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Really? Wow! I was just curious b/c I know he is an excellent Dr. (He performed RNY on my mom) When I checked on pricing it was around $15,000 and that was only a few months ago. So I thought maybe with travel expenses it may not be much different and you would have a Dr. close by.

This is good to know. Two wks. from today and I will be banded. I am freaking out! I'm also not sleeping @ night :embaressed_smile: but am excited to get surgery over with.

Marcy~ Congrats! That's such an awesome feeling. I cannot wait to get there.:embaressed_smile: I grew up in North Pole so I know the dread you are feeling for winter. I don't mind winter so much but they last WAY too long up there.

Jaime~ I will be banded by Dr.K a month earlier. Woohoo! :cool2: So I obviously cannot help you with the food choices. However, I wanted to let you know that I am not telling a lot of people either. My parents know and 3 of my friends. That's it! Personally, I don't think its anyone's business, if you know what I mean. :w00t: A lot of people know I am having surgery but I told them its for something else. Lying...yes, but again not their business. My DH and I are not telling his parents. NO WAY! Yes, they will see me lose weight but what they don't know won't hurt them. :embaressed_smile: If you do not think you can get out of cooking and having Thanksgiving at your place, I may just tell them you aren't feeling well that day. Again, lying but I would rather that than get off to a bad start with my new in-laws. By the way, I think we can have mashed potatoes by that stage. So...I would leave it at mashed potatoes and applesauce. Hope this helps!

Hi! I will be in the same boat as you next week. Protein shakes give me extreme gas and belly aches :embaressed_smile: so I don't think you're alone. Hang in there!:cool2:

I must admit y'all are scaring me a bit. I too, have PCOS. I am having a band placed (on the 29th :cool2:) as my last resort to lose weight. I am a self-pay and am extremely nervous to pay 10 g's only to lose 30 lbs. or so (yes its better than nothing). I also have a thyroid problem which makes it a double whammy.I exercise like crazy running an avg. of 3-4 miles 3x/wk with cardio and weights the other 2 days. I'm only expecting to lose 1-2 lbs./wk and am hoping I can keep that mindset throughout the entire process. PCOS can be so frustrating. :cursing: Have any of you with PCOS been able to eliminate the metformin/glucophage?

Slim~ Another thing we have in common...PCOS! Lovely! Please tell me you don't have a thyroid problem too. Did they tell you you gb disease was from the BCP? I only found this out after surgery. Grr...:cursing:

Slim: You and I are too much alike with our thoughts and belly buttons. :cursing: I am so worried about getting something "stuck" the first time. Ugh...I know it won't be pleasant.

Hello! Dr. K is also doing my surgery. My original date was Oct.1 but I got bumped up to Sept.29th. Have you visited the thread for Dr.K? You will find a lot of info on that thread. I have a hard time keeping up with everyone over there but tend to chime in when I can.

Cassy and Lowbmier welcome! I cannot keep up with all these girls so I tend to 'chime' in when I can. Cassy, my surgery is a few days after yours (29th) so you'll have to let me know how it goes. I find myself extremely anxious these days. :cursing: Did you look into Dr.Atkinson's office in Vegas?

Hello again! Dr.K does give you the choice to decide which band you want. However, the Realize is an additional charge. The last time I checked he is still in negotiation with the company for the price but Natalie thought it would be anywhere from $100-$500 in addition to the $9950. I think I have decided to go with the Lap Band just for the simple fact this is what Dr. K prefers and has the most experience with. After all of my research, I cannot find a significant difference for one vs. the other. Good luck in your decision!

I know, I hate it! Now if I even get skinny enough to wear a bikini, I will be self conscious b/c of my stupid belly button. Grr is right! I also just noticed yesterday, I have kind of a small 'bump' on the inside and asked DH who is an RN what the heck it was. He said its probably a stitch. What in the world? :cursing: How long ago did you have your gb removed?

Don't be scared!! Everyone is different with surgery. I didn't share my experience to make you scared or uneasy. I shared my experience to suggest you always get a second opinion and do your homework. My surgeon was supposed to be the best in town. I thought I did my homework but wished I would've asked more questions. Just b/c a Dr. says you need surgery doesn't always mean there aren't other options. Next time, I would make sure of ALL options before I let anyone cut on me. I don't think my surgeon closed my "wounds" but a technician/assistant. I would definitely request your surgeon to do it. I haven't had my band placed as of yet but from my understanding I believe 'sliming' occurs when you don't chew your food well enough and it gets "stuck". The body reacts by producing excessive saliva and mucus to open the stoma to allow the food to pass through. The process can last anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes or even longer.:cursing:

