MissEliza

For the physician: Do they have a post-op counseling plan? What is the expected/anticipated weight loss for the first year? Are the fills done in office and/or through radiology? If radiology, will you be able to do the in office instead? (Office costs less than radiology where I am, but radiology guarantees they hit the port and they are able to see the fluids travel through the opening and also make sure everything is right where the surgeon left it. A huge relief, let me tell you.) If you have a prior or current patient there, pick their brain... What is their daily routine, i.e. Breakfast, lunch, dinner? What was the best thing that has happened/what is the worst since being banded? Who did their banding? Would they recommend them again? What is their "tell" that they have eaten enough/too much? (I hiccup when I am full) Ask them what it is like to get a fill. I was not expecting being able to feel when the needle was accepted by the port. A weird/funny feeling. Take a piece of paper with you to the seminar and as you go through the seminar write down things that were not clear enough for you, you want to have elaborated, or other questions that come up. They are there to answer every question you have. Ask them anything!!

My banding was a family affair. My sister had been banded in March of 2007 and after some scary news from a spine surgeon, we decided I needed to do this. I told my immediate family first, then his parent (I was nervous about that, but they were great and only wanted the best for me, I have the best in-laws) and then I told my boss. I held off on telling anyone else until it was a done deal and I had my surgery date. Once I had that I began telling those who I knew would be supportive. My theory, only tell those who will be supportive and those who you will be around a lot incase something happens. I told my cubicle mate so if anything happened to me while at work, she would be able to direct assistance. Slowly others have been finding out. I don't lie and say "just diet and exercise" as one woman did to my sister. Instead, I tell them, "I was banded and I am very careful of what I eat and exercise when I can." Everyone has a lot of questions and I answer each one with facts and information. I found that to be the key - being prearpred to answer every question anyone could pose to me. However, the bottom line is this... you are in control of who you tell or don't tell. Some feel like telling everyone will hep them while others perfer to keep it a secret. You need to decide which will work for you. Good Luck!!