wavetimer

Hi! My lap banding operation went well. I was operated on in the morning (5/17/05) and was released that same day around 4PM. I was a self pay and the price was exactly as stated. Dr. Pleatman was great to work with and provided great council. My incisions have all healed very nicely. They are very small. The only discomfort was the first week when I had some shoulder pain from the gas. Walking and heat helps and I walked a lot. We were concerned about the 5 hour drive back to Wisconsin but stopped each hour to walk to prevent blood clots. Incisions felt like bee stings for 4-5 days and you feel like you were hit in the chest for a couple days. You are tired the first week from the liquid diet. I was back fishing in a week and golfing in two weeks. I lost 20 lbs. due to the all liquid diet but after a couple weeks I was eating normal food. However I am not restricted much and can over eat at this point. I am looking forward to getting my first fill in a couple weeks (6/27/05) so that I can't cheat as much. Its going to be a long journey but I feel more in control than ever and I think it was the right choice. If you have any further questions, Please ask. Ron

My Surgery date was May 17th, 2005 Dr. Pleatman in Pontiac, MI. Doing Great!

Hi! I think we are Birthday Bandsters as I was banded on 5/17/05. I feel great, no problems...doing lots of walking and drinking liquids. Woke up in middle of the night, last night, to sneek onto the scales for the first time post op. Down 10 lbs. I know it is liquid loss but it feels GREAT. Good Luck to you and I hope you continue to do well

Congratulations!!! I was banded 5/17/05 so were almost birthday bandsters. I hope you are feeling as good as I am at this time. Keep us informed how your doing. Ron

Here is a letter I sent Dr. Pleatman this AM. Six days after surgery. Dr. Pleatman, I was your lap band surgery on 5/17/2005. Just a note on my progress. We drove the five hour trip back to Wisconsin the day after surgery with no problems. We stopped four times so I could walk to prevent blood clots. I have felt great since the surgery with the only discomfort being the sore throat for one day and some shoulder pain for two days. I have had no problems from the incisions and I am amazed at how small they are. They seem to be healing just fine as the tape has held up well. I walked several times each day and seem to be getting stronger with time. Totally, no discomfort now, just periods of fatigue from the liquid diet, I guess. I have been taking about 900 cals. per day, 20% fat, with about 50-60 grams of Protein. I stepped on the scales for the first time last night and I am down 10 lbs from the surgery (less than a week) and 23 lbs from the time that I first e-mailed you. I realize most of this is Water weight but it feels good to be heading in the right direction. I will call Jo this Weds. to arrange my 6 week check up and first fill. I feel good enough to be doing more but have promised my wife to wait the two weeks on golf. However, I have been fishing from the pier and catching a good rock bass bite that is going on. GRIN Dr. Pleatman, I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and other self pay patients for making this operation affordable for self pays like myself. You cut thru all of the red tape and requirements to schedule me very quickly and you did every thing you promised. You are very personable and a good person who seems to care about your patients. God bless you. Too bad you live in Wolverine country. Go Buckeyes, Badgers and Wildcats. Grin Best Regards Ron Lake Geneva, WI

My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday 5/17 in Pontiac MI by Dr. Pleatman. Any presurgery hints would be welcome. I was wondering how long it will be before I can Golf and Fish again? Hope its short. Looking forward to reading more of your posts soon. My starting point is 340 but I'm fairly active and in good health. Ron (wavetimer) Wisconsin

Just got back to Wisconsin from Michigan this afternoon Weds 5/18/05. I was operated on at around 8AM on Tuesday 5/17/05 in Pontiac Michigan, surgery lasted about an hour. My Surgeon was Doctor Pleatman who I had first met the day before. I am a self pay and he had cut through all the red tape so scheduling was easy and quick with him. Great guy ...very personable and explained every thing that was going to happen then checked on me afterwards and gave me the okay to travel when I was ready. After surgery I was awake before noon. They gave me a pill and I slept more till around 3pm. Woke up feeling great (other than a sore throat), had my wife there with me giving support. Dressed and left the hospital around 4PM. Took the hour drive to Toledo (damn potholes) to spend the night with relatives but arrived feeling fine. Walked a block upon arriving with no problems and went in and socialized with them and watched TV. Towards the end of the night I started having a few minor pains in the left shoulder but used the heating pad at night (Thanks to the member who suggested it) and slept great after taking a couple Tylenol. Awoke this AM, felt even better, walked a couple blocks, had a shake and we left back for WI. Five hour ride, we stopped 4 times so I could walk a while to prevent bloodclots. Feeling fine now (5:45Pm) except for a little soreness in the chest/ stomach area (incisions) when I move, the sore throat is gone. But overall I (nor anybody else) can't believe how well I feel after having been through this. Thanks to all the members who have given support and it was a special treat to meet Christina at the DR.'s office. God bless you all and I hope your surgery goes as well. I don't want to over do it so I won't go dancing tonight (Kidding) But I am shooting for Golf in two weeks. Best regards, Ron Break down of costs: Dr. $5K, Hospital $7K includes $3k for band, Sandman $0.5K: Total $12.5K Guess the rest is up to me and the band.

Thanks Harley Girls. Now that I know that it is a runway, I can "take off" to a new body that I'll be able to "model" for everyone. GRIN Down to three days and begining to feel this may just happen. Ready. Ron in WI banding on 5/17/05

Christina, Iam a self-pay and I will be using Dr. Pleatman on MAY 17TH for my surgery. Will meet him on the 16th for first time but he was quick on responding to E-mails. Very flexible with me on timing. Total price is $12,500 with two years of fills. I live in Wisc. and will drive to Michigan this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. Ron

I am a self pay. I will be operated on in Pontiac MI by Dr. Pleatman next Tuesday 5/17/05. The cost will be $12,485. $5,000 to Doctor, $7,000 to Hospital (includes $3,000 lap band charge) and $485 for the sandman. Ron