Gwenn

I think that's the name they've given me. If anyone has heard anything negative, I need to ask for a change quickly. Anyone know anything about him, good or bad? Thanks Gwenn

Hi- I've been off and on, doing more browsing than anything else. I am finding this forum a bit daunting and lots of older discussions that I'm sorry I missed. However, I'll catch on eventually. I've only recently come to the conclusion that I need to do this. I've spoken to my doctor, who is a huge advocate of it. I don't know if he has all my details because he's only been my internist for about 6 months. My BMI is around 46- I have non of hte bigger problems, unless you count constand aches and pains a big problem! I do. The adema, the fibromyalgia, the sleeping sitting up. A couple of bits of luck. I've tried the bariatric centers dietician twice already and couldn't do the diet. And my shrink, who has also been encouraging banding, is one of the evaluators. It won't change the review, but may just save a little time. Now that I'm going forward, I want this 'yesterday". I'm told it can be up to 4 months. I'd like to know more about which tests are necessary and more about what happens prior to surgery. And how can everyone stand waiting? And did anyone found they ate more while waiting as if the band was going to be the solution and you could eat until the banding was done? Is this making sense and is any of it familiar? I'll keep browsing but I'd love to hear some of your experiences. Thanks, Gwenn

Hi- I'm starting to gear up for my banding and checking out things to have on hand, especially for the first weeks on liquid. I was told that popsicles, sorbets, etc are fine and they should be low cal or sf. I LOVE LEMON ices, but can't seem to find any sugar free sorbets or sf italian ices etc. Sometime they come in popsicle mixed boxes I'm hoping for lemon only. Sound picky but what can you do? Anyone find a brand or stumbled across this? Thanks Gwenn

Forgot to ask this in my previous post... can you use Dreyers fruit bars (I get the multi-pack popsicles) that are No Sugar Added during the "liquid only" weeks? I know popsicles are okay, but wasn't sure if these have too much bits in them. I think no, but maybe someone here has asked or had experience with it. Many thanks Gwenn

I asked about the soda issue at the pre-surgery class and was told no, but when I pressed about having a little carbinated Water between meals (so it wasn't affecting how much Protein I'd eat, etc), I was told that maybe that was okay in moderation. I think the general fear is that addicts latch onto anything and we're not great with moderation so there is a lot of "no" that could be "in moderation at certain times". Me, I don't drink a lot of diet soda, and can go for weeks without.....but the minute I was told no, I craved it. Gwenn

