lonestar

Just wondering. How many bandsters are losing a lot of weight without having a fill at all. I know there are some and I think that is wonderful.Do you feel restricted already, what size band do you have. I would also like to know about VG bandsters who lost without fills. I have a VG band and no fills yet, but need a lot of will power to stick to the diet and losing weight is very slow. Thanks.

This happened to me too. I had surgery in Austin TX. They wanted $3500 up front. I told them I will pay the day after surgery. The day I was dismissed I could have walked out without paying, because nobody asked. I however went to their cashier and paid $2500. They accepted it and I went home. Months later when the final bill came (36.000), my insurance company only paid the hospital the contracted rate, which was so much lower and that made my part lower too. I even got $1090 back!!!. So try to give them something, but not the full amount, because your insurance will never pay what the hospital bill you. They have negotiated rates. By the way it took me months before I got the refund. Good luck.

Hello, Hope you are doing well. Kind of hard to stay away from all the goodies during this season, but at the end it is worthed. I am off 2410 and had my surgery 27 July 07. I am losing very slow, but I am OK with it. Perhaps we can meet. I know there is a support group here somewhere, for all WL surgery patients. Take care.

Welcom aboard Jennifer. I am from Harker Heights/Belton area in Texas, about 1 hour north of Austin. Had my surgery done in Austin with Dr S Ganta. He is just wonderful. Anybody else from the Killeen, Copperas Cove, Temple, Belton area? Lets get together.

I dont know if he takes BCBS, but try Dr Ganta in Austin. He is wonderful and fantastic. Phone is 512-257-2425. You wont be sorry. Let me know. Lonestar.

Laura did you got my email and message about Dr. Ganta?

Hi Laura. Here I am. Was banded by Dr Ganta on 23 jul 07 in Seton Hospital. I can honestly say, that I had the best care. Dr Ganta is a soft spoken, friendly, serious and informative person. His office assistant "Joy" runs the office like clock work and is also very friendly. At Seton Hospital I got all my pre ops with the help of Linda Martin, who is the coordinator and she so far has called me three times at home to see how I was doing. I really feel very comfortable with Dr Ganta. The 2 fills were painless, but I do not have a restriction yet. I also did not have to do the liquid diet pre op, but just a diet with less food. I could have gone to Scott and White hospital, which much closer to me, but after I went to Dr Ganta's seminar, I felt connected. Just sit a little up front, because his speaks kind of soft. If you want to know more about him, you can email me at melati2000@yahoo.com. Hope this information will help you a little. Take care. Yvette.

Wow Walter what a way to go. 72 years young. Welcome to our bandwagon. I do admire you. Let us know how yu are doing. I bet we can learn a lot from you. Keep on trucking. Yvette.

I was banded in Austin Seton Hospital by Dr. Ganta on the 23th Jul 07. He is a wonderful doctor.

I am 63 and had my band since 23 Jul. I have a VG band and trying to stick to my diet. (it's hard) First fill is 7 Sep. I hope I will have some restriction. I have lost very little, but that's OK.

I heard that Scott and White in Temple will do it. They told me that it cost $96.00. That's what I heard. Good luck.

I was banded 23 jul in Austin. I was 62 and just had my 63th birthday yesterday. My surgeon was not supprise about my age when I asked him if I was too old to have wls. He had done several my age. The surgery was'nt too bad. A little sore, but most of that was gone after 8 days. It is a little tough now, because my band has not been filled yet (healing stage)and so they say, you are in bandster hell. Although many bandster have lost a lot right after surgery, so it all depends. Best thing for us oldies is to start walking as soon as you can after the wls. After 7th Sep (my first fill) I will be going to Curves. They say we oldies will loose a little slower, but we will get there and hopefully no more joint pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and swollen ankles etc.etc. We need to do what is best for US and I think you have the right attitude so you go girl!!! Welcome and good luck. Yvette.

