Lafs

Hi Charlene, Congrats on your great weight loss. It shows determination. I am a bandster from Bedford and it was the best decision I have ever made. I have lost about 300 pounds during my life and it keeps coming back as soon as I eat anything except salad. With the band I am losing slowly and permanantly. I can eat anything I want just in small quantities. So if I want a cookie , I can have ONE. Since I have a much smaller intake, I find myself thinking more about the nutritional value of what I eat. I lose about 1.5 pounds a week. It is weird to be able to feel the band and the port. I usually don't think about it unless I lean against something like a railing, then I can feel it. Good luck with your decision. Did you know there is a monthly support group at windber hospital open to everyone regardless of where you are banded?

Hi Everyone, the first fill is doing great. 2 days of liquids and now I can eat small amounts of food . I just have to remember to chew, chew , chew. It only takes a couple of spoonfuls to fill me up. Now if could just learn to eat when I am hungrey and not because the food is there. Take care and keep posting..

Nice to see a new thread. I was banded by Dr K on Oct 4th. Loved him and all the staff. Parker was great. I went for my first fill today with Dr Brinkley in Md. She's close to my home in Pa. When she accessed my port, she know right away that I had a 10 cc band even though all my paperwork said I had a 4 cc band. We ended up calling Dr K's office and and Marilyn confirmed that they had given me the wrong card. Accidents happen. I ended up with a good fill 4.4cc . Hoping to start losing again soon.

Hey Nickanut, Glad to hear you're doing so good. keep us updated.

Hi All, I haven't had much time to write but reading the posts have helped me so much. I was banded on Oct 4th and after 6 days off I had to go back to five 12 hour shifts on a busy hospital floor. Bout killed me. I'm now on mushy foods and soft foods. I kept noticing a pressure in the middle of my chest and I finally figured out that it was my sign to slow down the eating or I'VE HAD ENOUGH !. It seemed I was having these spasms after only a few bites. After reading through some old posts, I decided to try some papaya enzyme tabs and Wow what a difference. I chew 2 and within a few moments, the pressure is gone. I keep feeling like I have an alien living inside because I have never has such rumbles, gurglings and odd sensations . Papaya , gas-x and beano have calmed the alien. I'm not sure I remember reading about how bad the gas problem can be. By the end of my day, I felt so bloated. I guess it's all worth it, I've lost 16 pounds so no reason to complain. Good Luck to the upcoming Bandsters. You will do GREAT........

Hey Steph, We are neighbors. I didn't realize that the support group was open to anyone other than Dr Marley's pts. Where do you meet?

Cheri, No wonder you're sore. you had twice as much done. Glad you're doing better.

Cheri, Sorry you are having some trouble. I was also banded on the 4th and still have some swelling. I can get down all liquids and haven't been hungry much yet. I guess I was lucky that I only used my pain meds for 2 days before I didn't need them. I still get some pain but can live with it. Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

Glad you got your consult date. It will go fast now. I'm doing good, planning on returning to work tomorrow. Still some minor aches and pains but not bad. I would definately take someone along to Denver. I was tired and sore and was glad I had someone to deal with the luggage and driving.

Today I took my first step to my new life. I have decided on Dr K out of Denver Co. and am set up for Oct. 4th. I can't believe that I may actually have a chance during my lifetime to be normal and not labeled morbidly obese. How I hate those words. Someday I will be able to shop for clothes in any store and not just in tall and large areas. I am excited and not really scared. I have read all of forums and weighed the good and the bad. I know I can do this!!!!:whoo:

It took me about 1 month from first call to surgery date. Pretty quick. I'm not sure I would want to make the trip alone. It's too difficult to drive after the surgery when you are on painkillers. It is about 30 minutes from Parker Surgical Center to the airport. Plus it's a help to have someone help you with dressing and waiting on you for a day or two. If I can get off of work, maybe we could travel together and I can get a fill while you get banded..........

Welcome Lachanga, I was banded oct 4 by Dr Kirxhenbaum and I loved him and his staff. He was wonderful, He even gave us his cell no# in case we had a question when we got home. There is a fill USA in NJ and a Dr Brinkley in Frederick Md that does fills. I am considering going back to Dr K because I liked him so much.

