's a bit of a drive, but I've heard great things about them. I live only 3 miles from the ones in St. Clair Shores, but I haven't heard anything good about them. I don't think I'm ready for a fill yet, but the Docs in PH want to see me every month for the first year. That's fine with me. It keeps me on track. Keep in touch. Good luck with Royal Oak.

Rose, I'll keep you in my prayers. You have been through so much, you deserve to have your surgery as planned in January. Good luck with all your tests and appointments.

I tried to make it to the meeting Thursday. I sat in traffic on I-696 for 45 minutes before saying the heck with it. I was still in traffic at 7:00 and there was no end in to the tail lights in sight. I would have missed half the meeting by the time I found an alternate route. Sorry you were the only one there. I've started going to my new doc. He seems knowledgeable, but he's no Dr. Deol. I miss her wonderful personality! Having a hard time with the holidays. I needed the meeting!

It's natural to be nervous before surgery. But remember that this thread in LBT is about people that had problems. Most of us are happy with our bands. I had my put in 3.5 months ago and have lost 60 lbs. I LOVE MY BAND!! I have a problem every once in a while and that reminds me to eat slowly and chew lots. The feeling is like a golf ball is stuck in your upper chest. I immediately stop eating if this happens and I start walking, sometimes jumping around to try to help the food through. Sometimes this is enough to get the food through. The important thing is to eat slowly and chew. If you eat slow enough, you can tell if you start to have a problem and then the problem is much more managable. If you eat fast and don't chew, by the time you realize there is a problem, you're in pain. No fun. Also, don't drink anything if you get food stuck. A relative suggested I drink Water if food gets stuck. I told them to imagine cottage cheese being dumped into the drain for the garbage disposal. If you simply run water over it, the water collects on top of it. That makes the problem worse. Good luck! And I hope you end up loving your band as much as I love mine.

If anyone is going to the "after care" support meeting tomorrow night at Dr. Deol's office, can you post what went on? I can't make it because I have to work ( parent / teacher conferences), but I will be curious if they have more meeting scheduled for after the new year and are they going to start collecting for this too? Thanks, karen Debbie suggested we all make sure we have appointments with a new doctor. We talked about getting through the holidays. She suggested that if we wanted holiday treats, to make them part of one of our three meals. She also suggested deligating when we get stressed with holiday chores. Say to loved ones, "These are the things that need to be done. Which one do you want to do?" This empowers them and makes them feel that it is their choice. Here is the schedule for the meetings: December 13 is at the Troy Community Center with Patrizia. She needs about a week notice for this meeting. January 10 and February 14 will be at Debbie's condo which is 1 mile from Dr. Deol's office. (Email me and if you want the info. - MarilynZski@wowway.com) March 13 and April 10 will be at the Troy Community Center with Patrizia. Again, she needs about a week notice or she will be charged. There was no mention of putting in more money or charging insurance.

RoseWolf, I am so happy for you. You have been in my thoughts. I'm glad you found a surgeon you like and will be getting your lapband!

I have a 4cc band. I felt some restriction before my first fill. At 4 weeks, my doc put in 1cc. It was too tight. I couldn't even handle apple sauce. She took out .25cc a month ago and I feel I have good restriction now.

OH MY GOD! I can't believe what I am reading. I paid $800 and have only been able to go to one meeting. I'll be damned if I'm putting up another cent. As a matter of fact, I'm calling tomorrow and demanding a refund. This is total crap. I wouldn't even want Debbie to get money from my insurance company. I think she's as ditzy as they come. I'm so pissed off, I'm ready to cancel my follow up meetings with Patrizia. I like her and she has good info., but I feel I need to make a statement. If they don't follow through on their part of the deal, then neither am I. I'll find a nutritionist locally.:mad:

Did any of you former Dr Deol patients go to the after care group last week? I went... to the community center. I was PISSED! I'm paying $800 to go to these meetings and they didn't even call me to tell me they had changed the location! Wasn't the topic "Stress"?! Well, stress is walking around the community center trying to find the group that they moved back to the office without telling you! Ugh!!! Anyone get some pointers from the meeting that they want to share with me... or did all of you not get calls too.