Hi Guys...i Live In Los Angeles...i've Read Some Of Your Posts. I Am Going For My Consultation With Dr Khalili In 10 Days... I Have Blue Cross (ppo 10)... 1. What Kind Of Insurance Did You Guys Have And Were There Any Specific Problems With Getting Approved? 2. Did You Guys Have Hmo Or Ppo?? 3. How Has Your Experiences Been With Both Drs. At Cedars?? 4. Any Info You Could Give Me Would Be Super!!!..please! HI Toni, I'm also going to Dr. Khalili. I went for my consult on January 4th. I made a huge effort to get all the tests done quickly so that I could have the surgery by end of February because of business issues in March/April. I met Dr. K for about 2 minutes and he was very nice. Most of the time was spent with a terrific "fellow", whose name I don't recall, but she was French. Really understanding and helpful. Compassionate too. The Cedar's group has a very thorough protocol. Many centers don't have it. At first I was annoyed with needing so many tests, but later I realized it's smart for everyone. It's like a very complete phyical, you know where you stand, and Dr. K knows what he'll find during surgery, which probably makes for less complications. They have an excellent reputation. After doing EVERYTHING In about 10 days, I went on hold for their clinical evaluation and then my insurance OK. That took longer than I expected and so although I can have the surgery beginning of March, I need to wait until end of April because of my business conflicts. If I did it now, I'd be under a lot of pressure to run back to work, and I really want this to be ME time, so I'm waiting. To answer the rest of your questions. I have Blue Sheild HMO. They have been great if just a big slower on the final okay than I would have liked. A lot will have to do with your own doctor. His/Her office does the requests for all the tests and if they are not cooperative or fast, it will take time. Mine got me the test authorizations in less than 2 days and I called and made immediate appointments. I also made the appointments to see Khalili's social worker, nutritionist, and surgery class before leaving the office day of consult- these are mandatory and if you wait it can only take longer. Make the appointments while you're there. Gastric Bypass has more tests than lapband, but here's what you'll be taking (everyone has to take these from what I read in the big binder they will give you): Upper GI series Abdominal Utrasound Echo Cardiogram with Stress test Hy-polori blood screening (blood test) Nutritionist visit (theirs) Social worker visit (theirs) On-line info program and a live class (theirs) It was exhausting doing it all in ten days but then I was done! If you're with an HMO it's all at the hospital and then wherever you go for blood tests. Their stuff is at their office or at Thalians across the street. Here are a few tips for the pysch and nutritionist evals. They feel this works better for volume eaters rather than sweet eaters. They like to see that you've tried tried and tried and if you know what didn't work, because some people are told to have 6 months of nutritional visits before they'll do the band. They want you to try to reduce calories by 25% now, and get ready with trying to cut out caffeine, soda, etc. They want to know that your goals arent' insane, like you could think you're going to be a size 2. They want to be sure you understand that the real work is going to happen after you've had the band and have to deal with your emotional issues (and we all have them) without food. They want to know that you're serious about this and that you have plans for follow-up, a good support group, etc. Hope this helps. If you start now, and get going right away, it can take as little as 6 weeks to get the go ahead. They schedule within 2-3 weeks after final insurance okay. So, we may end up getting banded around the same time! Stay in touch! Gwenn

Thanks so much. I'm going to print your response to use as a guide. I asked my own doctor about getting me to a cardiologist now because I thought I might need the test, but he said to wait, they may be able to use the one I had last year. That would be great. I hate the upper GI. I've had an endoscopy but was asleep! According to my Blue Cross rep and my doc's office, the insurance has okayed the surgery. If I'm not accepted by Khalili that's another issue. At least that's what they told me. We shall see. Just want to get going. Very frustrating to wait. I guess I'd better learn to have some patience. Thanks again. Hope you're doing well. Gwenn

Thanks Jonathan. Good advice. I'm sorry to pester you on this but you're the only person I know who's been through the Cedars program. Can you tell me a little about what tests you had to take. Do they require them of everyone there or is it based on idividual health background? Did the arrangements for the tests come through them or did you need to go back to your central doctor and go from there? My insurance took about 3 weeks because my doctor's office was slow in providing all the info. That was annoying because I lost time. Will it all matter in the long term. No, because the long term can now be a long life. But right now, it's frustrating. Any details you can pass along would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Gwenn

Thanks. I've actually heard a lot about him since I posted the question. I've heard great things about Khalilli and Cuneen. The program has a great reputation. Now if only I could go for the surgery tomorrow! Instead, I have to wait until Jan 4 for the consult, and then on from there. Jonathan, may I ask how long it was between your consult and surgery? Gwenn

THank you so much for all the information! It's so great to have a place to come to and hear the good and bad, the ugly and the beautiful. Right now I'm waiting for my approval to see the surgeon. I called after one week and was told my doctor had all in, just needed review. Wait a week. I did and called today. Really great guy there said "TOO LONG" and said he'd check it out and call me back. Of course he didn't and I'll try again tomorrow. A YES would be a great Thanksgiving gift. I see the shrink on Friday, so that eval will be done and added into the package. Again, many thanks. Gwenn

Thanks, Dave. Just depends if they require all new tests. I just had an EKG in April, and they said the stress test I'd had a year back was still good, so who knows. Just want to get started. I can't help wish that I'd come to this decision sooner, but what can ya do. Just keep moving forward. I agree about getting rid of some of the bad foods. My brother in law was asked to do three weeks of liquid diet before banding. Gwenn

