Every day I read on this forum how some people are not given adequate follow up care after being banded. It's really concerning. One of the golden rules I am to follow, for the lapband journey to be successful, is to have follow up care for life. It is extremely crucial in the beginning because the way I see it no matter how much research we do prior to banding so many things come up during the post op stage that needs to be followed up with your careers. There's the new way if eating we need to learn, the right types if foods, Vitamin instructions.

The confusion with how much Protein, carbs, fats which need to be addressed with a Bariatric nutritionist.

I know if I didn't have all the fantastic after care I've been getting I would have been so lost and confused. Some of these places that perform lapband surgery really need to lift their game and give the appropriate aftercare that is crucial to be successful.

I couldn't agree with you more!

I say at least a dozen times a day, either there are a lot of unscrupulous doctors out there just banding people to make money with zero direction or their are a lot of people out there not listening to their doctors. Either way, there needs to be a lot more education among banded people.

I'm thankful every day that I chose a surgeon affiliated with a recognized "Center of Excellence" for my WL journey.

They required every patient to attend pre op nutrition education and nutrition counseling...the time I invested has paid off well for me many times over.

YES, very crucial. You will notice a difference on the posts and how people are using the band and their success and how they are cared for after surgery. It's a huge part of success. I went and saw my surgeons office almost every 6 weeks for the first 6 months and then about every 8 weeks after that. Now that I am pretty much at goal, I will only see him every year, unless I think I want a fill or have an issue. But even at goal, you need to get it checked out to keep it from having problems in the future. That's just common sense.

I talk with my dietitian often on phone. She's alway there for me. And I attend a local support group in my hometown once a month. The group is all bypass or band patients, some 4 years ago and myself, recently banded (Aug 6). Lots of wealth of information at each meeting and personal one to one talks. My dietitian also drives 1 hour and attends this meeting.

i agree with all of you

if you dont (trust your surgeon) and yes i have read those posts on this very forum

or the staff is rude......or you are feeling like you are (just left to your own devices) there

is a problem houston.....

speak your mind

speak up

ask questions

call and or email or go to the dr's office

demand your rights and stick up for them

this is your body and your life.

take care of yourself and do what you have to do.

Before I had surgery my doctor had me sign an agreement that I would follow the lapband rules, I would come in for follow up care with him and come to all my fill appointments, and I would follow up with my nutritionist. He made it clear the only way I would be successful is if I followed these guidelines.

I really love my "team" I always get answers quick, they make you feel totally comfortable and they really seem to care about their patients as a whole not just in weight loss. If you find a surgeon whose team is like that it is awesome.

I just can't understand how some docs do the sugery and are like ok, I am done you go do your thing. Totally shocking, that doctor needs to be relieved of his surgical licencse.

Before I had surgery my doctor had me sign an agreement that I would follow the lapband rules, I would come in for follow up care with him and come to all my fill appointments, and I would follow up with my nutritionist. He made it clear the only way I would be successful is if I followed these guidelines.

I really love my "team" I always get answers quick, they make you feel totally comfortable and they really seem to care about their patients as a whole not just in weight loss. If you find a surgeon whose team is like that it is awesome.

I just can't understand how some docs do the sugery and are like ok, I am done you go do your thing. Totally shocking, that doctor needs to be relieved of his surgical licencse.

right on kim......let me add just briefly....that it is also up to the (newly bander) to follow

through and visit the doctor regularly and also to FOLLOW THE DOCTORS instructions.

One of my priorities when choosing my surgeon was aftercare. I chose SWLC because they have a great reputation for aftercare.