ShelbiCallie

Marcy - Glad you're feeling better. Hopefully there will be no more nerve pain for you! Nic & Dynamo - I'm trying to go ahead and incorporate the bandster approach to eating, too. The chew, chew, chew is hard! But the no drinking while eating is going to be extremely difficult for me, too. I've used overconsumption as my first solution to almost every life situation for so, so many years. I catch myself eating without even consciously making a decision to eat. I've been in therapy before (greatest gift I've ever given myself) and am feeling the need to do some more work in that area. Did anyone here have the Crown Point Surgery Center -- what did you think of the anesthesia team? I would love to know the MD's name(s) there. Just knowing the name/checking it out on the state medical board website makes me feel better.

The struggle -- my biggest fear summed up in that one sentence above. What do you do to come out on the winning side of the struggle on a daily basis?

Thanks for the reply, Michelle. And congratulations on hitting your sweet spot!!!!! I don't think I've ever left a half plate of anything in life, especially not Mexican food.:hungry: I can't wait to be there with you. And I hope I can get there within 3 fills the way you have. That's great!! I've had general anesthesia twice, never had a reaction or nausea. So I'm crossing my fingers that my history will carry through with this surgery. Good night all. I've got to get some sleep tonight! Shelbi

Here's my surgery plan. Please tell me if you think it will work out. Keep in mind a few things -- I work from home and my job involves sitting in front of the computer on the phone ( 8 hour shift). I've had 2 c-sections, but no lap surgery. I have a high pain tolerance. I only have 3 PTO days left. So the week of surgery I plan to -- Monday -- work Tuesday -- fly from NC to CO and have my pre-op appt at 4PM Wednesday -- surgery at 11AM Thursday -- have morning post-op appt and fly back to NC Friday -- work My support person for my trip is another nurse. My kids are 10 and 16 and are here to help at home. I think I'll be ok doing this schedule. What do you guys think?? ShelbieCallie

Please accept my apologies if you felt the Earth suddenly tilting toward the East Coast on Tuesday morning. That was just ME jumping up and down because I HAVE A SURGERY DATE :clap2::clap2::clap2:! August 22!!!!:rockon: So that's Marilyn 8/15, me 8/22 and Nicaknut 10/16. Elinrw -- when are you scheduled ?-- I think I've missed your post. BTW -- Welcome all my fellow pre-bandsters! SKYEBLU!!-- Hello, my fellow tar heel! So nice to hear from someone from home! I've arranged to use Dr. Fernandez at WFUBMC in Winston-Salem for emergency/after care and hope to go back to CO for fills, at least in the beginning. We'll see how it goes. You guys were so right. Marilyn is so nice and helpful. I feel like I know the office staff already from all the information and the pictures here. Thanks! Shesha -- I'm glad your procedure went well and is all behind you. It is great to know that Dr. K fixed that for you without charge. A stand up kinda guy! Marcy -- it's so encouraging to read about how good you're doing! Everybody here, I just love ya'll. So there, I said it. It's nearly 3AM and I've got to work in the morning, so I better stop jumping around and try to sleep.:notagree I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! More later, ShelbiCallie

Thanks for the very kind welcoming words everyone! Woofay: No, I'm not coming from California Callie is my precious cat. :cat: I'm traveling from the other coast-- I'm a Carolina girl!!! Thanks for the information about the labs and tests. I've already had a surgical consult here and received a list of lab tests that I needed to have done before surgery in NC. After looking closely, some of the tests were probably geared toward folks who are having the bypass. I mean, come on, why would the sugeon need to know my Vitamin B 12 level prior to surgery if I'm having the lap band?? Geeze. I think the surgery here in NC is way over priced! The hospitals seem to have a powerful lobby here in NC and do not allow lap bands to be done anywhere but in a hospital facility. There are absolutely no surgeons in NC who do the surgery in a ambulatory surgery center:rolleyes . I guess the hospitals aren't willing to share their piece of the lap band profits pie. The lowest hospital charge that I've found in NC is $12K and that doesn't include the surgeon fee and anesthesia fee. And then they want to tack on so many extras ($1200 for a nutritionist? ) I tell ya, it's an outrage!:angry After talking with surgery practices in FL and Ga, I must say that I'm getting a really good vibe from everything I hear and learn about Dr. K. So, I took the plunge and I called Dr. K's office this morning -- spoke with Robin who was so very nice. We talked for awhile and I asked her about why there were no required preliminary tests/lab work. She said that Dr. K doesn't order pre-tests routinely, but if he decided that I needed any he would order any tests based on his assessment of me and my medical history. I nearly fell out. You know, like there is really a doc out there who is going to do like doctors are supposed to do instead of having a cookie cutter list of test that everyone needs?? WOW! :clap2: That sold me!! That was the most refreshing response that I've heard from any of the many, many surgeon practices I talked to. I have found a surgeon that is going to treat me like an individual. Love it!! Now I'm waiting for Marilyn to call next, so I can get things rolling. I'm looking forward to talking to Dr. K. and to getting to know all of you. I am so very, very excited!!!!! Shelbi

Good Morning! I'm new here, but have been reseaching lapband for many months. I'm a self-payer and after reading all the good stuff here about Dr. K, I'm probably going to check into making the trip out to CO. One question that I haven't seen addressed here though -- and I may have missed it, but I did try to read all 90+ pages :hat: -- does he required any tests or labs work to be done before at home, or does he do all of his testing himself and if so, is it included in his price? Thanks for your help -- you've taught me so much already! ShelCal