llynn1013

I was banded Dec 22, 2008 and have been extremely happy that I chose Dr. Neal.

Congrats on your consult. I live in Pierce County and had my surgery in Olympia. Where are you getting your consult? I used to work at St. Francis Hospital and would love to talk with you - if you chose to go there. Best of luck.

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I needed that. I will try to use your words and see if that helps before I put something into my mouth. Thanks again, Laura

Hello everyone, I was banded on 12/22/08 and so far have lost about 33lbs. I have had two fills and have had great restriction with the second fill. However, now I am seriously emotionally eating and over eating. I think this weekend I am going to do liquids only along with exercise and hopefully kick my system back into shape. Thanks for listening. Laura

I was banded on 12/22/08 at 276lbs. I am now 246.6 lbs this morning. I have had two fills with a total of 2.6cc in a 10cc band. I eat colby-jack cheese sticks or sugar free pudding for my snacks. They have some protein and hold me over until meal time. I have had no problems with rice - even sticky rice - but I can not handle bread at all. Best of luck.

1- Wear a bathing suit in public. 2- Go horseback riding. 3- Be "on top" more. (hehe)

I am a cardiac specialty unit RN and work 12 hours shifts. I drink as much as I can throughout the day. It is hard with JACHO rules, but try drink as much as you can before your clinical shift. I do find that I am pretty dehydrated by the end of my 12hrs. Basically that is why I only work 2 days/week. Best of luck to you. Laura

Hello, I had my first fill today. It was done with fluro and hurt so bad. They had a hard time getting into the port - so they had to get the "expert" who got it in first try. I was banded on 12/22/08 started at 275lbs and as of today weigh 252lbs. I got a 2.4cc fill in a 10cc band. I don't want to go through that again, but know I will have too, in order to continue to lose weight over time. Just needed to share. Thanks, Laura Lynn

Sorry to hear about what happened. Here is my story. I was banded on 12/22/08 and my mother-in-law and I decided that we would go to her house around 2pm on x-mas so we/she did not have to worry about lunch and me being only on a liquid diet. So on 12/24 she emails that noon would be better for the rest of the family. We go at noon and she has made a whole meal...tamales, beans, cheese, etc.. Then proceeds to have everyone sit at the table and eat with me watching. And to add insult to injury my husbands grandmother gives us home made Christmas chex mix as a gift!!!! Be glad it wasn't your family.

Post band depression...I have it. I even cried on the operating table and the dr put me to sleep "early". I did the band for a multitude of reasons, health, vanity, etc.. But at the same time I love food as well. I am morning the foods I can not eat right now. Angry, that I do not have a fast metabolism and can eat what I want like many of my friends without getting diabetes, heart disease and dying young. So, yeah post band depression does exist.

Ok. Here are my two cents.. I was a RN at St. Francis in the ER until about a year ago. #1 Dr. Srikanth is a very nice person, very loving to his wife, and is very strict about the pre-op diet. #2 I went to his office about 9 months ago and was so upset by his office staff and the way they treated other hospital personal that I decided I could not use them. I spoke with his wife (office mgr) and let her know right away. She said they were working on it. #3 I had many of Dr. Oh's pts in the ER post-op with some type of issue. #4 I have only met Dr. Hirai once but he seemed very nice. All that being said, I was just banded on Dec. 22nd with Dr. Neal in Olympia. Which costs quite a bit more than St. Francis surgeons and that is without an overnight stay. I think that says the most!!

I do not have an IVC but I am a RN and I have taken care of many patients post op from getting an IVC. It is a pretty simple procedure and most patients have no complaints after wards. Best of luck to you. IVC's are great things!! Laura