Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Hello from Nashville!



Recommended Posts

Hi All,

WLS has been in the back of my mind for several years now. About 3 years ago, I attended a seminar at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN to inquire about gastric bypass. I decided then that gastric bypass wasn't really what I was looking for, too evasive and too much risk (a friend of my mom's died due to complications several years after her surgery).

Enough of my background...here we are today and now and I went to see my new doctor for a physical this week. I mentioned I was signing up for a 4 month weight loss management workshop where they work with you on changing your lifestyle. She mentioned that lapband might be a good procedure for me since I am currently 6'0" and 334....around 154 from the high end of my "goal weight". BMI calculates at 45. No other underlying medical conditions, as I am young, but I have a major history of heart disease on both sides of my family and do already have a bit of a high blood pressure.

Just beginning to learn about lapband here to see if I should pursue this on the advice of my PCP

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! I work in Nashville, but live in Clarksville. Have you looked at surgeons?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

nope. I am still researching the process of getting lapband and figuring out a timeline because I most likely won't be able to have the surgery until December, as that is when work is slow and I can take some time off. Where are you getting yours done?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! This is a very good place to learn about the lap band. I would also suggest, though, that you do some independent research. Use Google to search for "lap band surgery", "lap band diary", "lap band blog", etc.... read all the diaries and blogs you can find, watch the surgery being performed on You Tube videos (there are post-surgery diaries there too). Go to a seminar if you can, and a support group meeting or two also if you can. It's a big decision and requires a committment to changing your lifestyle a bit.

It's good to see you here, good luck to you whatever you decide.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon is Dr. Steely in Clarksville. I know several people that have gone to him and they really like him. My pulmonologist is at Centennial (you may have to have a sleep study done).

I just joined this board about a month ago and I am addicted! I have learned so much. Everyone is very friendly, helpful and inspiring.

6 months gives you plenty of time to get everything done. Go ahead and start a Dr's supervised diet. Keep records of EVERYTHING! This will help with insurance approval. And ask questions...there is no such thing as a "stupid question".

Good luck on your journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nance, thanks for the encouragement and suggestions of where to search...

JWRN - I am going to double check with my insurance, but I have BCBS of Tennessee and according to the Vanderbilt CSWL they don't require 6 months of a Med supervised diet, but they DO require you to lose 10% of your highest weight, which now means I need to track down 5 years of medical records and since 5 years ago I was in college, I didn't really have a PCP per se, I just used the student health services. Also, Jan 2007 - April 2008 I didn't have health insurance so I never really went to the doctor. I did use a clinic once or twice, but now I am worried I won't have adequate medical records.

I need to research them more, because i don't think their WLS program is very old, but Baptist has this nice timeline of steps on their website welcome to Baptist Hospital | Hospital Services | Metabolic Surgery Center | Surgical Steps

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nashville - I was there just a few months ago. I live in Singapore now and am having the lap band surgery on Tuesday. Can hardly wait. On this side of it, I am definitely convinced that this is the TOOL I need to lose weight. Would be glad to keep in touch and let you know how it goes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×