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This is my first post on this forum. and yes I'm getting banded on Oct 7 with Dr k in Aurora Co. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. But i should be OK. I been reading this forum and studying as much as possible. But have the support of family behind and also this web site for help and info if needed.

Mark

Hello! Dr. K is also doing my surgery. My original date was Oct.1 but I got bumped up to Sept.29th. Have you visited the thread for Dr.K? You will find a lot of info on that thread. I have a hard time keeping up with everyone over there but tend to chime in when I can.

Cassy and Lowbmier welcome! I cannot keep up with all these girls so I tend to 'chime' in when I can.

Cassy, my surgery is a few days after yours (29th) so you'll have to let me know how it goes. I find myself extremely anxious these days. :cursing: Did you look into Dr.Atkinson's office in Vegas?

Quick question for all of Dr. K's patients... I have heard he does both Lapband and Realize band.... Does Dr. K decide for you or give you the choice? if you chose...which one did you choose? And what was the deciding factor for you?

Thanks

Hello again! Dr.K does give you the choice to decide which band you want. However, the Realize is an additional charge. The last time I checked he is still in negotiation with the company for the price but Natalie thought it would be anywhere from $100-$500 in addition to the $9950. I think I have decided to go with the Lap Band just for the simple fact this is what Dr. K prefers and has the most experience with. After all of my research, I cannot find a significant difference for one vs. the other. Good luck in your decision!

So is mines! I swear it feels like I have two of them now! I had another laproscopic surgery and they cut at the bottom of my belly button. You can't even see that scar, but this one stands at attention! grrr:cursing:

I know, I hate it! Now if I even get skinny enough to wear a bikini, I will be self conscious b/c of my stupid belly button. Grr is right! I also just noticed yesterday, I have kind of a small 'bump' on the inside and asked DH who is an RN what the heck it was. He said its probably a stitch. What in the world? :cursing: How long ago did you have your gb removed?

You guys are scaring me!!!!!!!! I'm still new to all of this, sorry. What is sliming????

Don't be scared!! Everyone is different with surgery. I didn't share my experience to make you scared or uneasy. I shared my experience to suggest you always get a second opinion and do your homework. My surgeon was supposed to be the best in town. I thought I did my homework but wished I would've asked more questions. Just b/c a Dr. says you need surgery doesn't always mean there aren't other options. Next time, I would make sure of ALL options before I let anyone cut on me. I don't think my surgeon closed my "wounds" but a technician/assistant. I would definitely request your surgeon to do it.

I haven't had my band placed as of yet but from my understanding I believe 'sliming' occurs when you don't chew your food well enough and it gets "stuck". The body reacts by producing excessive saliva and mucus to open the stoma to allow the food to pass through. The process can last anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes or even longer.:cursing:

Allyson~

Hi! I have not had surgery yet. My surgery is in 2 wks. (yikes!) with Dr. K. so I will have to get back to you with some suggestions. :thumbup: Have you visited the Dr. K thread? All the girls over there are super nice and I'm sure they would be more than willing to help if you posted this question over there. :smile:

To all the "success stories", I applaud you. But I am one of those that insurance did NOT cover, and my father paid out around $20,000+ for my surgery and adjustments afterwards. In my first year after surgery, I DID lose 100 lbs, but was vomiting daily and always went into an "emergency" situation each and every time they did an adjustment on me. I threw up so much that it literally ate all the enamel off the backs of my teeth, and I am now having so many problems with my teeth that I am going to end up with dentures. Thanks alot! I also had to resort to eating baby food in order to keep anything down. At one point my surgeon told me I needed my gall bladder removed, and almost took it out, but after tests - he decided to tell me to see a gastroenterologist immediately that something was very wrong. I saw a gastro specialist, he did a scope on me and found that my esophageous was really messed up from all the vomiting, etc. and that I really needed the band removed. In the meantime, I was sick all the time for unexplained reasons and was finally diagnosed with systemic lupus and fobromyalgia. Had the surgeons checked me for lupus (as they should have prior to surgery), they would NOT have been able to perform this costly surgery that has literally ruined my life.

Yes, the surgeon did say that he would remove the band and do a "mini-bypass" in the same surgery, but with me having lupus, I cannot have that done. So I am stuck with this device inside my body and it is wide open and still causes me problems at times.

I am now very ill and have numerous other problems and have had to be removed from the workforce and forced into medical disability.

Sorry, but I have NOTHING good to say about LapBand surgery, and most of the people that I know have had similar experiences and wish they had never done it either.

I am very frustrated and have a very bad taste in my mouth about the way I was treated by my surgeon and his entire staff and would NEVER advise anyone to have this surgery done - NOT EVER!

If I could get back my money and my life that this surgery destroyed, I would.

I never received the appropriate aftercare they promised and they always told me that I was not following the plan correctly. They were wrong! I did everything I was told. I also woke up twice during my surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I had never done this surgery and wish that I could do something to warn people about the things they do not tell you, that can happen to people like me.

