Shesha

Hi all, I have my band. Everything went real well. I post more later.

Hi All! I made it through surgery! Went in a noon to the surgery center. They checked me in and within just a few minutes, I was changed into my gown and on the table. There, they asked me a few questions, and put in the IV. The anethesiologist came to talk to me, then the nurse. My surgery wasn't until 1:45 so I had a wait a little bit. They let your family come in with you while you are waiting, so that was nice. Dr. K got there early and the room was ready, so they took me in around 1:20. I don't remember anything past going through the operating room doors. I think I woke up around 4:30. They gave me some anti nausea medicine, since I was feeling a little icky. Put my clothes back on, had me sit in a chair for a few, then they wheeled me outside and to the car. Everything went very well. Dr K. gave me a 9.75 cm band. He said it fit well. Let's hope it's not too small. Maybe I just have a small tummy. I feel alright today. I did go today back to see Dr. K, so he could make sure everything looked alright. When I showered this morning, some Water got into my port incision. I showed him that, and he took off the bandage cleaned it, sterilized it and rebandaged it. Hopefully it will be ok since that is such a major incision. I will post again when I get home. so far, so good! Sheila

I am in Denver and get my band tomorrow. I post when I can to let you know how it went!

Thanks Drewslou! You live in such a beautiful city! Hubby is headed to Casa Bonita on Friday with my daughter, while I recover. I guess I won't get to partake in the fun. Oh well. I'd much rather get my band.. tee hee.

Hi! I get my band with Dr. K tomorrow. It looks like you found our Considering Dr. K thread. I've tried to post as much info on there as possible, so others can learn about him. Let me know if you have any questions. btw.. I am from WI.

Hi! I am in Denver! Thought I would log on at the hotel's business center and post an update. We flew in yesterday. My 14 month old came with us. She was SUCH a good girl flying! Even the flight attendants were impressed. So much so that they gave her her wings then let her get her picture, on the captain's lap, in the cockpit! It was awesome!! We did a little sight seeing this morning. Went through downtown, past the capitol, then went to Invesco Field and got some pictures. The statues of the broncos in front was really impressive. I then had to get over to Dr. K's. Marilyn and Robin were very nice. They had all my paper work ready for me, I just had to fill out a few questions. I then met with Dr. K and two advanced medical students. Dr. K went over the procedure again with pictures and a model of the band on the tummy (a VG band - he was impressed that I knew that:) ) Then he went over the band rules and other helpful hints to be successful. The one med student then took my vitals: breathing, blood pressure and pulse. My blood pressure was a tad high (yet normal) I think it's because I had taken some cold medicine, which can raise it. She said my lungs sounded clear, so I guess my cold got better just in time. They then gave me a packet of information forms and a consent for anethesia form to fill out and bring back with me tomorrow. Dr. K then came out to the waiting room to meet my husband. My daughter held out her arms to him, asking to be held, and he held her for quite a while, exclaiming that "he can't wait for a grandkid and thanking us for such a plesant surprise." We then exchanged cell phone numbers so I can call him if anything comes up- he put me right into his palm pilot. That was it. Everything went really well and everyone was really nice. I'll post as soon as I can after surgery to let you know how it went! Sheila

Hi there! I met with the Dr. today. My cold is better, so everything is a go so far. I'll get my band tomorrow at 1:45!

You'll get there (220)! and pass it right up!

Oh, and any restaurants you could recommend? Gotta eat somewhere besides Casa Bonita! (obviously, I am out of the loop after surgery)

Thanks all for the info on points of interest! My husband and my 14 month old daughter are coming with me.. yes, call me crazy. Anyway, just wondering what the smoking rule is there in CO? Are the restaurants smokey? Would we have a problem bringing our daughter into one of the larger microbrew pubs? (Wynkoop)

Well, my week is finally here!! I go to work tomorrow, then Tuesday morning fly out to Denver. I meet with the Dr. on Wednesday and have my surgery Thursday afternoon! I have been very good on my preop diet and have lost almost 4 lbs! Yay me! Unfortunately, I have a bit of a cold at the moment. I have been OD'ing on Zicam and Airborne hoping to be rid of it by wednesday!! It started last week on Tuesday, so I think I should be over it by then. I would hate to fly out to Denver only to be turned away!

