Hello all! I am fairly new to the forum, and just discovered this "Maine" board. I was wondering if ppl would like to do introductions? Even just some general info. Here's mine...

My name is Connie and I live in South Portland w/my boyfriend and our 2 children. I had my band placed on 12/12/2007. My starting weight was 296 lbs. My current weight is 244 lbs. So, I am just shy of 4 months post op and down 52 lbs. I work full time and am trying to find ways to slip in excersizing...but would appreciate any/all input on how you all find ways etc!

So, who's next?

Connie :Dancing_wub:

Hi there! Just found this Maine forum -- yay!

I'm Erin, 31, living in Portland with my partner and two kiddos (3 and 19m). I was banded on June 30th, so I'm almost a month out, and I've lost 17 pounds since surgery (29 since the beginning of the two week pre-op diet).

I was banded by Dr Cobean at MMC's Bariatric Surgery Center / Casco Bay Surgery. I can't say enough good things about the program, and I'm having fabulous results with no issues thus far. :thumbup:

Anyway, it's great to meet you all.

xo

Hey Erin.. so glad to see someone here who went through Casco Bay. How long did you have to wait for your first appt? I went to the seminar and they have all my paperwork, just waiting for the mail!!

Also glad to hear you are happy with the program. I have talked to others who didn't like the whole process of it, and thought it was easier to go somewhere else. I am looking forward to it because I want to fix the reason I overeat so that I never do it again.

Sounds like you have a great start to a new you.. congrats and best wishes

Hi Wicked... :thumbs_up:

You know, I didn't even look into other programs for a couple of reasons: 1: I was first introduced to MMC through my friend Kelley's bypass surgery there, and she had such a good experience with Dr Cobean that I was impressed, and 2: I live in Portland, so convenience was key too.

My path to WLS was much longer than most -- I did all the prep work in '06 and early '07 and was initially given a band date of March 5th, '07 when my insurance at the time denied me (no co-morbidities). :thumbup:

Ironically, we had been waiting to adopt kiddo number two around that time and got the call to pick up our two month old (at the time) daughter on March 4th, so it worked out perfectly, in the end.

This April I changed insurances and found out they cover lap-band with no co-morbidities needed if you have a BMI of over 40, which I did. I resigned up with MMC and the process when super fast from there because I had already done all my preliminary work. I had one SW appt and one nutritionist appt and signed consents in mid May. My surgery was scheduled for about 5 1/2 weeks after I signed consents -- teir average is 4-6 weeks, and I was on vacation for some of those weeks so requested a timeframe toward the end of that window.

I had good experiences with the nutritionist and SW... they used to have a SW that I couldn't stand, but she doesn't work there anymore. (Whew!).

I seem to have restriction just from the band -- I've had no issues transitioning to solid foods and am still feeling full after 1/2 a cup 3x's a day. Weight loss is slowing, which is to be expected, but I'm doing ok in that arena too -- so overall, one month out from surgery I'm super happy with both my band and my surgeon/his team.

I'll let you know if I stay this happy as time goes on!

Have you been to a support group yet?

I am planning on going to the aug 8th support group, if not the one on the 20th. I would have gone to one this month but thought I had to have my first evalution before going, but when I called to verify that they had all my info, the nurse said I could go.. I am trying to be patient, but am getting anxious. My 7 siblings and I are all getting together the last week of sept, first of oct so it needs to be a month before or after that,, more then likely it will take even longer.

I met Dr. Cobean at the seminar,, hes pretty conceded, but I wouldn't want a wishy washy doctor of any kind. I chose this program and didn't look at any others because the people I know who have had succesful surgery's went there, the ones who have problems are not following any program and are not being accountable for their actions.. I know someone who just had their band removed due to an ulcer,, from smoking! So scarey. I would not put myself through this physical and emotional stress just to screw it up,,, at least I hope not!! I don't drink,, even soda,, haven't smoked in years,, and am really sick of being overweight, less active, and not able to be myself..

let me know how things go?? Maybey we will meet sometime..

all the best to you

Donna

After 2 surgeries with Dr. Cobean I agree that your impression of him is correct. His surgical skills are excellent, but I found him arrogant, pompous, and difficult to communicate with. Which is unfortunate given the very personal nature of this type of procedure. Patients will do well, however, if they bypass him and go directly to the nursing staff at the bariatric center. They are an amazing team!

why the surgeries if you don't mind asking??

