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

Recommended Posts

Hi Everyone,

I am brandy new here and would really appreciate some help. I am seriously thinking of lapband surgery. I've been over weight my entire life and its not getting any better. I'm 40 (41 in august) and I have arthritis, bone spurs in my spine as well as DDDisease in my spine. In short my back, knees are always hurting. Year after year this extra weight is not helping I know. I am very ready emotionally to have the procedure its just that I don't know enough about it and I want to learn as much as possible before I do it (scared yes, but more scared not to).

The hospital I would most likely go to b/c of my insurance is Hackensack.

Do you recommend any doctors from Hackensack?

How long did you have to stay in the hospital?

How long did the procedure take?

Thank you so much for your help !!!

NJChick :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi NJChick!!

Sorry I can't help you with Hackensack, I had surgery at Morristown Memorial. But I wanted to welcome you to LBT and say I'm glad there's yet another NJ girl joining the ranks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

I live in Fort Lee, NJ. My surgery was at NYU in New York City. The doctor I have heard about at Hackensack hospital is Dr. Garth Ballantyne. I believe he has a website.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, from all the research I have done, I am convinced Dr. Ballantyne is THE man at Hackensack.

My surgery with him is in exactly 36 hours from right now.

Here is his website:

ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC, TELEROBOTIC & BARIATRIC SURGERY

His practice is very busy, and like most busy surgeons there are alot of hoops to jump through before he will even have a consult with you.

The first step is to go to his next seminar.

I am planning on a 23 hour hospital stay, and the procedure itself should be just under an hour.

Feel free to contact me off list, I will share whatever specifics I can with you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ira you'll be in my prayers tomorrow!!! for a safe, speedy recovery. Please let us know how it all went. I had my daughter in Hackensack 4 years ago and I also had a D&C (miscarriage) out patient procedure there. Both times the experience was great. I know you'll be in good hands there (thats why I want to go there for the procedure) :)

I just looked at the list of insurances that doctor takes and mine is not one of them. I'm sure there are others in the area. Its just going to take some investigating.

Thanks Everyone !!!

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

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 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

    ×