gret1964

Hi, I am scheduled for surgery on Feb 23, and just wanted to say hello. I am a mom of 4 boys, and Im getting a little nervous.

Hi, LPKIng23, I read your posts, how did your meeting go at MUSC? I went there and was scheduled for surgery in February and at my 2nd consultation, at my preop visit, the doctor tried to persuade me to have the gastric bypass, he had said it was more successful, and he wasn't having success with the band. I really knew that I wanted to have the band since I first heard about it. I also found out that the doctor at Musc learned the proceedure from doctor Ponce, so I checked more into Dr. Ponce and the Gastric Band Institute of Chattanooga. I was pleased with all I learned and even though it was 7 hours away, decided that was where I would have my surgery. I saved almost 5,000 dollars also. I was self pay. I have no regrets. Dr. Ponce has done hundreds of these surgeries also. Musc has done just a few.

Hi bandedgirlSC, I live on Johns Island and had my surgery on March 14th. I was banded in Chattanooga, TN, by Dr. Ponce. I just received my second fill and have lost 33 lbs, so far. I am so happy to have gotten the surgery, I am learning slowly what works for me and have alot of bad habbits to change. I know taking the weight off won't happen overnight and I didn't gain it overnight either. I am a mom of 4 sons, from age 21 down to 6 years. Gretchen

Thanks Momlambert, I am worried and paranoid too, but I always try to stay positive. I was banded on the 14th of March. My surgeon is in Tennessee and I live in Charleston SC. I almost went to the emergency room last night, Right now I am starting to feel some relief. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I'm so happy to have you all for support. I called the doctor today and let them know that for the last two days I have been having horrible pains in my chest and stomache area. I feel like my stomach is bloated too. I have been eating soft foods, and did have a small piece of ham with sweet potatoes for easter. Last night I had 1 pack of water downed oatmeal, and the pain came back and lasted all night, This morning I had less than a 1/2 cup of coffee and a baby bell cheese ate it really slow, chewing and the pain came back. This is so hard. The doctor told me to go on clear liquids again, and call back tomorrow. They think that something may have got stuck, and thats why I have been PBing for the last 3 days. Has anyone else had this happen, and what did you do? I have lost 24 lbs. so far.

Hi everyone from SC, I live outside of Charleston, and had my surgery in Dalton GA, Dr. Ponce of the Lap Band institute which is in Chatanooga TN- only 30 min. from Dalton. The cost out of pocket was $13,800 for everything and he has done over1200 surgeries. I almost had the surgery here in Charleston and found out that the doctor here was taught by Dr. Ponce. The doctor here kept trying to push me to have the gastric bypass, and it wasn't for me. I had my surgery on the 14th of March and am doing great. Good Luck to you all- Gretchen

Hi everyone Hope all are doing well, I am still on

Hi everyone Hope all are doing well, I am still

Just trying to post my new ticker, I couldn't update my other one.

Congradulations everyone on your weight losses, and Good Luck to all those who are being banded this month. My Prayers and thoughts are with you, and I look forward to hearing everyones progress each and every day.

Bikergirl- thanks for the ticker info. Flea- I'm glad your doing much better, I'll keep in toudh.

Good morning all: I am feeling so much better today, I still wake up between 2-3 a.m. for about 15 minutes, Last night I felt a throbbing in my leg so I started walking around. I ended upstairs in our guest bedroom changing the bed that my brother stayed in when he visited last week. I was very careful not to stretch too much, ( He left monday and I had to work all day, then had to drive 61/2 hours the next morning at 5:00 a.m. to my pre-op with the anethesthesis- thats why the bed still wasn't changed) I went right back to bed and woke up feeling great. I still have some upper chest pain, but have lost 5 pounds since the surgery on wenesday. I now need to try to figure how to update my ticker for my weight loss. I truly want to thank everyone for all the information I get from you. This is so helpful. I really enjoy talking to you all, since I have 4 sons and a husband and really enjoy the female perspective on everything. God Bless you all - Gretchen

good luck to all monday bandsters, i'm feeling much better too thanks

Hi Flea, Hope all went well with your sugery, I was moved up in time, and have been stayingat the Wingate Inn right up the road from you. I felt so sick yesturday, but much better today, I will be going home Friday. I hope to hear from you and your progress.

Hi everyone, good luck to the March 15th bandsters! I was banded yesturday at 7:30 a.m., I was released around 1:00 p.m. everything was fine until I got to the hotel, I opened the car door and the heat hit me and made me exstremely nautious. I started vommiting, and the pain was horrible, I only heard of this from a couple of people. Later that afternoon after I took the liquid pain medicine I vommitted again. My husband is sooo worried. He thinks my band will slip, I called the doctor and they told me that it would be o.k. to switch to the chewable tylenol that I had brought with me and that has seem to help, I did have a fever all night too, but did not bring a thermometer, My husband picked one up today. and my temperature is now normal. Hope everyone is doing well Gretchen- p.s. I miss my 3 other boys, we brought our youngest son with us.

Hi All, I am going in at6:00 tommorrow morning, for my band at 7:30, I had to see an anesthesis today because of a previous problem after surgery in 2000. He says he doesn't see any problem with my airway and is trying to get the actual records from the anesthesis that did the previous surgery. Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers, and good luck to all. I also do not have a pre op diet, but a strick after diet.

Hi again, I just found out yesturday that my surgery was moved up to 7:30 a.m., I am getting soo excited, yet nervous. I had a couple of things to have faxed for the anethesist, because of a problem I had before waking up after surgery, but I am pretty sure everything is fine. Hope to see you there, and good luck. I still haven't made reservations yet.

Hi Felicia, My name is Gretchen and we have the same surgery date and with the same surgeon. Wow! My time is 11:15, what time is yours, and where will you be staying? I live in charleston SC.

good luck, I'm scheduled for March 14th, in Dalton GA.

I am supposed to be banded on February 23, and went for my last consult on Monday and was to preregister for surgery. To my surprise the Doctor tried to talk me out of the Lap Band and to get the gastric bypass. He said he hasn't had good results so far with the lap band. He has done thousands of gastric bypasses, and is a center of excellance, but has only done about 20 Lap bands. I was very disappointed. We have been praying and I really was excited for the surgery until Monday. I don't think I am having second thoughts about the surgery Just the surgeon. I have heard that there is a surgeon in Tennesee, who has done thousands of the lap bands. I would like to get someone else's opinion. Thanks Gretchen

Hi I am suppose to get banded on feb. 23rd, I to my last meeting with the surgeon yesturday, and to my surprise he was pushing me towards having a gastric bypass instead of the lap band. I have been researching the lap band for months and know that it is the way to go, especially after reading the posts from this forum. I think that because my surgeon has done thousands of gastric bypasses, and only a handful of lap bands, that he feels that the bypass is the way to go. He told me that he hasn't had good results in the lapband but would still do it. I have been praying and feel that maybe the proceedure is what I still should stick with but find a doctor with more lap band experience and have been checking out a doctor from tenessee. I would like to get someone else's feed back. Thanks Gretchen