Paula Irion

Hi from WA State! I'm pre-op - my insurance company won't approve me until I've done 3 months of physician supervised diet and exercise. So I'm filling out daily food and exercise logs for my Dr. My surgery will be at Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA with Dr. Alperovich. I can't wait! Just found this website today, so I'm excited to find one that is just for "Bandits"! :thumbup: Paula

Sounds like everything went like clockwork for you. I can't thank you enough for answering all my questions. Looking at your ticker...looks like you did a great job losing weight before your surgery. Congrats on that! Keep up the good work. ~Hugs~ Paula

Is there anyway you can get your cousin to get on this website to get some facts? It's too bad that some surgeons will just get people in and out the door without them knowing and understanding all of the rules and the reason for the rules. I think that being an educated patient is KEY!

YAY AUGUST ALL STARS!!! Congratulations on becoming a "bandit"! Who did your surgery? I moved to Auburn 2 years ago from CAL. I go to Puyallup a lot - haircut, WalMart, shopping and my FAVORITE restaurant - Famous Dave's BBQ. Love the BBQ chicken there. So how was your surgery? I hear it's quick ... about 45 minutes. Did you get to go home the same day? Sorry to drive you crazy with all the questions, but most people I know did the GBS so I'm excited to talk with you. Anyway, hope you're feeling good and you'll soon be back to work. Paula

Shome - Congratulations on such a good weight loss in so short a time. What is the secret? A good friend of mine had GBS with Dr. Oh in Federal Way. He did a great job and she's very happy about her decision. Her surgery was in June. I'm going to Dr. Alperovich in Renton for my lapband. He has a great reputation and has a very nice bedside manner.:thumbup:

At first I was a little irritated about all the hoops my Insurance Company was making me go through to get approved, but I guess I'm glad now. I have to be on a physician supervised diet and exercise plan for 3 mos. before they will even consider me. I have to turn in daily food and exercise logs to my Dr. each month. Also have to meet with the Dr., Nutritionist and exercise Physiologist every month when I go for my weigh in. But I'm taking this time to pretend I already got the band and eat following all the rules that will be lifelong rules after. I also had to take a written, graded test at my Dr's office. Plus all of the online research I've done. Want to be sure this is what I really want to do for the rest of my life - kind of like test driving a new car. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't know what to expect and how to live after. They are in for a rude awakening!

Hi Amy! Yes, I have met with the Dr. once and will have to do so for the next 3 months - each time I go in I will get weighed, meet with the Nutritionist and the Exercise Physiologist. Did you have to do the food/exercise logs for the whole 6 mos? When did you get your LapBand? Are you happy with it? My sister just had GBS in July, and my niece had GBS in March - so I guess that makes me the family oddball! That just seems a little too extreme for me; the Band is more in my comfort zone!