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Anyone had the procedure at Wash U.? I am scheduled to be banded with Dr. Halpin on 12/28/07. Am still unsure as to what to expect. I am most worried about after the procedure. I'm hoping there will be some education regarding nutrition and diet information at the pre-op. Anyone have any information? I'd appreciate it :)

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Imsamiam

I just wanted to let you know that Iam in Florissant and that I have e-mailed you some information on the band.

Chris

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We went to the doctor before thankgivings and I gained a couple of pounds but the doctors office did not record the last weigh in when I had the first fill since it was not done at the office. We both had a fill today. I got 1 cc so now Iam up to 2 cc. I hope that this will last a lot longer than the first one. She got 1 cc also. She is up to 3 cc. So will see what happens now. on liquids today, soft foods on Tuesday and regular on Wed. We go back on Jan 7th, 08 and might get a fill the following week. He wants to see us now every 6-8 weeks and then will look at getting a fill. Glad to see that everyone had a good Turkery Day. Now were ready for Christams.

Chris

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I was so happy to find this site. I have been thinking about being banded for about 11 months now, and hve made my mind up to do it. I am going to go with Dr. Halpin and Dr. Eagon at Wash U. has anyone had any experience with them? I have so many questions about the surgery regarding everyones personal experiences. My biggest question is.......has anyone gotten sad not being able to eat as much? I come from a big Italian family and everything is centered around food, thus my problem. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on that.

Also, another question I have is, how long was everyones recovery? I have 2 toddlers so the sooner I am up and around the better. I had my gallbladder removed and 2 cesarians....what would ya'll compare it to?

Jefferson County

280/135 goal

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Hi-

I'm in MO also and Dr. Darrin Minkin at Des Peres Hospital, did my band. I'm not trying to sway you or anything; but, if you have the choice, I would consider looking into Dr. Minkin. He is one of the best doctors I've ever had.

I've had several major surgeries and alot of different hospital experiences. Des Peres is the only hospital I've been in that the staff actually acted as though they loved their jobs. Dr. Minkin is one of the most knowledgable doctors I've ever been seen by. His patient care and understanding are amazing. I hope all goes well for you.

Good luck.

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As far as comparison, I have also had 2 c-sections (hip bone to hip bone on both). I would not say the lap band was as severe. All of my surgeries have been pretty intense- 2 C-Sections, 1 Complete Hysterectomy and 2 Spinal Fusions( L4-S1 & L3-S1). I'd have to say that this being the least invasive really did help. I think that it all depends on how you recover and your time will be different than anyone else's. I personally was down extra long because I had a reaction to the Morphine and Anesthesia mixture.

Congrats on the best beginning of the rest of your life.:whoo:

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Hi all,

I am in St. Louis (downtown area to be precise) I had the band done Dec. 13th by Dr. Wagner. Doing pretty good down 15lbs 1 week after surgery but have gained 3 lbs since coming off the all liquid diet.

No fills yet I get my first fill Jan 23. I want one sooner because I feel i am eating too much for having the lapband? I may be wrong.

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Hello to all....

I want to wish every one a successful 2008 and look forward to speaking with all of you !

The scale read down 48lbs today with 52 more to go!!

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I'm so glad I found this thread. I had my surgery done by Dr. Wagner at St. Alexius (New Start). I can't say enough good things about him or my experience w/ the hospital.

My surgery was 11-19-07, and I just had my first fill 1-2-08. I am down 24 lbs, and ecstatic! I got to move on to full liquids today on the post-fill diet, and I was unable to eat 1/2 cup of Soup. I am thrilled. I was full and satisfied for more than 4 hours @ work, and I have a pretty physical job (x-ray tech).

Can't wait to hear more of your experiences, and good luck to all of the future bandsters!

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Hi All,

I'm going to have the surgery by Dr. Delatore sometime in March. Any good/bad feedback with regards to this doctor?

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Are you going through the DePaul weight loss clinic. I am seeing Dr. Scott there. I have heard very good things about both doctors. My pre-op class is January 30.:girl_hug: That is when I will get my surgery date. I hope it will be sometime in February.

:(

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I Am Just South Of St. Louis In Jefferson County And I Am Looking Into The New Start Program- Has Anyone Else Had Their Lap Band Surgery Done There And If So What Do You Think About The Docs?

Thanks,

Pattymckean6

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Hi Patty.

I went through the New Start program and I have only wonderful things to say about the whole experience. I was banded on 11-19-07 by Dr. Van Wagner at St. Alexius. Dr. Wagner is VERY good. He makes everything very comfortable and he and his office have been very accomodating and helpful, from filing with insurance to some of my post-op questions. There are also nutritionists and nurses that you can call anytime w/ the New Start program. Because the New Start program has attained the center of excellence status, filing with my insurance company was easier. I had an overnight stay @ the hospital, which was also a positive experience. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about any part of the process through this program or Dr. Wagner and his office staff.

Christi

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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