M wondering if there are any sleevers living in la? Would like to have a face to face support pal to if that were possible lol

Thanks! I am from Ga.

I'm not all that worried with the bed thing, a lot of people have said its compatible with gallbladder surgery and I was pretty sore but it wasn't an issue with being in a bed and I remember I had a big sleigh bed that was way off the floor then. They have a new holiday inn express that's like 139/night and they will have Comfy beds so I think it'll be ok.

I actually love it down there when I'm not close to Water and being eaten up by Mosquitos! I've still got scars on my legs where I was eaten up by them when I was there for a few weeks in march! They are awful there but I always get it worse than others! It has something to do with the chemicals my body puts off that is more appealing to those blood suckers.

Anyway thanks for saying hi!

Good luck to you all!

Johnathan

Thanks! I am from Ga.

I'm not all that worried with the bed thing' date=' a lot of people have said its compatible with gallbladder surgery and I was pretty sore but it wasn't an issue with being in a bed and I remember I had a big sleigh bed that was way off the floor then. They have a new holiday inn express that's like 139/night and they will have Comfy beds so I think it'll be ok.

I actually love it down there when I'm not close to Water and being eaten up by Mosquitos! I've still got scars on my legs where I was eaten up by them when I was there for a few weeks in march! They are awful there but I always get it worse than others! It has something to do with the chemicals my body puts off that is more appealing to those blood suckers.

Anyway thanks for saying hi!

Good luck to you all!

Johnathan[/quote']

See...I was a big weenie for my gall bladder surgery too! Lol. Had to sleep in a recliner for that too!

The new Holiday Inn Express in New Iberia is nice, I stayed there before for a conference.

Hi!

My name is Jenny' date=' and I live in Denham Springs, La. My insurance (Humana) covered my sleeve at 100% so I was limited as to where I could go. In the Baton Rouge area I would find a Surgeon, but then the hospital they used was not "hospital of exellence". So I had to go to Layfayette which was a pain (the drive to and from), because it was a 8 month process. I used Dr.Chu, and she is great and REAL. I've only seen her twice. Once for a consult, and once the day after my surgery. Of course I saw her during my surgery but I wasn't awake for that. I'm a little disappointed that no one has called from their office to see how I am doing. I had my surgery on Thursday, June 28,2012. I think the real star of the show at that clinic is Kate Roundtree the Nutritionist!! I love her and she has helped me so much. I feel like I can ask her anything. Just yesterday I emailed her a creamy blackbean soup recipe and she looked it over and oked it for me. Love her! Because I just recently went through this surgery I'll be happy to answer any questions. I had a wonderful experience, have experienced no pain and am so ready for some mushy foods!! I would love to have a close to me support group if anyone is interested.

Jenny[/quote']

Wow, Jenny! Thanks for all the info! I agree Kate is the unsung hero of that office. I was so sure I was going to be denied by my ins. She was the only one who reassured me and said very confidently that I would be approved. I just kept clinging to her words. I just got the call from their office yesterday telling me that I was approved! I'm excited! My next visit is July 25 to sign the consents. That will be my FIRST time meeting with Dr. Chu and I have been going since March! I just assumed that she was busy reviewing files and doing surgeries. I guess the cost would be outrageous if we always met with her. How much weight have you lost, by the way?

See...I was a big weenie for my gall bladder surgery too! Lol. Had to sleep in a recliner for that too!

The new Holiday Inn Express in New Iberia is nice' date=' I stayed there before for a conference.[/quote']

"A weenie" lmao your so funny!

Wow, Jenny! Thanks for all the info! I agree Kate is the unsung hero of that office. I was so sure I was going to be denied by my ins. She was the only one who reassured me and said very confidently that I would be approved. I just kept clinging to her words. I just got the call from their office yesterday telling me that I was approved! I'm excited! My next visit is July 25 to sign the consents. That will be my FIRST time meeting with Dr. Chu and I have been going since March! I just assumed that she was busy reviewing files and doing surgeries. I guess the cost would be outrageous if we always met with her. How much weight have you lost, by the way?

I started at 334

over Christmas I gained 345

At my consult appoint I was 336 and was told not to gain more than 5 lbs

Day of surgery I was 333

When I got home I was 341

Today, 7 days later I am 322.

