butterfly723

Yes, they did the surgery with me showing up as 22 lbs lost. But like I said, their scales are off (someone else on here mentioned the same thing). So I was actually only 16 lbs down according to my scale. One of Choi's patients on here only lost 15 lbs, as well. But she was a good 25 lbs lighter than me. So for all I know, he might have only told her to lose that amount. But like I have read others say, it isn't so much the amount of weight you lose, but that your liver shrinks. So I would think that as long as you aren't cheating on the diet, even though the pounds aren't dropping off, the liver is still shrinking. Prior to surgery, the last weigh in I had was with the nutritionist. And it was only 12 lbs at that point (his scale was the same as mine at home). He was a bit concerned, since I was only a week away from surgery (and Choi said to lose 20 to 30 lbs). He said Choi's office would call with pre-op instructions the day before surgery, and would ASK my final weight over the phone. I found that a bit weird, because if he thought it was so important, why wouldn't they have made me come to get weighed in person, right? But when they called, they didn't even ask. I told them anyway, and they didn't seem to care. LOL

Strax quoted me $10,999, but I ended up paying $10,000. Reason being, I was initially considering going to a doctor in Ocala (Jawad), who at the time quoted me around $11,500. This price included fills and aftercare for 2 years. Strax charges $250 for fills. So when I told the coordinator at Strax, about the price Jawad's office quoted during my consult with them, and brought up that his deal was better because the fills were included, they then dropped the price to $10,000. There are 2 other people on here who I saw paid $10,500. So I think they try to match or beat the best price you have been quoted elsewhere. Also, I was given the quote from Strax in October. Their quotes are only good for two weeks. But once you put a down payment, the price is locked in and they will let you make payments. So I put $4500 on Care Credit in October, made a few payments in between, and paid the balance off in February with my tax return. Around the holidays, I received e-mails from them, advertising the band for UNDER $10,000. But since I had already had my quote and surgery date, it didn't apply to me. So if you can stick it out until the end of the year, maybe you can get it for under $10,000.

Regine, I'm an LPN and currently in an RN program. I do some of my clinicals at Memorial, and didn't even realize Dr. Choi worked there! :smile: So much for my "research", huh? LOL Anyway, I read your post asking about whether or not it is normal to be scared. Let me tell you, I was petrified on the morning of surgery. First of all, I had my pre-op appointment 3 weeks before surgery. So Dr. Choi wanted me to lose 20 to 30 lbs. I did the diet for 2 weeks, where dinner was included. Then the last week it was 3 to 4 shakes per day only. Their scale was about 6 lbs different from mine. According to my scale, I lost only 16 lbs on surgery date, but on their scale it was 22 lbs. So of course I was freaking out, thinking I didn't "really" lose what he wanted. And I would wake up without a band, from a fat liver. LOL But thank goodness that wasn't the case. And of course when they put me on the OR table, I felt for a minute like jumping off and forgetting the whole thing. Something about being intubated scared me to death. In fact, as I was drifting off to sleep, I kept trying to open my eyes, fighting anesthesia. LOL I heard them joking that they were going to get this one guy to do the intubation, because he needed practice. I said, "I can't open my eyes, but I hope you guys know that I can hear you." Everyone started laughing. And before I knew it, surgery was over. I was wheeled into the OR at 9:10 am, and woke up in recovery at 10:10 am. I told my nurse I had "bad gas pains". She said it was from my surgery. I was like, "It's over??" When she said yes, I said "Thank you, Jesus." LOL I was a but nauseated at first, but that subsided before I left the facility. And Dr. Choi only prescribed Percocet. I was worried at first, because I thought I'd have nausea at home. But when the nurse asked if I could have a prescription for it, he said I wouldn't need it, because it was only from the anesthesia. He was right! I had shoulder pain for one day post-op. The heating pad helped with that. And then I took Gas X and Percocet for all the other pain, for a few days. The pain was mostly from the gas they put into your abdomen. My incisions (four across the abdomen, and a smaller one kind of between the breasts) didn't bother me. The whole thing really wasn't that bad at all. So no worries! Think positive and have faith, and you will be fine. :laugh:

I had my LAP-BAND® procedure done at Strax. I am 12 days post op and feel great! I'm down 28 lbs (including pre-op diet) and am excited about a healthier, happier future. Dr. Choi was very personable and friendly. The one thing I noticed though, was that he didn't go into great detail, explaining things like what to expect, fills, diet, etc. He seemed to be in a rush the few times I spoke with him (pre-op appointment, day of surgery, and first follow-up appointment). However, I had already done extensive research on the band for over a year, so it wasn't really a big deal. I knew what I was getting myself into. And to his credit, the few questions I DID have, he answered to my satisfaction. So I guess I would just advise anyone going to him, to have their questions handy (even written down), to ensure all their concerns are addressed. He also called me at home the morning after surgery, to see how I was doing. I missed the call, but heard the voicemail. I was impressed that he actually called to check in. It made me feel liked he cared. LOL The facility at Strax is well-equipped and very clean. They have a full operating room and recovery area. The staff is very professional and caring. Everyone I came in contact with, put me at ease (I was a nervous wreck). I got there at 8 am, and was leaving by 11:30. The actual surgery took less than an hour. I was even able to fill my pain medication at their pharmacy, for a mere $16. I was a bit hesistant at first, since lap banding at Strax seemed to be a fairly new procedure being offered. But from the research I've done on Dr. Choi, (as far back as 5 to 6 years- in New York), I couldn't find anything negative. And he told me he was trained by bariatric surgeons (can't remember exact details). Either way, I am very pleased with my experience there, and would recommend Strax/Choi to anyone.

