sassye

:cursing:Hi Everybody! I am still going through the steps before surgery...I just had my endoscopy on May 2nd and was wondering if anyone can give me some more insight on what I will be doing next and how soon or long after the endoscopy do you get your appointment for surgery? Has anyone suffered any complications? I have weighted out the pros and cons from wedmd website but seeing that I'm at 305 and am only 5'3 I really need this someone please help ease my mind!!! :thumbsup:

I was a self-pay, but from what I understand if you are insurance, once the endoscopy is done, you should be getting an appointment in a few weeks to schedule, once everything comes back clear. I was banded 2.13.09, and Dr. Sal was great, I have had no complications and have nearly lost 30 pounds in 3 months. It was a fairly easy procedure, I had it on a Friday, went back to work on a Tuesday...I would recommend a week off, but I did it. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Good luck!

Thanks Sassye,

This really helps alot. I feel comfortable now. I do have one other question. I see a lot of post with people saying that they are still hungry and it's hard. I thought the lap band was supposed to make us feel full so that we are not hungry. Is this not true? Thanks

Juana,

It is hard, and you are hungry...unfortunately there is still no quick fix for obesity, but this is the one thing that is a VERY effective tool for you to lose weight, improve eating and lifestyle habits, and keep it off. You will feel hungry until you get the right amount of fills, and as you lose weight you will gradually lose some of your fat pad around your stomach where a fill that you felt a lot of restriction for maybe 2 weeks, you will be able to feel hunger and need another fill to get you back to that same feeling of restriction so you continually lose weight. As many people have said, this is about a year-long process, that most will lose around 100 pounds in a year. I have lost nearly 30 in 3 months, but I have completely changed the way I eat, what I eat, and how much I exercise. It is a tool, it will help you lose weight gradually and healthy, most won't even know you have done it, until you lose about 30 pounds because it looks like you have just been working really really hard at it, because you have, and you will have to. I will say that the band does empower you to pass up certain foods, and to be healthy, because if you are now resulting to surgery, what other choice do you have, for most of us this is our last resort, and it has to work, but it also takes YOU to want to do it, and make it work. Good luck, and if you need help send me a message, and we can talk or you can get my number and you can ask me anything you like. :thumbup:

Hi All,

I am supposed to get banded tomorrow with Dr. Salimitari. I had somer concerns because the staff is so unprofessional. I just want to clarify that he is a good Dr. Any info on this doctor would be great. I am supposed to go to Beverly Hills tomorrow and I called because I took Aleve and Midol for cramping yesterday. The staff advised me that the doctor said I could still come in and havethe surgery and you know they say not to take anything for seven days, Help guys.....I need some input. Thanks Juana

Juana,

I had the same experience with his staff not being professional. He is a very good doctor, very concerned with the patient's well-being, and very helpful when the staff is not. You will be fine with him doing your surgery. I was banded on 2/13/09, and have had no complications, the staff is trying at times, but he always makes up for it with his helpfulness, willingness to make things right, and compassion.

I had mine in Beverly Hills, and I am pretty sure that is the only place they the lapband surgeries.

Hi ,I will having my sergury with dr salimitari do you recamending this Dr or not ?are you were happy with this Dr or there is somthing should i know about him?please help me to make my desicion.Thanks

I had Dr. Salimitari, he is a good doctor, my surgery had no complications, and he was very good at hearing my concerns and getting me to the place I needed to be when I began having fills. I highly recommend him.

Hey there,

I just got my first fill on monday and I'm a bit upset. I'm getting used to the whole chewing really good so that the food doesn't get stuck in my chest thing, but I still don't have restriction. At least I don't feel like I do. I think I should give it a chance but I am feeling like regretting getting the band instead of the gastric because of the maintanence after. When is a good time for the next fill? Should I give it a chance to set in a few weeks first?

Trust me this is normal...until you start really feeling hitting your stride (around your sweet spot) you will feel like you can eat just like your normally do. I anticipated this, and just ate really really healthy, lots of salads, lots of Protein, and basically cut out carbs completely. I went in on Tuesday for fill #4, and after I came of liquids that first day after I tried a salad which I could have previously finished and only ate 1/4th! I wasn't really hungry the rest of the day, and tried some chicken at night, and was horribly tight...so now I am seeing the restriction, and it is like night and day, it just takes a while to get there. You will be thankful you DIDN'T get gastric, though the weight comes off FAST a bunch of people at my work had it done, and yes you can tell, but mainly because they are like deflated balloons, because their skin hasn't been able to retain it's elasticity as the weight comes off. Doing it gradually like this, although slow and completely frustrating at times, will be a more healthy gradual drop that will keep your tone and skin firmer as you do it, plus the added benefit of not having completely rerouted your anatomy. Keep it up, you will get there!

Hi I live here in Valencia I would love to meet you so I can ask you questions about your expericance I am sooo nervous. I am using Dr Salamintari too...I am going in for an endoscopy on the 17th...did you do that too??? Any info you could give me would help.

thanks

I live in Valencia, and yes...I had issues with his office, but he is the BEST, he is an awesome doctor, will give you his personal number if you have any issues, and gives great care. His office is not a reflection of his skill, and I have seen them get a bit better actually now that some have been replaced.