Rebounding is tough man! I used to do the class at Bally's when I was in much better shape. It really gets your heart rate up and is fun! Great workout!

Well, the way I see it, I've dieted and exercised my way to the 265 that I was a few weeks ago. I've busted my butt a few times and have lost 40 lbs here, 30 lbs there, only to gain it all back, plus another 20 lbs. I think when I was 21 I weighed around 211. When you get the band, you'll start to lose just because you are eating way less than before. After a while, though, you will need to "diet" (by following the band rules of Protein first, veggies second, anything else last). Once you lose some weight though, you'll have the extra energy you need, the pain you have may subside and you'll be motivated to start moving, either by walking or weight training, etc... It will definately be a life changing event, but I think you'll be better off for it. Plus, the beauty of the band is that you can still have children when you are ready... many years from now.

Marissa, I am 32, so I am not in your age group. I don't see getting the band when you're younger as giving up, but being "proactive". I see my older realtives suffering co-morbitities as a result of their obesity and I hope that by getting the band, I will not follow in their footsteps. I think you'll find that most people that got banded later in life WISH they could have done this at your age!

I mentioned to both my Dr. and the nutritionist that through my research it seems those that follow the band rules, stay active, and follow a low carb plan like South Beach seem to do real well. They both agreed. My Dr said to "use the band and a low carb diet to help you coast to goal and then maintain", I really think that's the best approach!

We have snow falling here too in WI. It's actually quite serene. Anxiously awaiting the start of the Bears/Saints game.... GO BEARS!

Mark: Thanks for all the Dr. K info! I really appreciate it! It's nice to have had a couple of "guinia pigs" (haha) ahead of me. I am definately feeling better about going with Dr. K. I can kind of tell that you are still out of it a bit. With the exception of the "walk circles in your living room" comment, you don't seem to be your usual witty self!

Don't despair! We'll get you that band! Did you try Dean Care in Madison?? http://www.deancare.com/dhs/programs/weight_management/physicians.asp I think they charge $13,000 for the band surgery. See if they are part of capital one.

Ah... that sounds pretty serious. I would call the Dr. ASAP!

Hi Guys! I am not a supersized bandster, but like to lurk on this thread. You all are so inspiring !! I hope to have the same success you all are obtaining when I am banded. Back when I was researching WLS, I went to an RNY support group meeting. They would have a scale there for the larger patients, because I am sure most of them did not have one at home. You may consider calling a few support groups in your area to see if they do that too. Much better than trying to jump on the scale at your father-in-law's work when no one is looking!

Oh, that makes sense. I was just curious...

I had one when I had my daughter. It was sooo nice! I slept through most of my labor! Why would you get an epidural instead of general anethesia?

That's great to hear! I live in a town where they don't do the lapband...yet, just RNY. Since I am having my surgery out of state, I had to find a "local" Dr. 2 hours away in Madison,WI for follow up care. I hope to attend their support group meetings so I can hear and SEE others with the band. It's really drives it home then. Hopefully, I can become the unoffical lapband posterchild/spokesperson of my town and get more people on the BANDwagon! =0) Did she say if she exercises a lot? (I plan to, but I do like to hear that the band works even for those who have difficulty with exercise.)

Congrats!! The time will go by fast!! Regarding hotels, call Marilyn. She gave me a list of what's close by. I can't find it or I'd tell you what they were. I'll let you know how my hotel was when I get back. (Don't want to post where I am staying on here for safety reasons!)

Yay Mark! I am sooo happy to hear that everything went so well. What does Dr. K's "day before surgery meeting" consist of?? What are your thoughts on sewing the band to the stomach? Is that common practice?? Do you really think we'll be better off that he does that, or could it cause unforseen complications?