Hi Summer, I am considering getting my band done at Strax. Do you mind telling me how much they charge there? Thanks!

Thanks for the information and encouraging words, ladies. I will definitely take all of your advice into consideration. Congrats to all of you who are doing so well on your weight loss journey. And good luck to those of you who are preparing to start that journey! I will keep you all updated on my progress.

I read about this before, and I think Natalie told me the same thing earlier this year. I am shooting for the last week in Sept. That Monday we have no class, so I would fly into Colorado. I would get my consult on Tues, surgery on Wed, then head home Thurs. I don't have class on Tues or Thurs, so I would only be missing Wednesday...that is, if this all goes off as planned, and I can get to class on Friday. I have to try and get those dates scheduled from Natalie too. She says they usually schedule two weeks out. I will work on it starting Monday, just need to finalize a few things first then get my phone consult. Another question as far as the port goes- Where exactly is it located? I know it is off to the side, right? How high or low is it in reference to the belly button? Does clothing affect it? My jeans are always tight, and I am wondering if I have to buy bigger ones for a while. :thumbup: Thanks!

Thank you all for responding! At least I have an idea of how the process with go. I still have some things to iron out, but I am hoping that I can get the procedure within the next 6 weeks. Here's another question: If I were to get the procedure on a Wednesday, is it likely (I know no one can give an exact answer) that I would be able to sit in class for 2 1/2 hours on Friday morning? I went back to school in May to finish a degree, and they are VERY picky about days missed in the program (certain hours are needed to sit for boards). Since I would already be missing a day of school, I didn't want to have to miss two. How did you all feel 2 days post-op? Do any of you think its possible to make it through those two hours? Robin- Thanks for the tip on the Comfort Suites. I will definitely look into that. In fact, I actually stayed in one just last week when I was out of town. LOL Mary- You said the first 24 hours were kind of uncomfortable. If I felt that same way two days later, is it tolerable enough to make it through a lecture, then go home and rest for the remainder of Friday through Sunday? Kim- I am in the same boat. I have talked to Natalie and the loan officer...that's it. Now I have to get the ball rolling to make this happen. Keep us posted! Prty- Thanks for the words of encouragement. I think its great that you all meet annually. You say you were over 400 lbs in 2007? If you don't mind me asking, how much weight have you lost so far? I am mainly worried about complications, since Dr. K is so far away from me. But I ask about your progress, because I also worry about not losing weight (like some other stories I have read). I know it will be up to me to stay on track and do what I'm supposed to in order for this to work. But I like to hear success stories to keep me focused on "the prize". LOL

Hello Everyone! I have followed this thread off and on since last year. I have FINALLY been approved through surgeryloans.com for my band. However, I haven't done anything yet. I spoke to the loan company for the first time yesterday, when I found out I was approved. And also to Natalie (from Dr. K's office), very briefly. She said that I just need to do a phone consult, then schedule a surgery date. The loan company said they can get things underway, once I give them a date. I am planning to try for the last week in September. Does anyone have any tips that I should be aware of? I live in Miami and my sister will be traveling with me. I really want Dr. K to do my surgery, not only for the price, but because of all the great things I have heard about him. My main concern is any complications right after surgery. But I won't let that stop me from getting it done through him. Does anyone have any advice of recommendations for me? What exactly happens during the phone consultation and pre-op phases? Thanks in advance. (BTW, I'm sure there is great info on this thread that I should know, but I can't read every page. So I just pick pages at random. )

Thanks for the response, Julie. I'm sure I will have all my concerns addressed once I started communicating with them. But I just wanted a heads-up. It sounds easy enough! :cursing:

Hello Everyone, After much research on different types of weight loss surgery, I have decided to proceed with Dr. Kirshenbaum. I don't want to go through the hassles of trying to get approved for anything, nor do I want to go through any type of drawn out weight loss program prior to approval. I have been doing that for the past 7 years, so I know I have to try another level if I want things to change, and this seems to be it. I have read great things about Dr. K and his price is affordable. So I have requested an information packet from his office, but in the mean time I have a few questions. -How does he handle your medical history? Does he do any tests prior to the surgery? -How does he go about identifying who is or is not a good candidate for surgery? Is it only based on what we tell him? Or does he request information from your physician? -How far out should I try to schedule my surgery? I will be able to have all the money together by March, so when would be a good time to try and get the ball rolling? Is there a long waiting period? -If by some chance I had serious complications and would ever need to have the band removed, does he do that or would I be on my own? I will be receiving my medical care through the VA from here on out. They only do gastric bypass (with much red tape), and say the lap band is not covered by them. But I will be getting a whole battery of tests within the next couple of months. So if any issues arise, I will know before I attempt to get surgery. Thanks in advance for your help! I am SO ready to get this done. But I just want to make sure I don't have any major problems that would prevent me from having the procedure. And of course since I will be self-pay, I need to come up with all the funds before I can actually get anything done. :thumbup:

I am currently working on receiving benefits through the VHA as a combat veteran. I know that Tricare started approving the lap band this year, but does anyone know if the VHA covers it, as well? I went to the VA website and read that they do gastric bypass, but not lap band procedures. However, that was from a post in 2004. I haven't been able to find any new updates about the lap band through the VHA. Does anyone have any information at all? Thanks in advance.

Thanks, Restless Monkey. I actually just found out today that I have been approved to receive benefits through the VHA in priority group 6, so that's the first step. I know that they do gastric bypass surgery for veterans, but I haven't found any concrete info about the lap band. I have read that they will do it in some cases, but it's only done at some facilities. So I will call them in a few minutes and see if I can get any accurate information. It seems strange that they would approve it for Tricare but not the vets, but I guess I will have to wait and see. I'll post when I find out more!