We already have 2 other August threads going but let's all try to consolidate all of our thoughts and encouragement into one thread so that we can all support each other and face our fears and struggles together.

I was originally to be banded last March 2010 so I started posting there and I love how that thread is still going with many of them having great success and encouraging each other.

My name is Dee and after much hassle with my surgeons office staff I have a surgery date of 8/16.

I have an appointment with him on 8/3 and there I will discuss my concerns about aftercare and dealing with his staff. Hopefully, all will go well and I won't have to cancel my surgery and find another surgeon.

I have been going through this process now for over a year. I started out with NYU but found after I paid them $750.00 out of pocket that my insurance is out of network for them. They made promises but I didn't want to risk getting stuck with a humongous bill. I want to be thin and healthy not bankrupt.

I found another surgeon that accepts my ins. and he seems nice enough and is the Director of the bariactric program at his hospital but his staff has treated me like I'm begging for a free surgery.

Well anyway, I'm planning to start my pre-op liquid diet on 8/2 anyway on my own advice.

I'm looking for much support and encouragement and am willing to do the same for all of you August rush people.

Kellyodoran came up with the name August rush!!

Edited July 31, 201015 yr by msdv

How is everyones progress in weighht loss for there first few weeks?

I lost 8.8 pounds in the first week after surgery, to bring my total up to 29.4 since I started the pre-op diet on 13 July. The most impressive part to me is that I've been able to drastically reduce my diabetes meds in this short time. I've gone from 5 pills a day and 24 units of insulin to 2 pills a day and nine units of insulin; I expect to completely eliminate those meds, too, as time goes on.

Good luck to you! It will be here before you know it!

ARRRGHHHHHH sorry I just needed to vent a little.

Sorry to hear that your surgeon's office is being less than professional with you. I, too, had to pay a certain amount up front because my surgeon's practice is not in-network with my insurance, but it was all handled very professionally and I knew it right up front. In fact, when I paid a few week's before my surgery, the receptionist said, "Oh, hon, you don't have to pay until your pre-op appointment."

Are you going to a different clinic for your fills? Just wondering, since you implied that you won't be dealing with them after surgery...

Good luck to you! I hope all goes well!

I just had my surgery yesterday and I'm really excited about it. I read all about these post op healing and was prepared. So yes, I am bloated and it's annoying. I also can't breathe in as deep as I could yesterday pre-surgery. I'm assuming it's because I'm bloated out of my mind. The doctor also had to repair a hiatal hernia.

Question: I know it's different for everybody but when does the bloatedness go away and did anybody else have trouble breathing as deep as before?

yes it was hard for me to breathe also, i do have asthma though. the dr said that the breathing problems are because the lungs have to kinda wake up from the anestesia. Did they give you the breathing meter thing (dont know what it is called) that helps. Also i started passing gas today and that is also releiving the pressure from my stomache and my chest. The bloating is going down too with the release of the gas.

~Dena~

ARRRGHHHHHH sorry I just needed to vent a little.

My doctor's staff is the bomb- it's the doc that I don't much like. He doesn't have much compassion and is just ther efor the money, but that is ok. If you can find someone else to do your post op checkups, that would be less stressful for you. I feel your stress and am sorry.

My insurance covers most of it, but I am still probably going to pay about 1500 out of pocket. The dr needs 500 for program expenses, including support meetings.

Hope everything gets better!!!

ARRRGHHHHHH sorry I just needed to vent a little. I get a phone call from the surgeons office yesterday and the lady was arguing with me about the fact that she had left me messages and I hadn't called her back. Finally I was like ok what can I do for you? So she puts me on hold ( really !!! ) and then comes back and says you owe 200.00 from your first office visit and you are going to have to pay 300.00 up front for your part of the surgery. If you owe more we will have to collect that later. Are you kidding me.....I am 3 days before surgery and this is just now coming up? She was so hateful and then she had the nerve to say so if your not going to be able to meet your obligations.....I said I'll have it when I come in on Tuesday for my pre-op. What a freaking B*tch. sorry but really they have been horrible from day one and I plan on telling the Dr about it ( not that I think he will care )

I will be so glad when Wednesday is here and gone and I don't have to speak with them again.

