Idgett

You have a clear liquid diet, in which you can have anything you can see through. On full liquid diet you can have Protein Shakes, cream of Soups strained, cream of wheat, grits, things like that.

I was scheduled to stay in two days, but I was doing so well I went home the next day.

I went back to work a week later, and had no problems.

Sorry to hear about your experience. I didn't stick with them after all. They know with the first call to the insurance company whether there are exclusions for WLS in your plan. unfortunately a lot of these WLS centers are just into it for the money. Had I stuck with them I may have had a lap band by now BUT it would not have lasted. Four years ago I had surgery to repair a hiatal hernia; I had heard that it could cause problems,so to dig out the truth I went to a gastro doctor that had no affiliation with lap band to make sure I was a candidate. It can be done, BUT I was at much more risk for failure, and more importantly complications. Lap Band Solutions had said " sure your a candidate, the previous surgery is no problem"

I believe Lap Band Solutions would have let me continue to have appointments or may have even done the surgery knowing I would later have complications that could lead to additional surgery or to have a revision. In any case they did not have the chance. I decided to get away from the cattle call clinics and search out a private Dr. that does WLS. I am very happy with my choice and will soon be reaping the success of a gastric sleeve. Out of all the WLS out there, I choose the sleeve, and all three of my doctors (primary, gastric, & WL surgeon) agree it is the best surgery for me.

As for Lap Band Solutions.... I believe their practices to be deceptive, and maybe even risky. I have directed a letter to the AMA an the TX medical board telling them of my experience. I hope others like yourself will do the same.

I found it. YUCK and OUCH:confused_smile:

I have tried searching this, and I guess I just am not good enough at the search thing.

Can someone please tell me what sliming is? :confused2:

Thank you noahsmom for posting my exact fears. I plan to have WLS but had begun leaning toward the sleeve instead of the band which is my first choice. My mom always said if you look for something bad hard enough your going to find it. Curious as to what could happen to me I come in here and search the word complication, and scare the dodo out of myself!:sad_smile: After reading the replies to your post, I am back to my original plan. I know I can do this! I need to stay in the more positive posts.:w00t:

Take care and good luck.

How do you check out a doctor? Surley if you can check out just about any business, there is a way to check out doctors.

Hey all. Has anyone heard of or had any experience with Dr. Ferrari. He is out of Memorial City Hospital off of I 10. I am trying to get away from the cattle call like system.

Is there someway to check out these doctors?

Your right about being popular elsewhere. The person who was pitching me was for doctors in Mexico, and Michigan. As I said I live in Houston Texas, and you see ads for Lap Band where ever you go, and all over local TV. I sure haven't heard much about the gastric sleeve. Which tells me it is not as tried and true as lap band.

I am self pay and of course been searching ways to save money. I had made a decision to have it at this one place here in Houston, for 12,900. Well today I was approached by someone pitching me the gastric sleeve, and how much better it was than lap band. I know this procedure is newer than lap band, but that doesn't mean it is better. She was mainly telling the bad things about lap band like erosion and such. Has anyone else checked into the sleeve? Is there somewhere I can review pro's and con's of both surgeries? Just as I had finally made up my mind I am getting confussed again. HELP:eek:

HAHAHAHAHA

Glad to hear that I will get use to it. Where they told me it would be was close to the waste line, but they said they don't do it up higher because of discomfort with bra's

WOW!!! I sure hope it goes that way for me. Until I read this tread I had no clue that I would be required to quit smoking, they didn't even tell me that at my first visit Friday. I have been planning to quit anyway... this will just speed things up for me. Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I hope to have mine done in a couple of months. Just waiting to finalize a property sale.

I felt someone else's port and theirs was up higher than they say mine will be. Where they showed me mine will be is just below the waste line. Is it uncomfortable underneath clothes, or does it ever get tender?

One question I have forgotten to ask is "how does the band feel; I mean are you constantly aware of its presence? I understand that it makes you feel full faster, but other than that do you know it is there?

Do you know if you can be on Chantex at the time of surgery?

Well my fist visit to the center sure wasn't what I thought it would be. It is actually Lapband Houston office. Dr. Felts does surgery there once a month. I was under the impression I would be examined, and see a doctor. I was given a book to read (actually a very informative book) and talked to a lady a little bit, she was mostly an insurance advocate, and once she found out I was self pay cash, our conversation got shorter. Then the nurse came in, poked on my tummy a little, and told me if I was not a Lapband Solutions patient she would start me on the pre op diet, but that would be up to them to do that when I called them to schedule my surgery, and once I scheduled my surgery I would have a pre op visit with the doctor. Pretty much it was a waste of money in my opinion. I plan to stick with Lapband Solutions, because of Dr. Felts. But they are going to get an ugly letter from me.

Is this what I should have expected? Is this what normally happens?

I :confused2:go for my first visit tomorrow. I'm a little nervous; I am just afraid that they are going to tell me I am not a candidate.

First can someone tell me where this office is. I have the address, but having trouble with the Green Park Building 1 bit.

Second...what will my first visit be like...what will they do? Should I know if I am a candidate when I leave tomorrow?

I'm all for it. I didn't get much responce from my post, but I bet we could persue it.

I just learned myself, and had a little trouble with it until someone sent me this link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Maybe he is flying out...My appointment is at noon Friday. Although I think I am going to have to reschedule for next week, my husband had to go out of town for work and is flying in Friday. Don't know his flight arrival time yet...so to be on the safe side I am going to call and reschedule I think

Anybody from the Sugar Land Area?

Thanks. I tried searching the subject, but my computer dummyness is getting in the way too. When I search threads it comes up with 40 million threads that don't seem to have any relevance to what I am checking into. Any suggestions? Remember I need it firstgrader terms. :biggrin:

Thank you...the pics did the trick.

YEP I am a computer dummy. I was trying to stick it in the wrong place all this time. Ya know...first graders can read these days. My 6 year old grandson can read. Me...I need pictures.:wink_smile::biggrin:

I have my consultation on Friday. I am very nervous. I really have my heart set on this and I am afraid that they are going to find something wrong with me that will not allow me to have this surgery. #1 I had a hiatal hernia repaired about 3 years ago... I have read about people who have had it at the same time, but not after. I have read that the position of the hernia repair could impede the surgery. Has anyone had hiatal hernia surgery, then been banded?

#2 I have just been diagnosed with diverticulitis. will that be a problem?