angelface

I was wondering the same thing.

Hi San DiegoPhotog. I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak in Orange County, Ca. The whole experience has been a positive one. The surgery will be at Chapman Medical Center in Orange. The hospital is a "Center of Excellence" for bariatric surgery which my insurance (Blue Cross) requires. The staff at Dr. Oliak's office is very helpful and friendly. I do not need to do any kind of a pre op diet. Just the day before, I need to drink liquids. It's been really easy. Good luck.

Why does your dr. recommend an ongoing (forever) diet including regular protein shakes? My dr. wants me (once I'm out of the liquid phase) to have a diet of regular food and very few protein shakes. I think i'd go nuts if I had to drink protein shakes forever.

I met two people recently (husband and wife) who got lapbanded last year. They are both in their early 60's and doing great. I'm not sure why "Iamwiththeband" thinks only people under 40 should be banded.

Hi. Who is your doctor? I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak in Orange, Ca. on April 28th.

Hi Gina. I'll be banded in the hospital- Chapman Med. Center. I just found out that I have the option of staying the night. At first I did'nt want to do that but now I'm thinking that it might be nice to have the nurses take care of me for the night. Congratuations on your weight loss so far.

Hi galobis. I'm being banded at the end of this month by Dr. Oliak. Why did you decide to fly to Calif. for your surgery and are you glad you got the band?

Hi Gina, I live in Orange County. I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak on the 28th of this month and am kind of nervous- not for the surgery but living with the band and having to change life as I know it. How long did it take you to get used to living with the band?

Hi Yaz. Good to hear from you again. i'm being banded at the end of this month and very nervous about it. I have a feeling I may have the same issues that you had in the beginning. How long did it take for you to start feeling better about your band? Are you happy with your decision now?

I don't like the look of the new LBT website. I prefered just seeing the various catagories to go to. Maybe I need to give it more time. Does anyone else feel the same about the new look?

I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak in Orange. I've only heard great things about him and he's so nice. His staff has been great too!

Are there any of you from the Orange County, Ca area who will be banded in April? I'm scheduled for April 28 in Orange.

How long did you wait to drive after your lapband surgery. My Dr. says 2 weeks. Is that too long?

Can anyone else out there tell us if you feel the same to be completely unfilled as you did without any band at all.

How long after surgery did you wait to drive?

My doctor in Orange, Ca. charges 16k.

When you go to a buffet and barely eat anything, think of all those times you probably ate more than your moneys worth. It all evens out in the end.

Does anyone know if the Heimlich Maneuver works on lapband people or should some other maneuver be used for chocking?

I live in Coto de Caza which is South OC. I'm finding a lot of people from North OC , but not South. Thanks

I'll be banded at the end of this month. I come from an Italian family who loves pasta. How have you pasta loving bandsters been able to handle it when your family is each having a huge plate of pasta and you're eating 3 bites of cottage cheese? Do you still miss it or does your brain just think differently down the road after you're banded?

Hi Rhonda. From what I've read, you've made the right decision. I've heard lots of people say that it's taken several fills to reel any restriction. Since you're so far away from your doctor, it's a good idea to take it slow in case you're overfilled (you don't want to get on a plane to get some taken out). By the way, I'm being banded by Dr. Oliak on April 28. So far, everyone i've met in the office has been so nice and helpful. How was your experience?

I know Benifiber is allowed with the band but is Metamucil?

Mdbanded4life. Congratulations on your weight loss success so far! Wow. 50 lbs!! Was it hard adjusting to band life? i'll be banded on Apr. 28th. I think you should put your question about any Italian doctors under a different heading like "Looking for Italian doctors"?? Just a thought. Good luck.

Wow Destined2befree. Can't they easily figure out if it has flipped or not? Good luck to you.

Annie, Let us know how you are doing. I wish you a speedy recovery and lots of pounds lost.