A new Dr. K thread is being born! Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and join in!

The current thread is great, but I have heard from a few people who have been intimidated from the length and tightness of it. I have never been able to read every page myself, but have learned a lot from being there!

This new thread has NOTHING to do with undermining the current thread, but it seems if the car feels too small, get a bigger one....so, I am going to put my head on the chopping block and try it out...I just hope that no one reaches for the cleaver.

It would be great to discuss how you found out about Dr. K, what your experiences have been, when you were, or are, banded, where you're from, fears and excitements you've had, etc.

I am hoping that if this thread is meant to survive, it will.

If you are more comfortable jumping into this new place, please post. Without input, this ain't going nowhere!

Please, don't anyone grab the meat cleaver, this is not an attack, for I have found support on the other thread. There is more than enough room for all of us! I am just hoping to meet needs that might not be getting met.

C'mon folks, post!

I know I'm a big girl - but

HUGE HAPPY CARTWHEEL!!

I've been lurking in the Dr. K threads for quite some time now, but didn't feel like I could contribute since I wasn't actually a patient yet. I figured out financing today, I'm gonna do my phone consults mid-march (spring break - I teach), and hopefully have surgery in early June!! It's a long way off, but not as far away as it seemed thirty minutes ago! Just had to share my joy and the start of my journey to band land!

:Banane45::Banane34::Banane44::Banane25::woot::party:

My name is Julie. I live in Colorado Springs. I'm waiting for my consultation with Dr. K on March 21. But I'm impatient, so I've been reading the posts here. While doing so, I've come up with so many questions.

1. For people who are self paying and having their surgeries now-ish, how long did you have to wait?

2. If you only live an hour and a half away, would you stay in one of the hospitals to make your life easier?

3. I take soooo many pills. How do I get them in liquids, or can I swallow pills one at a time (I ususally down 20+ at once, and they aren't all small!)? I'm curious, because I read somewhere that people were taking pain killers, and I know Tylenol and Vicodin don't work, but Percoset does.

4. Does anyone here have the band and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Thanks,

Julie

Hi Julie,

1. I was self pay and needed my surgery date to be in a specific week due to work commitments, but I probably could've had it much earlier if not for that. I first contacted Dr. K's office in mid-December and my surgery was in mid-February.

2. If you stay overnight in a hospital, it will of course cost you more than the outpatient surgery in a surgery center -- I have no idea how much. I stayed in a hotel (of course, I flew in from another state). Even though you're only 90 mins away you might want to do that too; I can't imagine that driving that long after surgery would be very fun. My surgery was in Parker and I stayed in a hotel about a minute away. I know there are hotels very close to the hospital in Aurora too.

3. You should discuss meds with Dr. K at your consult. He should be able to tell you which one you can get in alternate forms and which ones are OK to swallow and when. There is a liquid Tylenol, which I have used since the surgery for headaches, et cetera. At my pre-op I was given a prescription for liquid Lortab and I am not ashamed to say that I used it.

4. Can't help with this one.

Good luck & keep us updated!

Hi Julie!

Congrats on your decision to get surgery from Dr. K!

He's the greatest!

I think I can answer some of your questions:

1. I didn't have to wait that long the first time around. It's a long story, but my first scheduled surgery was cancelled. I think I waited 4 weeks or less. You'd have to ask Marilyn (she's Dr. K's receptionist) she is the only one can tell you how long you'd have to wait. He's pretty busy so it might be a longer wait now.

2. There is a girl from the Springs on the main Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum forum. You might want to ask her. Her name is Anita. Post over there and ask that question. If it would me and I'd have that long of a drive, I might consider staying the night, BUT there is nothing like your own bed!

3. The pills are a big 'no no' -- I specifically asked Dr. K about my meds on my first post op visit. I told him, the bp med is fine, I could chew it if I had to, the Biotin for my hair and nails isn't a problem, but the Lipitor is horrible! I asked if I had to continue crushing it and when I could just cut it into smaller pieces. He said, I'd have to crush it forever. I was sad, but I understand the reason. You really don't want to get your meds stuck or you don't want them just sitting there in your pouch, causing ulcers in your stomach. I got everything in liquid and what I don't have in liquid, I'm crushing and taking with apple sauce. The most difficulty I've had has been with my multi-vits. I am now taking a chewable I got at Vitamin Cottage.

4. Sorry, I don't have experience with that.

Good Luck Julie! AND welcome!!!

dee~

Julie,

I live 5 miles north of Monument, I had my surgery in Parker and my husband drove me home afterward. I slept the whole way, I was still pretty drowsy. Good luck to you I hope everything goes well.

Denise:wink:

SAVE THE DATE:

Dr. Kirshenbaum is hosting a BBQ Reunion

August 2, 2008, Saturday

Time and Place to be announced

Please RSVP Natalie @ ncardenas@lapbandrockies.com by

July 25, 2008 with your before and after pics!

Do you have clothes that just don't fit right, now that you've lost those ugly pounds?

Come to Dr. Kirshenbaum's office:sneaky:

May 21st @ 6pm to 7:30pm:tongue_smilie:

and swap them with other successful Banders!:blushing: