Baboo

Has anyone used Dr. McDowell for Lap Band surgery? If so would you please PM me so I could ask about the 2 week post op diet. I have a copy of one someone gave me at the Support group meeting, but I've heard that each doctor does something a little different. I'm wondering if I started following the diet now before I see him if I could move my surgery up.

Hi Jenny, Sorry I didn't answer before now, but I didn't get on the computer yesterday. I loved Dr. McDowell. He is a wonderful caring doctor. I had my surgery on July 15 so I'm a week out from surgery. At the last minute I change my mind and had the more drastic RNY surgery. I think it was the right decision for me. I have Medicare insurance so I had a six month waiting period but then I was able to schedule surgery once I had jumped through all their hoops. Everyone I have dealt with at their office is great. You will be in good hands. I would suggest attending the support group their office sponsors and also go to the gatherings the people have put together on their own. The support of people who have gone before you will be invaluable. I wish you the best of luck B

Well I'm meeting my surgeon, Dr. McDowell, for the first time today. I think by the time I leave I will have a surgery date set and will begin my two week liquid diet. I want to thank all of you for your posts. I feel I am well prepared with questions and information. I haven't posted much, but have been reading what you guys have to say. I will let you know if I will be a July Bandster!!!:thumbs_up:

Has anyone used Dr. McDowell for Lap Band surgery? If so would you please PM me so I could ask about the 2 week post op diet. I have a copy of one someone gave me at the Support group meeting, but I've heard that each doctor does something a little different. I'm wondering if I started following the diet now before I see him if I could move my surgery up.

Friday was a GREAT day!!! After completing all the requirements before I could see my surgeon I was told his first appointment was August 18 and that it would be at least another 6 weeks after that before I could have my surgery. I began this journey back in January and my resolve was beginning to wane. I went to the Lap Band support group this past Thursday and talked to someone there who had used another doctor in the same practice. She loved him and was able to have her surgery soon after being approved. I called the office the next morning and ask to change surgeons and now I have an appointment on Friday, June 27 with a surgery date probably the middle of July!!!! I'm so excited and nervous. Will post again when I know more. Baboo

I'm hoping to have Lap Band surgery sometime this summer and I'm wondering what I will be able to eat out after surgery. After reading your experience Bob, now I'm really concerned. I go to several conferences each year where we are at a location not close to anything and you must eat what they offer. Will I need to take protein shakes with me for the whole weekend? Thanks for any info.

Thanks so much. This gives me some idea of what to expect.

On Tuesday, June 3, I will have my final visit with my PCP, fullfilling my 6 month visits. I have completed everything else that is required. I plan to call my surgeon's office that same day to begin the process for my surgery. Any ideas what timeline I can expect? I'm guessing the process is I will see the surgeon, and after his approval they will file with insurance (Medicare & BCBS) for approval? Then once that is received I will have two weeks of a liquid diet. Would the middle of August be realistic for my surgery? Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN will be my surgeon. Has anyone used him before? Thanks for you answers. Barbara

I hope to have my surgery in June or July using Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN. Would appreciate hearing from others who have had their surgery performed by him. Thanks

Hey Crice, I suggest you call Amy Simmons at 615-284-7921(direct line). She is my contact person at Dr. Morton's office or you can e-mail her at amy.simmons@baptisthospital.com. Hope this helps.

Niecey, the support group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at Dr. Morton's office at 6:00pm. This group is for people who have already had their surgery. I'm hoping to learn a lot and get encouragement from this group. Brock, contrats on having a date for your surgery. I didn't know they would set a date before you saw Dr. Morton. My insurance requires that I see my PCP for six months before I can have the surgery. My last visit will be the first of June. I'm hoping to see Dr. Morton soon after that and have my surgery two weeks after meeting him. If either or both of you are going to the support group next Thursday let me know. I would love to meet you in person. Barbara

Thanks so much for your post! I haven't been banded yet (am still in my 6 month visits with my PCP). In reading the post of people who have already been banded it seemed all they can comsume is shakes and maybe a Protein bar! I didn't think I could live the rest of my life without ever eating real food again. I'm ready to cut way back on my food intake but not give it up entirely. I in Mt. Juliet, which is right outside Nashville. Dr. Morton will be doing my surgery if I'm approved. Who did your surgery and where do you live? Again thanks so much for your post! Barbara

