madelinef

I struggled with weight problems for years, really since potting weight in college after being active in high school sports.  I developed hypertension and then borderline diabetes, and then my personal physician and OB-GYN suggested weight loss surgery.  I went to info sessions at CMC, at Presbyterian Hospital, and at Lake Normal, and even went to 2 surgical consults - everyone wanted to cut my stomach with a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.  I heard about a new surgeon to the area who relocated to Charlotte because of the lack of Lap Band surgeons and lack of Lap Band care here.  After reviewing his credentials, he came highly in demand from SC where he had developed centers of excellence in bariatric surgery, served as a proctor and teacher in laparoscopic and incisionless weight loss surgeries and I went to his info session.  What a breath of fresh air!!!! Dr Balder I love you!  He said there was absolutely no reason for me to not consider a lap band and even offered an "imbrication" procedure below the lap band to decrease the overall chance of post op slip; which in his years of experience seemed to stop hunger and greatly supplement the Lap Band satiety.  He told me that if I'd exercise 4 or more times a week (aerobic - to get my heart rate up into the 130-140 range; and "give up" or greatly limit white carbs (ouch...but not as hard as I'd thought!!!) that I could be a "rock star".  He is right, the weight is falling off of me; I am following all of his suggestions.  He is truly the ROCK STAR!!  
Girls and Guys, his is an innovator!  He puts the band port next to but lateral to the belly button, and does his own adjustments.  He also does them differently than every other surgeon in Charlotte.  He stands you in front of the X Ray arm and has you drink some contrast and explains what you see in front of you with your swallowing, your band and the tightness.  Then he tightens the band then and there himself!! (there seems to be a lot of .comfort in a surgeon that does all of this and does not rely on a PA, nurse or other person in the office to tighten me).  I head towards my goal quicker than I could have imagined, have already resolved my medical problems, and gone from a size 22 to a size 10!  Rock on Dr Balder!!!   Thanks for moving to Charlotte, you are the BEST!