Had my LAP BAND done on 11-26-2007 in Buffalo, NY at Buffalo General Hospital by Dr. Aaron Hoffman. I've have had no problems what-so-ever and the support from Dr. Hoffman has been FANTASTIC. He is the BEST doctor ever! I would recommend anybody from the Buffalo, Rochester, NY area to have Dr. Hoffman perform the BAND! GREAT DOC!:eek:

Hi everyone, especially the new members. I had my first appointment today. I almost blew it. I lost to much weight on SB! My BMI is .1 above the limit. Every single person I saw today warned me not to gain or lose any weight till surgery. I must maintain it and to me that is tough! The very first minute I went in to get weighed and they lost my original weigh in information. I would have been out of the program immediately BUT I had my copy. I cannot stress the importance of photocopying everything!!! I almost wish I had not gone in early to be weighed and was starting SB today. Anyway everyone was super nice answered all my questions and was helpful. I said I would ask and the I did so....the 5% weight loss is required by some insurance companys not the hospital. Mine, Independent Helath does require it. I was assigned Dr. Hoffman and from what you guys said I was happy. I could have switched it to Forbes but I believe he was assigned to me for a reason. At the end of the appt I found out they never received my psych evaluation so I called the doctor and had that resent even though they said they did send it. I have to have a colonoscopy and Dr. Hoffman is going to do that for me on July 10th. I just had an ECD so that was good. I went and got my blood work done and will start the 24 hour urine in the am. Thursday morning I am flying out for 10 days to babysit my grandkids in Asheville, NC.

Someone asked about getting an abdominal sonogram. I have to get the results of just about every test I ever had - mammogram, breast biopsy pathology report, UGI, abdomanal ultrasound, Sleep study, EKG and venous doppler, even if they weren't recent. I see the nutritionist again on JUly 22 and Dr. Hoffman on August 19th. I suspect Surgery will be in October. Whew, its been a long road but I feel like I am finally on my way.

I hope to go to the July support meeting.

thanks for the info...to lindatatu ..what is the BMI limit. Is it a set # or for you individually did u have to maintain a certain #. I wanted to start the SB diet but havent even gotten into the seminar yet and was concerned over the same kind of issue (although my BMI is 50). I went to the doctors today and I had lost 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks already, yay.

Oh man, Linda!! That's quite an ordeal...good luck on the maintenance; that would drive me nuts!!!

I have an appointment with Dr. Hoffman on the 19th as well; maybe we'll meet!

Daniella, BMI is 40 or 35 with two or more comorbidities (diabetes, HTN, sleep apnea among others). yes, keep a copy of everything. they have lost everything of mine up on 15, it has all had to be replaced from my own stash of documents.

i didnt have one

I would not rush out and have an abdominal ultrasound. After the seminar you probably have 4 months to get the testing done, whatever they need, so be careful not to overdo it. Many of us have had to have specific tests because of other problems. I brought in whatever tests I had, but I did not have any tests done until the clinic told me. You dont want to be stuck with paying a bill you do not need.

i didnt have one

Val, the dexamethasone reduced my cortisol, so I do not have a tumor or Cushings. I will probably try to deal with the abnormal cortisol after the surgery. all they care about from clinic is that the dexamethasone caused it to drop. So, will deal with it later. My primary care called, I did not hear from the Weight Loss clinic about it. Not a big surprise there.

Hi everyone, especially the new members. I had my first appointment today. I almost blew it. I lost to much weight on SB! My BMI is .1 above the limit. Every single person I saw today warned me not to gain or lose any weight till surgery. I must maintain it and to me that is tough! The very first minute I went in to get weighed and they lost my original weigh in information. I would have been out of the program immediately BUT I had my copy. I cannot stress the importance of photocopying everything!!! I almost wish I had not gone in early to be weighed and was starting SB today. Anyway everyone was super nice answered all my questions and was helpful. I said I would ask and the I did so....the 5% weight loss is required by some insurance companys not the hospital. Mine, Independent Helath does require it. I was assigned Dr. Hoffman and from what you guys said I was happy. I could have switched it to Forbes but I believe he was assigned to me for a reason. At the end of the appt I found out they never received my psych evaluation so I called the doctor and had that resent even though they said they did send it. I have to have a colonoscopy and Dr. Hoffman is going to do that for me on July 10th. I just had an ECD so that was good. I went and got my blood work done and will start the 24 hour urine in the am. Thursday morning I am flying out for 10 days to babysit my grandkids in Asheville, NC.

Someone asked about getting an abdominal sonogram. I have to get the results of just about every test I ever had - mammogram, breast biopsy pathology report, UGI, abdomanal ultrasound, Sleep study, EKG and venous doppler, even if they weren't recent. I see the nutritionist again on JUly 22 and Dr. Hoffman on August 19th. I suspect Surgery will be in October. Whew, its been a long road but I feel like I am finally on my way.

I hope to go to the July support meeting.

I am jealous, I have not lost anything on SB as far as I can tell. I think I am eating too much protein, i do not think I am eating many carbs.

Any special hints Linda?

Judy, I think certain plans just work for certain people. I do not drink with meals preparing for surgery so if I am full it is all food. I did not go overboard on protein except for the chili which I ate several times. Mostly lots of veggies. AND if I wasn't hungry I did not snack. I know there is a theory but eating when I wasn't hungry got me in this program so I don't want to start the habit plus after surgery it is only three meals. I was just lucky. Now I have to follow Phase 3 to maintain. Good luck.

Well Im back from surgery and everything went great. Dr Hoffman did a great job and Im only suffering from minor belly pain and some shoulder pain from the gas. It went really smoothly and I was actually taken on time for my 11:30 surgery time. I was in the recovery room by 12:45 and In my own room by 3. The nurses were really nice and the hospital stay was great. I wish I could go back so I could get some peace and quiet away from my active 4 year old. Im not sure how many details you guys really want but either PM me or just ask Id be happy to answer any questions.

Hello I sent all my paper work in June3rd, and have not heard anything! Is this normal. How long before I should call and ask if they received my paper work. I was hoping to be asked to the July seminar. any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Debbie

I sent my PCP forms to fill out concerning the lap band . The fitness form and the medically needed form . I haven't gotten them back yet .

Well I am also back from surgery. I had terrible nausea for both days in the hospital, but the staff was great. Dr. Hoffman did a wonderful job!! I was in surgery for 35 minutes. Was still wonderful to come home. I still have some belly pain and tiredness.

Debbie, It never hurts to call. I would, and did many times. They also lost my paperwork a couple of times. Don't feel funny about calling, it can be a very frustrating process.

Well Im back from surgery and everything went great. Dr Hoffman did a great job and Im only suffering from minor belly pain and some shoulder pain from the gas. It went really smoothly and I was actually taken on time for my 11:30 surgery time. I was in the recovery room by 12:45 and In my own room by 3. The nurses were really nice and the hospital stay was great. I wish I could go back so I could get some peace and quiet away from my active 4 year old. Im not sure how many details you guys really want but either PM me or just ask Id be happy to answer any questions.

What did you mean by saying you had shoulder pain from the gas?

Hello I sent all my paper work in June3rd, and have not heard anything! Is this normal. How long before I should call and ask if they received my paper work. I was hoping to be asked to the July seminar. any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Debbie

It is normal, the process is that slow. I called for paperwork in early February and I think I received it mid-March. Went to a May seminar. Call, fax and mail!! Hang in there.