Thanks for your reply and the pep talk. I'm hoping hoping hoping to move quickly. Feb thru April is our busiest time at work and we're not supposed to take time, and my most important event (I'm a fundraiser) is in April. So it will be hard to take time (but I will). I've already been to the nutritionist twice, and as I may have mentioned, My shrink is an evalutator so I'll have that also. If I've had a stress test within a year, will I need to do it again? And I've also had both a endoscopy and a colonoscopy last couple of years. Everyone tells me something else. I guess every hospital or doctor has their own rules and regs. Problem is, I'm eating a lot right now - anxious. I'll watch for your posts once you're banded. Gwenn

Thanks, I noticed it right after I posted. Gwenn

My sister said he had a hard time at the beginning, but when he had a bad reaction to something, it started to teach him.....LOL...like an internal cattle prod I guess. Now she said he sometimes tells her that an urge comes over him to eat everything on the plate. More like a reformed smoker or drinker that sometimes has the feeling. He has something he really likes, like ice cream, and then it passes. Thanks and feel better fast! Gwenn

Hi- I'm 55 and very overweight. Need to start finding out the real facts and I thought....go to the people who have had the surgery. I want to know if people are comfortable with a band inside them. Are there concerns about the materials that make the bands causing other problems down the road (like silicone did)? Do people keep it forever? Do you learn to eat properly? Every and all questions. How does one start on this journey:car: Gwenn

Easy one....he's in NY and I'm in LA. LOL I really had a long talk with my sister because she has lived and breathed this with him. I've put off speaking to him a bit because, love him as I do, he can be kind of bossy if you ask him things that he's been successful with....you know what I mean? Sometimes he doesn't realize that his experience may not be everyone's. So she's talking him to him about taking it easy with me. And sometimes, some things are different for women. The big one I think about is.....I often eat when I'm not hungry now. What's different with the band. I read people saying that they're full. But most of us who have become obese aren't eating out of physical hunger. Does it really feel different or is it the fear of getting sick, or what? Thanks-Gwenn

I'm taking this all in because I'm california blue shield and my internist just asked for the referral for me to the bariatric center at our local hospital. My question is how long did you (and anyone else who cares to answer) have to wait between approval and date for banding? Gwenn

HOPE YOU'RE FEELING GREAT VERY SOON. Thanks for the message. I will connect. There are so many terrific people here. I just an impatient to start the process now. Best of luck. Gwenn

Thanks, Spiritus, for the Cedars recommendation. I was off the computer for a few days so just read your post. I'm a Cedars girl too. I live just a few blocks away and all my doctors are there through my HMO network. They will cover this and yup, I'll be at the bariatric center. I had already gone to the nutritionist there and my shrink (because of the weight) is a Ceders doctor as well. So I'm hoping I can move on this soon. I'm ready. My internist, who is thrilled I'm finally asking to do this, says there are two great surgeons there who have done these thousands of times. I really appreciate the name. I'll see what I can do. I'm glad you had such a great experience. I am very happy at Cedars too, so it's good to hear. I hope you continue to have great fortune with this. Thanks again. Gwenn

Anyone had great or awful with an la surgeon, I'd love to know as I'm just starting this journey and could use some direction. I live close to Cedars....anyone there? Thanks-Gwenn

HI Again. I've been off for a few days. Had a lot to think about. I still appreciate your offer. I'm having a little trouble finding replies and going back to things on the site..there's so much! but I'll get there. I've decided to go forward and start the process. I've already been through the hospital's nutritionist and I'm in therapy with one of their people anyway, so I may be well on my way. I think at this point I'd do it tomorrow. My asked my internist and I was actually shocked at how much he wants me to do this. Amazing. And the therapist. And I had a long talk with a relative who has had it done as well. Hope I can find you again. I look forward to speaking with you. Gwenn

Thanks. I very much appreciate the offer. So many questions. I probably should do some basic reading and checking my insurance, etc. My brother-in-law has lost 100 pounds with the band. Not many problems. Just is freaking me out. I don't feel I can ask him questions because....you know how family can be. If I ask, then he makes himself the absolute authority and that's not my style. Do you happen to know if there's a section where one can find local doctors for banding? Many thanks-Gwenn

Do the fills hurt?