I am getting banded by Salimitari but worried since he is not board certified. Did anyonehave any complications?

Nope, he was great, and I was fine after surgery. I was banded 2/13. He is really good about any issues you have, and has even given me and my husband his cell in case we had any questions or concerns.

Sadly with 4.5 I still feel relatively no restriction, and it does nothing for my hunger :thumbup:

Can somone tell me what is PBing/

PBing, is 'productive burping'....which happens when you go past the threshold of what you can take in after you have been banded as a burp that brings stuff back up, that is not exactly the same as vomiting.

Yea, I had my fill yesterday...4.5cc's and I did liquids the rest of yesterday and this morning just to be safe. I don't feel a lot of restriction either, but like the rest of you I do NOT want to PB or worse, throw up anything if I can help it. I am just planning on eating smaller meals that have good passing consistency for the next few days.

hello everyone....I'm very new to this...but I was banded on February 12, 2009....so far everything has been great...went in for my post op appointment 10 days later and lost 14llbs. I'm nervous about my first fill which will be on March 11...but other than nerves I've been great...no issues, no problems... :0)

Wow you are just like me, I was banded 2/13, have lost 15lbs post op, and my first fill is 3/10...the fill should be nothing compared to the nerves you had at surgery...you'll be fine, keep up the good work!

i was banded 2-27-09 at wadley in texarkana. I was so nervous, and at one point i thought i was going to back out. But i didn't, and now i'm pushing thru the gas pains, and the hunger.

Try chewable Gas-X, I knew about the gas pains and started chewing those 2 a day, and never felt them

I was banded 2/13, saw the doctor for my first post op visit 2/24, and he told me I could begin working out as I was able...not to strain myself or do too much, but to do as much physical activity as I felt comfortable. I was walking the day after surgery, and around the block 2-3 days after. I was banded on a Friday and went back to work on a Tuesday.

Well Friday is the big day. I am insanely nervous. I am confident that everything will go well. I just wonder what in the world am I getting myself into? I know it is something that needs to be done for my health, but I am scared I will never be able to enjoy food again.

Chrissy,

You will be fine...2 weeks out you will be able to eat all the things that you used to, with a few exceptions. I cut out bread/doughy things, rice, soda, cake-like items...but I have never actually known if they cause problems, I just decided to limit those things, or not eat them at all, and I have had no issues, and I was banded 2/13. You will be fine, it was one of the easiest surgeries I have ever had. Good luck!

*e

Hey everyone... I was banded Feb 18, 2009... Just checking to see how everyone is doing???

I was banded on 2/13....and I am doing extremely well...where my incisions are still make pants fun, but after the first week, I was able to wear normal waisted pants, and the bruising has gone down a lot. I used an ice pack around the port site to keep the soreness and swelling down...but so far so good. Meet with the doc today at 4, so we shall see.

P.S. Nice Phil 4 reference :smile: Mine is 1 Cor 10:31 PTL!

I just had my band placed yesterday and I am doing really well!!! No need to be nervous...good luck all you Banders!!!

My surgery is tomorrow too, in LA, but I live here, so I am sure the jitters will hit tomorrow around 1 as we drive to Beverly Hills :biggrin: I got in at 2:30, surgery at 3:30....good luck to you!

I hope all went well for those who are getting their surgery today.

But, OMG! My surgery is tomorrow! I'm driving to L.A. area after work today. I'm about to pee myself I'm so nervous. I can't stop shaking my legs... err!

Whoo-Hoo!! There are 3 of us with this date....yay! Congrats!

Hey all Feb '09 Bansters... I finally got a definate date and i am stoked... 2/13 ...yea friday the 13th...lol.. i am excited...and scared ... i know what to expect text book wise but i know everyone is different so it's a little nerve wrecking...but i am ready for the change...!! :crying:

Kim,

Are you getting excited? I can't wait!

Okay, so my surg. is thursday and i'm having some pre-surg jitters! It doesnt help that i check out of the hospital on friday the 13th!! If my surg. was that day, i'd have to reschedule!

Help! I'm getting so freaked out!

Haha....my surgery IS Friday the 13th, but who cares...haha. It is the beginning of the rest of my life! Don't be nervous, I am not even spending the night, I am in and out....so be glad, be calm, and be blessed....you will be just fine :thumbdown:

I ended up financing mine too, but I saw it as 'what price is worth the rest of your life?' I mean it is a lot of money, but unlike things that you buy and they depreciate the moment you walk away, your life can only get better losing this weight, nothing positive comes from being obese....so look at it that way.

Kim,

I get banded the 13th as well. I am supposed to be there at 2:30 and surgery is at 3:30, so I will be right after you!!!

Yea, I have seen a wide spread of what people lose, but I think it is from person to person and what discipline you have even after the band. Of course there are always fill issues, if you lost any post surgery, but it is good to see that he is willing to work with you, and even willing to do one early if he agrees the results are not happening as well as with others. I haven't received a letter, but that is likely because I just started this whole process, but I would like to get involved with others that are in the area. I think that would be neat, and also would help us be more successful.

Nice to know that my doc seems like a good one. I am getting banded 2/13/09 by Dr. Salimitari, and I am in Valencia, would love to hear about any get togethers you all have or just any experiences, pre-post whatever.