GayleTX

donnahauus........The nurses on every shift at the hospital really were praising Dr. Todd Pollock and Dr. Harlan Pollock (father/son) - they are affiliated with Presbyterian. My PS was at Tx Inst. of Surgery on Greenvile......a wonderful experience as far as hospitals go. Todd's office is in Allen; Harlen's is in Dallas on Walnut Hill. I posted about my experience so far elsewhere in this forum if you'd like to read it.

losingjusme.........yes, BCBS-TX covered nearly all of it.....$200 out of pocket to the doctor; $1100 to the hospital. ...I have an 80/20 policy. They approved it right away. I had no issues with rashes, etc but with back aches and balance.

I'm baaaack!! It wasn't nearly the trauma I expected! And I'm 16 pounds lighter!!! The dr took before pix and guess he'll take after pix next week. I spent one night in the hospital, one night at my son's, and then came home back to the little house in the woods. I'm walking upright, even bent over to load the dishwasher today. I have taken 2 pain pills and a some Tylenol since the surgery. No drain tubes at all! Right now it's UGLY.......but no drain tubes, no bandages, just steri-strips. I go back in about a week. But I can see things down there I haven't seen in years!! And it feels really wierd walking without a bag of fat flopping against my legs. It had gotten lopsided, like someone mentioned earlier, and caused me balance problems. I now have a lap!! And I can see my legs above my knees......they are kinda skinny!! I can't wait to try to cross them when the belly swelling goes down. The nurses at the TX Inst. for Surgery on Greenville Ave in Dallas couldn't say enough good things about my surgeon.....they said they love taking care of his patients because they have less pain and quicker recovery than any other PS they work with. (Dr. Todd Pollock and his father, Dr. Harlan Pollock).I also was heavily loaded with Protein from the last 16 mo. and that helps in the healing (I do 100 gr./day). As for the TX Inst. for Surgery.....it was like a visit to a Hilton Hotel. Beautiful place, state of the art facilities. they have a website). They do mostly day surgeries, but have 9 overnight rooms. The night I was there they had two patients and we had 2 RN's, a CMT, and a security guard right by our doors 24/7. They were all wonderful. So was the food...too bad I can't eat much but my family enjoyed it! I've posted most of this elsewhere on the board but I know things get scattered sometimes and I did want to give you an update. I wish all of you as good an experience as I have had so far. Even tho my little round belly above the incision is still swollen and purple (think "Barney") I'm very please pleased so far. Maybe I can get the rest of it carved off after another 50 pounds or so. But the PS said there was no reason to wait on the pani removal.....it wasn't going anywhere by itself ever! And I know I'll be able to walk and exercise better now (how's that for an excuse!). Thanks for the PM's and the inquiries!!

The dr who does my fills and aftercare insisted on emptying my band before I had my pani removed.....he said it should always be emptied before any kind of abdominal surgery so that any vomiting that you might experience because of stuck food/pills, etc would not tear the stitching. He emptied my band last Monday, had surgery Friday (4 days ago) and I still don't have any appetite and still feel I have some restriction - it has also kept me from having acid reflux which is a good thing during surgery also. He said for me to come back in about 10 days and he'd refill my band. I know a lot of people have surgeries without emptying band and have done fine- guess different doctors have different opinions, but I was glad to have that possibility removed from the mix.

had my pani removed (all 16 lbs of it) Friday morning. It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated. I left the hospital the next morning walking upright and went to my DS' house overnight (he lives closer to civilazation than I do). The worst part of it so far has been the constipation caused by the meds. But my son made an emergency run to Walgreen's at midnight last night and I was cured by sunup. MOM is a miracle drug for sure! I'm in my own home now with nothing but steri-strips on my incision (I had anticipated drain tubes, compression garments, a body cast, and full-time RN on duty!). The amputation feels very strange.......I'll have to get used to not having a bag of fat flapping against my legs when I walk. I still weigh what I did when I check into the hospital.......this swelling better go down and so had the scale or I'm going to be very upset!! I also have a round purple belly above my stitches.....just call me Barney! Seriously, the nurses all really praised my sugeon....if any of you plan to have their PS in the Dallas area, Dr. Pollock must be the man. And the Texas Institute for Surgery is like a visit to a Hilton Hotel.....wonderful place (part of the Presbyterian system). Most of their surgeries are day surgeries but they do have 9 overnight rooms. The night I was there, there were 2 patients - with 2 RN's, a CNT, and a security guard all at your beck and call (and a wonderful dining room that prepared your food according to your instructions---too bad I can't eat much!). Thanks to everyone for the well wishes!!

