turtlewoman

Hi, I am going for my initial "seminar" on 10-26. It's in Albuquerque but with Dr. Adam Smith from Ft. Worth Lap Band. He is opening an office in Albuquerque. He also practices with Dr. Ferrara and Dr. Slicho (sp on both?). Has anyone heard of any of them or used them for the procedure? Just trying to gather info.

I am going to their seminar January 23, but I don't know anything about them. anyone on there been to them or had surgery by them? Thanks

You could have a number of things wrong with your arm with the symptoms you are describing. You could have an infection, although I would think you would be running a fever. You could have a clot from the where the IV was taken out. Try not to massage your arm at the site. If it is a clot you don't want to dislodge it. You could be having just some localized irritation from the IV. Or you could have had some infiltration of the IV fluid into the tissue around the IV but you should have noticed that before the IV was taken out. In any case, I would call the doctor and let him/her know what's going on. There shouldn't be any problem with putting a warm, not hot compress lightly on the area if that provides some comfort. Let us know what the doctor says.

Oceansunset, I feel your pain!:willy_nilly: My seminar is not till January 23, and I am losing my mind. I want so much to be on the road to a new me. But I have to remind myself that in my thinking I am on the road. I've become more aware of the choices I make in food. And I have been talking to people about my decision to have the lap band. I never used to talk about my weight---if I talked about it somebody might think I was fat!! Oh wait, they can probably tell by looking at me.LOL Anyway, I know what you mean about being anxious to get started. Hang in there. The 19th will be here before you know it.

Hi, I've made a couple of posts but mainly I've just been lurking! I was pretty pumped up about the whole lap band thing and I still am for the most part but lately I've been reading a lot of posts from people-new banders and seasoned banders- who are MISERABLE! They're hungry, they're in pain, they have gas, they're not losing weight, they're gaining weight. Am I making the right decision in wanting to have the LB. Maybe I'm just setting myself up for months of misery and not much payoff. I haven't been to the seminar yet, that comes January 23. But I have to admit that I am starting to wonder about my decision. Please help. Any words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated.

WOW!!:scared2: Over 30# lost already--that's great. Now I can't wait to get really started on my odyssey. January 23 (seminar date) seems like a long time from now.:thumbup: Thank you for the encouragement and feedback. I have already put your email address in my contact list. Thanks! Kate

Thank you, Elcee, and congratulations on your success. I am trying to stay very positive AND realistic about the band. I know it's not a cure all. I just don't want to do something that's going to make me miserable for the rest of my life and it seems there are some very grumpy bandsters out there. I would also like very much to see about getting involved with support group but I think I'll have to wait for that for the seminar so I can touch base with people and get some names/numbers. Again, thanks for the encouragement.

I didn't have any trouble discussing the options with my physician. After all, she can see from me and my weight that I NEED to lose a bunch of weight. She also knows that I have COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension and bad knees! She was SUPER supportive when I did bring it up. An employee of hers had the LB, too, so that made it much easier. If you are worried about bringing it up to your PCP maybe you should think about going someplace else if that's an option. And, why not make a special appointment to talk about your weight? Be proactive and let him/her know that you are very serious. This is your life, not theirs for gosh sakes! Good luck and post what happens.

I would like to hear some responses to this question, too. I haven't been banded and am still in the inquiry stage.

hello all, I'm not in Texas :w00t: but I'm going to be banded by a TX doctor. At first I was going to go to Dr. Smith from Ft. Worth. Then my PCP referred me to Drs. Acosta and Lara from El Paso. My seminar is January 23. Excited and, well, excited!:tongue2: Oh, I'm in Santa Fe, NM by the way.

Take a laptop if you have one---just to stay up to date:tongue:.

The hospital probably will let you stay if you don't have a ride but the bad thing is that your insurance won't pay for any days beyond what the doctor says is medically necessary. Do you have any friends who can do this for you. Don't be afraid to ask.

hi, I just talked to a friend of mine in Oklahoma who does education for a bariatric surgeon in Norman. she said that their patients are required to quit smoking 90 days before surgery. Is that a general rule with most surgeons? I know smoking is very bad :confused: but I'd rather just focus on one thing at a time.

Hey JLBLove, Congratulations on your approval:w00t:. Are you going to the Ft. Worth office? Mine will be in Albuquerque when the office opens there. I am so excited about getting started.:confused: Just since I started talking and thinking about the LapBand I feel like I have gained a thousand pounds!! It can't happen too soon. K

What area are you in? That sounds like a freaking horror story!:confused:

I just watched the whole procedure on You Tube and I can't wait to get started. I know this is going to change my life in nothing but positive ways!!!:thumbdown:

How do I get my tickerfactory ticker to show up? It's not really that important but I just want to have it there for when I do have my procedure. I'm just a lowly newbie, sorry if this is misplaced.:thumbdown:

Hi, i am new here so don't bust my chops too bad, ok. But what is "sliming"? I am just thinking about banding and that sounds horrible.

Hi, this is my first time here. I am just investigating the LapBand idea. It sounds pretty good and I have already signed up for an introductory seminar which I think is basically an insurance pre-cert deal. The only surgeon I can find who does the procedure in New Mexico is Adam Smith, DO. He currently has a clinic in Ft. Worth, TX. Has anyone heard of him or anything about him? I don't go for the seminar until the 26th and I am having a hard time containing myself. I am really excited:lol::thumbdown::frown: I have found that there are mixed reactions from my friends, though. Oh yeah, I'm a 52 year old nurse in Santa Fe. I've been "heavy" all my life and morbidly obese for the last 15 years steadily. I had been able to keep my weight down through various healthy and unhealthy means---diet, exercise, will power, etc. But about 15 years ago everything just went to hell. So now here I am, ready for a new adventure.