Dr. Spivak's patients .....

[I'm still here 0]

Thanks so much for posting that Betsyjane - I had seen it on here before, but could not find it when I went back to look for it. That is some GREAT info . . . this time I am going to print it out!

Have a great Monday ~

Lynn

[enterprise01 0]

I just heard a radio show today with a lap band Dr. being interviewed. He said that the people who "get it" (meaning lose a lot and consistently) are the ones who use the band for one thing----to realize they don't feel hungry anymore. Consequently they limit themselves to 3 solid low fat ,high Protein, high Fiber meals with no snacking....and then spend their time dealing with the emotional issues of losing food as a companion. Period. That's his summary.

He said that those people who "get it" from the beginning may not even need any fills. Everybody else has to learn it somewhere along the way.

He said the Atkins diet works best, and said eating mushy foods (and sliders) is as bad as eating liquids: Food should have to be a big effort to chew chew chew until liquid. Period. "No fat person has ever chewed their food well enough...They couldn't and still get all those calories in in a meal." "One reason for the mushy diet at first is to get people used to chewing food well enough."

What do you think?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I think this doctor is full of crap. I know plenty of thin people who eat a lot more than I did and don't chew their food as well as I did (pre-band I mean). And he talks about fills as if it's all psychological when in fact it is physical. There are numerous reasons for obesity, and this doctor talks as if it is just a mental problem.

Here's an interesting article from Yahoo news today: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20070317/hl_hsn/resistancetohormoneleptincalledkeytoobesity;_ylt=Aqb5uFLkgrWhjpZMlAlzv5XVJRIF

And here's an interesting quote from that article:

One interesting facet of the findings, Cowley said, is the recognition that obesity, like diabetes, is truly a physical disease. "Obesity is not just a failure of will," he said. "This is a fundamental biological difference between obese and lean groups."

This guy obviously has a lot more common sense than the doctor you heard on the radio. It amazes me how something that is so obvious to me is completely lost on most of the medical community. Obesity is not just caused by a lack of will power. Thin people are physically different from obese people -- brain chemistry, hormones, metabolism, and genetics. Until science comes up with a way to "flip a switch" to make us thin, the band will help us compensate by drastically limiting the amount we can eat and by making us feel satisfied with a lesser quantity of food.

[Betsyjane 2]

Hmm. I must have presented it wrong. The way I read it is that the band provides physical Portion Control through a sense of fullness, and the diet and behavioral parts are the responsibility of the bandster. That the emotional part comes from the changes that happen because of the partneship of the physical band and the bandster. I didn't think I was reporting anything other than one person's perspective among many...something to think about.

[enterprise01 0]

Hmm. I must have presented it wrong. The way I read it is that the band provides physical Portion Control through a sense of fullness, and the diet and behavioral parts are the responsibility of the bandster. That the emotional part comes from the changes that happen because of the partneship of the physical band and the bandster. I didn't think I was reporting anything other than one person's perspective among many...something to think about.

I agree with everything you just said. Of course I know you were just paraphrasing, but I got the impression that this doctor thinks obesity is a psychological problem, not a physical problem. And I think it's just the opposite.

[ShineOn 0]

It is 16 days until my surgery date and I am failing miserably with the pre-op diet. :think I am ashamed to admit I have actually gained 4 pounds since my consultation. :help: Did anyone else gain a few pounds before surgery? Did it cause any issues?

[teacher 1]

My consult was 6months before surgery...I gained 20 pounds. Dr. Spivak didn't say a word...I got fussed at by office staff...oh well...

[Hazelbunny 0]

I gained 2 pounds before surgery. Thankfully I am one of those super healthy fat people (I exercise alot, have great blood pressure, etc) and he said after surgery that my liver was perfect.

It is really hard to restrain yourself from the Last meal syndrome. But now I am on the other side and wondering what I got myself so worked up about.

[Betsyjane 2]

I didn't have to do a pre op diet, but I know I would have failed at it. Shoot, if I could diet successfully, I wouldn't have needed the band!

[carriedba 0]

Hi all, wanted to make a quick post. I've been so busy since surgery that I haven't had a chance to post but I have been keeping up with my reading and I want to thank everyone for their postings. It's amazing how much support you can get from just reading that someone is going through the same thing and that you aren't going crazy. I have my first post-op appointment next Thurs. (3/29). I'm hoping that he gives me a fill while I’m there. I've noticed that I can eat almost anything I want. I'm definitely eating less but haven't had problems with chicken or a tortilla I ate the other day. I guess I just thought it would take me longer till I could eat those types of things again. As of today I’m down 25 pounds and am so glad that I made this life changing choice. I've been working out at least 3 times a week at the gym. I'm still a little sore so it's hard sometimes but I know I will lose more if I go to the gym, so that is my inspiration.

[Betsyjane 2]

Woo hoo! Welcome back band baby! 25 pounds down and needin' a fill. You're doing great.

[Hazelbunny 0]

Did anyone go to Tuesdays session? How was it?

I can't start until this semester since I am in school Tuesday nights but I am looking forward to going in the summer.

[ShineOn 0]

Thanks for all the positive posts on the pre-op diet. Much appreciated! :girl_hug:

[carriedba 0]

Has anyone here had a fill at the surgicenter yet? I have my first follow-up with Dr. Spivak on Thursday. I'm hoping he's going to give me a fill, I feel like I can eat anything now. One of my friends went in and he didn't give him a fill. Has anyone else had that happen? What all does he do on your first follow-up? Do the fills hurt? I'm such a baby when it comes to needles! :phanvan

[KimFrmSealy 0]

I had my first fill at Surgicenter and Dr. Spivak did it. I am on my 3rd fill and still no restriction! Fills don't hurt - just like getting a shot really, maybe a little worse but not much. You will be fine!

Kim

Banded 1/26/07

Dr. Spivak

236/210/165

[Betsyjane 2]

I have never had a fill by Spivak himself. Joy at the Surgicenter does them, and she's great! The first time, she said that the numbing shot hurts more than the fill, so I didn't have it, and it was fine. It feels like a shot and once the needle is in, I don't feel it. I also didn't have restriction until my third fill....and if you don't., be sure to go back for more! My third fill is a dream......