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

Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum



Recommended Posts

Thanks guys! :rolleyes: Can't wait to get to the other side. I am struggling a tiny bit with my pre-op diet... mostly fighting "head hunger". I did decent tonight subbing my normal bad stuff with half a cup of cottage cheese and some cherry tomatoes! :) I know technically I don't have to start for another week, but I am so ready to begin this journey... why wait.

Brandy: I live in Tucson. Mesa is about an hour and fifteen minutes from me. I know Mona is from the Phoenix area. I would love to meet up with a fellow bandster! I am not really telling many people about my surgery so sharing the journey with someone is welcome! :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well Hello all, I am new to LBT. I am having surgery on 1/3/08 and am so excited. Any suggestions? I have started my pre-op diet and it is going well. Not telling anyone except for my husband (he is behind me 110%).

Sorry not really sure how to set up the BMI info...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome bahot! :) You date is very close! How exciting.

I decided to go ahead and tell my immediate family (sisters, mom etc) and a select few friends. It worked out in my favor because my mom is helping me with the money and I can pay her back. Saving me lots of $$ in interest. :)

Otherwise I really don't feel like everyone knowing. I don't want everyone watching me and expecting my weight to melt off, because this is going to be a LONG journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome bahot! You have found a great forum! I bet your counting the hours until your surgery!!!

MAL: I have been eating pretty much mushies...some soft foods mixed in here and there, but 98% mushies. Thanks for the info regarding drinking and PB'ing. I had no idea that it could make it worse...

LA: I am with you as well, I only have told my family (NOT my husbands, and I probably never will) and a few friends. Your doing great with your pre-diet so far...I really had the last supper syndrome bad! Now I know that I could still have what I wanted, just in very limited quantites...

Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Brandy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

LA: Where are you from? I am self pay as well (That sucks). I to didn't want people watching me lose the weight I just want them to be surprised.

Thanks for all the Hellos.

Any advice is always welcome.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

bahot: I am in Tucson, AZ... about a 13 hour drive to Aurora. We decided to fly this time so I don't have to drive after surgery. I may drive for follow up care though, we'll see! Luckily my husband's aunt lives in Aurora so I have a place to stay. I have never met her, so it will be interesting meeting under these circumstances. wink.gif

Where do you live?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Bahot! Welcome. You will have to make up your mind about telling or not telling. I do get the once over every time I see a friend I've told. If I did it over, I don't think that I would tell, except my family.

Hugs all,

Michelle

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok I am in a bit of a freak out mode right now. This always happens to me when I need to make a major decision, but I really don't have anyone to turn to to really work through this. My husband is very supportive and helpful, but I want the opinion of someone who has been there, done that.

I am started to second guess my decision. I am worried about complications and what will happen financially if they happen. My insurance covers LapBand but my employer has an opt out clause, so I am self pay. I am assuming this means I have to pay for any and all expenses related to my band that may come up after surgery?

So if I have complications and end up with an infection, or some other ailment, am I responsible for all those bills?! Did anyone else freak out over that prospect? Or are situations that arise later covered if they are medical emergencies regardless of who paid for the surgery initially?

I know I should be asking my insurance this question, but for some reason I feel like the people I talk to there have no idea about my policy and answer generically. Just because "Sam" told me so on the phone isn't going to pay my bills if they decide to bill me. KWIM?

This really has me worried. I am stretching already to pay for this surgery; I can't imagine what it would do to us if I ran into serious complications. Advice? Words of wisdom?

Thanks!

L

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

LA, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but almost all insurance policies take the same stance on this. If it is not a covered procedure, then the complications are also not covered. This was something I really worried about before the surgery. I didn't worry about dying or anything like that. I worried that my $10,000 surgery would turn into $100,000 from complications. You just have to pray and keep the faith that you won't have complications.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey, guys! Long time, no post! Man, were the holidays busy! But we managed to get through them here! Driving to the airport a million times, always during the snow....My little brother's "fiance" (hee! he asked her to marry him!) had to leave on Christmas Day, and well, we all know what that "slight chance for snow flurries" looked like! Just so busy! Then, my brother in law from Mississippi brought this intestinal virus from hell with him. Oh man! First him, then my Grandma, then my mom, then my brother, then my hubby, then me, then my lil guy Dylan, then my mother in law...lordy this thing needs to stop! It's been two days now, so I'm doing better, but still feel icky.

