sassye

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!

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:

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.

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.

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!

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.

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:

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.

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!

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.