Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Central Florida Lapbandsters?



Recommended Posts

I was banded on 03/10/06 and also went to Mexico for my surgery. I had lots of problems trying to get good aftercare here in Florida. I did try going to Dr.Grossard but like you mentioned, he is very picky about who he takes so I couldn't go there. I tried FillCenterUSA but had really lousy service and didn't feel comfortable having the nurse practicioner filling me. She didn't have any idea where my port was so that was the end of that. I eventually found Dr.Jessee in Largo, Florida and am pleased. She isn't cheap--$400 for a fill in her office plus your initial visit must be done with fluro for $550 but I believe it is worth it for a competent surgeon. I live in Tampa so it isn't that far for me to drive. It may be a stretch for you. Good luck with what you decide on. Just stay away from FillCentersUSA--it is cheaper but not worth the bad service.

~Liz~

banded 03/10/06

Dr.Ortiz

237/205/150

5'7''

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Melody, that helps me a lot. I'm actually going up to North Georgia in July and I like the Outpatient idea, so I think I'll look into that. Did they do all your pre-op tests there too ? Or did you need to get those done seperately ?

The Mexican docs all sound very competent, but I think I'd prefer somewhere closer to home !

Jarquin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I need to call Dr. Grossbard. I want to check and see if one day in a few weeks or so, when I am ready, if he will take me in as a follow up patient. I'd prefer to go back to Monterrey Mexico for Dr. Rumbaut to follow up.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jarquin--

I don't doubt the Mexican docs are VERY competent....but aftercare is SO important!!!! :(

I did my pre-op tests w/ my own physician and my insurance would cover those!!! If you code them correctly you can do anything!! For the UGI (upper GI) you need to have reflux (530.81--that's the code) then they have you do your Thyroid (fatigue will work...most overweight people are tired).....lipids are 272.2; Your doctor should know....then I had to have an EKG---I did have a history of palpitations...so that worked!! Then I went and got copies of EVERYTHING and took it myself to the doc....I'm medical so I know how bloopers happen!! :) I even hand-carried them w/ me to surgery....just in case!!:)

Hope this helps....I truly LOVE being banded!!!! I feel such control and feel like this was the answer to prayer!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again Melody. I'm waiting to hear back from Dalton and I think I'm going to contact Dr.Grossbard about my after care. All depends on the cost, but I'm pleased to say that my husband is 100 % behind me ~ he may not understand why this is important to me, but he's supporting me !

Jarquin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jarquin--

That is WONDERFUL that your husband is supportive....mine too!! He is my biggest champion daily!!!!!!!!! And he is enjoying less of me lately :)

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry Lisa have not heard of him....give me details....he's actually closer than my going to Zephyrhills!! :D Might be good!?!?

God BLess,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Florida Peeps, I'm new and I'm not banded yet. I'm in the waiting period. I submitted all my paperwork to US bariatrics and I'm going to my PCP to get a referal in a couple of days. Hoping insurance will pick it up. They have picked it up for other people in the company so I'm sure they will with me. I was/still am a little very nervous but my nerves have calmed down. I prayed and was waiting on God to see if this was a good move and I'm slowly getting my answer. I'm hoping to get Dr. K. Kim and was wanting to know how it went for you Telly or anyone else who's used him. I'm getting married in 3 weeks so I can't schedule any classes or anything until I come back from my honeymoon. At first I was upset with myself because I abandoned all thoughts and planning of my wedding and started concentrating soley on getting banded and now I'm coming around to being normal. I'm not going to worry about it until I get back and I see this as the next chapter of my life. My Fiance is not really happy about the surgery but he knows it is what I want so He's dealing with it but he is starting to say little things like, You really don't look that big, I think your beautiful which is wonderful but since he has never been overweight he doesn't know how it feels. I am a very girly girl and love to do womanly things and just can't do it. I can't cross my legs. I can't bend over to buckle my shoes, all my sexy shoes don't fit anymore, (I'm a shoe whore) and it seems like I'm wearing flats, flip flops or sneakers only and it's killing me. I don't feel sexy at all, I have to have my inhaler all the time and get short of breath walking short distances. On top of that I'm diabetic and on high blood pressure meds. So I know I'm going thru this and he'll be there with me all the way. I'm not interested in being the ideal weight any longer, at one point I was but every body is different, when I weighed 150 lbs I was a size 8. Right now I want to lose about 80 lbs at first to put me at 200lb and then work on losing another 20. So my IDEAL weight is 180.

I can't wait to get the process started and make new friends in the area. My ultimate goal for myself is to enter some sort of triatholon and just finish it and have pictures.

Can't wait to hear from all the central florida banders. Sorry for such a long post but it is my first one and I just had to get all these words out.

Peace

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Fellow Floridians..........

Southeast Florida here. Palm Beach County. I am always up for a drive so If you get together on a weekend... I'll come. I haven't hooked up with anyone down here...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Blk Bandit--

Welcome!!

I had my surgery in Dalton, GA---I lived there....moved here about 2 mos ago and am following up w/ Dr Grossbard in Zephyrhills, FL (near Tampa). I only know that Dr. Kim requires $1000 to "join" if you don't have your surgery w/ him for follow up care....I don't think Telly did hers w/ him.....but she'll let ya know I'm sure.

Just reassure your fiance....show him statistics and answer his questions... don't poo-poo his fear...it's all in love I'm sure!!! My husband said NO at first...then I came back w/ answers and statistics and he has been totally supportive!! :rolleyes:

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -49lbs :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Doc---

Welcome!!!! It might be fun to work out a get together.....

Let's see who else jumps in!!!!

God Bless,

MElody

Banded 3/20/06 -49lbs :rolleyes:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Where is telly... she is can ride her bike and meet me half way! LOL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Where is telly... she is can ride her bike and meet me half way! LOL

Hey Doc, if it's all paved then I can meet you on my bike no problem. You'll probably die if I did huh? I rode my bike 35.1 miles last Sunday, never stopped once and never drank Water the whole time. I feel really really good! You should join me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Telly and Doc----GO FOR IT.....I'll be in the a/c right now!! ;)

That is WONDERFUL Telly....I wish I had your stamina right now....still walking about 2.5 mi---getting ready to add aerobics too it...soon!! :D

How's the weight loss going woman???? Have you passed me yet??!?!?

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -49lbs :Banane35:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×