CCBSTX

My surgeon is clear that sodas are a SCURGE on society! He feels it is one of the main contributors of obesity. Yikes... He told me preliminary studies have shown that even diet sodas are triggers to bad eating or even sweet eating. He wants me to avoid them like the plague. Although, I have heard other doctors give the "ok" for diet sodas, as long as the carbonation was released (flattened). I wasn't a huge fan, but I did enjoy an occasional soda, when we go out to dinner. I do find that they are triggers for me. Shawn

I am so happy to have my very own thread....Everyone, that has had their band in place, seems to be doing wonderful! Those of you who are coming up, I have thoughts and prayers for you. I am just over a week out (banded 9/8/2005). I have 5 incisions and everyday seem to be doing a bit better. Driving seems to be uncomfortable for me. How are you feeling when you are up and about? Are you sore, slow, achy? I find myself, in the late afternoon, to feel my energy is drained and sore. Shawn

I was also banded on Thurs. (9/8). At this point I'm feeling like a newborn baby, having to eat every few hours!! Watery oatmeal and watery cream of wheat has been my savior during the full liquid stage. Shawn

So sorry for you and your family. You're in my prayers....Shawn

I also have United Healthcare and was approved in 4 weeks. I am also 5'6" and was 260 pounds. I have to admit that I ate my way to 260 from 251 (no problem)!!! I have no comorbid conditions. From what I gather is either UHC and your company has exclusion against weight loss surgery or it doesn't. Give them a call and ask a general question. Good luck.

Thanks you for this website ALEX! It' really helped me gather support and information. Shawn

I finally got sick of the extra 100 pounds on my poor body! I'm getting banded this week and I love this thread...I've been kinda nervous, but these posts have reinforced that fact that whatever I weigh, post band, will be better than now! Shawn

Yep, I have a date for surgery..Sept. 8th! I am quite nervous and hopeful. I hope this works for me, although there is a little picture-of-doubt that likes to creep into my mind... Shawn

I sympathize with you. I have a 10 and 16 year old. My 16 year old has been a difficult child to rear. He's ADHD and when he was a youngster drove me nuts. Here's a simple method, in which I've been using and still use to this day. Once you ask them to do something and they don't respond: It's called "Choices." Give the child a choice, it puts him in control. Examples: "You can either put your toys away, in the next 10 minutes (set timer) or you can give me the Gamecube for the day." "You can either brush your teeth now or go to bed early." Another way to phrase things, puts them in control (later on, once choices is down-pat) Examples: "If you brush your teeth now, then you can stay up 15 minutes later." "If you pick your toys up now, I'll go outside and play ball with you." Always be consistent in your choice. It can take up to 1 week to work. Never put time out or grounding in his bedroom. It's his playground! If you have to pick up toys, put in trash bag and hide. Good luck, Shawn

Hi, I currently live in CC. I've been here since I was 8 years old, except when I moved away for 10 years and came back in 1994. If you have any questions just e-mail mail me. I am chalk full of info. and advice!!!! Shawn

Nana, you are doing awesome on the band! You must feel amazing at this point. Have you been mostly good with your eating...protein first, staying away from junk, etc? Shawn

I've been to (2) consults w/ different doctors. They both have given me the same statistics, even though one does primarily gastric bypass. RNY has a greater chance of complications and death, at the beginning. The lapband is the primary weight loss surgery, in Europe and elsewhere. RNY deal with restriction AND malabsorption (your body absorbs less calories). The Lapband just deal with restriction. Keep reading these message boards and gathering your information. You'll figure it out. Doctors who make you feel like a moron, should not be your doctor in the first place. Best of luck, Shawn

Well, I did my consult among other things (nutritionist, psych eval., and group). Dr. Chang's staff was excellent and very friendly. Dr. Chang was direct and to-th-point, as expected. I felt confortable with his skills and experience. I've done my homework as well. The insurance paperwork was to be sent out. I've decided to go with Dr. Chang vs. Dr. Spivak, in Houston, as the distance that I have to travel is less to Dr. Chang's. Although I believe Dr. Spivak is a wonderful choice as well.... Dr. Chang did say that he wouldn't do the surgery if I gain ANY more weight. I am not too worried about that, as I tend to be a slow and steady gainer....Although, my luck I'll be downing the calories due to anxiety. Well, just an update. I love this message board. Shawn

Thanks for the replies...I have a consult on July 6th w/ Dr. Chang. I'll let everyone know how it goes! Shawn

