CarlaG

I went to the seminar on February 4th and I'm having surgery on March 13th. I am self pay so I didn't have the insurance constraints. I've been lurking around this forum since July/August but I had to wait for my husband to get on board. He wasn't too thrilled about me having this done but we had some pretty intense conversations and then he watched the surgery on TV and he was convinced. We are both looking forward to a thinner, healthier, happier me.

Angie, I checked into both since I am self pay and I think NSG was quite a bit more expensive. If you have insurance I guess it would matter to you what the fees will be that the insurance doesn't cover. I know years ago they were a good practice. Dr. Gould removed my gallbladder laproscopically when it was the "new thing" but I don't know how they are now. I'm going to the WLSC and my surgery is on Thursday. So far I have been very pleased. I met one on one with Dr. Terracina today and he spoke to me for almost an hour. He didn't rush me and was very thorough with his answers. He also talked to me like an equal, no talking down to me at all. Good luck on your journey regarless of who you choose!!

Is there a trick to this thing? I just tried to used mine for the first time with Protein powder, 1/2 cup milk, some ice and frozen strawberries. The thing wouldn't even mix! Everything froze in the mixer. I had to scrape it all out and pull out the big blender. Help!!!:laugh:

HarleyNana, When I went to the seminar Dr. T said no pre-op diet required, but in the literature, it lists the 14 day pre-op diet so I figured I misunderstood. I'm trying to do it but I am not a nice person right now. I'm grouchy already on nights and adding drinking Protein that tastes terrible into the mix is not a pretty picture.

HarleyNana, No I haven't changed my mind. I forgot I had to work overtime. I'm on nights right now and I'm usually a zombie. I am done with nights for the month after Friday night. It doesn't help that I'm kind of shy either :thumbup: You would think with the work I do I could call anybody but its different when you are calling as a private person and not a 911 employee. I promise, I will call. I just have to get up the nerve. I did start my liquid diet today and the Protein drink is terrible. I don't know how I will get through a month of this (before & after surgery) but I will survive. I watched my EMMI video today but didn't really learn anything new. I go for my 3 hr class on Tuesday so hopefully the nutritionist will be able to give me some hints on how to survive the drinks. I'm definitely going to need variety. Thanks for thinking about me and I WILL talk to you soon. Carla

Everybodies suggestions are helpful. I know this is something I want to do and have to do if I want to live a long and successful life. I can't keep going the way I am. Ronwifey: Who is doing your surgery? I didn't even think about adding the Protein from whatever you add the powder to. My husband is big into exercising and he doesn't feel it will be hard to get in the protein. I just feel like all I will be doing is drinking all day. Which in turn means I'll probably be in the bathroom all night Quasitova: I am not much into the fruit flavored stuff or even milk. I drink mostly Water. Do they make any supplements that are flavorless that can go in water? I know that is probably a dream but that would be the ultimate for me.

I just read the literature (80 some pages) the surgeon's office gave me. How does everyone keep track of how much Protein they eat/drink? It's overwhelming to me that I am going to have to try to get all that in. It also seems like it is going to be a constant issue getting in all the fluids during the "fluids only" stage. Am I making too much of this? I know everybody seems like they get thru this period fine but have any of you also been overwhelmed and survived? Can you provide any strategies? Thanks, Carla :confused2:

LuvMy2Dogs, I live in Gloucester so I don't think you'd want to see my PCP He was going to refer me but my insurance doesn't cover the surgery. I am about 280, has asthma and sleep apnea. I've already had foot surgery for something that was probably caused by my weight but they didn't say that at the time. I just went for my psych evaluation and she told me righ there she was sending an approval. I don't know what the religious questions have to do with it because they didn't even ask me the same type questions as were on the true/false test. I think they were just concerned about if you know what you're getting into and if you have a support system. My surgery is set for March 13th so I'm excited and scared at the same time. I just spoke with an old friend tonight who works with two girls who just had the lapband done. One has lost 85 lbs. since October. I've told my work I am taking 10 days off so that should give me plenty of time to feel ready to go back to work. My friend I spoke with tonight said one of the girls that she works with paid $35,000 for the surgery. She said she couldn't afford that. I told her to go thru the tunnel and pay $17K. Does gastric bypass cost more than lapband? Maybe she had bypass or something. $35K sounds like an awful lot.

