lepez

I would like to know if anyone has had their sugery performed by Dr. Ninh Nguyen in Irvine, california. Please let me know what you liked AND did not like and if you have had any complications. I really appreciate your response.:help:

I am supposed to have my gallbladder removed by him and I was just informed of the same thing. Does anyone have his actual NEW phone number because he is covered by my insurance.

Hi. I am an RN and of course I am obsessive about looking into surgery before I will go under the knife. Hence, I have been researching the lap band for almost a year. I was scheduled to have it done in September but in late August I was informed that a new gastric band will be released in the U.S. sometime in 2008 and will have no port and will be adjusted telemetrically by a remote control device outside the body. I cancelled my surgery to wait for this band since the thought of having a port infection or complication freaks me out. However, the thought of the gastric band becoming a reality is making me almost have panic attacks. Yes, I am slightly afraid of the surgery itself but I am mostly afraid of the life change. I am not that worried about the thought of not being able to eat certain foods. When I really start to think about it, the thought of looking great kind of scares me and I can't figure out why. I can't figure out why I feel so much more normal and safe in a fat suit. I need to get to the bottom of this so that I can truly work on my root issues or I will not be successful. Did anyone feel this way? Could you please share your thoughts on what scared you about the surgery , the life changes, compliments, and unexpected feelings that would happen after surgery:ballchain:. I would love to hear how you overcame the mental challenges that arose from having the surgery, losing weight, and how you handle stress now. Maybe if I hear enough stories then I will have an "Ah Ha" moment and be able to really identify what is at the root of my insecurities. Thank You So Much in Advance, Cheryl

Thank You all for your help.

If you have a complication the insurance companies WILL pay for it. They could not deny a legitimate complication. The same goes for elective cosmetic surgeries and procedures that are self pay. If there is a complication and reason to remove the lap band the insurance company will even pay for that surgery but will not pay to have another one put in.

I hear that the telemetric gastric band is going to be FDA approved in 2008. Does anyone know which month for sure? I am waiting but getting restless.:help:

Taismommy - Thanks for the article. Does anyone know a projected start date? My doctor thinks February or March but he does not know for sure until the company notifies him. I thought that maybe someone knows a doctor or someone who works at the company who has more inside information. Oh well, it was worth a try.

It is a new type of gastric band that has no port. It has a hydraulic system within the band which is adjusted by the doctor from a remote control on the outside the body. It was trialed in Europe for about 4 years and had been trialed here in the U.S. for a year. The results have been about the same as the lap band but minus all the port infections/ flippage and 2nd surgeries to fix the port problems. The company has applied for FDA approval because of the positive results and it is expected that it will be approved for use in 2008.

Dear Cookielover, I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I wish I could leap over there and give you a big hug. I think it was cowardly and reprehensible that after 25 years your friend dumps you in an email. The least that she could have done was have a phone conversation with you. I do however understand that she obviously has some deep food issues as a child with her severely restictive mother. Maybe when she saw that you are being really restrictive in your carbs and sugar she was re-living her childhood issues. But frankly, she may be jealous that you are taking care of yourself and are possibly a happier person. The other option is that you might be talking about food issues, restictions, exercise, etc. so much that she might view you as a different person from the one she has known all these years and is not enjoying her time with you in the same way she use to. Either way it is my opinion that you should pick up the phone and talk it over so you don't wonder for the rest of your life Why she really stopped being your friend. It is a sad thought but sometimes we outgrow our friends. Maybe your friendship with her will end but you WILL make many new friends along the way that will have your new interests and new positive outlook in common. Good luck with the situation and I will keep you in my prayers. Cheryl

Hello fellow nurses. I have been a night shift RN on a pediatric oncology unit for almost 11 years , but I just got a new job as a clinical care coordinator which I start monday. I can't wait to work days and NO holidays or weekends!!!! I am not banded yet because my doctor said that the telemetric gastric band will be FDA approved in 2008. He thinks around Feb. or March. If anyone knows anything please share. Wasabubblebutt- Thanks for the travel food tips. I can't wait to try them as soon as I get my band. I have never heard of dried cantaloupe. Sounds Yummy.