Hi All, I made it home from Denver where Dr K banded me on thursday. He was wonderful and his office staff was so friendly. My surgery was done at Crowne Point Parker Adventist Hospital . The Surgical staff and anesthesiologist were very attentive . The hospital facilities were spotless. We stayed at the Holiday Inn across the street from the hospital and I would recommend it for anyone having their surgery in Parker. Surgery was Thursday at 1pm and I got back to the Motel about 4:30pm . I felt better than I thought I would. I took a 1/2 dose of my pain killer and crashed for several hours. That evening, I was up and moving pretty good. On Friday I showered and we took a long car ride up into the mountains. We stopped in Blackhawk and played the slots for about an hour until I got tired. When we got back, I had some warm broth and a 1/2 dose of pain meds and slept great all night. I found that holding a pillow against my tummy when I laid on my side helped support my incisions and they didn't hurt. Saturday we flew home . What a long day with 2 flights and a 3 hour car ride afterwards, I was dragging. I asked the airline clerk if we could pre-board so we didn't have to stand in line and that really helped.. I have felt some "gas pains" in my left shoulderblade from the co2 but it's not bad. The other "gas" is bad enough! I puttered my way across the USA . Thank goodness the airplane has loud engines. LOL.............. __________________

Hi All, I made it home from Denver where Dr K banded me on thursday. He was wonderful and his office staff was so friendly. My surgery was done at Crowne Point Parker Adventist Hospital . The Surgical staff and anesthesiologist were very attentive . The hospital facilities were spotless. We stayed at the Holiday Inn across the street from the hospital and I would recommend it for anyone having their surgery in Parker. Surgery was Thursday at 1pm and I got back to the Motel about 4:30pm . I felt better than I thought I would. I took a 1/2 dose of my pain killer and crashed for several hours. That evening, I was up and moving pretty good. On Friday I showered and we took a long car ride up into the mountains. We stopped in Blackhawk and played the slots for about an hour until I got tired. When we got back, I had some warm broth and a 1/2 dose of pain meds and slept great all night. I found that holding a pillow against my tummy when I laid on my side helped support my incisions and they didn't hurt. Saturday we flew home . What a long day with 2 flights and a 3 hour car ride afterwards, I was dragging. I asked the airline clerk if we could pre-board so we didn't have to stand in line and that really helped.. I have felt some "gas pains" in my left shoulderblade from the co2 but it's not bad. The other "gas" is bad enough! I puttered my way across the USA . Thank goodness the airplane has loud engines. LOL..............

I leave for Denver in the morning so of course I can't sleep. Too excited or too many years as a night owl, I'm not sure. The past month has flown by and some of our friends are already on their path to recovery. I am anxious to meet Dr. K and thursday can't come soon enough. I have a friend that was banded 2 weeks ago today and has lost 20 pounds already. Some of that was pre-op diet but I'm impressed. She went back to work and feels good . I will be away from the computer for a few days but as soon as I am home, I will be checking up on how you all are doing. Good luck to all of this weeks bandsters . To all that are done already, take care of yourself and don't push the healing process. Taking care of yourself will give you the strength to take care of others that you care about.....:clap2:

New Me, I am in the same boat. BMI of 39.6 and have to self pay because I'm too healthy. It will be the best money we ever spent. I said that about my lasik eye surgery too and that was 5 years ago and I still believe it. I am on the countdown. Less than 1 week to go. I leave for Denver on tues the 2nd. I wanted to keep it a secret but I got too excited and told everyone. I think my husband is telling everyone I'm having a boob job. LOL

I have heard very good things about both Dr Marley and Dr Neulin. Marley is out of Windber and has banded 2 close friends of mine. They love him. Dr Neulin is out of Altoona and highly recommended by the trauma docs I work with. Dr Marley charges about $14,500 for everything and Neulin is reasonable but Altoona Hospital charges about $17,000 for the use of their facilities. I thought that was ridiculous for a self payer like myself so I'm headed out of the area where I have a great doc that charges $9950 for everything. My aftercare and fills will be done by Dr Brinkley in Frederick Md. She does fills for out of the area banders.

Glad to see everyone joining us . The time is going fast. By next year this time we'll be showing off the new looks! I can't wait to shop in a regular store. My husband better hide the credit cards. Since I was a child and I wore chubbie sizes, I always wanted to shop at the cool stores , not just the big or womens size stores. I'm not aspiring to be on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition , but I do want to be able to wear corduroy pants without that scraping sound when I walk. LOL. The pre op diet is ok. The protein powder is kind of yucky so I may try a different brand. Any suggestions? The nutritionist recommended a brand sold at Walgreens but we don't have one close. I may try to order it online. it's called BeneProtein by Novartis and dissolves in water with a spoon.. Keep up the great posts..................

Hi Guys, Twyla, I have family in Hampton and visit there often. Which hospital do you work in? I am working myself up to the preop diet. I made all the starches I could think of this week to get my cravings out of the way. I

Hi guys, It's so good to see how many new people are joining us. Twyla, where are you having surgery? I used to work l&d when I got out of nursing school. Such a nice area. I had my phone interview with my doc today and he was so great. When I asked him where my port would be , he said to feel for my ribs and it would be below them. I told him that if I could feel my ribs, I wouldn't be calling him. We got a good laugh out of that. The nutritionist also called today and she will be a great resource. She recommended BeneProtein by Novartis. She said it mixes easily with a spoon in all liquids and you can't taste it. I'm going to try it. It's sold a Walgreens but we don't have one of them close to us so I'll check the web.

Hey Liz, It's time to grab the credit card and head out of Pa. I knew I would get the same hassles so I saved some money and did my research. I was headed to Dr Ortiz in Mexico when I discover Dr Kirchenbaum in Denver who will band you for under $10,000. He's a godsend for those of us that have no co morbidity factors. Check that your insurance will cover any complications and you're on the road to surgery. I know it sounds expensive but you could choose a new car for twice the price or a new life. It's worth it to me

I have to admit I'm a little nervous too but I think we will all have at least one moment where we will say "what have I done ?". Then we will remember how much healthier and happier we will be in 6 months and we will be thankful that we have this tool to help us. As our self confidence soars, we will be glad we made this choice to help ourselves. So much for the pep talk, now I have to check my "last supper" list and decide what's for dinner............Gotta get all the good things in a least one more time. LOL:bounce:

Hi Everyone and welcome to the new ones, Hey Cheryl, we're going the same day ! I'm counting down to Oct. 4th. I got my Magic Bullet today {it's a blender , not a toy Ha Ha} It is so cool. I made chicken salad and milkshakes for my husband's lunch. It will make great protein shakes. My husband has been so great and I think he's getting excited too. Today he suggested that we make a chart for the bathroom door so we can celebrate my losses. I will always remember that he loved me fat and he will love me the same when I'm thinner. I hope that you all have someone to support you. If not, we will !!! You will never be alone. I made my reservations at the Holiday Inn Select in Parker. They gave me a great rate $79 a night for king suite with microwave and fridge. Remeber to ask for the Parker Adventist Hosp. discount and get the non refundable rate. Saves $40 a night. Any other nurses out there? I'm an ER nurse and losing weight will help my legs with all the running we do. :clap2:

I spoke with Paula the nutrition expert and she tells me I need to be on a high protein , low carb diet for 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. Back to Atkins ! From what I have read, You need to maintain your protein intake to prevent the hair loss that people report. This is why I am ordering protein powder from unjury. They have an unflavored powder that you can mix with everything. I would hate to finally get thinner and bald at the same time. LOL ! I have my formal consult with her in about a week. I bought some papaya enzyme tabs to keep on hand, supposedly they help if you get obstructed.

Hi All and WELCOME to the newbies. I am from Pa and heading to Denver for banding at Dr K 's on Oct 4th. I spoke with the nutritionist today and it finally hit me that this is really going to happen. yeah !!!! I am glad you will all be there going thru this with me.....................Lori