Just to be icky...(heehee ;)) has anyone done a real vomit since being banded? I've only done the PB thing. Let me tell you...they are totally different! OMG! It is the hardest, painful, noisiest thing in the world! It is so violent...I hope that I didn't hurt anything in there. I wonder how I would know? Luckily, that part only lasted about 14 hours. (only! oh god!) Anyways...just thought that I would share that with you. (a warning! heehee!) No one at home really understands, they just think I'm exaggerating my flu....if they only knew!

I sure had a lot of pages to read. Welcome all the newbies! Sure are a lot of people getting banded by Dr K! Congrats on your decisions!

L.A~ Try not to worry about the "what ifs", they will drive you nuts! Yes, things can happen. But things can happen from being overweight too. Things too can happen from by-pass. Just know, that should something serious happen, your in great hands with Dr K. You'll be taken care of. If you need to, give Natalie a call and talk about those things. (From what I understand, that's what she is there for. I've only met her briefly.)

Dynamo~ your doing great! How's that fill? I can't believe how well your doing with the working out. (I still want arms as beautiful as yours!)

Mal~ sorry about the holiday problems, with food that is. You too, Mare. I think we all had them. There is no good reason to see if just one more bite will make the big PB. (I did it too...:cheated: luckily, not as many times as I would have thought and mostly from foods that I knew wouldn't work, not the quantity...) The New Year is upon us, and tomorrow is a new day. All we can do is try to do better! And your friends are nuts, Mal! You can totally tell the loss! If nothing else, flip through our RR nights...Do you think people just get jealous of someone finally succeeding at something that has been so hard?

Lap Dancer~ your beautiful face sure is changing! I'm glad you're feeling so good! Too bad we waited so long, huh! ;-)

Well, all. I finally got the money for that gym membership. There are no more excuses as my mom gave me the money for Christmas. So, I guess I'm going to be working out. (eeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwww, yucky, icky! :censored:) Hope that it does some good for this southern sag!

Have a great night all! Sorry so long...but its been forever and my family is out with the inlaws for dinner (I still don't feel like food). Amazing how long you can chat with no one buggin ya!

Oh ya! I made my 10 lb goal for January 4th....plus 2 lbs so far! woo hoo!

Also...I think that January 10th is the schedule for the next RR?? Sound good? (I sure need a Bandster night!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

WOOFAY!!! So nice to hear from you! I was worried about you! I just love to red your posts. Sorry to hear that you have the flu. Do you still have the anti nausea medicine that Dr. K prescribed? I wonder if that woud help? I hope you get to feeling better soon.

I have been making the wrong food choices lately, but some how I managed to lose another 2 pounds since my fill??? I haven't been to the gym in a LONG time! Hubby and I had a good talk about taking the right path to a healthy new year during dinner tonight. Hopefully the new year brings us all better health!

Congrats on meeting your goals! I'm going to have to look back and see what mine were...LOL, I can't even remember what goals I set for myself...I know my work out goals, but I forget my weight loss goals??? I truly think you will enjoy working out, you can do it!!!

Happy New Year!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year! 2008 is going to be the best year ever for all of us. I'm still around, reading mostly, but wishing you all well and cheering you along.

LA -- I had similar second guesses about the $ and possible complications. This is a total leap of faith, in all honesty. If I could lose weight any other way and kept it off, I would have done that in a heart beat. But with my history, I knew that wasn't going to happen and I was heading down the path to obesity complications without surgery. I had to be honest with myself and ended up accepting the very small risk of surgical complications instead of the very real facts of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, etc. I think I made the safest choice with surgery. Hope this helps. In terms of money, if I did end up with a surgical problem, which I haven't so far knock on wood and don't anticipate at this point -- I'm screwed; there's no extra $ here. But, ya know, whatever -- there's always something -- why not me??)

Anita -- I'm sorry about the virus and hope everyone's feeling better!

Mal & Dynamo -- you're committment to exercise is inspiring ! Keep it up!

Take care and have a good week everyone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Shelbie: Thanks. I feel better today. Talked with my hubby again last night and he is still 100% on board. I think I strayed too long over on the complications side of this board and my mind started running away. :thumbs_up:

I have since reeled it in and am feeling much better. I am just going to have to hope that I fall into the no complications percentage. I am very confident in Dr K... and that is a large part of the battle, finding a competent surgeon. :)

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

    ×