Dear Serena, You have been through an unimaginable experience. I am so sorry that your life has been turned upside down. You said that your life has no meaning,however, you can bring NEW meaning to your life. Think about what new things interest you and focus on bringing one smile to your face a day. Pretty soon you will have a new focus, new hobbies, and know that people care about you. You have a new chance each day to find your passion. Be angry, grieve, and then pick yourself up and find your new passions. You can do this!!!!!!! Please know that we are always here so that you can vent, share your struggles, your blessings, and even your one smile moment for the day. My heart is with you and you will be in my prayers every day, Cheryl

Cosean, Thank Goodness that you are ok. You should ask your doctor about prescribing the Epi Pen for you. It is an emergency shot of epinephrine that you carry in your purse and have in the house to inject yourself with incase you have trouble breathing. It comes with easy to use directions. Better safe than sorry. Stay away from those KIWI for life!!!!!

You are a really lovely person!

I agree 100%. Well stated.

My doctor ( Dr. Nguyen) said he is switching to the new telemetric band in January. It sounds really good not to have a port but I have not heard much in the way of info on this site. Does anyone know more info on the rates os slippage or erosion etc. i looked on the website but it doesnt mention any studies and I can't seem to find much on it. The surgical technique appears to be the same so I need help to decide whether I wait till Jan. or Feb. or get the VG band now. Thanks.

Yes. My friends lawyer did it but fortunately never needed to pull the therapist in because he settled right before they went to court.

- I agree whole heartedly with Kat817. Your brother NEEDS to get a restraining order against her because it will help your case. If she threatens you in one of your husband's emails then You can get a restraining order for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN. that would take care of the problem with her seeing your children. - Forward ALL 1000 emails to a good friend or family member to print in hard copy. You never know what threats you might find in them or evidence of her being truly psychotic and unfit to be with your children. She might talk about drinking or addictions ( you never know). SEND THEM ALL. - Don't keep hard copies in your house because he could destroy them and delete the electronic version. - ALSO, don't tell your therapist anything that can incriminate YOU!!!!!! If you were to go to court then both you and him could supina( I know I spelled it wrong) the therapist or her notes to court.

Zannie, I am so sorry that this has been so out of control. I haven't followed for a couple weeks so I had some catching up to do. First of all, you have every right to still be devistated. This is such a huge change for you. I agree that you shouldn't make any major changes unless you are ready. However, there is one thing I want to suggest. Just in case he were to serve you papers( and he probably WON'T but you never know) you need to get a few things done for yourself while it is still BOTH of your money. Things that you would not want to pay for yourself like new tires on your car, major dental work, new clothes in a few smaller sizes, gift certificates for the grocery store, clothing stores or toy stores for presents and stuff later, a new camera and flashcards, etc. It can't hurt to be prepared and even if you work it out you need that stuff anyway. I hope you take care of yourself. You are in my prayers

Thanks. I Needed that.

StephC- I am so sorry for the loss of your niece.It is very heartbreaking to lose a child and especially to watch them go through so much. I love what I do. As you know, children are really brave and I find it much easier to take care of them than adults because if they are feeling slightly good then they just want to have a good time. They can have chemo running and they still want to squirt you with a water gun or play a video game . BJean- The emotional rewards are unmeasurable.

Dear Essence36, Please take this with a grain of salt because it is only my opinion. I hope you change your mind about telling your husband and children. God forbid you experience any complications from the surgery and need your husband to care for you, take off work or make child care arrangements last minute. It is kind of unfair to him since he Will find out about it afterward and possibly resent you or have trust issues with you. This is Surgery and things can go wrong. Maybe he will freak out about the surgery or maybe he will help you cope with it but it is unfair to just spring it on him when you need a ride to and from the hospital.I am not sure what ages your kids are but they will also need to know because there will be some big changes in your eating, exercising, and in their lives too. Whatever you do know that we will support you and hope that the decision you make is one that you AND your family can benefit from.

