Babe

mom4two, congrats on your decision. i've also decided to get the surgery done, but haven't picked a surgeon yet. i'm curious, how long ago did you have your consultation? when I called Dr. W's office they said there was a 3-6mth wait for surgery.

i haven't yet decided if i'm going to do this or not, but i've got a couple questions i'm too embarrassed to ask during consultation or in person with bandster 1. this may sound stupid, but were you naked during the surgery or were you allowed to wear panties? 2. did you get the runs alot post-op? ok, i feel really silly right now :wub:

i started lurking a few weeks ago too, and I'm so glad I did. I learned so much about the surgery, both pre-op and post-op. I've now decided to go ahead with the surgery, and thanks to some great people on this site, I was able to figure out which surgeons to focus on. Here's what I recommend: there are support forums here that focus on specific states and countries, go to the forum which is where you live. a lot of you questions about surgeons, cost, and follow up will be answered. and you'll be able ot connect with some great local bandsters read through the FAQs visit www. lapband . com for some great details about the procedure itself (there's pictures and videos) google 'weight loss surgery' and 'lap band' and 'obesity surgery' don't be afraid to post and ask questions. trust me, no question is too stupid; chances are someone else has thought it or asked it at some point here. read the posts from people who say it didn't work out for them, or that they had to have the band removed. this will give you another perspective to help balance things out. good luck

I've decided to get the surgery (YAY ME!), but during this whole researching and deciding process I've told no one I know (except my GP and shrink) that I was thinking about it. All my close friends are healthy normal weights and I'm not sure how they'd react or if they'd even understand. It's really difficult not being able to talk to my best friends about something so major in my life. How did other's deal with this?

I've got a juicer, and was wondering if I can have freshly made fruit/veggie juices during the liquids-only phase?

i am so sorry this is happened. i have to self pay myself, and I'm probably going to get a loan to do it. have you considered Mexico? I'm hearing a lot of great things on the boards here about Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center an it's only 8 or 9K.

hi missy... welcome aboard! Where in Canada do you live? I'm in Vancouver and out here there are only 2 surgeons that I know of. So if there's a new clinic, I'd love it to be here. I'm in the process of picking which one to do my consult with. FYI: there is a canadian section on this forum in case you want to meet people in your area.

WOOHOO!!! Congratulations hon! Hopefully that will be me in a year.

have you tried taking omega/fish oil supplements? i've been taking them for years and they really help keep my skin supple and healthy. it might help with post-op skin changes (i'm pre-op)

I went to the NWWLS info seminar in Surrey today, and thought I'd pass on the details. It was very informative and I'm so glad I went. There was a powerpoint presentation led by one of the surgeons. She answers pretty much every possible question you could have. There was also a couple staff members there who've been banded themselves (one is the psychiatric nurse with whom you'd do the psych eval.). They give you a folder full of all sorts of info about the surgery and the center. Here's what I learned: Total cost of bariatric banding: US$ 17,810 the cost includes adjustments/fill for 13months following surgery Consultation cost: US$260 (cost goes towards surgery cost) Consultation consists of a 90min nurse consultation, a 60min surgeon consultation, and a psych evaluation (they can all be done on the same day) you can do all your blood tests, etc in vancouver and have them fax it over Fills can be done in Bellingham or with Dr Arseneau in vancity they've done over 3300 surgeries (only one death) the doctors have staff priveleges at the Evergreen Hospital (in case complications arise) there is no wait list. after the consultation, it is simply a matter looking at the schedule and seeing what works for you. so those were the highlights. if you're in doubt about whether you want to this or not, i really recommend going to one of these info sessions (regardless of whether you'll do the surgery in the states or not). it's free and they offer them once or twice a month. i've decided to do the surgery as a result. now i just have to figure out where to do and how to find the money.

wow.... i swear this thread should be called "Reasons to have the surgery". i've read all 14 pages, and i'm holding back tears. it sounds like my life. i've been undecided about getting the surgery, but this thread has reminded why I don't want to be fat anymore. now if only I could figure out how to pay for it....

it was great meeting everyone tonight at the group. thank you all for being so open. i'm feeling more inclined to do the surgery. FYI: NWWLS is having an info session on Saturday in Surrey. I don't have the details right now, but just check out their website and i'm sure you'll find it.

congrats snowbaby!

thanks for the reminder Patricia. I'm definitely planning on coming. see you wednesday :thumbup:

thanks patricia. i'm rather nervous about this whole thing. maybe i will come to your group and check things out. i never realized there were so many of us bigger people in vancouver. i always feel like i'm the only obese person for miles around. everyone in this city seems so fit to me.

i'm also considering having LB done. i'll be honest with you, i'm terrified. what if i can't stick to the lifestyle changes? what if there are complications with the surgery or after with the band itself? am i really ready to give up all the foods that have been such a comfort to me?

wow... doddie thank you so much. this is a great help

hi, i'm new here and i'm seriously considering doing the lapband. i'm about 300lbs and pretty much at the end of my rope. i don't know what else to do, and my health is getting worse. i've already vetoed gastric bypass... too risky. after lurking here for a couple days, i've learned there's only 2 docs in the lower mainland doing the surgery: Dr. Woodhead and Dr. Leung. Are there any others? also, what do you guys think about them? this is such a big decision and i've never had an operation before... thanks:thumbup: