HELLO! Is anyone out there?

I know there has been about 400 Lap Bands done by the surgeons group I am looking into using, does anyone in the Kentucky Area have any comments or suggestions about their physicican?

My husband knows Bobby.

I hope I do so well. I'm starting my liquid diet in the morning. I've made sure I had Los Mariachi's (my biggest weakness) and pizza. I'm sure I can probably have Mexican food some day again, but hopefully it won't take as much to fill me up.

Goodluck and stay in touch.

You'll do just fine. And I'm confident you'll be able to have Los Mariachi's again too. Have you ever tried their grilled grouper? It's the best I've ever had (at least here in Glasgow). I had it last Thursday night but I could only eat about a third of the fillet. It was still really good! I ordered it with a side of pico di gallo. Nothing else.

Also, I can tell you I've discovered that I don't have that "defeatest" attitude toward eating anymore. Before my surgery, I felt like it just didn't matter anymore and I might as well eat whatever I wanted b/c I couldn't lose weight anyway. But now, I know I've got what I need to make sure I lose the weight and it's much easier to be disciplined about what I eat. I won't touch sugar. It's not that I don't like it, but I don't want to retard my weight loss results!

It feels so good to be able to do that and not feel deprived. It's very empowering!

I'll hang in here with you! If you need me, just give me a shout. Btw: my email at work is sharontravis@kycourts.net and you've got mine here at home: sharontravis@glasgow-ky.com

Have you tried Dannon's Carb & Sugar control yogurt (not just carb control)? It only comes in a 4-pack that I've found. It is really good. Comes in strawberry and vanilla. Has like 5 grams of Protein, & only 3 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fat, and only 60 calories. Much much better than even regular lite yogurt. Not as "tart" as regular yogurt either. Even if you don't care for yogurt, you might like it. sugar free Jello is a good thing to have lots of on hand too!

Better go get ready for work!! Talk to you later.

Sharon

:)Stravi, you way near what I weight and my BMI is not 40, did you have any trouble getting insurance to cover? I am doing the weighting game with The St Mary's group, it has been about a month and no word about anything yet. I loved the dr. and the girls at the seminar. The doctor was the newest one to the practice, his name escapes me rite now.

Do you know if you get to choose which doctor you get out of the practice? I am going to keep in touch with you, I am so happy you are doing great. Oh also is it outpatient?

Thanks sorry I have so many questions.

:)Stravi, you way near what I weight and my BMI is not 40, did you have any trouble getting insurance to cover? I am doing the weighting game with The St Mary's group, it has been about a month and no word about anything yet. I loved the dr. and the girls at the seminar. The doctor was the newest one to the practice, his name escapes me rite now.

Do you know if you get to choose which doctor you get out of the practice? I am going to keep in touch with you, I am so happy you are doing great. Oh also is it outpatient?

Thanks sorry I have so many questions.

Hi Wanda,

Let's see..

I self-paid and didn't use my insurance, but a friend of mine did use our insurance (Humana). It took a year for her to get approved and I really don't know why it took that long.

My BMI was slightly over 35 (close to 36) but I have high bp, and dorked up blood sugar, arthritis in my neck, hips and back....all considered "co-morbidities". I actually qualified at 206 lbs (208 lbs minus clothes) with my other health issues.

Thru the Humana ins I have or if you're self pay like I was, yes, you absolutely get to choose your doctor. I can't speak to the choices other insurance companies may or may not give you.

Do keep in touch. Did I answer all of your questions? I hope you or anyone else who has this surgery feels as good as I do!

Where do you live? In Ky? Close to Glasgow?

Sharon

:)Stravi, you way near what I weight and my BMI is not 40, did you have any trouble getting insurance to cover? I am doing the weighting game with The St Mary's group, it has been about a month and no word about anything yet. I loved the dr. and the girls at the seminar. The doctor was the newest one to the practice, his name escapes me rite now.

Do you know if you get to choose which doctor you get out of the practice? I am going to keep in touch with you, I am so happy you are doing great. Oh also is it outpatient?

Thanks sorry I have so many questions.

oops...missed a question!

Yes, it's outpatient unless you have any complications and then they would want to keep you overnight.

I was all prepared to have major pain when I woke up from surgery. But I had none. I was dizzy from the anesthesia, but no pain. And I have a very low pain tolerance, so if there WAS any pain, I would have had it! I was able to get up and down out of bed, slowly. I was uncomfortable, but not in any pain that needed anything more than tylenol. I was as amazed as anyone. The 3rd night after surgery was the most discomfort I experienced. A body pillow helps keep you comfy trying to sleep. Now, I'm not implying that you can jump up and down and dance around the room or anything. I was slow and regular slacks and bras were out of the question for about a week. I couldn't take the pressure on the little incisions.

