starr

Dr. Currie did my surgery at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, MD on Dec. 3, 2008. Currie did my wife's surgery on Jun. 3, 2009. You couldn't ask for a better surgeon. We both like him a lot. I have had great results. I am currently down 81 lbs. My wife is down 25 lbs. It really works....as long as you listen.

I had surgery on Dec. 3, 2008 and am down about 80 lbs to date. My wife is scheduled for surgery on June 3, 2009. We wanted to have surgery together in Dec. but things didn't work out. Can't wait for her to have it done. It will make meal planning soooo much easier.

I was banded on Dec. 3, 2008. Boy there is a lot of misinformation out there. I've met with two different surgeons and both gave different info. I have applied what works best for me. No drinking 15 minutes before, during and 1 hour after eating. I don't like the Protein shakes so I eat a Protein Bar for Breakfast - Snickers Marathon Bars. I usually eat whatever for lunch and dinner with a focus on protein - chicken, fish and even a sandwich now and then. I tear some of the bread off. 3 oz of protein and fill in with cooked veggies. I try to get at least 65g of protein. drinks include Crystal Light and water/lemon Water, minimum of 64 oz. a day. I will snack on cheese, vegies or nuts between meals but I usually don't get hungry enough to care. I eat about 1000-1200 calories a day. No candy, ice cream or general junk food. Exercies...walk, anything. Just keep moving. It burns calories. More calories burned...more weight lost. Surgery was for the most part easy. Struggled with the Protein Shakes but I got through it. Recovery softs were Soups and mashed potatoes, egg salad. I was fine with it. I had some pain a day or so after surgery. It was from the gas they used during surgery. Gas-X fixed that. Oh...I'm down 80 lbs. I would do it again in a second. I feel great. I went from size 46 to 38 pants and 3x to large shirts. It's nice to buy clothes at Old Navy and Aero that fit and are stylish. If you have any questions I will more then happy to answer. Good luck! Brian

For everyone who has been approved and had LapBand surgery...stories like this should make you appreciate the opportunity you have been given and don't abuse the Band. Bmann, hang in there and don't give up. My wife was denied at first and she kept after the insurance and finally was approved and is scheduled for surgery on June 3. Give them everything they ask for in terms of requirements and more. My wife attended extra dietician appointments and met with counselors. It paid off for her. Good luck and I will pray things work out for you! Brian

I had very bad gas pains about 2 days after surgery. Get some Gas-X strips before surgery. They will help a lot!!! My wife has LapBand surgery June 3 and we are already stocked up!

Hello, I would be glad to help with any questions. I was banded on Dec. 3. I am down about 70 lbs so far which is not usual I am told. Started at 325 and now down to 255. I will be going for my 2nd fill on May 1. I started to feel food slipping through the band. Doctor said that was a sign to get a fill. Ask away and I will do the best that I can to answer. Brian - (aka Starr...who is my cat.)

My surgeons plan for post-op week three and four is 1/2 cup of food for the meal. If you haven't had a band fill yet you may be able to eat a little more then the 1/2 c. Some surgeons are doing pre-fills on bands so I don't know if you were or not. Our plan states that you may have additional food between meals if you become hungry. I would take it easy and eat very slowly. Stop as soon as you feel full. Our week five is return to regular diet. Regular diet is 1/2 c or 4 oz. of food with 2-3 oz. being Protein and remainder of non-starch vegetables. All protein must be eaten first. Good luck!!!

My name is Brian and I am 48 hours post-op. I'm not sure what is going on but I get like growling in my stomach like I am hungry...It's actually pretty painful. I can feel it build like when you are sitting and you know your stomach is going to growl really loud. Well my stomach growls and then hurts like crazy for a few seconds afterwards. I'm not hungry at all but it did wake me up in the middle of the night. Any ideas or is it one of those things that will get better with time. Other then that I feel fine. Thanks for any help you can offer. Brian

So...my name is Brian and today I celebrated my 1st wedding anniversary...and I also began packing my overnight bag and gathering my things for my stay in the hospital. Excited, scared, sad...but mostly happy. I took my wife out for a nice dinner and then came home and took a small bite of our anniversary cake before packing. I will be so glad to get the surgery over with. It's funny how the months turn into weeks, then days and now just hours away. I have to be at Washington County Hospital at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. My surgery is scheduled for 9:00 with Dr. Scot Currie. He is a really cool guy. Very down to earth. I will be the first male Lap Band patient for the hospital. My surgeon has done hundreds of surgeries at other hospitals but only a few at this one. The funny thing is that with being the first male patient, the hospital has me on the women's floor for recovery. Guess I will be getting my own room. I wonder if they will blindfold me? :biggrin: What a week!!! Wedding anniversary, job interview for new position at my company tomorrow and surgery on Wednesday. Wanted to share my thoughts and feelings. Anyone else scheduled for surgery on Wednesday???

The office manager called my cell phone yesterday and told me I was approved. I think I was so happy I told her I loved her or something. She said she will follow up with a call on Monday for EKG and chest x-ray and give me a surgery date. I realized how much I like my insurance. No pre-surgical requirements and a answer in two days....WOW! I am finally going to WIN this life long battle with my weight. Ok - Now the funny thing....why am I afraid? I don't think I am afraid of surgery. I think I might be afraid of failing or acting differently after I lose weight. I like who I am but I don't like being overweight. But being overweight has made me who I am...kinda soft and quiet and maybe a little backward. They are the traits my wife fell in love with.

I think the biggest problem for me was the fact that they lied to me. I lost faith and no longer trusted them. If they would have just said something like "While your insurance doesn't require these test we think it is important for your health and safety." I guess I am just a little stressed out over all of this and having to start over with another doctor.

Has anyone experienced your doctor's office lying about pre-surgical requirements? I began the process by first calling my insurance provider and asking what was required for surgery. I was told only a letter from the doctor stating the surgery was necessary. I then scheduled an appointment with the doctor. During the call I gave the girl who handled insurance at the office my info from my card. I was then given a date to meet with her and the doctor. When I finally went to the doctor I was told that my insurance REQUIRED me to have 5-6 things done including sleep study, blood work, dietician visits for 6 months, etc. I was told the person I spoke to gave me incorrect information. I met with the doctor and he was very nice. After the visit I went home confused and frustrated. I call my insurance again and once again was told of no pre-surgical testing. I really didn't have a problem with having test done as long as it was for the better but I was told it would be 9-12 months before surgery. The doctors office called and scheduled my dietician appointments and blood work. After about three months I had never heard my results from blood work. My calls were not returned trying to schedule my sleep study etc. I GAVE UP! Yesterday I scheduled an appointment with another office that offered LabBand. This morning I met with Liz the insurance specialist at the office. She actually called the provider line and put them on speaker phone with me in the room. She asked "What pre-surgical testing was required?" Guess what - Other then a letter from the doctor - NOTHING WAS REQUIRED. No dietician appointment for 6 months, no sleep study, NOTHING. She looked at me and was confused because I had THOUSANDS of dollars of testing and visits that were not required. I was told my 8 months to surgery was more like 8 weeks now. I feel like I was totally lied to and taken advantage of. I know of another person at my company who was also having LapBand done was told by the same office that all these test were required by our insurance. Money making scheme? Insurance rip-off? Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this? I learned several things - call insurance, I even called the provider line. Call several times and talk to different people. Take the names of the people you have talked to. If you have the ability check with other doctors in you area and speak with their insurance specialist. They are more then willing to talk. It's YOUR money and YOUR insurance.