Hi everyone, I was so excited when I heard about this site. But right now I'm kinda of disappointed. It doesnt seem there is anyone on here from Michigan anymore... Hmmm....

Well, If anyone reads this I hope to hear from you soon! I'm pre-op and excited to hear about anyone's experiences! I hope you write!

Thanks!!!!!

Hi I,m Teleah I just got my surgery date. 12-19-06. I live in Flint. My dr is Dr. Wagner at Hurlery. I'm a little nervous and am having second thoughts. :phanvan How do u all feel? I mean really!

Pretty darn good actually. I have lost a chunk of weight and am having a lot less pain than what I had been having, knees, ankles, back etc. I am able to eat most things, just not as much as I used to. I have had no big issues with the band really. After surgery I was very sore, took awhile to get back up to speed but all surgery is like that. Could not put much in the gut for some time but eventually got some liquids in. I was on liquids for 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after. Then mushies or soft foods such as yogurt, fat free jello. This depends on your doc and what he wants you to eat though. Just do what they say.

A month or so ago I began cutting my own grass again after not being able to for many years due to PAIN. I have experienced hair loss, not a great deal but enough to bug me. This is normal for some people. Just like after having a baby... I think its due to hormones and the big loss of weight. Others seem to think its from lack of protein, I eat right and get the amount of protein I'm supposed to so... ???

I think all of us were nervous before surgery, wondering if we are doing the right thing and all. I can honestly tell you, I know I did. I wish you great luck and success in your journey and I just know you'll do fine!

I can suggest you snoop around on this site and take in all the info you can. Try not to believe all of it. ask your doc if you question anything. Lots of people on here are good honest real people who have struggled like us and they can be very supportive. Others are just not so good, so take it with a grain of salt and always listen to your docs. After your first weigh in after the surgery you'll see why you did it!! And on and on or should I say off and off!! Good Luck and Band On!!!

:bandit

Hi I,m Teleah I just got my surgery date. 12-19-06. I live in Flint. My dr is Dr. Wagner at Hurlery. I'm a little nervous and am having second thoughts. :phanvan How do u all feel? I mean really!

Hi Teleah I had surgery at Hurley, they are awsome! I was VERY nervous and called once to call it off. But I am sure as almost all of us will tell you it is the BEST thing we ever did. I would do all of it again in a heartbeat!

Dr. Wagner is really awsome. He assited Dr. Farhan on my surgery. Don't worry at all, trust me!

:grouphug:

Thanks guys I really needed to know that.

I see Boo Boo Kitty had her surgery at the same place as you will. Hope you feel better about your decision and I'm sure Boo ... and myself will be here if you need support.

:bandit

Hi everybody....I have no idea how to post on here, hope this gets through. I stumbled on this site while researching the band online. I REALLY want to have this done. I have no idea where to begin. Thought I would start by doing some research. Live in Northern Michigan, so Traverse City would be the closest place for me. Anyone else out there nearby?

Hi blynne29 I had my Lap banding done at Munson hospital in Travers city 9-6-06 .My doctor is DR. Featherstone I have BCBS insurance .I have lost 35 pounds it is the best think i have ever done for myself i feel great. If you have any questions i will try to answer them

Hey there! Richmond, Michigan here! My boyfriend is having the lapband procedure in November. He is a patient of Dr. Deol's. He has just started the Optifast diet and so far tolerating it very well. I'm so proud of him for doing this! Good luck and keep in touch!

Hey blynne29, I had my surgery 9-11-06 at Munson in Traverse City MI. My dr. is Dr. Nizzi, he's at Grand Traverse Surgery in practice with Dr. Featherstone and Dr. Slikkers. They are a great team along with the nurses. Let me know if I can answer any questions you have.

Well everybody thanks for replying. I am just beginning the research stages of this procedure, getting a physical from my family doc., etc....Know one lady from town who had this done and she went to Port Huron. She has had no problems. I need to lose approx. 85 lbs and have MS. Have not had an relapse in 3 years, so I am hoping that my MS is not something that will disqualify me. Hoping they will see my need to lose weight since trying to exercise with all this extra weight just tires me out quicker. Would love to hear from anyone with pros and cons.....especially those of you that went to TC.

Hi folks!! Grand Blanc MI here, just getting into researching this procedure over the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that it's not a covered benefit in my insurance, so I'm looking at self-pay options. Initially, it looked like Mexico would be the only way to go, however I've discovered that Dr. Pleatman offers a $12,500 package that covers basically everything. The cost at Hurley is $17,900!! For those of you who had the surgery in Port Huron, were any of you self-pay, and how much does it cost there? The way I'm figuring it is that yeah... Dr. Pleatman may be $4000 more than going to Mexico, BUT the Mexico cost does not include air-fare, passport(s) (if anyone goes with me), follow-up, fills, plus there's the inconvenience of simply having to fly out of the country to have it done. So currently Dr. Pleatman is looking like my best option, but I'd still like to know what the cost is in Port Huron. Well....what am I thinking, it just occured to me to call them LOLOL!! Scratch that--they're closed on weekend. So if anyone knows offhand, I'd love to know. :eek:

And boy, I'd also love to know how to make this thing post my replies in the paragraphs that I type them in LOL!! I'm really looking forward to chatting with you all.

Well Hello again fellow Michigan Banders!

Hope all are well and doing fine.

Things are going well here, 3 more pounds down, slow but steady. Had a 2nd fill right after Thanksgiving. No issues so far. We'll see how it goes.

Nice to know there are more and more of us getting on here!

Hello Gjdf52 and Lamamama!!

I'm working with Dr. Featherstone too! At my initial consultation I was a bit worried that he had only done 15 LB procedures and the patients were only 3-4 months out so he couldn't answer any questions regarding erosion, band slippage etc.... I'd love to hear more about your experiences.

I have scheduled my psycho exam, had my appt w/nutirtionist and will be getting a stress test the day after christmas.

My problem right now is smoking.....He will not operate until I'm smoke free for 2 months.

I'll probably get a Surgery date around Feb/March but not sure yet.

It's nice to know someone on this board is from T.C.

(actually I live in Kalkaska)

Mary

Good luck with the quitting smoking, unfortunately I started back up withing 3 weeks after my band. Hoping to quit for good after new years! I love everything about my band so far, well almost:) . Everyone at Grand Traverse Surgery have been so nice. I recommend them strongly.