Other than that, occasionally (and Debbie from the Dr.'s office warned us about this) it felt like a little electric shock in my side. Enough to startle me and take my breath for a few seconds but it would quickly subside.

That's it. Piece of cake...so to speak!

Sharon

Stravi,

Thanks so much for answering all my questions, I am so excited and want to hurry up and get it.

I live in Louisville not far from St Mary's actually.

I emailed Lana at the doctors office today and asked her if I should be doing anything, she said they didn't even send all the paper work to the insurance until after I see the surgeon!! It has bee 4 weeks and I thought I was waiting on the insurance! Now I am so bummed out. I asked her how I get to see the surgeon and was I supposed to call to get the appointment but she has not replied yet , it was at the end of the day. I am just getting bigger by the minuete and afraid to try and lose weight for fear I won't be approved, I have Humana Preferred through the State employees, I sure hope they don't give me any trouble.

I can absolutely sympathize with you. Once you make the decision to have this done, it's like it cannot happen soon enough! That's one reason I decided to borrow the money and self-pay. I look at the loan like another car. My car has been paid for for several years...so it was like buying another car ..about the same amt of money, I mean. It makes things happen much quicker usually....it certainly did for me.

I'm not a very patient person when it comes to this sort of thing.

Where do you work? I'm the Family Court Administrator for Judge Nance in Glasgow. We cover two counties: Barren & Metcalfe. I love my job and I couldn't ask for a better person to work for. He's got more integrity in his little finger than most people do in their entire body.

My best friend is the Administrator of the Ky Chiropractic Board but she is retiring Aug 1st after 34 years. She's really having some separation anxiety! I would too if I'd worked somewhere that many years. She's still quite young too. She's considering having this surgery done too. Her health issues are much more serious than mine.

She also works part time for the Ky Podiatry Board. Plus she visits her mom regularly in the nursing home AND has a wonderful husband and beautiful yellow lab, Shelby. She, my best friend Beverley, has MUCH MORE energy than I've ever had. I couldn't do without her though. She's the closest thing to a sister that I've ever had.

Sharon

kygal,

I was initially self-pay, and had a consultation with Dr. Geller. He is nice enough, and I would have had him do the surgery, but my insurance company (Anthem PPO) added coverage for the procedure as of January 2007, so I waited. They will only allow Lusco, Olsofka, and Schuster. I am scheduled for lap band with Lusco on 8/15. My friend had gastric bypass with Allen about 6 years ago, whom he says is really good.

Hi All- My name is Kat and I live in Louisville. I started my journey this past January when I called Dr. Allen's group @ the Norton's Bariatric Center. My seminar was in March, first appt. @ the center meeting with the nurse, nutritionist and psychologist was in May. My appt with Dr. Allen was in June. I have United Healthcare and my info was submitted to them and approved within one week! My pre-op appt is August 16th and my banding date is August 27 @ Norton's. I've been exercising and being more mindful of what I eat, and I've lost about 18 lbs. :clap2:Dr. Allen doesn't require any pre-op diet other than a low-fat diet 2 weeks before surgery. It seems like it has taken forever to get to this point, but I feel like I'm finally in the homestretch! Good luck to everyone on their journey. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Well, tomorrow's the day for me. I'm very excited, but a little scared too. I found myself cleaning like a crazy person today. I went through clothes and started throwing out anything I haven't worn in 6 mos. I've never been able to stick to that rule before - but all things must change now. I've really done bad on the pre-op diet - but I figure that's all behind me to now too. Wish me luck!!

Good Luck!! I am praying for you that you won't be so nervous and everything goes perfect. Who is doing yours and what insutance do you have? I am in this process and pretty confused if I am doing things rite. Please Please keep in touch and if you feel like it let us know how you feel tommorow when you get home.

Hey playmate2be, I am in louisville, not far from Carita either. I can answer some ? for ya if ya need me too. Let me know. My email is Desiree405@aol.com. I just got my surgery date with Dr.Olsofka. August 15.

kygal,

I was initially self-pay, and had a consultation with Dr. Geller. He is nice enough, and I would have had him do the surgery, but my insurance company (Anthem PPO) added coverage for the procedure as of January 2007, so I waited. They will only allow Lusco, Olsofka, and Schuster. I am scheduled for lap band with Lusco on 8/15. My friend had gastric bypass with Allen about 6 years ago, whom he says is really good.

Looks like we will be there the same day. Have you went for your pre-op test. My first of the three appointments is on Aug 3rd. When is yours?

Melissa:

My surgery date was changed to 8/7. I went on Friday for pre-op testing, and start my pre-op diet today. I am very excited. Good Luck!

That cool, Hey my email is Desiree405@aol.com. I would like to keep in touch if thats ok. Are you on the the liquid diet now? If so what can you have and how long do u have to be on it?