Valorie

Hello! I know there are others from Delaware here. Is everyone shy? Does anyone know of any Lap-Band support groups in the state?

Hi again, Robyn! I just wanted to let you know that there is going to be a lap-band seminar Nov. 30th @6:30 PM at Christiana Care Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute @ 3506 Kennett Pike in Wilmington. I think 3 of the physicians from CHRIAS will be there and I'm planning on taking a couple of friends who also have first appointments with CHRIAS in January. Hope you can make it! Val:banana

No, I haven't had any setbacks. I had the banding done on August 26 and my first fill the end of October. So far I've lost 29lbs, but I'm sure I would lose more rapidly if I would get into an exercise routine. CHRIAS does surgery at both Christiana Medical Center and at St. Francis in Wilmington. I had mine at St. Francis because I was initially planning to pay out of pocket and would have saved a few thousand $'s there. The care there was great. The unit was new and the room was private and very roomy. St. Francis requires a one night stay in ICU but then you get to go home the next day. There wasn't much pain at all! St. Francis has monthly support meetings except for December. The next one is Tuesday, Nov.29th from 6-7pm in the Medical Office Building. I would normally try to go, but my brother is going to be in town for one day from Orlando so I need to stick around but it would be great if you could go. There are usually lots of people there in various stages of the process and they all seem really open and friendly. Do you think you might be able to make it? Val

I had Dr. Irgau. Do you live in Delaware? I know a lot of people come from surrounding states to CHRIAS. Dr. Irgau is wonderful and has a fantastic reputation for good outcomes with fewer than average complications. You must be so releived to be able to have your surgery covered. I was prepared to go into debt to pay out of pocket before BC/BS of DE started to cover it. I was able to buy a new car with what I would have had to pay for surgery! I'm so happy for you. It pays to be patient, huh. Val

Hi Sharon! When is your surgery scheduled for and who's doing it? Are you getting excited yet? Do you live in Delaware?

There's a group near Newark that does banding. That's who did mine in August, but as far as I know they are the only ones in the state who do.

Hi Bethany~I've only been banded for three weeks but I can tell you that I have no regrets. I only lost 7.4 lbs after the first 2 weeks but the reason I chose the Lap-Band was so I would lose more slowly than with bypass surgery. I don't know anyone else personally who has had Lap-band but after checking out this site since February this year I would guess that the majority of people who have done it are happy they did. Good luck with your decision making. Only you can decide for yourself. Val

Hi Magic! My Dr. told me to drink as much water as I wanted at any pace that suited me. I was banded 3 weeks ago and was supposed to be on full liquids for 4 weeks and then pureed for 2 more, but I got so hungry that I've been eating tofu and other soft things that I can tolerate. Hope this helps!