I just want to tell you, that the only part that I was scared of was when I was in the Operating room, but I was out in 5 minutes. A kind nurse held my hand until I went to sleep. It's just so overwhelming. There are like 30 people in the room doing all these things........... When I woke up, I was afraid and tender, and I begged to have pain meds, but i wasn't really hurting. The recovery nurse was kind of mean to me. Once I got to my room, I was up walking in 2 hours. The nurses were great! NO pain at all. It felt as if I had done 300 crunches in my upper adominal region. I left at 10 am the next day. The hosptial is so nice (Our Lady of Lourdes) Caroline my nurse was super!! And they have a movie channel!! I watched Crazy Stupid Love and Pillow Talk.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

See...I was a big weenie for my gall bladder surgery too! Lol. Had to sleep in a recliner for that too!

The new Holiday Inn Express in New Iberia is nice' date=' I stayed there before for a conference.[/quote']

"A weenie" lmao your so funny!

I started at 334

over Christmas I gained 345

At my consult appoint I was 336 and was told not to gain more than 5 lbs

Day of surgery I was 333

When I got home I was 341

Today' date=' 7 days later I am 322.

I just want to tell you, that the only part that I was scared of was when I was in the Operating room, but I was out in 5 minutes. A kind nurse held my hand until I went to sleep. It's just so overwhelming. There are like 30 people in the room doing all these things........... When I woke up, I was afraid and tender, and I begged to have pain meds, but i wasn't really hurting. The recovery nurse was kind of mean to me. Once I got to my room, I was up walking in 2 hours. The nurses were great! NO pain at all. It felt as if I had done 300 crunches in my upper adominal region. I left at 10 am the next day. The hosptial is so nice (Our Lady of Lourdes) Caroline my nurse was super!! And they have a movie channel!! I watched Crazy Stupid Love and Pillow Talk.

Hope this helps! Good Luck![/quote']

Hey, that does help! I love that hospital too. They have WiFi! My endoscope was there. Did she make you do the liquid diet? If so, how long? I'm just getting kinda nervous! It's starting to get real!

Hey, that does help! I love that hospital too. They have WiFi! My endoscope was there. Did she make you do the liquid diet? If so, how long? I'm just getting kinda nervous! It's starting to get real!

Yes when I met with Dr. Chu to sign my consists,she put me on a liquid diet. I followed it pretty much,but I did cheat and have some of my favorites for the last time. A Sub Sandwich, Mexican etc. The last two days I followed it strictly. I love smoothie kind smoothies, the gladiator with mango and strawberries, I was able to have one yesterday for the first time. Up until then I wasn't able to get much Protein in, and it was very sweet to me when before it was perfect. Just now my husband brought me a creamy lowfat potatoe Soup,I was able to slowly get in 4 small spoonfuls and I feel kind of sick.

on a sidenote, Dr.Chu said my Liver was not fatty at all. Oh and I also had my gallbladder out and a hiatal hernia fixed.

Hi!

My name is Jenny' date=' and I live in Denham Springs, La. My insurance (Humana) covered my sleeve at 100% so I was limited as to where I could go. In the Baton Rouge area I would find a Surgeon, but then the hospital they used was not "hospital of exellence". So I had to go to Layfayette which was a pain (the drive to and from), because it was a 8 month process. I used Dr.Chu, and she is great and REAL. I've only seen her twice. Once for a consult, and once the day after my surgery. Of course I saw her during my surgery but I wasn't awake for that. I'm a little disappointed that no one has called from their office to see how I am doing. I had my surgery on Thursday, June 28,2012. I think the real star of the show at that clinic is Kate Roundtree the Nutritionist!! I love her and she has helped me so much. I feel like I can ask her anything. Just yesterday I emailed her a creamy blackbean soup recipe and she looked it over and oked it for me. Love her! Because I just recently went through this surgery I'll be happy to answer any questions. I had a wonderful experience, have experienced no pain and am so ready for some mushy foods!! I would love to have a close to me support group if anyone is interested.

Jenny[/quote']

I would love to have your recipe. It has only been the last five years or so that I have known about black Beans. So yummy!

