Grammy O

Hi everyone. I have my first "new patient" meeting tomorrow 2/21/08. It is at Orange Coast Memorial, Dr. Peter LePorte in Fountain Valley, CA. Can anyone enlighten me as to what I might expect. It is a 3-1/2 hr. meeting. I'm getting anxious. Olga

Thanks Angelic 1 and Jilly. The meeting was just as you had described it. After yesterday's meeting, I have changed my mind and decided to have the bypass afterall. I had no idea that usually the "day of" or up to 2 weeks time, diabetes can be reversed. To think about the complications of diabetes. They now do the bypass laproscopically and with the fact that Orange Coast has been deemed "Center of Excellence", I feel that things are going to be ok, either way. Thank you for all the information that has been available here, keep up the good work! I only hope that I can find a website like this for the bypass. God Bless! Olga

I had my gallbladder removed some 25 years ago! I still can remember the pain associated with it. It started just underneath the right rib cage and radiated to the right side and to my back! I couldn't sit, lay down, or anything else. I unfortunately had to have it removed the old fashioned way. I have this scar that runs from about my sternum down to the right side about 10-12 inches long. But nowadays, they try to do it laprascopically unless they have trouble getting in (too much fat, scarring etc.). This is what has me wondering if I will have to have open surgery for the lapband or be lucky and have it done laprascopically. If you have to be opened up to get the gallbladder out, you are probably looking at about 4-6 weeks medical. If done laprascopically, usually 1-2 weeks. Olga

Wow Elyssa! I too have had abdominal surgery some 23 years ago. Had my gallbladder removed (not laparascopically either). My scar goes from just about the sternum down at an angle to my right side. Just didn't give it a second thought about maybe having to have open surgery. Hmm......will have to prepare for that then. When you have the LB how long are you out of work? I wasn't planning to take a medical leave but now it sounds like maybe I should??????? Olga

Hey Cakegal and anyone else that has had any relations with Orange Coast Medical, Dr. LePorte. Can you give me some insight as to what the NP meeting is all about and what type of financing they have available if any? I have been approved and have my NP meeting 9/21. I am both excited and nervous. Please help. Olga

Hi all! I have not been banded yet. I'm just in the beginning stages of getting insurance approval. I already checked with the insurance company and they will cover this surgery. I am with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I have been reading alot of the posts here but I like this one since my starting BMI is 52.5. I will make sure that I come back often to check on how everyone is doing and let everyone know when I will finally get my band. I can hardly "weight"..:smile2: Olga

I am a newbie here, just started with paperwork. I am learning alot by reading alot of the posts. But what the heck is PBing? :glare: Someone "splain" please.

I just joined lapband talk. I too would be interested in a support group. I haven't seen a doctor about the lapband yet but I really need to. I live in Placentia and would love to talk with anyone that would be willing to talk. My email address is otlyle@aol.com. I welcome any information you can provide.

Thanks, antsmith, will check out the link.

I am looking into having the lapband done and was wanting information from anyone here is Southern California (Yorba Linda/Fullerton area). I really need to do something.:biggrin:

I was hoping to find people that were from my neck of the woods, and I did! I live in Placentia and I too am looking into having the lapband procedure done. Like Cakegal, I too have to use either Fountain Valley Regional Center or Orange Coast Memorial since those are the 2 places that my insurance will cover. I am a diabetic, type 2, high blood pressure, have 1 knee replacement and need another one but can't have that one done until I lose alot of weight. I am just not doing my replacement any good with all this weight. I am 5'4" and weigh about 300+ lbs. I am so ashamed that I let myself get this far but I have to do something now. Who should I see first, my GP or my endocrinologist (for diabetes) to get the ball rolling?