SueB

I'm excited and scared. It's taken me awhile to get to this point, so I think I have everything I'll need for the next week or so. Any last words of advice?

Delaware, I was banded 4/30 and have been unlucky enough to have the stomach flu twice since then. I don't know about anybody else, but I could not vomit like before. Once whatever was in my pouch was gone, I started with the dry heaves. The first time, I was sure that I would feel better soon and didn't call the doctor right away. I finally gave up and called my doctor. He called in a Rx. I keep that on hand now. I learned my lesson. At the first hint of of an unsetteled stomach, I take my Rx. SueB

My doctor requires me to have a upper GI. What are they looking for? It worries me because in the last couple of months I have started getting heart burn. Will this keep me from getting the band? SueB

Thanks Susie.I finally got in to see the doctor on Feb. 14 and as it turns out, it's up to me if I get the UGI. He said that if I had the test and it showed that I have a hernia, he can do the repair when he does the band surgery. I am self pay and do not think I have a hernia, so I am opting to save the money from that test. I am glad that it's turned out that way, because I was not looking forward to it. Thanks for all your help.

Thanks Hotpink. I am already getting nervous and I don't even have an appointment yet.

That sounds just lovely.:faint: Thanks for the heads up.

I need your help and advice. The doctor I am going to use requires that you lose 10% of the amount that you are overweight, before he will do the surgery. Between the time I see him the first time, and am weighed, and see him for the second time I need to loose my 10%. At his seminar he said that he would not see you if you hadn't lost the weight. He feels that if you are commited you will lose the 10%. I have talked to the nurse and she said that he doesn't have a specific weight loss plan he wants you to use. So, I am own my own here. I want to loose the weight ASAP. The sooner I loose it, the sooner I can make my second appointment and get my surgery date. I need to loose less than 20 pounds, but I have tried all the "regular" diets like Weight Watchers, and that takes so long for me. I have PCOS. Any suggestions? I have noticed that quiet a few doctors put people on Medifast pre-op. Would that be the quickest? If so, what flavors/produces are the best, and which should I stay away from? The nurse said I should get a call in the next few days to set up my first appointment. If I'm going to do Medifast, I need to go ahead and order it. So, what do you think?:help: Sueb Still waiting

Dina, As far as I can tell they are. I think I will see what else I can find. I'm having to shell out the big bucks for the band and things are tight right now.

Thanks beversman. At this point I'm not really sure what I will do. I haven't heard from the doctor's office yet, so I guess I'll just wait and see.

Hi, I've been lurking around for awhile and am begining to wonder if there are any Arkansas bandsters. I live in the NE and am thinking about being banded. I go tonight to a seminar in Jonesboro. Has anybody been banded there? I am self pay. The doctors in Memphis want 18 to 20 thousand. That would be fine if I could come up with that kind of money....... So, I am looking for a less expensive alternative that is close by. Any suggestions? Thanks, SueB

Surby's right. That stuff is great! I can't get it anywhere near me, but I go to a Louisville,KY once a year and buy it at a Ulta store. Ulta also sells it online. I also get samples of it from ebay when I want to try something new. I joined the Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals club from their web site and they send it to me every couple of months or so. I can't say enough how much I love it.

Thanks for the help. prbrooksie, the 10% weight loss is to shrink the liver before surgery. I understand why he wants me to loose the weight, I just want it gone ...now! julestwa, Do you think that would be faster than the Medifast? My sister tried it and hated the foods, so I'm not eager to try it, but whatever works. Sueb still waiting

Thanks Laurend, that is a great price. Nashville is not an option for me, I live in Arkansas and it takes over 4 hours to get there. I am all psyched about having the surgery, but I am really nervous that I can't find anything out about the doctor. Any ideas? Thanks, SueB

:help: I am looking for someone who has been banded by Dr. McAlexander in Knoxville. He is new in Jonesboro and who I am considering having do my lap-band. Anybody know anything about him? Anybody ever even heard of him. He seems really nice and appears to know what he is talking about. Just wanted to see if I could get more info on him. The price was lower than in Memphis and they have quiet a few extras. You get to work with physical therapists to learn how to exercise and you take a college level nutrition class, complete with a trip to the grocery store to learn how to shop. They teach you what to look for and what to look out for. The Dr. also takes the patient and their support person out to eat along with the nutritionist to teach you how to eat/ make good choices in that setting as well. It looks like he has all the bases covered. Now my question is....can he do surgery? I really would be happy to get any responses. What do you think? Please help! Thanks. Sorry this is so long, SueB

Hi, I'm new here. I'm still "just thinking about it" and am going to a seminar tomorrow in Jonesboro. I was wondering if anybody has been banded in Jonesboro, AR and if so, what their experiences were. I am self pay and can not afford to go to the Memphis doctors. Any help/advice you can give me? I would love to hear from others in NE AR who have been banded. Thanks, SueB