Wow....Congrats on the next steps!!!

I attended a seminar on Monday (3/5/12) and I wanted to have the surgery on Tuesday!! LoL I have my first consult on 3/26/12 which seems forever away. I wish I could I could speed up the process.

I hope to read more of your blogs after each step so I know what to prepare for. Hope to read more soon

Hey are you going through PeaceHealth Southwest? I ask because you're describing the exact process I went through and even the WLS coordinator ha the same name! I was banded there by Dr Jan on Feb 1st. He's not very warm and fuzzy (brisk and business-like) but when I told him the band was what I wanted and I wouldn't consider bypass, he didn't try to talk me out of it. If the doctor who did your seminar is difficult, try meeting with Dr Jan instead. I couldn't be happier with my decision! (I was seld pay, btw, so my process was super fast and efficient)

Best of luck!!!

I am going through SW! Dr. Cagle gave the presentation, and while I'm sure she's a great surgeon I want someone whose on board with what I want. I won't consider bypass. I know the procedures have gotten much safer, but I don't want to mess around with stapling the stomach, attaching intestine, etc. I've heard Dr. Jan isn't the warm-and-fuzzy type from a few people! I don't need that in a surgeon - most surgeons aren't that way anyhow - so I think I'm going to request him over the other two.

Morelgirl - how are you doing with your band?

I'm doing good! I've lost about 17 lbs so far including the preop diet (10 lbs preop, 5 weeks since banding) but I've only had 1 fill and I don't have good restriction yet. I felt the same way about bypass and sleeve. I can't justify to myself the removal or rerouting of healthy organs. The band surgery was quick and recovery for me was very easy. Dr Jan is a bit remote, but he answers questions clearly and honestly, he did not try to talk me out of the band, and he listened when I went in for my fill about what I wanted and how I was doing. I'm going for my second fill 3/23 (3 weeks after my first fill).

So far I'm losing slowly, but I'm okay with slow so lng as the weight does come off and it stays off. I'm very committed to the process, track all my calories and my protein and am building in more exercise, but I think if a person acknowledges that the band is just a tool and that it takes work to lose with it, then there's no reason to get bypass instead. Just remember that while some people lose fast, the average rate with the band is 1-2 lbs per week. Good luck to you! Let me know if you have any questions or anything!

I had the lap band on 03/06/2012 and so far it is the best thing ever. I have lost 8lbs since surgery and 14 before surgery. My surgeon has not done a fill yet, I believe she is going to do that on my pre op visit in two weeks. So excited about this new journey. I was just like you and morelgirl. I was not fond of the gastric sleeve or the bypass. I have Hypertension and enemia and did not want to replace those medications for other medications because of lack of nutritional absorption. The lap band was definately the best decision for me