Debra

Kathy My doctor told me that she didn't do the two surgeries together because of the bacteria that can come from the gall badder operation. She said being that the lapband is man-made material it could hold/absorb some of the bacteria and you could end up with a very bad bacterial infection! Just a little extra info! Best of luck! Debra

Chantal & Birdie! Wow! As a pre-bander (but getting close!) I find you both to be so inspiring! Great work! And now I know what the term "oneder-land" means! Debra

Hi ihvbzs! I know you had your surgery on 3/8 and I've been wondering how you are doing? I hope everything went ok! Please post soon and let us know how you are doing! Take care! Debra

WooHooo! How exciting! We'll be looking forward to your next post! Be calm, be positive, you are doing an awesome thing for yourself! Take care and God Bless! Debra

Hi BaileyM Dr. Deol said the surgery would take aprox. 2 hours and she just has you go to the bathroom before surgery and doesn't use a catheter. I had one in before for an outpatient surgery and I didn't even know it had been put in and taken out until they told me! Debra Oh, I went for my Upper GI on Friday. Piece of cake! Funny thing, usually I worry excessively about testings. I would normally have looked up the procedure on WebMD, and been a nervous wreck, but I was as calm as could be. This is just one more step out of the way of my becoming a healthy, energetic person! Just can't wait!

hey Brittwoman! Welcome ... and congrats on a huge weightloss! Does that include your pre-surgery diet weightloss or is that all from 1/9? Either way, that is awesome! I'm waiting for my surgery date so I'm curious about everything! You'll find this board is a wealth of info! Best of luck! Debra

Hi Laura! Welcome! I'm in the beginning stages myself. I met my surgeon last week and now I'm going thru all my tests. I've found that people respond better to the idea if you have done your research. It's hard to shut-down someone's ideas if they've obviously given them a lot of thought and effort! I thought it would be an uphill battle and that I would have to justify my decision every step of the way, but I was wrong! Everyone (from medical field to family) have been very supportive! And this board is terriffic! Best of luck! Debra

Chris There is a post that I think might help you. Go to the SUPPORT board. The post is "Tight in the morning, starving at night" by Donali. Hope this helps! You've averaged 5.5# a month since surgery so don't despair! That is not bad at all! Good Luck to you! Debra

Hi Nikki! Congrats on being "on the other side"! I haven't climbed over yet so I'm afraid I have no answers to your foaming, but I'm sure someone on this board does! I just wanted to drop a line saying I'll send good thoughts your way and I hope you are feeling better soon! Debra

I went for my consult today and was very pleased with my surgeon. I thought she was informative, kind, professional and seemed very on top of things. She did not make me feel rushed at all, she was there just for me. I recently had quite a few tests done, so now I "only" need my pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gasses, a cardiac evaluation and an upper-GI. Dr. Deol requests that you meet with a nutritionist and a pychologist that work together with you both pre- and post-op and I really like the sound of that. She asked me why I wanted the lapband over the gastric bypass and I guess I had the right answers (thanks to this board!) 'cos she agreed that the lapband is for me! :banana :banana :banana I'm so glad to know that this board is here! There is such a wealth of info and just a lot of caring, understanding people! Take care! God Bless! Debra 'awaiting the date!! 263.5/130

Hi Baileym! I called Dr. Deol's office on Monday and talked to Rebecca. I was lucky enough to snag an unexpected opening for today (Wed). Rebecca faxed over 14 pages for me to fill out and bring with me. They are both really nice! I was very pleased w/ Dr. Deol. I don't have a date yet, of course, but I'll keep you posted. Maybe we'll be hospital buddies! Take care! Debra

Hey Dawnsunshine! Congrats! I'm glad everything went well for you! Please continue to post and tell us how you are doing! I thought it was great that you could come here, say what problems you are having, and then have someone (in this case Anne) say "That sounds pretty normal". That must have been a big comfort for you. I am havng my surgeon consult today so I am glad to know that I can come here too for answers. I think maybe it's kinda like when you have your firstborn; ya know ... "ummmm, was he supposed to do that???" so you ask another mother! Anne, it think what you said about being good to yourself is really good advise! This is a major lifestyle change for us and it's something great and wonderful we are doing for ourselves, and should be treated like that. Best of luck! Debra

Hi J! Welcome! I'm pretty new here myself; in fact I have my first consultation w/ my surgeon this afternoon so I am pretty excited! I'm glad everything went went for you in Mexico! I have found this board to be a wealth of information and I'm sure you will, too! Best of luck to you! Debra

Hi BaileyM! Are you still going with Dr. Deol? I called CORI centers and they sent a packet for me to fill out. I sent it in and have not heard back from them. I've been in contact with their main office and they are very surprised that the surgeon's office has not contacted me yet. Sooo, I was looking into Dr. Deol myself. She has very good reviews and her website is very informative. However, it says you must have 6 mo of a Doctor supervised weight or excercise program to qualify. Have you found this to be true? Have you had your consult? I also read that you must see a Beaumont Internist (not just your own PCP) and the nutritionalist and pychologist appointments are set up by Dr. Deol's office. Have you gone thru this yet? Where abouts are you? I'm in the Grosse Pointe area. Thanks and best of luck to you! This is such an exciting and scary time! Debra

Nikki! That is so exciting! I'm waiting for my consult appt and I would just be thrilled if I get a surgery date then! Nervous, scared, elated, excited and thrilled!! I feel all those things for you right now and I don't even know you! (I'm gonna be a basket case when it's my turn for sure!!) Ha Ha! Anyway, that's great news for you! Go grocery shopping and fill that fridge w/ sugarfree mushy liquidy food! Best of luck! Keep us posted! Debra :banana :banana

Hi Sunflower! Have you looked under "peers", then your home state? I'm sure someone on that board can recommend a dr. and/or support group for you! From the message you sent to me ... I just want to be sure you understand that a lap-band is different from a lap RNY.If you go to coricenters.com they have a great procedures place to explain the difference. Unfortunately, CORI is in Michigan but it is still a great website for referencing! Best of luck to you! Debra

I love this forum! I'm waiting my consultation date w/ surgeon. I went to a support-group meeting the other night. Nobody there had been lap-banded and I was really disappointed! I really think that is the way for me! I'm so afraid of "failing" yet again, but if it were that easy to "blow-it" I don't think there would be nearly as many banders! I had a laporoscopy about 5 years ago and the shoulder pain from the gas was so intense! I was glad to read all the suggestions! I remember then that I could not lay down, and I was SOOOO tired and sleepy but everytime I would lay down the pain woke me up! I'll be ready this time! Thanks to all of you out there sharing your stories! Debra

Hi Vera, thanks for the welcome! The laproscopy I had before was just diagnostic, checking on cysts but finding endometriosos and uterine fibroids. Yuk!:ermm

Hello! Glad to see so many Michiganders out there! (Or did we change it to Michiganians?) I'm waiting for my consult with Dr. Schuhknecht from the Cori Centers. Anyone else gone there? So glad I found this forum! Debra :banana