<p>It is the fat apron that hangs down from the belly, hat wondrous object that no amount of dieting or exercise will affect for most of us. The surgical removal is called a paniculectomy.</p>

I had my pani removed (all 16 lbs of it) Friday morning. It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated. I left the hospital the next morning walking upright and went to my DS' house overnight (he lives closer to civilazation than I do). The worst part of it so far has been the constipation caused by the meds. But my son made an emergency run to Walgreen's at midnight last night and I was cured by sunup. MOM is a miracle drug for sure! I'm in my own home now with nothing but steri-strips on my incision (I had anticipated drain tubes, compression garments, a body cast, and full-time RN on duty!). The amputation feels very strange.......I'll have to get used to not having a bag of fat flapping against my legs when I walk. I still weigh what I did when I check into the hospital.......this swelling better go down and so had the scale or I'm going to be very upset!! I also have a round purple belly above my stitches.....just call me Barney! Seriously, the nurses all really praised my sugeon....if any of you plan to have their PS in the Dallas area, Dr. Pollock must be the man. And the Texas Institute for Surgery is like a visit to a Hilton Hotel.....wonderful place (part of the Presbyterian system). Most of their surgeries are day surgeries but they do have 9 overnight rooms. The night I was there, there were 2 patients - with 2 RN's, a CNT, and a security guard all at your beck and call (and a wonderful dining room that prepared your food according to your instructions---too bad I can't eat much!). Thanks to everyone for the well wishes!!

I agree.....Dr. Maese is super at fills.....he did all my pre-op work and aftercare; he is also my cardiologist. Dr. Fred Maese Preston Cardiology Wellness Center on Sherry St. in Highland Park

rtoomer.........Most Mex.-banded wls patients in this area use Dr. Fred Maese in Dallas.....Preston Cardiology Wellness Center. He is related to a number of the Mexican physicians and is a master at fills.....very experienced and knowledgable about weight loss surgery. I don't know wht he charges, but feel that it's reasonable. I meet MX-banded people in his clinic that come from New Orleans, far West Texas,Oklahoma, etc etc. (Besides, he's a charmer and easy to look at).

Want to share this little tidbit I learned yesterday....it could make a diference in how our plastic surgery recovey goes!. I was in my lapband doctor's office having having my last pre-op tests in preparation for my panniculectomy that is coming up Friday. He also does my fills. Before I left he told me to come back to the fill room.....he completely emptied my band!!! I was shocked! But he said that you never want to have abdominal surgery with a tight band......that afterward if you should get food stuck or have a PB or vomiting that you could damage your stitches and work that is healing in the abdomen. I hadn't thought of that!! He said for me to come back in a couple of weeks and he'd fill me up again. Most plastic surgeons would probably never think of it either....they aren't familiar with the daily life of a lapbander and some of the 'issues' we have. I plan to share that info with my PS....he's beginning to see a number of LB's in his practice and they need to know this.

What are your symptoms? I've heard of drop foot but don't know anything about it. My left foot has recently gone very stiff and the bones on the outer side of it are painful....I find myself limping most of the time.

Derbygirl.......... Re: BCBS PPO.......and the answer is......YES!! The hospital says that my out of pocket there will be about $1100. I paid the surgeon his $220 yesterday. I had my last pre-op visit yesterday.....I'll stay in the hospital hotel the night before since we live out in the boondocks. And he said he'd keep me in the hospital that night after the surgery (for the same reason). He and his father have developed a new style of stitching that keeps the patient from being forced to be bent over afterward. And most of their patients don't have to have drain tubes, but he said I might have to have at least one (I know I'm 'special' - awfully big thing to be removed here). I didn't ask many questions about the actual surgery...I don't want to know gorey details - I can't even watch when I get a shot:eek:. I just want this surgery done .....wake me when it's over!!

Okay....since she is educated and obviously intelligent and is wanting to do this for the right reasons....I wish her the best!! My concern was that she was too young to appreciate the seriousness of weight loss surgery. I see so many young girls on line posting and whining about not being able to eat pizza and cokes.....and wondering why they've only lost 20 lbs in a year. But it sounds like your daughter knows from life experiences already what serious illness is and how it affects your life and what her genetic threats are. Since she's doing this for good purpose, she will no doubt we compliant and successful. Best wishes to you both!!

How old is your daughter? Would this be her first surgery? As far as surgeries (and I've had a few) LapBand was for a me a major NON-event!! It's not that easy for everyone but it's seldom a painful or scary thing. Now life after LapBand is another story. If she's quite young (a teenager?) there will be lots of challenges and a major lifestyle adjustment more than likely. She (and you - because it affects the whole family) need to do lots of reading on the message boards as well as the websites by different clinics and doctors. Most 'infomercials' for the lapband now give the impression that afterward you can eat whatever you want, you just eat less of it. That may be true for some people, but I personally have never have heard of many....there are many changes and adaptions to be made and every person's exerience is different. That is not to say I am sorry I had it done but my motiviation was more extreme that the size of my jeans - it was to save my life. I have been successful and I'm thrilled with my band, but at my stage of life I figure I've eaten/tasted my share of every kind of food there is....I don't miss any of it now. And I am old enough I don't care what other people thing about my eating habits, etc - it is probably much different for a young girl. She probably needs to talk with a professional about her relationship with food and about how she'll handle the peer pressure of being a little different before making a decision.

