Hi there,

I am considering Dr. Kirshenbaum in Aurora, CO (www.lapbandrockies.com) I know that there are a few of you in LBT that went to him. I am interested in knowing your thoughts on him and if you have had any complications. I am just a little leary since the price is so low, there is little on the internet about him, and I will be traveling from WI to have this done. Any information you could provide would be much apppreciated...

Thanks!

Sheila:)

hey gang! Just checking in....I have the VG Band too and have had 2 fills so far by Dr. K....You can see how much I got on each fill by looking at my signature not a lot by VG standards, but it worked for me!

I'm trying to figure out if I need another fill or if I just need to be a better Bandster I'm guessing its the latter, but am not sure.

DREWS...glad to hear you're losing sizes!! That is awesome!

For all you w/anxiety about upcoming surgery....deep breaths!! It will be a breeze and you'll be sooo glad you did it!!

VABandster - you are doing really well. I will be thrilled if I can be down 40 pounds in three and half months. I appreciate the deep breathing advice. It always looks better on the other side and as one facing surgery on the 16th I am full of anticipation and excitement of moving along in my life journey. The jitters are there, but I think it is nervous energy, wanting to just get on with it. I started my PreOp Diet today and we'll see how many pounds I can lose before surgery.

Best wishes on your continued success.

Thanks Dynamo! I'm sure you'll do fine on the preop diet and once you're on the 'other side' you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

Sunnysea,

I also have the VG 10cm band. I am also wide open and can eat anything. I am still on soft foods and I don't have much of an appetite, so that curbs some things for me. My first fill is not until April 19th, which is almost exactly 5 weeks from my surgery... I will not be able to get back until the end of May for another fill, so hopefully this one will last a little while.

I was mostly wondering of those who have a 10cm band and have had their first fill with Dr. K, what does he usually put in for the fill. I know that Shesha had problems with her first fill... I just wanted to hear from some other Dr. K bandsters that have had a fill by him as well..... Thanks!

Hi Machele, If I'm not mistaken the 3 types of band are the 9.75cm/4cc, 10cm/5cc, and the VG 11cm/10cc bands. So which one do you have? I know this doesn't answer your question, just wondering which one you are refering to. Thanks, Sunnysea:)

Hey, all! Thanks soooo much for the support! It really does help!

Thanks guys!! My doctor's appointment went really well. I really think I will like Dr. Enoch. I have to go get an upper GI exam tomorrow morning. As long as everything is okay, I will get my first fill on Monday.

Machele, I also have a 10cc band. My first fill is only a few weeks before yours, but I will post how mine goes. Dr. Enoch said that he typically does around 4cc the first fill and small increments after that every 4-6 weeks.

My nerves are really starting to get my about this fill now. He said that he does no numbing or anything. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

hey gang! Just checking in....I have the VG Band too and have had 2 fills so far by Dr. K....You can see how much I got on each fill by looking at my signature not a lot by VG standards, but it worked for me!

I'm trying to figure out if I need another fill or if I just need to be a better Bandster I'm guessing its the latter, but am not sure.

DREWS...glad to hear you're losing sizes!! That is awesome!

For all you w/anxiety about upcoming surgery....deep breaths!! It will be a breeze and you'll be sooo glad you did it!!

Wow, Kirsten....40 lbs!!! It looks like you are doing great. Congrats on your weight loss.....

Hey guys!! Things are going well on my pre op... only had one really "really" bad night.. locked myself in my room, lit all my candles, (so I wouldn't smell the food my hubby was cooking - becuase it was all carbs and I wanted it so badly) and cried myself to sleep. Woke up the next morning with puffy eyes and feeling much better and I knew I could do this because I did not give in. Since then... it has gone really well.. I am back to the state I was in.. where I did not want the pastas and all that. I finally told Ron (hubby) about how I was feeling and has since been eating the same thing I have at night. During the day my fam. gets to eat the other stuff.

I go tomorrow for my last pre op appt... I am so excited!!! I was really nervous last week and the beginning of this week. Now I am relaxed and confident and so ready.. and yea.. I am sure I have at least a few more ups, downs, and spinny's on this roller coaster of before surgery.

Lap Dancer.. you are right.. we are on a journey and we are picking up passengers who become fast friends.

This is such a wonderful place!!! On days that are good... we can 'give' support and try to inspire.. and on days that are not so good.. there is someone there to help us out and give a supporting hand.

YOU GUYS ARE WONDERFUL!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful night!

Thanks Skye.....I've been at a pleateau now for a few weeks, and think I need to schedule a fill locally, just haven't had the time to do it.

Of course it may just be I'm being a bad Bandster too, so I'm really trying to get on track w/following all the rules carefully to see if that changes anything!

I know Dr K only takes CareCredit for financing - did anyone use them? Any idea about their rates and terms?

Tater - I'm so glad your husband has decided to support you. It is hard to make those food choice changes. What are you doing for PreOp? I was told just to do high protein/low carb. I hope it is adequate. I am eating lots of protein, between 60 and 80 mg per day. The protein shakes seem to poof my stomach, I am probably drinking them too quickly. One week, kiddo!

Hugs,

Machele, I also have a 10cc band. My first fill is only a few weeks before yours, but I will post how mine goes. Dr. Enoch said that he typically does around 4cc the first fill and small increments after that every 4-6 weeks.

Skye and Sunnysea,

I guess I am not sure if I have a VG band or not. I only got my information from my surgical notes that Dr. K. sent me. It says "placed a 10-mm band with a 10-mm disposable trocar as follows...." then lots of technical jargon follows with many medical terms I did not know. I am only guessing it is a VG band. I guess I will ask him when I am there on the 19th!

Also, I am surprised how swollen I still am 3 weeks after surgery. My pants are loose every where except in the waist!

To those of you who are eagerly awaiting surgery, it is much easier then you think it will be. I had convinenced myself that we needed to stay 3 days in Colorado because I would hurt toooo much to travel...:phanvan that was not the case! I flew home the next day! I did not experience the gas pains that everyone talks about, but have had other issues with swelling. It is amazing the changes that have taken place with my appetite and tastes. I have been very surprised!! Good luck to all of you!:clap2:

Hey Dynamo! Yea I am on high protein low carb.. I fix a fresh fruit and veggie smoothie in the am.. (I know it sounds gross but when you blend them really well.. honestly you cant taste the carrots, cabbage and maters with all the fruits with yogart and protein liquid.) and lots of other proteins

Its coming fast! Went today to sign all the papers and everything..

Woofay! Dont know if you know yet or not.. at first Dr K said I would have surgery there in Aurora but then today at my appointment I have the same date and time but in the Parker Hosiptal! SO.. just a heads up if you haven't already been told so. I dont really care where I have surgery at.. but my hubby is lots happier it will be at a hospital..

I am very surprised about the "meds"... I am kinda nervous about having to do suppositories... eeekk.. I have never done those - but if it has to be done.. it has to be done.

Tater - What's this about suppositories? What other drugs do we take? I have my preop next thursday, day before your surgery.

Michelle

Don't worry about the suppositories! They are only "as needed" and I didn't need them, and know a lot of other people haven't needed them either. They're for anti-nasuea, but I just kept the patch on that they gave me at the surgical center for a few days and I was fine.