steph_co

I'm waiting to be banded, but I've been thinking about this a lot. I wasn't even going to tell anybody in my family, but I *might* tell my mom once I've lost some weight. But I don't imagine I would tell anybody else. Of course, my DH will know - he'll be taking care of me.

THANK YOU for asking this question. I was meaning to get in and do a thorough search to see if I could find a thread here that explained it, I just haven't gotten to it. I assume you're referring to AP & VG, right? I'm wanting to know more about them, as well. Because the surgeon I'm looking at says he does not have AP bands at his hospital practice, but my DH seems to remember hearing him say that he has them at his outpatient place. I want to know if I should wait for an AP band, or what?

I've heard a lot of stories about people being treated differently by people in their life that knew them when they were heavy and then after they lost weight. I'm just curious what kind of reactions you guys have had with people actually treating you differently. Good or bad. I'm not banded, yet. I'm getting on the waiting list tomorrow. I'm just preparing myself for every possibility of life with the band. Thanks, guys!

I thought it would be helpful if you guys could give info on surgeons in our state for soon-to-be bandsters to make a decision. If you could list the following info, it would be very helpful: ____________________________________________________________ Surgeon Name Location Date of banding What your surgeon closed with (sutures, glue, staples, etc) How many incisions Type of band (if you know) Overall cost of your surgery (if you wish to share) And your personal review of the surgeon and his/her office and staff _____________________________________________________________ Thank you so much in advance, guys! If you can think of another thing to add to the list that I didn't think of, please feel free!

What an awesome post. I have to agree with you 100%. Everything you talked about have been major things I have struggled with. I know if I am to be successful getting a lapband that I have to start from the inside. Thanks for your post - you've given me a lot to ponder!

Hey, fellow Coloradans. I live on the western slope. Planning to go to Denver possibly for a patient seminar. I'm still doing my research as to if I want to take the Lap Band journey. But I am pretty positive it is the road for me. I was wondering how many of you had been to a patient seminar before scheduling? Is it important? I've read the good, the bad, the ugly, so it's not like I have rose-colored glasses on. I'd just much rather just schedule for a consult and the surgery and get moving. Has anybody heard much about Dr Thomas Brown in Denver at the Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute? That is who I'm looking at. I will also consider a doctor that is located in Grand Junction, but I liked the fact that it said on Lap Band's website something about Dr Brown having done over 100 in the last year, or something. Also - for fills/unfills, do I HAVE to go back to Dr Brown? 2.5 hours to drive each time is kind of a strain. I'm happy to see such an active Colorado group! Look forward to hearing from some of you.