Sorry again I just needed to vent and I think DH is becoming a little weary of all of it

Sorry this happened to you but it makes me feel so not alone because my surgeons staff is the same way.

I thought I was having a personal problem because I read here how everyone is so happy with their dr's staff and how they are so nice but mine have treated me like I'm on welfare and begging for a free surgery.

I can't stand them but hopefully after my surgery I won't see them as much. I don't even want to go to the support meetings becauseI feel no connection with them and don't want to spend an extra minute in their presence.

That's ok though their insolent behavior has just given me extra motivation to make it to goal ASAP.

As long as I regain my health and zest for life they can all kick rocks

Where is your doctor?

Where is your doctor?

Are you asking me or night nurse or someone else?

If me, I'm in NY and my surgeon is Dr.Gorecki in NY Methodist hosp. He seems to be OK but his staff has been a pill to deal with.

sorry I meant you, I am sorry this has happened to you, sort of takes the shine off the experience, hey? I had something similar happen , I put it in Surgery day stories. I am trying to just forget it. Good luck with the rest, hope all is good now.

I worry about those who are having trouble with their doctors' staffs. These people are providing you with a service and you are paying their bills. Don't allow them to treat you this way. Have a conversation with the doctor (their employer). Guaranteed you won't be the first complaint but the doctor needs to know so that he can log it and hopefully get rid of those who are not supportive of his patients. I guess, I would just want to know if my staff was treating my patients that way.

In the end, part of my own mental outlook in the past has been to just go with it and tolerate...I think this is indicative of many overweight people. We don't have to tolerate anything. It's our body, our money (via our health ins or self pay) and it's our choice whether we use whomever we use.

Just my two cents! I don't like hearing that any of my fellow banders are being abused!

I worry about those who are having trouble with their doctors' staffs. These people are providing you with a service and you are paying their bills. Don't allow them to treat you this way. Have a conversation with the doctor (their employer). Guaranteed you won't be the first complaint but the doctor needs to know so that he can log it and hopefully get rid of those who are not supportive of his patients. I guess, I would just want to know if my staff was treating my patients that way.

In the end, part of my own mental outlook in the past has been to just go with it and tolerate...I think this is indicative of many overweight people. We don't have to tolerate anything. It's our body, our money (via our health ins or self pay) and it's our choice whether we use whomever we use.

Just my two cents! I don't like hearing that any of my fellow banders are being abused!

Oh Jen, believe me I had an appt with the surgeon on 8/3 and I took my Dh with me and I surely did tell him exactly how I felt.

I told him that I was having 2nd thoughts about his practice because his staff has been so crappy to me and I am concerned about my aftercare. I laid it out for him.

He apologized to me and told me if I ever had a problem to call him and he would get to me immediately. He talked to my DH and praised him for being so supportive. He stood by the staff but he said he would talk to them. As per usual I went to see my PCP on 8/11 and my pre-op tests had not been faxed to him so he could clear me for surgery so his asst had to call the head hag in the surgeons office and my PCP's asst told me that she (the twit) laughed when she said my name. So whatever problem she has is hers. If I ever have to deal with her again believe me I will tell her off w/o cussing or calling names.

Hopefully, I'll have my surgery and few if any complications and I won't ever have to deal with her again.

Dreamskin, I'm going off to read your story now.

Good for you msdv! I don't want you mistreated and it sounds like you aren't going to let that happen!!!

i`m finding it hard to breath deep -or normal actually.

anyone else feeling it difficult

Yes, I had this problem and it turned out to be gas under my rib cage. It's gone now. thank goodness!

Thank you Jen . Your very kind.

I just can't wait 'til Monday evening when this part is all over.

Dee

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this thread. My surgery date is 8/25. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. I know that I am doing something that will help me to lead a better quality of life, but I still have some apprehensions. Best of luck to everyone on their journey.

Jamie:smile:

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this thread. My surgery date is 8/25. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. I know that I am doing something that will help me to lead a better quality of life, but I still have some apprehensions. Best of luck to everyone on their journey.

Jamie:smile:

Jamie, I felt the same way and in reading these threads it seems a lot of people had the same apprehensions. It's a big deal! I was freaking out myself and questioning my decision. I am 3 days post op and glad to be on the other side of surgery. Now, it's one day at a time. Good luck! Welcome to the group.