Hey everyone -

I went to my first Support Group with Dr. Chae's office last Thursday and met quite a few of you. Several had not heard of this website, so I hope you have joined in. This is a place we can connect with each other!

---paisleypea

aka Tobi-Lynn

Hi, I just got approved for the surgery on Friday!!! So excited!!! Having problems reaching anyone to actually schedule the surgery, however, has anyone else experienced the same thing?

Congrats! that's awesome!

I did have a hard time getting thru sometimes, but found that Susie was not usually in the office except on thurs and fri.

I know he does surgeries all day on Monday and some on Tuesday too.

Just keep calling and emailing.

(she can check from home I think)

Holy Cow can I relate to having a hard time ever getting through to Dr. Chae's office! I had my surgery on May 18th and have been doing great...but if I could change anything it would be that he would hire an extra person to help run the office! It took me like, TWO weeks to get through to Susie to schedule my surgery after I got approved...it also took forever to schedule my first initial consultation back in January.

It usually wasn't until I left an upset e mail or phone message that I would get a response. Frustrating.

BUT...I love Dr. Chae. I find him very comforting and easy going. I have lost about 22 pounds since surgery so far. I probably should try going to a support meeting...when is the next one?

One thing I've learned in the past few days is call PAM the program director. I have her cell if anyone needs it. It's also on Dr. Chae's website. She lit a HUGE fire under Susie and Susie called me back at 8:30 LAST NIGHT. So, I'm finally scheduled. July 27th! Sooooo excited, but nervous. I live in the Springs, but I want to attend at least one support group before I have the surgery.

22 lbs since May 18th? AWESOME!!!! I hope to have similar results!

I think Pam is on top of it - but I'm unsure what she does exactly?? I called her initially from the website and she made my first consultation appointment. I've not ever seen her in the office though, just Susie and Kelly (sometimes). Do you know what she does?

Going to a support meeting before the surgery was a huge energy and encouragement push for me! They are always the 2nd Thurs of the month

Pam is the Bariatric Program Director. I'm pretty sure she's over Susie. She did mention that Susie is not the best at returning phone calls, and she sent her an email about calling me back and copied Dr. Chae on it. Yes, they need someone in the office, that does nothing but answer the phone. I was almost about to switch surgeons because of the lack of support. But I really did like Dr. Chae, and now I'm glad I stayed.

I will definitely go to the next support meeting!

Hi! I've been trying to schedule my first follow up appt since last week and haven't been having any luck...grrr...it's so frustrating. I feel like I'M being a pest, but all I'm trying to do is schedule an appointment!

Ms. Paisleypea - hope all is well with you, you're a little over a week out...how are you feeling?!

I agree with all of you, Dr. Chae is great!!

I'm approaching 1 month out and feel great! I can't wait to see where all this takes me!

Dr Chae is great! Was banded on May 4th, and have my first follow up next week! Dr Chae even called me the day after I ended up in the ER with other problems, my ER Dr had called him while I was there apparently.

Whew finally found the group. I think the best way is email

susie that is when you will get the best response. Dr. Chae is great.

I really appreciated all of the group Thursday and having the opportunity to share my inspiration with everyone. I wanted to thank everyone for participating! And all the great advice, this is sure a journey and I have a questions How do you remember to take your Vitamins? What is it that everyone does to keep their Vitamin intake up to par.

Teresa,

Thank you for leading the group...it went really well! It was wonderful to hear so many ideas and tips from everyone Also, you were great with keeping everyone on track and participating...excellent job! Your stories and examples were very touching, especially about your son. Thank him for all he has done for us to keep us safe.

For me, with the Vitamins...I take a few other pills in the AM. The vitamins have just become a part of those...as soon as I get up I drink some H2O, take the pills and vitamins and wait a bit before eating. Then, in the evening I take the vitamins again right before brushing my teeth.

What helps me to remember is having the Vitamin bottles out in the bathroom so that they are visible. It's already become a habit to take 'em, whereas I never took vitamins before. I bought 'em, but never took 'em!

Will definitely see you next month at the support group and glad you found LapBandTalk.

T-bonz aka Tommye

Hi guys it is Dena ~ yes I finally joined the lapband talk website and saw that there was this online support group. I am sorry that I missed the last meeting ~ but I did have FUN at my family reunion.

I just had my 4 month anniversary on 7/16 I am currently 72lbs down.....I feel FABULOUS. I do think that I need my 2nd fill though as I am starting to feel hungry sooner than I should and I am able to eat larger portions. Tried this last week to get ahold of Susie via e-mail no luck but I also was very persistant will try harder next week.

I will see you all at the meeting on the 13th.

Toodles for now.

Dena

Hey everyone!

I went in for my 2nd fill last Friday. I am on pureed foods today and tomorrow and I can feel it going "down" - even just liquid! He put in 2.5 cc's and I was "sliming" - as I tried to drink the Water. wow - sliming water! At least now I know what that feels like. ha! he took out .5 cc's so now I have a total of 5 cc's in my band. Both he and Kelly mentioned the average being around 7 cc's for people ----- so ----- I'll try this a bit. I met with Kelly (but didn't realize it costs me $50 each time to do that!) and it was GOOD. I was doing some things wrong and I understand a lot of the WHY's behind rules better now too.

Good luck to you all.

Teresa - thank you for leading the session last group. How did the other group(s) go? As far as Vitamins ---- I am still trying to remember them consistently.

See you soon!

Tobi-Lynn

hey everyone...I had my second post op with Dr. Chae on July 31st and he was really impressed with my weight loss. I am over thirty pounds down since surgery (I didn't lose any before surgery so this is all since May!).

I think I am finally ready for my first fill, have actually gone up a few pounds in the last couple of weeks due to suddenly being able to eat more. And as usual, I have left a few voice mails with Susie and have received no return call. As I looked through the posts on here I was reminded to call Pam...I will look for her number on the website, but JTiffJones...if you have her number handy I'd appreciate it if you could send it to me!

I want to get this fill before I back track anymore...I am still exercising several times a week, but I have still gained a little. Just a few pounds, nothing terrible, but I don't want to gain anymore!

How are you all doing? How's the weight loss going?

Congrats on your weight loss! I'm doing really well too, 19lbs since 7/27! I've actually been trying to schedule my first fill as well. It's driving me NUTS. I have never dealt with an office as frustrating at this. What makes me nervous is that if it's this hard to schedule a fill, what happens if there's an emergency and I need an unfill and need an appointment fast? I can't wait weeks to just talk to someone. I'm actually about to call Pam again (right now) and let her know Susie is slow to respond (again). Her number is:303-903-2930. She will get back to you.

Good luck!

Thanks for the number! And in terms of an emergency, Dr. Chae did give me his cell phone number when i had my very first consult with him, I think it's in my other purse, so I'll have to get back to you with that. Although I do think Susie on her voicemail greeting does leave a number for urgent calls, so I will check to see if they are the same number or not. Anyways, I will look for his cell for you.

Congrats on your hard work, it's nice to see the pounds melt away, huh? I got so used to losing weight since I got surgery that the last two weeks of no loss (and as I said before, actually UP a little now...grrr) is making me anxious. So I will definitely call Pam first thing tomorrow to set up my first fill. Thanks for your help!

Talk to you all soon!