OK--I've been to 7 weight loss seminars (I could probably give one myself!) I have narrowed it down to 2 doctors. I would like YOUR advice as to what personality is best:

Doc # 1 has a fun, witty personality--but I know that he will be STRICT with me--pre-op 2 weeks Optifast, Post Op-2 weeks clear liq., 2 weeks full liq. He will be kind--but demanding of me to succeed, and succeed well! He has done many bands.

Doc#2 is laid back and easy going. Pre op--10 days of any liq (even pudding, etc.) Post op-1 week liq, 1 week soft. He has done 250 bands.

Advice?

(one of the docs is $2100 more than the other...trying not to let that make a difference for this self-pay future bander )

I haven't been banded yet. However I would go with the more strict one. From what I read and the from the support groups I went to . If you can't put the effort in for pre op/ post op procedures you might not want to be banded at all.

At least this is what my doctor told me when I went. And he ain't even strict.

I GO BY MY INSTINCTS. HOW I FEEL AROUND THAT PERSON. do they put me at ease......... of course .... make sure they are totally qualified.

I dont actually have anything to do with the surgeon now, he has doctors working for him to do the fills. I went with the best clinic set up all round. I liked the surgeon, I wouldnt have let him do the op if I didnt, but it wasnt the only factor. The clinic is convenient to me which was a big plus.

Everyone is different. Which surgeon do you think would be more motivating to you?

Personally, doc #1 sounds like my idea of the PERFECT surgeon -- fun and easygoing about the stuff that doesn't matter but strict about the stuff that does -- like the pre- and post-op diet, plus very experienced. But that's me. Other people might be driven crazy by him.

Which one did you like better? Which one are you more confident will do a good job? Those aren't questions the rest of us can answer.

The post op diet sets the tone for the life of the band. Assuming they are equally qualified, Dr. #1.

My doctor is annoyingly conservative too, I believe that is why his stats are as good as they are. I hated him during the post op diet, two weeks clears, two weeks fulls, two weeks soft, then gradually reintroduce solids. But 15 months later I appreciate that he was annoying, painfully, and horribly conservative.

OK--I've been to 7 weight loss seminars (I could probably give one myself!) I have narrowed it down to 2 doctors. I would like YOUR advice as to what personality is best:

Doc # 1 has a fun, witty personality--but I know that he will be STRICT with me--pre-op 2 weeks Optifast, Post Op-2 weeks clear liq., 2 weeks full liq. He will be kind--but demanding of me to succeed, and succeed well! He has done many bands.

Doc#2 is laid back and easy going. Pre op--10 days of any liq (even pudding, etc.) Post op-1 week liq, 1 week soft. He has done 250 bands.

Advice?

(one of the docs is $2100 more than the other...trying not to let that make a difference for this self-pay future bander )

Where in Florida?

I would go with Doc # 1. You will have a much better chance of success. My Doc (Ben-David at UF) had me sign a contract before he would even speak to me. He also expected me to attempt to lose up to 20 lbs before the surgery. 2 weeks on liquids then 3 on pureed foods after surgery. Pre-op it was liquids fo 2 days.

I am happy because he expects me to work for my success. His experience is that sucessful lose comes with good follow-up.

Good Luck

jb:

If you're going to the extreme of having the lap band this probably means that you cannot do it on your own with alot of success. So, I would go with the surgeon that will be the most strict because you probably need this type of support and enforcement.

However, if you're going to crumble under pressure go with the surgeon that is less strict.

My surgeon is conservative with the stricter rules. However, he's also a very nice person that I feel comfortable with. On one weigh-in I gained 3 pounds. I don't know which of us was more disappointed, me or him. Another thing to consider is whether they have support groups too. I find my support group helps alot.

Whichever one you chose, please follow the rules they give you to be succesful.

Good for you to put so much thought into picking the right surgeon for you.

Best wishes.

Sue

Thanks, Sue and Mommy2, for your thoughts. Tomorrow, I am seeing the psych. and then, the surgeon. I am going with the more experienced and more "involved" surgeon. My gut is telling me that this is the right way to go! (I have learned to listen.) Also, without mentioning names, someone else on this board used the other doctor I was thinking about and has had some problems where the doc made a bad mistake!

Tomorrow, I should have my surgery date.