Allyson~ Hi! I have not had surgery yet. My surgery is in 2 wks. (yikes!) with Dr. K. so I will have to get back to you with some suggestions. :thumbup: Have you visited the Dr. K thread? All the girls over there are super nice and I'm sure they would be more than willing to help if you posted this question over there. :smile:

Wow! Sorry to hear you've had all these complications. I am 2 wks. out from having my Lap Band surgery and definitely hate hearing stuff like this. But everyone is different and perhaps you may have had a different experience with RNY, who knows if that even would've gone smoothe. My mom had RNY about 4 yrs. ago and looks amazing after losing 150lbs. I'm choosing to have the Lap Band done for a lot of different reasons. Of course weight, but I want to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy, my "dumping" from after my gallbladder removal and I too have fibromyalgia that "flares" up. I feel like the band is the only thing at this point that can truly help me with a life style change. It sounds to me like the surgeon/staff were the problem. If I was you, I think I would try to find a new Dr. and start anew. Unless you are planning on having the band removed for medical reasons. As far as the erosion on the teeth. Dentures sounds a little dramatic for me. Make sure you have a good dentist. Yes, this happens with excessive vomiting but usually takes awhile. I am not a DDS but a dental hygienist and can answer any questions you may have if you would like to PM me. Also wanted to know what happened with the gallbladder. I have had nothing but trouble after having my gallbladder removed and wouldn't recommend it to anyone! Again, probably a bad surgeon but wish I still had mine. I wish you the best on whatever decision you make!

Lol...that was so funny! I hear ya tho. My scars aren't the best and my belly button is deformed to the point it looks like something out of a horror movie. I can't even stand to look at it and I had a cute lil' belly button before, if I do say so myself.

I thought you might be another one of us with PCOS from the sounds of it. I'm glad you we re able to get pregnant. Thats one of my reasons for getting the band. I too, have taken glucophage for a long time and have never been able to lose weight on it. :thumbup: I know some people have lost a significant amount taking it though. I feel as if the Lap Band is a last resort for me. I exercise like crazy, run 3-4 mi 4x/wk. and cannot lose weight. I also have hypothyroidism which also makes losing weight difficult. Grr... My band date is 9/29 and I'm getting nervous. :wink_smile:

My PCP and surgeon both recommended it. I was under the impression that I would feel so much better after having it removed that I was eager to have it out. I too, had multiple testing done (ultrasound,endoscopy,HIDA scan, etc.). Unfortunately, I didn't know how to read an ultrasound or HIDA scan and listened to their advice. I really don't think I needed mine removed. Grr...I'm very upset.:wink_smile: Needless to say, my surgeon who also does bariatrics, WILL NOT being doing my Lap Band surgery!!

Schneffski~ Hi and welcome! I was just curious if you were ever diagnosed with PCOS?

No, you do not "need" your gallbladder. I had mine removed 2 yrs. ago. If I had it to do over again, I would think twice. :thumbup: Yes, I had sludge and yes it would eventually need to be removed. I didn't have gallstones and wasn't in any pain, just nauseated which hasn't changed much. Anyway, Drs. lead you to believe that you will be able to eat anything you ate before the removal. I unfortunately have trouble eating anything. Whether its a salad, turkey sandwich or greasy cheeseburger. I will have the same reaction each time and have to be around a bathroom in 30 minutes. Its awful! I hate going anywhere and I always have to know where the nearest restroom is. :wink_smile: Ugh...miserable! However, EVERYONE is different. Just like with the Lap Band. I just wish one of my Drs. would've informed my of the possiblilites. Thus, my only reason for sharing. I am having a Lap Band placed at the end of the month. Yes, I need to lose weight but not having my gallbladder also was a huge factoring decision. I'm hoping with less food going in will decrease my "dumping" syndrome. Hopefully you won't need yours removed. However, if you already have a band in place, then you probably won't experience what I've gone through. Good luck!

Hello and Welcome! :thumbup: This forum is somewhat confusing to find your way around at first. I've been on here for a few mths. and just figured out how to post a new thread...so, you are way ahead of me. :huh2: Good luck with the upcoming journey. I will be banded at the end of the month and my nerves are starting to get the best of me.

Hi! Sounds like you are doing wonderful. :thumbup: My date is getting closer and I'm getting very anxious. Can't sleep at night worrying and thinking about questions. Keep up the good work.

Good Luck to you! I am right behind you on the 29th. :sad: I am lucky as I only have a one week pre-op diet and its just high Protein so hopefully it won't be a major deal. I am extremely nervous so you are not alone.