Dear BJean, Yes, having a hysterectomy does reduce your chances of breast cancer because you are put into immediate menopause which significantly reduces the EStrogen production that would have peaked in the beginning to the middle of menopause. If you are genetically Estrogen receptor positive then you have just reduced your chances of getting breast cancer. Sorry to everyone else for straying from the original thread but my heart goes out to BJean. Things that you would be surprised to know about me 1. I am a Pediatric Oncology Nurse 2. I collect Pez Candy dispensers (Thats why my screen name is lepez) 3. When I was in my 20's I had every color hair ( pink, green, blue, purple, etc.) 4. I am trying to write a book on how to leave a legacy

Dear BJean, I wish I could give you a hug right now. I bet you are so frightened and I can't say that I blame you . Noone knows what causes breast cancer but there are certain undeniable factors involved in some cases. I have never heard a correlation to rapid weight loss and then being diagnosed. I think that the RN in me wants to share one thing with you. My sister was diagnosed with premenopausal breast cancer almost 3 years ago at the age of 47. She is in remission now . When she got diagnosed I spent every waking free moment doing research and talking with every doctor and collegue I could find. My sister is estrogen receptor positive which means that the more estrogen she puts out the higher her chances are of relapsing. Thank goodness she is thin . The heavier a person is the more estrogen is produced. The less a person weighs the less chance of producing excess estrogen. This is part of the reason I am in the process of being approved for the lap band. If I am also estrogen receptor positive then I want to give myself the best chance that I can not to produce excess estrogen. I want to lose weight to DECREASE my chance of breast cancer. I know that I could still get breast cancer for a lot of other reasons but I will have done all that I can do . It might be that after they lost the weight they started feeling comfortable enough with their bodies to do a self breast exam and possibly to go see a doctor for a mammogram. They might have had the cancer for a long time but did not find it until they lost the weight. Most Breast cancers are not rapidly growing so Please everyone do your breast self exams and get your yearly mammograms even if you are obese ( especially if you are obese ). I hope this helped calm your fears just a teeny bit. I am sorry if I brought up a painful situation in a sort of clinical way but I just want you to know that the weight you are losing could actually help you . Please do your monthly self breast exam and get your yearly mamograms on time.

Wow!!!!!! I am so sorry that you have to live this kind of Hell right now. I have a few comments 1. The divorce rate is probably high for lap banders because we were in bad relationships which helped us to get fat in the first place. After losing the weight, we probably gained confidence which leads to wanting a happier life. 2.Since you have not had sex with your husband for 6 months since the lapband you need to get tested for every sexually transmitted disease, have a pap smear and ask for the HPV test, and also test for Hepatitis C. 3. He also needs to get tested including swabbing the inside of the penis for STD's 4.Do not jump Back into bed with him without a condom on. 5. If she was sleeping with your husband casually then she was probably sleeping with other guys casually. 6. She is probably lying about the baby so don't fret till you see proof and even then don't fret till paternity is proven 7. I hope this was a wake up call for him that the grass isn't greener on the other side because using his depression as an excuse to have an affair is pathetic. 8. Most of us are depressed, some go to therapy, some take meds, some gain weight but CHEATING IS A CHOICE. He thought it out enough to buy a cell phone for her and cash his check to spend money on her and take money away from your children. HE IS NOT A VICTIM. He might have BEEN a nice guy but the person he was and might still be is NOT such a nice guy. I have a pretty crappy marriage so I am no one to councel you but it breaks my heart to hear you make a ton of excuses for him when he should be on his knees asking you for forgiveness. You are supporting him through this when he should be supporting you. And he still admits he misses the other woman. That is like hitting you with his car and backing up to hit you again. I hope you find a lot of good friends and a great therapist to help YOU through this situation and if YOU DECIDE ( not him) to Stay in the marriage I hope he realizes what a wonderful person you truly are. All My Prayers To You and Your Children, Cheryl

Hello Sandy, Unfortunately I can't make it to the Huntington Beach Party but I will be at the support group on Tuesday. I can't wait to meet you. Cheryl