I went to a support group this week, got a few more questions answered, met some more of the staff.. They really are a great group of people. I won't meet with Dr. Cobean for quite awhile, I was going to ask if it would hold me back by changing to Dr. Wolfe, but I guess alll that matters is that he is a great surgeon, and the rest of the staff takes over as soon as surgery is over.. I was stunned to learn that most go home the same day, it takes awhile for the anestesia to wear off so I hope they keep me a day.. I would like a few hours to regroup without the influx of people around..

Due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries I was a bit of an unusual case due to my adhesions. There is nothing about my 2nd surgery that is of any concern to other patients. Dr. Cobean is technically great and if you do well you will actually do well with him. He will tell you himself he is not a 'hand holding' type of guy - so as long as patients have no expectations of him having outstanding bedside manner they will have no disappointments. Feel free to ask me anything by sending me a message. Good luck!

Hi everyone. My name is Shelbie and I live in Machias. I was banded in August 07 by Dr Toder at Eastern Maine Medical Center. So far I've lost 52 pounds, which is great, but discouraging as well because I was hoping for more in the first year after surgery.

Welcome Shelbie!

I haven't been banded yet, but am waiting for the call to meet with the surgeon..everything else is already done.. they are booking into Dec and Jan,, a little dissapointing because had they not had to hire a new social worker I would have had surgery this month.. I'm not discouraged, but am really ready for this to begin. You have had great loss, but can relate to feelings of discouragement as I will feel the same if it was me. I know that everyone loses at a different pace, but it will be hard to take if I am one of them because everything has been a struggle for me.

what happened that you had slippage and herniation?? Is there something that will help avoid those issues? I notice it was just after surgery so was wondering if it was because you were sick??

I am working really hard at trying to chew and eating less. cutting up everything really small is helping a lot. I have noticed I eat faster when the kids are talking at the dinner table,, need to work on ignoring it.

Any tips or suggestions on what to do or not do??

My complications were very soon after the operation was over. I came around with severe pain in the port area, but attributed it to the general pain I would experience from being cut open. I went home on liquids even though I was allowed to eat soft high protein food. 2 days after coming home I ate some scrambled egg (and by some, I mean maybe two or 3 small fork fulls) and instantly felt sick and had pressure in my chest. After I had thrown all the egg up, I continuted to be sick until I vomited bloood and then new that something wasn't right and had to make the 2 hour trip the ER at the hospital where my surgeon is and had emergency surgery first thing the next morning. ( I got to the ER at 4AM) The complications weren't anyones fault and once they were corrected, everything was fine. Although I am fearful of complications in the future (as I have written about in another post on here) I still find that I have problems with getting bored at work (which is easy since I am still in training, can essentially do nothing but read and have no one to "officially" train me) and also with the head hunger. I'm having a hard time fighting off the head hunger, which happens a lot when I'm bored. I am also experiencing some pain/discomfort in my port area, that has gotten worse in the past couple of days. I'm not sure what's causing it, but it makes me nervous. I think that preparing as much as you can before surgery is the best thing to do. Practice chewing a lot and eating slowly. And sipping water. Make sure you stock up with the things you can eat right after surgery as well. You might not feel like being up and around for a couple of weeks after surgery. The more you can do before surgery, the easier the adjustment will be after surgery.

Where are you going to have your band done and do you have a surgeon yet?

Hi all. My name is Bridget and I live in So Portland. I had surgery on May 16 at SMMC with Dr. Carroll. I had a wonderful experience with the Bariatric Program and I love my band! It's nice to hear from other Mainers!