Looking for support in my area. Anyone?

My n

SW Fla is a great place to have sleeve surgery. Great Support. Professional people. Perfect hospital. Lucky us!

Cococat have you already had your surgery

Cococat have you already had your surgery

Hi,Lynziv,

Yes, I had my surgery on Sept.10th. If you go to meetings, there is one tomorrow at Physician's Regional. I have lost 50+- lbs so far. I had an adventure in constipation, but that has been the only problem I have encountered.

Can you be my buddy? You live near and already have experience with this gastric surgery. I already have problems with constipation. What do you recommend that I take stool softeners before the surgery last time I had a hysterectomy I got so constipated it ended me up in the ER with my urethra cut off and I could not urinate. Sorry to be so disgusting. That was also a major surgery. I don't ever want to have to go through that again!

Are you with Dr. Bass? He is my surgeon. If so, do exactly as he and his staff say. Check on his website for group meetings. All of us are each other's mentors and buddies. We had a meeting at Physician's Reg. on this past Tuesday. Have you met Sharon? She is the nurse/group leader.

I have had problems with constipation. I can tell you what I have done, but you have to ask Sharon and Dr. Bass' nutritionist, Marcy. They told me, Miralax, Miralax, Miralax. But everyone is different, so you have to ask them yourself. AND what you will need for constipation early after your operation might be different than what you might need later after a few months. I am 4 months out (after a sleeve) and I can eat prunes and prune juice - although it is very sweet! Not everyone can or should take prunes, but that is what works for me.

For me, painkillers slow down my digestive system. While I needed painkillers after surgery, they had the side effect of making me constipated. Might you have a similar problem? Ask Dr. Bass about how to handle that. If you are easily constipated, forget bread, crackers and wheat products, almost forever. I know they halt my digestive processes.

Remember: you seem to be getting the Lap Band, and my choice was the sleeve. So, things might be different on that point, too. I wanted a Lap-band at first, and for a long time, until I found out that many times people have to get them removed and that they can cause scarring or band slippage. I eventually went with the sleeve. Read other people's experiences here on BariatricPal - I think it's under the topic, "Band To Sleeve" where people eventually switch from Lap Band to the sleeve.

At first I did not like the idea of part of my stomach being cut away, but I was told that that part contains the cells which secrete a hormone that makes you hungry. I wanted to be rid of my crazy hunger pangs. I ASSUME that Lap-Band patients still feel hungry but just can't eat food because of the band's restrictive elements.

Dr. Bass checks his patients post op TWICE before he discharges them. Once, he checks them for leakage while they are on the operating table, and then once again, a day later. He knows what he is doing.

I have lost about 50 pounds so far. My knees love it! It is easier for me to move! Any other questions?

I am actually having the band removed on December 29th by the doctor who put the band in over in Miami at the same time he will be doing the gastric sleeve. All of my follow up and support will be with Dr Rahab which is in Dr bass is office. I cannot wait to get this band out. I'm glad you did not get the band. I paid for my gastric surgery out of pocket and has been a complete waste of money. A matter of fact, they may be doing a recall on the band I have had a couple of lawyers contact me already. Some type of civil suit that is going around. I'm very excited to get the Gastric Sleeve done. And I know with the adoptive patient program at Dr bass is office will be great for me. So I'm sure I will meet you in the upcoming year.

Hello all! I'm in Fort Myers and due to have surgery with Dr. Bass on 2/18. I'm so excited!

Nice... I'm in naples and 3 weeks post op. Best decision ever made

Totally agree. Best idea. You will like Dr. Bass, his assistants and staff. For once, it is all about YOU! You will be the star of your own weightloss program. Do it for yourself and your health first. Get ready to feel beautiful! Good luck!

From Sarasota. VSG surgery 3/2/15

I'm with Dr. Bass too!

Just was sleeved on 3/30/15. Feeling sick right now. God please help. ????

Hey! I was sleeved by dr bass 12/22/14. I'm down 54lbs as of this morning. It was honestly the best decision I could've made it's nice to see a group of other dr bass' success stories!

Hey! I was sleeved by dr bass 12/22/14. I'm down 54lbs as of this morning. It was honestly the best decision I could've made it's nice to see a group of other dr bass' success stories!

Yes. Dr. Bass is awesome. I'm only 3 days out and still feel sick. I hope it passes soon so I can see the reward.