Oh RoseWolf, my heart goes out to you. I have been having my own little pitty party, but reading your post really put things in perspective. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish only the best for you, I hope you find a doc you like soon. James2539, last I heard, the two docs in St. Clair Shores are taking her patients, but not her practice. If anyone hasn't gotten their records, you better get over there and get them. Debbie was only staying another week and then was going on to another job. I'm not sure when her last day is/was.

I had .25cc taken out on Monday. I feel lots better. Thanks so much for asking! I'm still really nervous about trying different foods, because I still have a lot of restriction. I'm just being careful. Best news is that I am totally off Blood Presure meds! I have been on 1-2 different BP meds for many years. Brandy, keep up the great work. You are an inspiration!

1. Is your second toe longer than your first? Yes 2. Do you have a favorite type of pen? I like wider retractible pens. Smooth writing is a must. 3. Look at your planner for Sept 14, what were you doing? I was cleaning house and getting ready for my son's 9th birthday party. 4. What color are your toenails usually? Clear..... except the one... a big toy jeep fell on yesterday, it's purple! 5. What was the last thing you highlighted? A cross stitch chart. I highlight as I finish stitching. 6. What color are your bedroom curtains? Ivory 7. What color are the seats in your car? tan leather 8. Have you ever had a black and white cat? Yes, for about a week until my husband said, "It's me or the cat." I was out voted by the kids. I chose the cat... 9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on? A medical bill 10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming? Can't say that I do. 11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time? For my flu shot, which I'm getting today. 12. Whose is the last baby that you held? My old neighbor's daughter. She's now in preschool. I need to go hold a baby. BRB..... 13. Unlucky #? I would guess 666. 14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste? Never tried it. Doesn't sound good though. 15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago? 1998 White Chevy Lumina 16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators? Definately Detroit Red Wings!!!! 17. Last time you went to Six Flags? 1980s I'd guess 18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house? Yes, my sons are 9 and 12 and they have pink and blue hearts on their wallpaper. Yeah, I know, time for a change! Hee hee 19. Closest thing to you that is yellow? The envelope with my Lap band medical records in it. Waiting for me to find a new doc. 20. Last person to give you a business card? The Tastefully Simple gal at church. 21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to? The Rec Center for a table at an upcoming craft show. 22. Closest framed picture to you? A collage of my sons when they were younger. 23. Last time you had someone cook for you? It's been too long to remember. 24. Have you ever applied for welfare? Yes, they said I didn't make enough money. Seriously! 25. How many email accounts do you have? Just one. 26. Last time you received flowers? About 5 weeks ago, after my Lap Band. They were from my son's school. 27. Do you think the sanctity of marriage is meant for only a man & woman? Yes, otherwise the parts don't fit. 28. Do you play air guitar? No 29. Has anyone ever proposed to you? Yes twice, the second time I said yes. 30. Do you take anything in your coffee? sweetener 31. Do you have any Willow Tree figurines? No, I have lots of Precious Moments though. 32. What is/was your high school's rival mascot? I don't remember. The school was Regina....but I don't know what their mascot was! 33. Last person you spoke to from high school? Cathy 34. Last time you used hand sanitizer? Last time I was at my son's school. I sanitize as soon as I get in the car. 35. Would you like to learn to play the drums? Sounds like fun 36. What color are the blinds in your living room? off-white 38. Last thing you read in the newspaper? Garage sale classifieds 39. What was the last pageant you attended? Can't say I've ever attended one. 40. What is the last place you bought pizza from? Hungry Howies 41. Have you ever worn a crown? Yes, a foam one, as a joke because my sister was calling me Princess! 42. What is the last thing you stapled? My son's homework papers. 43. Did you ever drink clear Pepsi? Nope 44. Are you ticklish? No, some people hate to have their feet touched. I love it. 45. Last time you saw fireworks? July 4 46. Last time you had a Krispy Kreme doughnut? Years ago. 47. Who is the last person that left you a message & you actually returned it? My friend Debbie. 48. Last time you parked under a carport? 16 years ago, at the apartment. 49. Do you have a black dog? Nope, again, would have to get rid of the husband first. Very tempting. 50 . Have you had your mid life crisis yet? NO. 51. Are you an aunt or uncle? Auntie 52. Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of? A priest I knew 20 years ago. 53. Believe in Karma? Not sure. 54. Do you remember Ugly Kid Joe? Who? 55. Do you have a little black dress? No