VitaminShoppe also carries Micellar Milk.....wonderful stuff! I'm partial to the Creamy Vanilla because it's good right out of the carton but it's also easy to 'doctor up'....you can put various flavors in it with SF syrups or put it in coffee or warm it up and drink it straight or with flavorings. 17 oz, 40 gr. protein. They also make chocolate and strawberry.

Hmmmm.....unless your doctor is extremely aggressive with fills, it would be unusual to be too tight with a first fill. You're not trying to drink with your meals, are you....that will make food come back up if your pouch is full. Chewing good? Eating slowly? You say you are still hungry....what are you eating/drinking? Are you eating your Protein first? Are you eliminating all white carbs? (those bad carbs just set you up for cravings). You know, it takes 20 minutes for the food messages to get to your brain (that's all people, not just wls people), so maybe you are expecting to be satisfied too soon. Hope things get better soon.......

WOW!!! wHAT A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT!!! Congratulations to you both!!

Lapbands are for people who want to lose weight....and who don't want their intestines cut and rearranged. I chose LB because I have so much to lose that I knew I couldn't do it within the bypass 'window of opportunity' (about 18-24 mo.)....I wanted the lapband because it would be with me forever and as long as my attitude was working right, so would be band. JMO....

Good advice.......it was no time at all til I was off all bp meds and diabetic meds, too!!

Update on my own situation....I had an EGD at the Surgery Center o fRichardson a few days ago because the hearburn was bad again and I felt sure it was an ulcer (I've had one before, thought I knew). The dr said all he saw was some minor irritation and that he could just about guarantee that I was banded too tight and that a slight unfill would fix me. I haven't done it yet, but will try that soon. Hope you are getting better or find a solution soon.

There is beginning to be a lot of criticism of the BMI charts....it doesn't take body frame into consideration, among other things. Mine says 110 lbs ....at my age I'd look like a concentration camp escapee!

Diapers......lol! that would be appropriate - speaking from experience. I took the stuff when it was a prescription. Didn't do a thing for me. My dr. took it himself and said it was useless unless you cut out all fats from your diet (and if you do that, who needs medicine to lose weight?)

I had one a couple of weeks ago after 2-3 mo of acid reflux and an ulcer-type feeling. Absolutely no pain or discomfort at all for the test. And it was reassuring....no ulcer, no slippage, just some irritation ('Quit taking your arthritis meds like we told you to, Gayle!!"). Dr feels like my band is too tight since the probelms started right after my last fill, so he recommends an unfill.....haven't done it yet - I'm so afraid of gaining if I do. Anyhow....the only thing to fear is the bill. I have excellent insurance but my co-pay is going to be about $600. Dang! My lapband didn't cost that much!!

Hon, I've been diabetic for 20 years and on several medications. I've always experienced periodic episodes of low blood sugar, weak/shaky, foggy brain, etc. So, like you, I was concerned about what would happen eating so little. Well, this is what happened....nothing!! For the first time in my life, my blood sugar is staying very level and I have not even had one episode of low blood sugar. In fact, after only a few months, I was completely off all meds and my glucose levels are great. I am told that it is because I get my Protein and I eat no white (starchy) carbs....those evil carbs that cause your blood sugar to shoot up, then fall rapidly, leaving you weak and shaky. I eat an average of 800 calories a day (I don't count calories, but that's what my fitday.com food journal says). Whatever it is.....my body and my life sure feel more normal than they have in years.

Sounds like he's telling you the truth (and why would he not???) I found this when I googled.....could get it to copy since it was adobe but here are the links. PDF] A Patient’s Guide to Advocating for Improved Access to Weight-Loss ... <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=j>File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML Accessing Weight-Loss Surgery in Indiana. Access to weight-loss surgery is mandated by Indiana law (Indiana Public Law 196). The mandate ... www.obesityaction.org/advocacy/<WBR>Advocating%20for%20Improved%20Access%20to%20Obesity%20Management%20Service... - <NOBR>Similar pages</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> [PDF] The mission of the Obesity Action Coalition is to elevate and ... <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="j hc">File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML As you may be aware, insurance coverage of weight-loss surgery is mandated by Indiana law (Indiana Public Law. 196) and the OAC strongly supports this ... www.obesityaction.org/advocacy/<WBR>Indiana%20-%20Governor%20Daniels.pdf - <NOBR>Similar pages</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>