misschrissie67

Hey Kimberly, I too was/am self pay. Dr. Fisher and Southcrest both give a discount to self-pays. Yes, its still pretty expensive (@ $20,000 total) but I feel like its the best investment I have ever made. I would be glad to share any info with you, or anyone, about Dr. Fisher and Southcrest. I received and continue to receive EXCELLENT care from both. Good luck on your journey. Please feel free to email or IM me, maybe we can meet sometime.

Thanks Karen. I am adjusting much better than I thought I would. I was afraid I would be craving everything in sight, but that has not been the case at all. I really am not focused on food like I was before. I am so happy just eating my little 3-4 ounce meals!!! I know I will have less restriction as the swelling goes away, but I am not unhappy at all about it. It is all even better than I thought it would be. According to the scale, I havent lost anything yet, but I am not worried, I know it will come off. Isnt it nice to know you arent going through this alone? I sure think it is.

I had my surgery yesterday 11/29/06. :clap2: Everything went well but it took a little longer than expected because the doctor ran into some scar tissue from an old accident or ulcer or something. He says I am doing good. I am VERY sore, as is normal I'm sure. I had to stay overnite because I have sleep apnea. I am really glad to be home. Hard to believe I can have less than 1/4 cup of broth and 2 teaspoons of jello and I am full. Anyway, I am banded, home, and doing good. Just thought I would let everyone know. Will back be on later. Chrissie

Hey another Okie here. I am in Muskogee and my surgeon is Dr. Kevin Fisher at Surgical Associates of Tulsa. Like Sunshine, I chose a local doctor for the convenience. My surgery date is Nov 29th, I'm getting really excited. Appreciate any advice the post-ops can give me.

I am so excited, I finally have a date for my surgery. I had my first Dr appointment in August and have been on a rollercoaster ride ever since. So many doctors and so many tests to go to and through :mmph: I wondered if I would ever get through with it all. Well then I did and I waited and waited and waited. And called the doctor's office and bugged the nurse:paranoid and waited :notagree and waited :faint: Then finally she called, like an angel, and gave me a date :clap2: November 29th :dance: So I too will be a November bandster :banana I am excited beyond words. Even though I am going to have to be a self pay ( I gave up fighting with insurance company after 6 months) I know it will all be worth it. Well just wanted to share my excitement. Chrissie

Hi I am also from Oklahoma, Muskogee in fact. I am pre-op, scheduled for surgery on 11/29 in Tulsa with Dr. Fisher. Never heard of a Dr. Lester, sorry cant help. Chrissie

I am going to have my surgery in a couple of weeks. I have cut out all caffeine except 2 cups of morning coffee. Is it really that imperative to give that up ? :help:

Thanks everyone, I will double check with my surgeon. I am sure if its matter of being successful or failing, I will gladly give it up. Will also try the warm drink Gayle suggested.

wow am I glad I found this thread !!! I am 381, BMI 54.6, hopefully will get a surgery date when I go back to Doctor next week. Reading the posts here and wow how encouraging !!! You are all doing great and I am so ready for this new part of my life to begin. Went for my lab work this last week, after doing all testing, and had gained a pound. I dont know how, been following the pre-surgery diet, cut out all sugar, caffeine, started my protein and vitamins. Anyway, that was crushing because I am hungry all the time and still gained weight. My fiance couldnt believe it either. But I am just going to cut back more and go back next week to weigh and hopefully will get a date for first part of November. Anyway, thanks for starting this thread and thanks for the encouragement you give others.

Well everyone I talk to told me once I got started on this it would be like a whirlwind, wow is it ever!!! I have had my visit with my surgeon and with his nurse, did my gallbladder ultrasound today, in 2 days I see my cardiologist and set up tests with him, waiting on my psych eval appointment and also have an appointment set for pulmonary. whew this is life in the fast lane isnt it? Looks like I will get a surgery date mid-october. I tell you, I am counting the days. :clap2: thanks for all the support, Chrissie

Hello Okie neighbors ! I am from Muskogee, also eastern OK. I have not had surgery yet, but hoping to within the next couple of months. I have been to an educational meeting and have some of my doctor appointments scheduled. I am having my surgery done in Tulsa, by Dr. Fisher. I would love to chat with some of you on yahoo sometime. Anyway, just wanted to say "HI" Chrissie

Hello everyone. I am Chrissie, from Muskogee, OK and today is one of the happiest days I have had in a very long time. Today I got an appointment with a surgeon for my gastric banding :biggrin1: I am so happy because I know once I have the surgery my life will truly begin again. I am 39 and weigh 360 lbs, my BMI is 51.3 :omg: Not numbers I am proud of, but certainly looking forward to starting my own little " ticker " on here and watching those numbers decline. I hope to make friends on here with people I can share experiences and support with. I cant wait to be able to walk and breath at the same time, to be able to sit in a booth at a restaurant again, to go the park and play on the swing and slide with my kids, to go swimming, to ride an amusement park ride again, to get hugged by my fiance and have him be able to clasp his hands together around me......oh my gosh the list goes on and on. Anyway, I've actually joined this list many months ago, but today I feel is the first day of my journey. Thanks to all who have have gone down the path before me and made it smoother. I am sure I will be leaning on you in the future. And hopefully one day I will be able to give the same back to others. God bl;ess you all. Chrissie

Thanks to all of you. I really appreciate (and need) the support right now. I dont have a surgery date yet. But I do have an appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Katsis in Tulsa. This is a really big step for me. I have been researching this for years!!! Tonja, definitely want to keep in touch with you neighbor. Thanks again everyone. Chrissie

I just wanted to take a moment and say HI to everyone. I have been going thru alot of the posts and reading today, seems like a great group and I am glad I stumbled on it. I am preparing to have surgery sometime this year. I currently have a BMI of 50.2, so you can see is definitely needed. I have been on every diet known to man, all worked, but only for a short time. I have probably lost a thousand pounds in my life, problem is what I gained back. I do believe lap-band is right for me. I have a rare form of cardiomyopathy, so any type of open surgery is out of the question according to my cardiologist. I have discussed lap-band with him and he also thinks it is the right choice. Now I am just trying to convince my insurance company that it is a necessity. Even if I cant convince them, I will save up the money and be a self-pay. I am determined to have the surgery in 2006. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. Anyway, would love to hear from anyone that wants to share their story with me or give any advice. And hopefully have found somewhere to turn to when I need some support. Chrissie :kiss2: