Dr. Abkin is scheduled to perform my surgey in a few weeks. Has anyone here used him. I really liked him. I went and had my annual with my gynocologist, I told her about the lap-band surgery and she gave me this look, I asked her what was up.. She said that she doesn't believe in weight loss surgery, she said that people should just "diet and exercise". Like I never thought of that.

Hi Seppi,

Yup, I'm a Dr. Abkin patient and I'm really happy with him and Dr. Bertha and the other doctors in the practice as well. Are you coming to the support group meeting on the 26th? I'll definitely be there and look forward to meeting you! The group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

I want to go to the support meeting, my surgery is on the 24th. Do you think I will be OK to go?

It's hard to say; I know there have been people at meetings who had surgery as recently as two days before.

On the 24th you'll probably be home before mid-afternoon. If you really get enough rest who knows? You might indeed be feeling up to it. But don't push yourself!!! At that point you probably wouldn't get much from the support meeting since you'll be so fresh out of surgery. By the time the next one rolls around you'll be back on solid food and probably thinking about why you're so hungry and when you can get a fill. THAT'S when a support group meeting can come in really handy.

Thank you, hopefully I am one of those people who bounce back quickly. I am a little worried about being hungry once I start solid foods. Like I've said, I eat healthy, just way too much!

Seppi, I think you should invite your gynocologist to go with you! When I told my gyn and my pcp, they were both excited for me and all for it. What does your gyn weigh, about 110, lol.

As for going to the meeting, our meetings are held at the hospital, I noticed the other night a girl came down in a wheelchair.

You'll probably feel ok to go, but the rest would do you better, your body's got a lot of adjusting and recooperating to do, just my opinion.

Can you imagine, yes she weighs about 110 pounds, she has never offered any support of thoughts, i told her one time I was on a diet, she barely acknowledged my statement.

Hi

Both doctors are really nice - I am also having the band surgery on the 24th with Dr. Bertha!!

Lauren

My name is Vinette i think i will use that i had my band on 4/2/04 i was 233 and not i am 190 i have diabetes and high calestoral i now excercise by walking everyday and my blood sugar is under control also my calestoral. The only problem i have since my surgery is their is a pain in my left shoulder i am not sure what connection that has with the surgery but it hurts. Does any one have that problem. My son is 16 and he is overweight he also has diabetes and sleep apnea i am not sure what age they do the surgery but i want him to get it also he weighs 285 lbs

Hi Seppi and Connersmom: Dr. Bertha did my surgery and I adore him though I wish he would smile more. BUT, that's okay too. I needed an excellent surgeon not an entertainer. Anyway, you will do fine. Their practice is so good about pre and post op stuff. Listen to Alexandra, she's the expert!!!!! Just look at her loss #s!!!! Lynn, the surgeon's office manager is a doll and Josephine is amazing. Nino is also great and positive.

Seppi, again in my opinion, tell you GYN how you felt about her negativity and hey, there's always the option of finding another. My PCP knows not to send me to any specialist who is not pro-patient. I especially expect a GYN to be positive. I am so lucky to use the most incredible GYN in Morris County. He is an excellent doctor plus a caring person. I broke my foot years ago and was sitting in ER waiting to be seen. He walked through after a false alarm labor, saw me, and sat with my DH and I until the ER people had me settled into a room. THAT's a nice and supportive doctor. Again, just my opinion and my personal feelings about things. You are about to begin one of the most wonderful and life-changing journeys you could take. Diet and exercise are great and they will be an important key to your weight loss, HOWEVER, there are those of us who need a bridge to get there. Too bad your GYN is blind to that.

Good luck all!!!

Ruthie

My pcp (thin) was obsessed with my weight, and attributed everything that went wrong to obesity. She was really negative about it, in a manner that probably was not helpful.

A couple of years ago, I finally said to her: "You need to understand that we don't know everything there is to know about obesity, and I have repeatedly tried diet and exercise, and for me it simply is not working. So the question I have for you is -- if I can't lose the weight, can you still be my doctor?"

That opened a good discussion that left both of us understanding the others' perspective. If that hadn't happened, I would have found another doctor, and I wouldn't have had a doctor who turned out to be a good advocate for lap band when I decided to do it.