Charlene K

I don't know. I have only seen Dr Garth. I would think it would be him and one of the other doctors on his team. I know of two other doctors that work with them. He is the only bariatric doctor I have been to, but they have a huge practice. I went to a seminar in January where there were at least 100 people. Then after the seminar I signed up for nutrition classes which I completed on April 28. I had been waiting for approval till yesterday. Today I got a surgery date. It's all good now!

Oh,those days of being 150.....let me see....1985....Yes, those were the days and I will have those days again. I admire you. Don't quit posting. We all need you! When I start my liquid diet I will figure out the ticker thingy. I have more to lose than you did. My husband and I have booked a cruise in April '09 . We are going to cruise the Hawaiian Islands for our 40th aniversary. I would love to lose at least 75lbs by then. We started our life together in Hawaii and I weighed 117 in 1969. I think my leg weighs 117now....lol. Anyway, I have a goal to shoot for and I will try to accomplish it.

No, I won't be on tv....I not one of the unique cases. Dr. Davis is as nice in person as on TV. He really has a passion to help those with obesity. The psychologist is really sweet. She gave me her email address and said to contact her anytime I had a question. She did say that I must stay in a support group or I WOULD have a relapse. I believe her. My son lost 120 lbs two years ago with a lap band and then did not get a fill for six months or more. He has gained 40lbs. So, like they say, it is just a TOOL. I plan to have y'all as a support group and stay in a group at Methodist Weight Management.

HALLELUJAH! I have a surgery date.....July 9th. Dr. Garth Davis will be banding me. Now I have to go in for pre-op and pick up a two week liquid diet. I am so excited to start this journey. I went to my orthopedic surgeon today to see if I could get a cortisone injection in my back before surgery. He said no. It would compromise my immune system. A disc in my lower back does not have any cushion, but he said as I lose weight and strengthen my core muscles my back pain should improve. This surgery is all about my health. It is not just my back....it is sleep apnea, gerd, feet problems. I am ready for a NEW ME! Thanks to all of you...... I now feel more confident in my decision.

Thank you, I will ask. I go to the orthopedic tomorrow.....I need an injection before surgery so I can be more active after surgery. The kind of injection I get is called an epidural cortisone injection.

Thanks,Indiogirl..... I have been marking all the good websites you gave for protein shakes. I think my doctor wants us to drink optifast for two weeks. I'll know when they call me back. I am so excited and scared at the same time.

YIPPEE! I got approval from my insurance. Now I need to call and get a date. I am going to be bugging y'all with a ton of questions. I lood forward to being a part of the bandster journey. First question. Do any of you get cortisone injections for herniated discs? Does it effect the band?

Yvonne, CONGRATULATIONS! I have been watching the posts of all the new bandsters and all of you encourage me. I haven't heard from the doctors since I finished the nutrition class on April 28th. I hope I hear this week.

Thanks!.....I needed to know about the Miralax. In the past, I had several bouts of diverticulitis, so those kind of things concern me. I know the lap band will be the start of a new healthy life. I only wish I had done it years ago.

Thanks, Becky, for all the 411.....I did not know there were books on lap band. I will check out Amazon. I bookmarked all websites given by Indiogirl. I still do not have a surgery date. I finished all the prerequisites three weeks ago....all in good time. The process takes longer than I anticipated. One thing I haven't seen talked about is constipation. The doctor said I could still take Miralax. I wonder if anyone has had a problem taking it. If it gets stuck????? Do you know?

AMEN!,Fluffycat......I too, am awaiting a surgery date. I look forward to sharing and caring with you and all these wonderful bandsters.

Indiogirl, CONGRATULATIONS! on reaching your goal! I am awaiting a surgery date and to read your good news encourages me. I appreciate all the good advice on this thread.

Congrats! Hopefully, I will be a month or so behind you. I finished my nutrition class today. Now, I am waiting for final approval and a date. I have had several abdominal surgeries and it does get better every day. Hang in there!

I haven't had the surgery yet, but my son did and lost 120lbs in a year. He said white meat chicken was hard to go down after his surgery, but eventually he was able to eat it. He told me dark meat is much easier to digest. Like I said I haven't had the experience yet.

HI! I am fairly new too.....this is a great place to get vital info. I have my last nutrition class today and then all my paperwork will be sent to my insurance co. I am going to ask my doctor about the Realize Band:confused:. I haven't lost all the weight he wanted me to before the surgery, but when I go on the liquid pre-op diet I feel sure the rest will come off. Props to all the bandsters on this thread for all the help!:wink2:

Thanks for the information. I will ask my doctor about using the Realize band.

Thanks! I googled it and read obout it, but I still don't see the difference.

What is the difference in the lap band and the realize band?

Congrats! to both of you! Hopefully, I will get banded in May. I attend my last nutrition class on Monday. I will be watching for a progress report.

:confused:I am planning to have lap-band surgery in May. I am now going through the supervised diet. I told the Doctor I wanted banding because of multiple colon surgeries even though he suggested gastric bypass because of my BMI being 52. Have any of you out there with a BMI over 50 had substantial weight loss?

Yes, I am blessed to live close by the medical center. Dr. Garth and Dr. Robert are as nice in person as on the program. They really have a passion to help people in our situation.

Cindi, Thank you for the encouraging words of support. The doctor said it would be slower, but for me, it would be a healthier solution.

Congrats, John C. My son,36, got his lap band eighteen months ago and lost 120 lbs in a year. He inspired, me and I hope to be banded in May. I know it is just a tool, but at our age we need all the help we can get. :thumbup:

I am going to Dr. Garth Davis at Methodist Hopital in Houston. The hospital has a weight management center that I must attend for 3 months to meet the requirements for insurance. I am on a 1400cal diet. I journal my three meals and a snack each day. Then once a month I attend a meeting with a nurtritionist and give her the journal which will eventually go to the insurance company. The doctor wants me to lose thirty lbs before surgery in May, but so far I have only lost fourteen lbs. I will go on a liquid diet two weeks before surgery and should be able to lose the required amount. Now this is the requirement for my insurance. All insurance companies have their own requirements. Hopefully, after all of this I will be approved.