I got my first fill at 4 weeks. It was 1cc in a 4cc band. I soon realized it was too tight. I couldn't even have apple sauce without it getting stuck. My doc is in the process of moving to Chicago, so I had to wait almost a week to get an unfill. Misearble week! On Monday, she took out .25cc. It's better. I still can't eat eggs. I don't feel I'm ready for all foods. Either I'm still too tight, or I'm just not chewing enough. I'm not going for another unfill though. I'll just be careful and hope it loosens up as I lose weight. The good news is that I'm down 40 pounds including what I lost on 4 weeks pre-op. Also, I have been able to stop taking my Blood Pressure medicine! I was on two different BP meds at times! Yeah Me!!!

Purplegirl, that is so awesome!!! I wish I had the opportunity to do this at a younger age. I'm so happy for you! You go girl!

Thanks Brandy. I called my surgeon's office. She is in Chicago, where she is moving. (I'm near Detroit.) She said she wants me to come in on Monday. I'm assuming she is taking some out, since she wants me to meet her at the hospital. I'm to be on liquids until then.

I had my first fill two days ago. It was 1cc and I think I'm either too tight or just right. Since it was my first fill, I'm not sure if I'm too tight or if I just need to wait a few days for swelling to go down. I can drink liquid with no problem, so I'm hoping I'll be able to work my way into mushies and other foods.

I was banded on 8/27/07 and just entered Phase III. Can I stop crushing my medications or is that something a bander does forever? I hate having to crush pills and open capsules. I can always taste them no matter how hard I try to hide them in yogurt smoothies. Does anyone have a better idea of how to take them crushed?

Mandi, They tell you that you have to bring the CPAP to the hospital for surgery because you need it in recovery. They do not put it on you during surgery, they use a breathing tube during surgery. I wondered that too, so I asked before surgery.

My Lap-Band doc is moving out of state. She recommended these 3 surgeons: Dr. Ed Meguid, Dr. Kevin Krause or Dr. Hawasli. Does anyone go to these docs? Can anyone give me advice as to which is better? How many band patients do they have? I've already had surgery, but I need a doc who is willing to do my fills. Thanks!

I talked to one of the staff at Dr. Hawasli and Dr. Meguid's office. (It turns out that she married an old friend of the family. Small world!) Here is what I found out. Dr. H sounds like a very skilled surgeon. He has done organ transplants. He is the head of laproscopic surgery at St. John's and founded the program there. The two of them do various bariatric surgeries also. As far as lap bands, they do not use fluro for fills unless there is a problem. Fills are usually done in the office. She had lap band surgery by them and believes they are good at fills. I'm just wondering, for me, if it would be better to go to Port Huron because lap bands are all they do.

Wow! 1700 lap bands.... I think I'll go to Port Huron. It will be about 45 minutes to drive to PH, but I'm now driving 35 minutes to Dr. Deol's.

That figure regarding 25 lap bands was haunting me, so I did a search online to get to the bottom of it. I found the original article and it was written in August of 2004. Hopefully Dr. Hawasli has done many more surgeries since then.

Mary, Thank you so much for your post. I am looking for posts either positive or negative. Unfortunately, I haven't seen anyone come forward with positive comments. I heard that they only did 25 lap bands. That would explain why they didn't know what to do about your mother.

I go on to Phase 3 tomorrow. Then I get to add lunchmeats, hamburger, cooked veggies, fresh fruit, tuna. On Phase 2, I was able to have eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, canned fruit, etc. That began on Sept. 4th.

Why are you cooking him ribs? Is he not a grown man? That sounds like tortue! I made it perfectly clear to my family that as long as I was on liquids or mushies, I would not be cooking. Even my 9 and 12 year olds are making things for themselves.