Wow that's wonderful. So there is hope for me after all. Thank you so much for your update. Lonestar.

Thanks for your info. You are doing great and very wise to save that first fill when you really need it.

Hello, I looked into the german internet and in Frankfurt seems to be the best surgeon.Here is the address: Krankenhaus Sachsenhausen Center for Bariatric Surgery Surgical Department, Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery Head: Prof. Dr. R. Weiner Schulstraße 31 60594 Frankfurt Germany Phone: #49-69-6605-1199 or 1133 Fax: #49-69-6605-1510 or 1530 e-mail: rweiner@khs-ffm.de Good luck.

Becky, I think that your doctor is checking your incisions tomorrow to see if they are healing. I do not think that you will get your first fill, but I could be wrong. Mine is also 6 weeks after my surgery. Since I have a VG band (very large band) it seems that I can eat about anything and everything, but I am really trying to stick to my mushy food. Have not lost anything for a week. I know how you feel and like they say:this is a healing time. My dietician even said to throw my scale out the window! Nah, can't do that, somebody might get hurt. Keep in touch and we will get there.

Hi becky I

I have read several times that people lost a lot mostly a month after surgery and than I am reading being in bandster hell until your first fill and not able to lose. Do they mean the first month after the first fill? Anyway I have a VG band and in my 4th week, so I am still on mushy food, but I can eat a whole Pizza Hut chain in a 100 mile radius. Sofar I have been good and look the other way when nearing a Pizza Hut place. Have people lost a lot right after surgery? I have lost about 9 lbs sofar, but now I am feeling hungry all the time. I have my first fill Sep 6th, so I have a loooong way to go. My doctor promised me an agressive fill. Are there more people in bandster hell and feeling the same way? Thanks guys.

Thanks Tyana. How did you lose so much after the surgery. Were you on liquid diets? Are you able to eat anything right now and do you feel any restrictions? Hope things will get better for you.

Hello I noticed that you are from Temple. Well I was banded 23 jul in Austin by dr Ganta. Still a tiny little bit sore, but doing very well. I live in Harker Heights, maybe we can communicate. There is a new support group in Killeen, but I have not visit them yet. Do you know if there is one in Temple. Good to know you are doing well. Yvette.

Hello, Nice to hear from you. I am sooo glad we are about the same age (63 in Aug). I think my doctor is taking extra precaution. I just finished a stress test yesterday. Have high blood pressure, but that is under control now. I read that a lot of patients are doing the liquid diet thing, but they wanted me to eat just protein and vegetables, no carbs, no sugars, no fat. I feel for you, but I know you can do it. I just came back from my second walk (am and pm) and I do not feel my toes anymore. Sofar I am doing ok with the diet, but feel guilty that so many can only have liquids. I weigh 231 now, was 250 in April and want to loose 100 lbs. I live in Belton TX, one hour from Austin and close to the biggist militairy base (Ft.Hood) Married 14 years (second) wonderful man, two daughters and two grandchildren. Did I mention 7 dogs and two cats? I have done antique shows for 8 years, but my weight made it harder for me to move. Did you get your protein supplements and vitamins yet? Well I probably talked too much already, but it's nice to have found you. Keep on slimming. Yvette.

Hello, I am going to be banded 23 jul. in Austin Tx and am also 62 years. I am a little scared, but all tests turned out fine. I am glad to find someone my own age. I hope you do well and maybe we can compare things so we can learn from each other. Good luck. Lonestar.

Hello, After some problems with Aetna TRS I am now finally approved for a Lapband. My pre op is scheduled 11 July and surgery is 23 July. I am happy but scared. I weigh 245 lbs and 5'2 height. My doctor is Dr Ganta in Austin, Texas. He seems to be very nice and very serious. I am almost 63 years. Are there any of you with this same age and how are you doing. I think I need some support here. I also have severe sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. I am ready, but scared. Thanks y'all.