Wow! Sorry to hear you've had all these complications. I am 2 wks. out from having my Lap Band surgery and definitely hate hearing stuff like this. But everyone is different and perhaps you may have had a different experience with RNY, who knows if that even would've gone smoothe. My mom had RNY about 4 yrs. ago and looks amazing after losing 150lbs. I'm choosing to have the Lap Band done for a lot of different reasons. Of course weight, but I want to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy, my "dumping" from after my gallbladder removal and I too have fibromyalgia that "flares" up. I feel like the band is the only thing at this point that can truly help me with a life style change.

It sounds to me like the surgeon/staff were the problem. If I was you, I think I would try to find a new Dr. and start anew. Unless you are planning on having the band removed for medical reasons.

As far as the erosion on the teeth. Dentures sounds a little dramatic for me. Make sure you have a good dentist. Yes, this happens with excessive vomiting but usually takes awhile. I am not a DDS but a dental hygienist and can answer any questions you may have if you would like to PM me.

Also wanted to know what happened with the gallbladder. I have had nothing but trouble after having my gallbladder removed and wouldn't recommend it to anyone! Again, probably a bad surgeon but wish I still had mine.

I wish you the best on whatever decision you make!

He left the worst scars on me. Considering he does bariatric surgery, you would think he would know you can't tape together a fat woman's stomach incisions and expect it to heal well.

Lol...that was so funny! I hear ya tho. My scars aren't the best and my belly button is deformed to the point it looks like something out of a horror movie. I can't even stand to look at it and I had a cute lil' belly button before, if I do say so myself.

Yes, I was diagnosed with PCOS way before I was ever told about it. I did a lot of infertility research online and started asking my new OB/GYN about it. It was 1998 when I was actually told I had PCOS AND that I had type II diabetes. So to help with the PCOS and infertility I took Glucophage. That along with Clomid I was able to get pregnant. Since my pregnancies I have been able to control the diabetes mostly with diet and exercise, but I am currently taking the glucophage in hopes it will aid in weightloss as well.

I thought you might be another one of us with PCOS from the sounds of it. I'm glad you we re able to get pregnant. Thats one of my reasons for getting the band. I too, have taken glucophage for a long time and have never been able to lose weight on it. :thumbup: I know some people have lost a significant amount taking it though. I feel as if the Lap Band is a last resort for me. I exercise like crazy, run 3-4 mi 4x/wk. and cannot lose weight. I also have hypothyroidism which also makes losing weight difficult. Grr... My band date is 9/29 and I'm getting nervous. :wink_smile:

It was my surgeon. I had all kinds of tests done (ultrasound, hiata (sp?) scan, colonoscopy,etc). My primary doctor sent my results to a gastrointerologist who sent me to see the surgeon for further analysis. He just walked in and said I needed to have it out. I had surgery a week later. They told me to allow a few months for my body to get used to not having the gallbladder. I did, but continued to have the same symptoms that I was having. My primary doctor finally decided to have me try some IBS medicine to see if my symptoms got better. They did get better so I have been on Levsin every since.

My PCP and surgeon both recommended it. I was under the impression that I would feel so much better after having it removed that I was eager to have it out. I too, had multiple testing done (ultrasound,endoscopy,HIDA scan, etc.). Unfortunately, I didn't know how to read an ultrasound or HIDA scan and listened to their advice. I really don't think I needed mine removed. Grr...I'm very upset.:wink_smile: Needless to say, my surgeon who also does bariatrics, WILL NOT being doing my Lap Band surgery!!

Schneffski~

Hi and welcome! I was just curious if you were ever diagnosed with PCOS?

No, you do not "need" your gallbladder. I had mine removed 2 yrs. ago. If I had it to do over again, I would think twice. :thumbup: Yes, I had sludge and yes it would eventually need to be removed. I didn't have gallstones and wasn't in any pain, just nauseated which hasn't changed much. Anyway, Drs. lead you to believe that you will be able to eat anything you ate before the removal. I unfortunately have trouble eating anything. Whether its a salad, turkey sandwich or greasy cheeseburger. I will have the same reaction each time and have to be around a bathroom in 30 minutes. Its awful! I hate going anywhere and I always have to know where the nearest restroom is. :wink_smile: Ugh...miserable! However, EVERYONE is different. Just like with the Lap Band. I just wish one of my Drs. would've informed my of the possiblilites. Thus, my only reason for sharing.

I am having a Lap Band placed at the end of the month. Yes, I need to lose weight but not having my gallbladder also was a huge factoring decision. I'm hoping with less food going in will decrease my "dumping" syndrome.

Hopefully you won't need yours removed. However, if you already have a band in place, then you probably won't experience what I've gone through. Good luck!

:thumbup:Hi Everyone! This is my first post, so I'm not sure about doing this right. I have my first consultation on 9/17 and hope to find the right tools to get healthy. So, I have been reading everything and checking out your posts. I guess we are all in this together, so I'm glad to get started.