I attended his same day seminar and consultation. His seminar was very informative and took about 1 hour or so. He has his marketing director there, Tracy, who has the lap band. She was also very informative. Most of his staff has had either gastric bypass or the lap band. He wasn't trying to sell you any (1) procedure. It is a very personal decision with risk and rewards! I found him warm and a good listener. I didn't feel rushed during the consult. He's very experienced and skills using laproscopic tech. and has about 1000 lapband procedures to his name. I have another Dr. that I have a consult with on July 6. I'll pick the best for me and go from there. Good luck

I am going to Victoria on July 6th to meet w/Dr. Chang of Citizens Bariatric Center. I've been to our local support group in Corpus and most folks have used either Dr. Chang or Dr. McDanial (in group practice). They all have wonderful comments on both of them. The support group here is mostly with folks who've had the gastric bypass. I am looking at the lapband procedure. I'll know more after the consult.

Fortunately, I am the ONLY one with a weight problem in my household...except the dog. I have a slim 10 and 16 year old. I vowed to myself that I would make food a nonissue in my childrens lives. My son has been the finicky eater, but along with age he has added a variety of foods. They both eat and when they are full simply quit. I never say "clean your plate" or "would you like seconds" or even that "I am on a diet." I've always admired then both as if they have a cookie and are full, they can take a bite and not pop the whole thing in their mouth. I am grateful that my kids don't live to eat. I am sad that I do. Shawn

Of course I plan on having no serious complications, but I think it might be safer to travel the 1 1/2 hours vs. 4 hrs. Having kids and making arrangement for fills/unfills might be a pain at the greater distance. The main thing is emergencies and can I get to my surgeon. In my town we have no surgeons that do bariatric surgery. I'd hate to put my body in the hand of the unexperienced! Hmm.

I have scheduled (2) consults w/surgeons. I live in Corpus Christi, Tx. I surgeon is 1 1/2 hours away, and the other is 4 hours away. The one 4 hours away has tons of experience (part in the FDA trials, etc.). The closer one also has a good reputation. Has anyone out there had to travel far distances (2 hrs+) to see their surgeon? I am worried that something may go wrong, when I am at home and my surgeon is so far away. I am also thinking of the travel time to do fills and unfills. Also, do many folks get overfilled only to have to return to the surgeon the next day or so... Thanks, Shawn

Anyone out there living in Corpus Christi? I currently have consult appointments for (2) Drs. I went to a WLS support group, locally, but only folks with gastric bypass were present. Let me know if your local! I'd love to hear from you. Shawn

Our city of Corpus Christi has a pop. of about 300k and no surgeons perform WLS here. The closest is 1 1/2 hours away (which all of the group consisted of their patients). The practice does both lap and gastric bypass. The support group that I attended was small for a city our size, and maybe other banders have been disaapointed at the meetings, as I was last night. Hence no lapbanders. After 8 months of researching, I feel like I have the facts down. It is entirely a personal choice. I think that most folks, as previously stated, will never say they regret their choice. Now, I have (2) appointments w/lapband surgeons. I'll listen to their seminars and do a consult. June 17th, in Houston and July6th in Victoria, Tx. Wish me luck, Shawn

Hello. I am semi-new to the board. I have a seminar/consult with Dr. Spivak, in Houston on June 17th. I live in Corpus Christi, TX (approx. 4 hours from Houston). I went to my first "live" WLS support group meeting in Corpus tonight. Every person there had the gastric bypass. When I spoke that I was considering the lapband, a few ladies shook their heads negatively. They explained, after I spoke, that they had once considered it but the risk of slippage, etc and regaining the weight were too high. I didn't say much, due to the fact that I was a newcomer. After the meeting, I met with the psychologist (group leader) and he said that it was truly a personal decision (of course) and that the ladies were speaking because they felt, maybe 5 months on, that you will have most of the complications that you were going to have with the RNY. On the other hand, complications can still occur with the band due to erosion and slippage or blow to the stomach trauma....I really felt like an outcast at the support group. What's your take on this? Shawn

I just received a call from Dr. Chang's office. He is taking a leave of absence as his son is VERY ill. I've read on one of the message boards that he has leukemia. Poor guy... They said it will be at least 6 weeks until he might get back. I'd like to wait but I think I'll do some more research and find another doctor. My consult was June 22nd. Thanks for the response.

Just got a call from Dr. Chang's office. He is going on a leave of absence. The office said his son is VERY sick. Could be 6 weeks or so until he gets back. They don't know. My consult is cancelled. I'd like to wait but will research other Texas doctors for now.

Well, I have an appt. on June 22nd for my consultation, nutrition class, and individual and group therapy. All in one day. They try to schedule it, in one day, for out-of-town patients. I am very nervous to meet Dr. Chang and I'm not sure why!!