I haven't been banded yet, but spend a fair about of time reading the postings. What is sliming? Thanks Barbara

I've just begun the process for Lap Band surgery. I too have to see my PCP 6 months before I can have my surgery. I have seen her twice and will see a psychiatrist on Thursday for her approval. Dr. Charles Morton at Baptist Hospital in Nashville TN will be my surgeon. His office said I can't schedule an appointment with him until I have finished all 6 of my appointments with my PCP. My insurance also requires that I spend the night after my surgery. For me I think that will be a good thing. If anyone has had their surgery with Dr. Morton I would love to hear from you. Also should I go ahead and attend the seminar or wait until closer to the end of the six months? Once you saw Dr. Morton how long did you have to wait before they scheduled your surgery? Any suggestions of things I can do now to make this procedure easier would be greatly appreciated. I've enjoyed reading your post. They helped be decide to go forward with this surgery. I need to loose half my body weight and don't seem to be able to do it any other way.

I have to wait at least 6 months before my surgery. Did you diet prior to seeing Dr. Morton to get used to eating less or just wait until the 2 weeks before surgery? Do you attend the banding support group that meets the 2nd Thursday of each month? Barbara

Hello, I'm probably still about 4 months away from surgery. My insurance requires 6 month visits with my PCP before surgery. I won't get to meet with the surgeon until after the six months are up. I look at all the before and after pictures and get so excited, but also concerned. Can I do this? Will I still find a way to fail at this too? My thinking now is going back and forth between: 1. Cut back on what you eat and get used to the restrictions before you have the surgery. 2. Eat all the things you love because after the surgery you won't be able to have them. Have any of you had these same thoughts? How hard is it to eat and do the right things after surgery? I'm really stressing out about this! Barbara

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I look forward to meeting each of you at Dr. Morton's Lapband support group. I'm going to try and make it to the April meeting. Would like to go this month but already had something planned. I'm hoping by going before my surgery it will help me get prepared. Barbara

Thanks for your comments. I really need to get my head wrapped around this. I think today I'm going to make a list of what the advantages of weight loss are verus what food does for me. I know that sounds stupid but I think I need to see it on paper! Then I need to start letting go of my "best friend" FOOD! He has always been there to comfort me when I was down or Celebrate with me when something good happened. Oh, and let's not forget that he has helped me develop high blood pressure, high colesterol, not be able to tie my shoes, walk up or down stairs without huffing and puffing, etc., etc. What am I thinking about! Five minutes after I eat I can't remember what it was I ate. If I lose weight the long term benefits are something I can feel and see in the mirror. Thanks for letting me rant. I needed to see all of this on paper. I love this forum! Barbara

Hey guys I too have fibromyalgia and have suffered with it for many years. It amazes me to see the commercial about Fibro. I went from doctor to doctor before I found one that even believed the illness was real! food has been my comfort also, along with being too tired and/or hurting too much to exercise, ie the weight packed on. I started walking the first of the year and was up to 2 miles when I got an abscessed tooth that then dry socketed! I haven't walked in two weeks now and will have to start all over again! It seems for every step I take forward I go back 3! I have seen my PCP 3 times, had an EKG, had my psych visit. I hope to see the surgeon the first of June and will find out then what the next step will be. In January I went to his office and filled out health and insurance paperwork. In April I plan on going to their Lap Band support group. It's nice to be able to talk to others that have the same problems I have. Best of luck to all of you. Barbara

At the bottom of most of the post there is a "yardstick" of where you started and where you are now. I would like to add that to my post prior to my surgery but I don't know how. Also how do you get your picture to show up with your sign in name and where you are from? Would someone help me please? Thanks Barbara

Thanks I will try those sites! Barbara

I won't see my doctor until some time in June as my insurance requires 6 months of visits with my PCP first. I have quite a bit of Medifast leftover from a previous weight loss attempt. Would it be helpful for me to start back on that prior to seeing my surgeon in order to get use to the drastic change in my diet? Barbara

How did your appointment go on Friday? Did you see Dr. Morton? What is your next step and do you have a schedule for your surgery yet? You mentioned a six month "diet". Did you go on a strict diet during that time? Sorry for all the questions but I want to learn all I can. Barbara