I think I am going to try it. I'm going to call the office on Monday to ask about the pre-op testing, support group meeting times and about seeing the nutritionist before surgery. Dr. T said it would be pretty quick scheduling since I am self-pay but I work shift work so I'm going to have to do all these things around my work. I would love to get as much scheduled/done ASAP.

HarleyNana, Do you go to the support group meetings? I used to attend Weight Watchers and I didn't care for those meetings. Do you know if the support group meetings are similar?

Wow! Everybodies stories inspire me. Signgirl: I added the Zannie after I sent my post. I love to hear from anyone. I just saw her post that she used the same doctor. Harleynana: I don't know what you said about my PCP but I'm guessing it was something about the loser part. I know it probably didn't sound very good, but the way he put it was much more eloquent and was very inspiring. He just didn't want me to feel like I was a failure because I have not been successful with my weight loss up to this point. He really is a good guy and is very supportive of my decision and willing to help any way he can. I'm jealous that you all are so far ahead of me. I am so anxious to get all this done and go. I've been lurking on this board for months and finally my husband agreed that this is what we should do. He felt like I should try other things first (even though he's seen me lose and then gain right back numerous times) until he saw Dr. Clark on the Sentara program a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely couldn't make the commitment without his support (especially since I am self pay). Gina: So far the only pretesting I will have to have is the blood work. Is that not covered in the hospital part either? My doctor said to get a list of what needs to be done and he will do it through my insurance. We thought it might save me a little bit if it is part of the hospital price. Carla

Gina, Since you are self pay maybe you can answer my questions. Did you stay overnight? Is that included in the price you pay? Would it save me any money to have my primary doctor order the pre-op tests so my insurance will cover those or is the price they give you a package deal? I told my primary doctor that I felt like doing this was a failure but he told me that winners make plans and goals and follow through. He said I am a winner because I have set my goal and I am going for it. He said failures/losers make a plan and don't follow through. I know this is a really big step and I am definitely scared, but I feel like I can do it. I obviously overeat (at times, but not all the time), but I also have health issues that cause me to hold weight (thyroid, hysterectomy, taking hormones, etc). I don't feel like food rules my life but the extra weight I'm carrying around does and I'm tired of it. I want to feel better, look better and be able to wear stylish clothes. I don't know why designers think that all overweight women are matronly. It's so hard to find nice clothes that fit (it doesn't help that I am short either). Gina, I can't even imagine that losing 104 lbs. could be a possibility! It is so wonderful that you have done that and are now moving down again. I really do wish you luck and hope that we can keep in touch. I am definitely going to need some support and I hope I will be able to return the favor to others. Carla

Diane, My doctor is Terracina (sp) at the WLSC. I've already done the computer test and see the counselor on Monday. The office said since I am self pay, once they get the all clear from the counselor (it takes about a week), it will just be a matter of a phone call to set the date. How was your experience with WLSC? My primary doctor really seems to approve. Do you have any idea since I am self pay if the hospital part would be any cheaper if my doctor did the lab work and such that my insurance would cover or is it a package price?

Zannie, Hi. I've been reading your posts and see that you used the same dr. I am using. How are you doing now? Are you still happy with your choice and/or the results? Do you still go to the support meetings? What was they psych evaluation all about? I know that's alot of questions, but sure could use some reassurance. P.S. I wrote this post before I saw your last post. I didn't realize how old the post was that I originally was responding too but I hope you are back to stay on the boards. For some reason your posts stick out to me and have been giving me inspiration.

I am new to this board. Is there a group that is specific to the Hampton Roads/Peninsula area? I'm going through the process at the WLSC in Newport News and would love to talk with some local people who have used the same doctors. Thanks!:biggrin: