Txchloe

I went to the seminar on 10/2, had the psych consult and appt with dietitician AND appt with Dr. Smith all in one day -- on 10/10, the pre op appt with the nurse on 10/18 and the surgery on 10/25. I found the whole process to be very quick. I was self pay so there wasn't any insurance red tape to go thru. I'm sure if ins is involved it could be ALOT longer no matter what doc you see.

Have you been to his seminar yet? If not, definitely do that and they will be able to give you a lot more info on the whole process.

Good luck!

I got my band from Dr. Smith on 10/25. My pcp had given me 3 names-Dr. Sewell, Dr. Kim and Dr. Smith. I did some research and went to Dr. Smith's seminar because it was the 1st available. After the seminar I didnn't look any further. I really liked him and the fact that he had the band himself.

My experiences with him and his office have been very good so far. 1st fill scheduled 11/29 with Ferrera (haven't met him yet).

I can't compare him with others because it was the only seminar I went to but I don't know what I would want done any differently than Dr. Smith has done so far.

Appts seem to be no problem and his office staff is very helpful. Also they are available by email which I like as an alternative to making phone calls.

Whichever doc you choose - good luck to you!

Amen LivingtheDream!

Wheetsin-- I haven't heard of LasikPlus so I can't offer an opinion of that specific place. But... I did have Lasik surgery done in 2001 by an individual opthamologist here that is still advertising every week in our local paper. Prices have come down alot from the $2000 per eye!! that I had to pay I'm sure.

All I wanted to say to you is that I have NEVER been sorry that I did it. The surgery is very quick and recovery pretty easy. I loved giving up those glasses/contacts that I had had since age 13.

I tell anyone that asks that it was a great investment. Having said that though, I would really research who does it and make sure your husband is comfortable with them and confident of their expertise. Can't put a price on your eyes!!

P. S. The ONLY negative I can think of is that suddenly you need glasses to see up close if you're 40+. But that's inevitable anyway....Lasik just speeds up the process.

I made almost this exact post last Wed night (my surgery was scheduled for Thurs a.m.). Didn't really get any replies from anyone that had experienced same. I did go in as planned on Thurs a.m. and first asked the receptionist if I was going to be sent away. She brought the nurse out who said "don't worry about it if you don't have a fever." I didn't have a fever. All the pre op stuff was done and then when the doc came in I again brought up the subject of my cough and stopped up nose. He went and got a flashlight and looked down my throat and said there didn't appear to be any infection (strep I guess?) so there shouldn't be as problem. I asked ONE more time when the anesthesiologist came in to hook me up to the sleepy meds. :notagree He was unconcerned as well. Oh well.....off I went.

I REALLY did not want them to cancel since I had been on liquids for a week and was mentally psyched to go forward. On the other hand I kept wondering how I was going to be able to be put under with tube and all when I was coughing (deep chest coughing) every few minutes; or more importantly was I going to wake up:eek:!

Well here I am on Day 6 and I did survive. Glad to have it over and evidently I had no problems during surgery. I do have to say though that the coughing, which got worse after surgery instead of better, has been very painful on my incisions. I think that my recovery has been much slower because of battling getting well as well as trying to heal after the surgery. :sick

I'm sorry about the long story with really no advice for you, but I think my answer is "it depends." Monday is still pretty far away and if you generally recover fairly quickly from respiratory things then you'll likely be fine. But, if you are like me, and you already have allergies and respiratory things tend to hang on, I might consider postponing another week if possible. Apparently it's not life threatening to have the surgery when you are sub par physically, but I do think it really makes the recovery tougher. I hope this helps some.

I think it's always best to contact your doc's office and bounce it off of them as I'm sure each doc has his/her own ideas about this. I should have done that but was afraid they were going to postpone, so I didn't. Smart huh?

Good luck--- and again I'm sorry about the long post but this was a topic that is still near and dear to my heart (especially when I cough!)

tThe tube is done after you're asleep and out before you're awake. I agree with the phrase used to describe it in above thread - it was a "non issue." Probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't been told. The IV is done while you're awake and that's the extent of the poking while awake(well there was one LITTLE shot in the stomach for blood thinning but I felt NOTHING with that one even though it sounds like you would). The anesthesia was the best! By the time you wake up you're all done and bandaged and it's over!

I'm scheduled to have my surgery tomorrow a.m. I got sick Monday night. Not sure if it is a sinus infection or just allergies but I have chest and nose congestion. I probably should have called the doctor's office today to see what they said but I was afraid they would cancel (smart thinking huh?):paranoid

Now I'm worried that I am going to get there tomorrow a.m. and they are going to send me back home! No fever or anything and over the counter meds do help me sound better but I'm not supposed to take anything after midnight so not sure I can fake it. :lie:

This happen to anyone else and did you have to postpone surgery? Or any medical people that can advise whether they will likely go ahead even with my symptoms?

Thanks.

Excited? yes Nervous? yes

Mine is scheduled for this Thursday and I'm just ready to get it behind me. I haven't ever had surgery so that is a big part of my anxiety -- just not really having any personal experience to relate it to. Joining this site was the best preparation I could have gotten though. I almost feel like I've already had the surgery because I've learned so much here.

Am very optimistic and looking forward to everything I have planned for the future ( getting rid of "fat" clothes , liking cameras again, going to the lake, enjoying social gatherings, etc.)-- I could list 100 reasons why I am excited about the future!

The excitement definitely outweighs (no pun intended) the anxiety!

Let's compare notes as this process continues!

I was told NO carbonated drinks. Specifically they named sodas, champagne and beer. I saw on the pre op sheet that it also says no Alka Seltzer either. I've talked to several others that have been banded by different docs here in the Dallas/FW area and they were all told no carbonation. The reasoning was the stretching of the pouch, which will eventually cause it to lose its effectiveness. Having said that, I have decided I'll likely still have a very little here and there (when I'm sick, at the movies etc.) but as far as the old driving thru the fast food restaurant just for a Coke--guess that's over. It's that word "never" that gets to us I'm sure. I'm interpreting "never" as "very very seldom" which is a vast improvement for me. I think the doctor's know that if they don't say "never" we won't hear them at all!!

I found myself looking for the posts that said Cokes were really ok because that's what I want to think---of course I'd like for someone to tell me that it turns out that smoking cigarettes is actually GOOD for me too!!:rolleyes

please add me to the list. thank you for organizing this Holly.

txchloe

name: Kelly

band date: 10/25