SherriWittler

I usesd Dr. Dunshee w/ Tallgrass in Topeka, KS. The TOTAL price was $10, 750 for self pay - - that DOES include 1 year of office visits w/ FILLS!!! He is a great doctor and the surgery center is wonderful. We me living so far (2 hours), they put us up in the hotel next to the Surgery Center after my surgery and for the evening and next day. Going to Mexico may sound great, but then you have got to think about the price of airfair and you have to find a doctor for aftercare. Going to Topeka, I didn't have to worry about that. If anybody would like more infomation about Tallgrass, just ask me and I'll answer all I can. Sherri (just banded April 17, 2006!)

I got home today ..... pretty sore. I slept pretty much the 2 hour drive home. I did put a pillow between my stomach and the seat belt. Far worse today than I was yesterday!! Taking my pain meds faithfully!! I cannot drive my car until the 26th. I feel like I have been ran over by a big steam roller - my tummy area is VERY SORE!!! I know as the days go by, I will start to feeling better. I have been very lazy and just laying around all day ............ and I don't feel guilty for doing that. I am having TERRIBALE pain in the middle area of my back ... don't know what's that's caused from. I have to go back to Topeka on the 25th for my post-op visit. I would appreciate your continued prayers. xo, Sherri

My Lapband surgery is TOMORROW ...... April 17th at 7:30 AM. I have to be there ar 6:30 AM and Topeko, KS is 2 hours from where I live!! Part of me is very excited, yet part of me is scared to death!! This will be a life changing surgery ... my life will never be the same again ..... the way I eat will never be the same again .... the person I am will never be the same!! I am kinda referring to my surgery date as my 're-birth day'. The 10 day pre-op diet has not been as bad as I thought it might be. I have not cheated once I can say!! The hardest part is fixing meals for my family and not eating it. Say a prayers for em PLEASE!!

I start my 10 day pre-op diet tomorrow ....... wish me luck. I have stocked up on broth, flavored Water and other no sugar drinks, sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jello. I am also allowed 1/2 cup cottage cheese or sugar free yogurt 3 times a day. I'm stopping by Sonic and buying a couple bags of their crushed ice to munch on. I can do this .... I can do this ......... I WILL DO THIS!! I have to go back to Topeka next Wednesday for pre-op testing and to visit w/ the doctor. Oh, and to also pay in advance for the surgery and all the costs related to it. They require pre-payment of people whose insurance does not pay for the surgery. That DOES make sense!! I have also lost another 5 pounds. So that makes 30 pounds since the end of October. xo, Sherri "I shall shape my future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me. Or I can be lost in the maze. My choice. My responsbility. Win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny."

I went shopping for Protein Powders today ...... I was sooooo confused. :scared: I went to GNC and I ended up getting a container of 'something' because I had no idea what to get. They don't even sell single serving packages so you can try them first ..... $30.00 for 1 small container. Where do you all get your's out and what kind are you getting ........ how about price. I wish I could find some single servings to try out first. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Sherri

I am paying $10,750 at Tallgrass in Topeka, KS w/ Dr. Dunshee. This price includes: facility anethesia band surgery pre-op testings 1 night stay at a hotel after surgery (I live about 2 hours away.) 1 year of care 1 year of fills This is onoe of the best prices I have found. I did a whole lot of research on Tallgrass and the WL doctors there .... I have heard all good!!

I know I have seen it on here before .... a list of things to get to have for after surgery (food, drink and stuff), but I can't find it now. Help!! Also, what should I be taking w/ me when I have my surgery? I have to stay over night at a local hotel since I live so far away ..... what things are a MUST to have? Thanks, Sherri

Didn't know if anyone was in this area but I wanted to post it just in case. ******************************************************* NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 1, 2005 at 7:00 pm at the East Hills Library, 502 N Woodbine, St Joseph, MO (southeast corner of the East Hills Mall parking lot) in the Theatre Room (downstairs) Everyone is invited. Just thought we'd try a Thursday night to see if we get a better response..

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 1, 2005 at 7:00 pm at the East Hills Library, 502 N Woodbine, St Joseph, MO (southeast corner of the East Hills Mall parking lot) in the Theatre Room (downstairs) Everyone is invited. Just thought we'd try a Thursday night to see if we get a better response.. Rick Felzien http://stjosephwlssg.com

I am doing the band for the very same reasons you are ........ wll, except #1! ) I already have 5 children (ages 27, 22, 9, 7 & 7 .......... we adopted the last 3) so I really don't want anymore ..... plus, I am 44 so I think I am really to old for that!! ) With the RNY ......... they re-route your whole inside ....... just don't think I could do that to myself. Plus, there such are a whole lot more chance of something happening w/ this surgery. I feel very strongly that the band is the right choice for me. My husband, like yours, would not be going along w/ this WLS if it wasn't the band. I have 3 very small children that I need to be around for, so I just can't rish it by having the RNY. Now, I have to be honest tho, the fast weight lose w/ the RNY sounds very nice to me as compared to the slower weight lose as the band ........ but I still just can't do the RNY. I feel like I am making the right choice for me and for my family.