Yes when I met with Dr. Chu to sign my consists' date='she put me on a liquid diet. I followed it pretty much,but I did cheat and have some of my favorites for the last time. A Sub Sandwich, Mexican etc. The last two days I followed it strictly. I love smoothie kind smoothies, the gladiator with mango and strawberries, I was able to have one yesterday for the first time. Up until then I wasn't able to get much Protein in, and it was very sweet to me when before it was perfect. Just now my husband brought me a creamy lowfat potatoe soup,I was able to slowly get in 4 small spoonfuls and I feel kind of sick.

on a sidenote, Dr.Chu said my Liver was not fatty at all. Oh and I also had my gallbladder out and a hiatal hernia fixed.[/quote']

Jena, how long was your liquid diet? I think I forgot to ask that question.

Jena, how long was your liquid diet? I think I forgot to ask that question.

My liquid diet was for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after.....

after a week I could add creamy Soups....etc

NOw I can have shrimp, fish, and shredded chicken.

I will say I lost 23 lbs those first two weeks, and no I have stalled for 2 weeks. I am very discouraged.

My liquid diet was for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after.....

after a week I could add creamy soups....etc

NOw I can have shrimp' date=' fish, and shredded chicken.

I will say I lost 23 lbs those first two weeks, and no I have stalled for 2 weeks. I am very discouraged.[/quote']

Don't be discouraged! Maybe you need to up the Water intake and exercise more. You've gotta fight through it. We've come too far!

I'm not from LA but my bestie lives in Abbeville and she of taking care of me after surgery so that's why I'm having it done in Louisiana.

I'm using Dr. Borland in New Iberia. I've talked to people that have used him and they just love him.

He has a very reasonable cash price of $9800. it is done outpatient, if you don't live there then you have to stay in a hotel in New Iberia and he comes 2 days and checks on you, his nurse calls you daily and you also have the Dr's home and cell # in case of emergencys or a question arises. (letting y'all know in case anyone on here is looking for a good Dr for self pay)

I'm very happy with my choice to use him and my surgery is the 25th in 21 days! So excited!!

Anyway I just wanted to say hi and I'll be in your state soon lol

Johnathan

What about follow ups I'm in Metairie, LA and the cost is $13600 I don't make a lot and I have no insurance. Keep hearing about Dr. Borland but it's 2hrs away and that worries me. How would I do post op?

Hi Everyone!

I'm Dana from New Orleans (Mandeville). I've been lurking around trying to get a handle on whether I have the courage to do this WLS. It just seems sooo drastic. I lost 160lbs 10 years ago by doing low carb and kept it off (although I was still overweight but relatively happy at a size 16 compared to a 32). I kept most of the 160lbs off until about 4 years ago when I slowly started gaining. Then freaking out and losing, then gaining ....it became a horrible struggle. I have now gained 60lbs back and I am devastated. Nothing I try now works. I've tried doing what I did when I was successful and that did not work anymore. I tried Weight Watchers thinking maybe the low carb success had run it's course and my body needed a change. I GAINED on Weight Watchers. Then tried LC again, then WW again. With each defeat I became more and more depressed and devastated and my self esteem was completely destroyed. About 2 weeks ago I had sort of an epiphany --- I decided that WLS might be my only option and hope. I started doing research online of course. The Lap Band just doesn't seem like a good choice other than it is reversible if there are complications. That is a big plus though. Gastric Bypass to me is just asking for trouble...lol.... I basically came to the conclusion that the sleeve looked like my best option. Surgical Specialists/Dr. Lavin is one of my clients (I'm a sales rep) so I called to start the investigative process. I have two insurances - Aetna and Federal Blue Cross and they verified my coverage -- I would have zero out of pocket. I have to do the nutritionist/diet thing for 4 months ( we disappointed me). I was excited to see a Louisiana thread but surprised there wasn't more people from Southeast La or New Orleans. My first visit with Dr. Lavin is next week to discuss options and what would be best for my situation (I have Multiple Sclerosis ). I have so many questions, some seem so trivial and some seem very important! But they are the kind of questions that I need from actual sleeve people -- not the docs. Would you guys mind answering some questions? Stupid questions included?

This seems like an awesome invaluable support site!

Dana

Hi Dana

Dr Lavin did my sleeve in Slidell 4 weeks ago.....glad to help any way I can!