Hello and Welcome! :thumbup: This forum is somewhat confusing to find your way around at first. I've been on here for a few mths. and just figured out how to post a new thread...so, you are way ahead of me. :huh2: Good luck with the upcoming journey. I will be banded at the end of the month and my nerves are starting to get the best of me.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to know that i am not alone with all the questions and worries. This is a great place to visit and read to know that we are not alone. Well I just had My surgery on 9/10/08. So far so good.

Hi! Sounds like you are doing wonderful. :thumbup: My date is getting closer and I'm getting very anxious. Can't sleep at night worrying and thinking about questions. Keep up the good work.

Hi Everyone,

I just want to tell everyone THANK YOU for sharing your information, I love this place. As you see by my title I am set for surgery 9/26/08, my doctor has his pt. do the two week liquid thing (Optifast) and I started today. It was not that bad, the hardest part is that it feels like I should be eating, not because I am hungry because i'm not, it's like a habbit and I almost find myself bored..... I am very excited about my surgery but the closer it gets the more nervous I am filling. I know I will be fine but this is going to be a entire different life and reading you guys experience makes me know I want this for myself and my health.

Loretta:tongue:

Good Luck to you! I am right behind you on the 29th. :sad: I am lucky as I only have a one week pre-op diet and its just high Protein so hopefully it won't be a major deal. I am extremely nervous so you are not alone.

Elaine,

I see you've lost 13lbs already on your pre-op diet. Woo-hoo! I bet the first few days were the worst. I have one more week until I start mine. Ugh...:sad:

Congrats! I also have Cigna and decided not to even bother with them after my experience in March. Grrr...:cool2: Anyway, decided to just pay for it myself. Crappy insurance! Good for you for triumphing through it all.:sad:

Boomski~

I am right there with you. I need to decide VERY soon. The other day I was leaning more toward the Realize and today I'm thinking Lap Band because that is the majority of what my Dr. places. Figure he has more experience with it. The Realize site is cool but I wouldn't base my decision on it as there are other websites out there. If I'm not mistaken I believe Lap Band also has started one. Good luck with your decision!

Wow, I don't know if I can keep up with you ladies on a daily basis.

Denver~Thx for the PM. Best of luck on your WL journey!:smile:

Brandy~I hope everything is ok. Since I am not yet banded, I do not have any advice. Sending my best though.

Hugs! :thumbup:

Green~ Dr.K does place the Realize for add't chg., like Denver stated. I know he prefers the Allegren but was wondering if any of his pts. had the Realize band. Thx for your response! :woot:

Mini~My parents have been retired fo 11 yrs. now and still living in the RV full-time. They spend winters in AZ and summers up north, usually MT and OR. I say, go for it! :smile:

Munchkin~I too, have plantar fascitis. I have not had the 'work-up' you have had but the only thing that helped me was a pair of Danskos. I know, not the most stylish but worth a try. When I wear flip-flops in the summer I tend to get flair-ups so a good pair of ugly shoes may help.:thumbup:

Reading the posts, it looks like a lot of you are frustrated with the Realize band? Correct? I am having surgery in a few wks. and am trying to decide which band to have placed. Do any of you who have the Realize wish you would've gotten the Lap band? Thx!

Have any of you had Dr. K place the realize band? Thanks!:redface:

So... I have been approved for surgery and am scheduled for the 15th. As the day gets closer I get more and more nervous- I have never had surgery before. I am still up in the air with which band to choose, lapband or realize- And I'm struggling with the thought of never being able to eat the same way again. Obviously everytime i look in a mirror I am reminded of how important this surgery is but I can't help feeling nervous and anxious...ANY thoughts? :smile:

I will be banded shortly after you (9/29) and am in the same boat. Only I have had surgery and kind of know what to expect. I had a really bad experience with my first surgery which is causing major anxietey. However, my second surgery was a cake walk. I'm not worried about pain just nervous about anesthesia. That's the worst part for

me. :frown:

I too, am trying to decide on which band. Right now I'm leaning more towards the realize band. How about you?

I am stuggling also with thought of not being able to eat the same afterwards. I think we have to remember though that we will be able to eat almost anything with time. Just smaller portions of course. :redface:

Dr.Kirshenbaum (I am self-pay). My DH is a travel nurse so we took assignment here so I can have surgery. We are living in Westminster. We will only be here until the end of Oct. unless we can extend the contract. We also love it here! Where did you move from? :thumbup:

My first Dr. said 18 months to allow enough time for weight loss. However, my Dr. who is doing my surgery on the 29th (yay!!) said he doesn't have a preference and he usually leaves it up to the patient. The reason I am having a lap band placed is so I can hopefully get pregnant. So, my thinking is to lose as much weight possible before we start trying to conceive. That way, I will have a much healthier pregnancy and be a lot more comfortable. :thumbup:

Hello! I too, am currently in CO (temp. tho). I will be banded on 9/29. I'm starting to get very anxious. :tt2: What Dr. will be performing your surgery?