No, you're not a bad girl for not knowing what department your mother works in. My daughter had a child support case worker in Savannah when she lived w/ us ..... the caseworker's name was Marilyn. There are two surgeons in WLS where I am going to have my lapband done. I, like you, find that I find comfront in that. Two surgeons are better than one. I have had other surgerys before, so I'm really not to freaked about being out under. I really seem to get VERY nervous before I have surgery ..... to the point where I make myself sick and I start shaking. last time they did give me something to calm me down when I came in ...... that did help. Sometimes it does overwelm me to think that this is a life changing surgery ..... we will never be able to eat again like we have. The thought of chewing my food until it is almost liquid is a very hard concept for me. I know I MUST do that chewing tho .......... otherwise something can get stuck ..... which I sure don't wnt happening. You are VERY lucky that your insurance will pay for your WLS. I wish mine would. With my self pay price to my doctor that does include 1 year followup w/ fills!! (Praise God!!) What made you decide on the band over the RNY?

What highschool did you go to? how old are you? YES, I know, I am nosey!! )

We were foster parents for MANY years ..... we even adopted 3 kiddos though the state 2 1/2 years ago. Does your mother work in that area at all ........... I do know quit a few DFS workers .... that would be wierd if I know your mother. My hubby also works for the state ... MO DOT. My real name is my user name. That is crazy that they are charging you so much for your records. i have heard that if your doctor would request them then there is no charge to you. Will your insurance pay for your WLS? This is another one of my favorite sites: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/posts.html if you have not already checked it out, go do it. Have you decided on a doctor yet? Gone to any seminars? Ihve read soooo much info on WLS and have read so many posts on different support groups. I really like the online support groups ..... you learn so much there. Those people have done this and know what they are talking about. Sherri

I will have to be self pay for my insurance will not cover WLS for ANY reason. The meetings are held at the East Hill Library on Woodbine. Heartland would not have the meetings there .... they do not even support WLS at all. Mu friend who is have the lapband has worked at Heartland for 23 years and their insurance will not even cover WLS - at all!! So much for a hospital looking at the welfare of thier employees health. Are you from St. Joseph? I have lived here my whole life ... 44 years!! What do your parents do?

I have read sooo much info about WLS and the lapband ...... I know I want the lapband for sure. I, like you, have mixed emotions about it on different days. This surgery is life changing!!! We will never be able to eat the way we did before. Pne of my GREATEST fears is PBing ..... it scares me to death. I live close to St. Joseph, MO. I have a daughter that lives in Gladstone .... which is very close to Libery. Her boyfriend lives in Liberty. Ihave attended several seminars w/ different doctors. I am going with a doc from Topeka, KS. I just started going to a LapBand support group in St. Joseph, MO. It was great just hearing peole share their stories ....... good and bad!! The group is small ... but that's okay. I felt like we could talk more that way. I am sure that it will grow as time goes. Have you all set a date yet? Sherri

Can you all tell me some of the IMPORTANT questions that I should ask the WL doctor when I go and see him. I would appreciate any respones. Thanks, Sherri

How much is Dr. Malley charging you for your aftercare?

I live in Missouri. I am also self pay and Iwas going to go to Mexico for my WLS. I have found 2 doctors in Topeka, KS that does the band surgery for a cash price of $10, 750....... and that DOES include 1 year of fills. I choose to stay in the states after really thinking about it ... you have the price for the WLS in Mexico, air fair and such, plus the cost of finding an aftercare doctor in you area. When I compared the 2, I choose to stay in the states. Now, if I had not found a great doc w/ a great price then you betcha I would be hoping on that plane to Mexico ............ BUT now I don't have to. Sherri

http://www.startsampling.com/sm/7041/captureAddress.iphtml?item=7041&source=dove.com

A friend of mine has Midicaid and is using Dr. Malley. Medicaid will just pay for the hospital stuff but you have to pay for Dr. Malley's fee. The way my friend put it is that she is very thankful that Medicaid will even pay for the hospital fees ..... that IS lucky and great in itself. She is taking out a personal loan to pay Dr. Malley. I wish that I had insurance that was willing to pay for ANY part of the surgery. I have to pay for ALL of it MYSELF!! (not fun).

I go to a seminar w/ Dr. Steward on September 10. I'll let you know how it goes.

What did you have put on it?

Is it a medical ID bracelet that states you had lap band surgery? Do we need to do that?

Sthomas - I live about 60 miles from KC, MO. I plan on having the surgery before the end of the year. My insurance will not pay for ANY weight loss surgery at all, so I'll be self pay. I have found a Dr. Steward in Topeka, KS that has a self pay price of $10,750 and that does include 1 year followup. He has required Seminars the second Saturday of each month. If you want anymore info on him, just let me know. Sherri

I would also be interested in hearing from you long time banders.