I have been so pleased with the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. MY surgery was done my Dr. Rachel Moore. She was awesome. The nurse practitioner is great too. They care and they want me to succeed!

Congratulations! Please give yourself time to heal! Hope your great relationship continues w/ your dr.

My surgery was July 17 with Surgical Specalists of Louisiana. My doctor was Dr. Thomas. He was wonderful. Before surgery he explained everything very thoroughly, so I knew exactly what to expect. I get my first fill next Friday and everything has been great. I recommend Surgical Specialist to anyone thinking about weight loss surgery. They are A1 in my book.

Dr. Lavin performed my surgery. I just had my one year anniversary and have lost 60 pounds. My advice is to go for every appointment that they recommend, keep a journal ~ especially after your fills, and go to support group meetings if possible. You'll do great! They are a wonderful group of surgeons and I especially adore Chris, the nurse practitioner.

Hey all,

I'm from Slidell and getting banded by Dr Warden. What did you guys think of the operation and after care? My mom is flying in to be with me and she wanted to know if she would be allowed to stay with me in the hospitol if they keep me overnight.

Hi there--

It's been awhile since I have posted. Just wanted to answer your question about Surgical Specialists. I had my band in July and have lost a total of 53 pounds so far. The surgery and aftercare could not have been better. It is not a picnic, but well worth everything I went through. I am sure you will do well, and if you have any questions I can answer for you( I'm sure you'll have a lot) please respond to this answer and I will do my best to inform you as to what I know and have been through. Good luck to you and happy losing----:thumbup:

Im happy to find this thread. I was banded on 12/11/08 with Dr. Thomas. I like him and all of his staff, they've been wonderful and are very personable. I really wouldnt change anything except maybe an office location a little closer to my house. lol

Hi there--

It's been awhile since I have posted. Just wanted to answer your question about Surgical Specialists. I had my band in July and have lost a total of 53 pounds so far. The surgery and aftercare could not have been better. It is not a picnic, but well worth everything I went through. I am sure you will do well, and if you have any questions I can answer for you( I'm sure you'll have a lot) please respond to this answer and I will do my best to inform you as to what I know and have been through. Good luck to you and happy losing----:thumbup:

Thanks so much for your reply and taking time to answer my questions. You're right I do have some questions, if you don't mind.

Did they allow anyone to stay with you overnight in the hospital?

Do you recall what the doctor did for pain control?

What shakes did you use pre-op? Optifast seemed a bit pricey.

Thanks so much, sorry for all the questions. I'm so excited about this oppertunity.

heschete, wow you are recent! Congrats!!

Edited December 24, 200817 yr by mlafentres

I know you are excited. You remind me of me. I had so many questions--

My doctor was Dr. Thomas. Very nice. I saw him one time before surgery and the day of surgery. The rest of the time I've seen either Allie or Christine.

My hospital stay was overnight because my insurance required it. No one could stay because I did not have a private room. They said the hospital was full. If it wouldn't have been my husband could have stayed with me. Most of the time it is a same day surgery.

I had my surgery July 17 of this year. I am very pleased with the results so far. The first weeks before surgery and after surgery are hard because you are on Optifast(or something similar) There is no restriction right after surgery. When you get your first fill is when restriction starts. I am still getting fills but I am almost there. I very seldom get hungry and when I do I don't eat half of what I use to.

As far as pain medication-- they gave me liquid pain medication. It worked fine. It is uncomfortable after surgery. Mostly a pulling in the stomach where the port sight is. No more discomfort than any other surgery.

I'll be checking my email, and if you have any other questions let me know, I'll be glad to answer any you have. :thumbup: Pat

I thought I might post a little info about my surgery too. I didnt stay overnight but if I had the hospital staff told me that my husband would be able to stay with me. I was at Southern Surgical Hospital. Will you be using the same?

After surgery I was on Lortab Elixer. I took it ever 4 hours for 2 days then ran out. I tried to use just Tylenol after but it wasnt helping at all so I had my Lortab Elixer refilled. I didnt have to take it every 4 hours like before because I was feeling better.

I too saw Dr Thomas only twice.. pre-op consent forms and the day of surgery. Ive seen Chris twice.

heschete,

Thanks for your story. It is so helpful to read your stories; I hope mine will be the same.

I am glad that the folks at Southern Surgical Hospital said your husband would have been allowed to stay with you, because I'm scheduled with them as well.

Yesterday, I called the hospital. A person, half asleep, answered and I asked her about my mom. She cut me off and said, 'We really try to give everyone a private room.' So, I read this as, the hospital's policy is that if you have a private room then a guest is allowed to stay. So, is that really the hospital's policy, or is the person just as uninformed as she was unprofessional?

The truth is, I'm kinda scared of Southern Surgical Hospital. It looks a little old. There is never too many cars in the lot. Normally, in a sucessful business (ones people want to go to) you see plenty of people there. Good hospitals are typically busy places, and I have to tell ya it always seems like there is plenty of room to park at this place. Kinda scarey.

Hearing 100% postive stories makes me think my concerns are unfounded, but I am a bit sckeptical right now.

Edited December 24, 200817 yr by mlafentres

Southern Surgical where I went is new and very nice. Each time Ive been there its been packed. All of the staff there was very nice except maybe the person in the front of the building.

Southern Surgical Hospital Awarded Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery

Thats good to hear. I've not lived here that long so I bet I'm confused about where it is.

I think it is off Robert road?

I dont know which other hopsitals they use but I know they do use others. Which area do you live in? Im from Houma.

Hey, you were totally right. I was thinking of a different place all together. The great news is this place is under 2 miles from my house. It is new, and VERY NICE. I was, for some reason thinking of a place off Robert road. Thank goodness for google maps. LOL

Thanks for your responses. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW.