maestrita

He is one of the more accomplished lap surgeons in the country. You can find his info under Lapbandrockies.com. He has done more than 10,000 surgeries going back since the early 70s from what I understand. I think he's done some of the first of the different types of bariatric surgeries, as well. I couldn't be more pleased with my decision.

Why would you go out of the country when you live so close to such a great surgeon who does the procedure for so little? I paid cash, under 10,000. (including the airfare and hotel for two people) to have Doc Kirshenbaum do my surgery, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. He charges next to nothing for the aftercare, too. I wish I were lucky enough to live closer to him for the regular care. I know you have to make the decision that is right for you, but I am just so happy with Doc K that I think that everyone needs to go to him! :thumbup:

Onehotmama, yep. It is more common just after fills and in the morning for me.

This is ridiculous, and it would be helpful if we could get a moderator to step in. She was attacked. I felt attacked, too, and the original poster may very well be horrified that a simple question led to this. I would NEVER talk to someone the way some of you have talked to her. Common courtesy prohibits it. I have a feeling that, now that I am trying to stand up against the indecent behavior, that I, too, will be the target of hateful attacks if I continue to use LBT. I am beginning to think that this forum is a very unhealthy environment, and perhaps I should leave. I'm sure it will not be a loss to those of you who behave this way, but it will be a loss to me. I enjoy the good conversations and have learned a lot from the personal experiences people have shared. However, the bad is beginning to outweigh the good. No pun intended.

I wore a 12 at about 175 lbs. I am about 5'4" and have a lot of muscle mass, sort of a short, solid frame. I don't know if that helps answer your question or not. I think it just depends on your configuration.

Thanks Alaskagirl, It helps to know I am not the only one. It is hard to talk about because people who don't experience this think that you just aren't dedicated. It can be a slap in the face when trying so hard.

The "calories in/calories out" theory is a rough topic for me. I am one of those who does not lose from working out alone. I have to work out strenuously and lower my calories to below 1200/day to lose. Even then, I plateau a lot. I have been that way since my mid 20s. I enjoy working out, and I have since high school. When I went through the law enforcement academy, I prepared to qualify by running three miles per day, for 3-5 days per week. I alternated with lifting when I could because there is also a strength component to qualifying. I did qualify, and in fact, I broke the institutional record for women's push-ups:thumbup:. You know what, though? After working like that for 9 mos, I lost just three pounds. I made it all the way down to 187 lbs. whoo. hoo. It drives me crazy because my best friend can walk around her block and lose three pounds. She has always treated me like I just wasn't working as hard as she was. It's really damaging to hear people say crap like that when you know you are doing even more than they are. It is annoying to know that they can just quit downing Kripsy Kremes and lose weight, and you can live on chickpeas and sodawater and not. It's maddening when I know how she eats and how little she does to stay in shape...when I recall all of those times she did NOT meet me at the gym. I can't even talk to her about her attitude bc she will just act like I am making excuses. It has damaged our friendship in a way, but I try to remember that she thinks that way because it does work that way for her. If I'm not careful, I begin to feel like "why try?" I know that will not result in wl for me, and I have to get passed that and stay passed that if I am going to lose. I hope the band is going to help me stick to the dietary part better, and I feel like I have been on top of it since I was banded. It does seem easier, and since that is the part that I struggled with before, I am hopeful.

Sounds fun! I hope someone who is nice wins it :thumbup:

Yep, Paisley. That's "it." Sometimes it stings a little more than other times, but it is mostly something a person can tolerate. That stuck feeling will sometimes result in a burping up of gunk. It sounds horrible, but it's not really that bad, and it doesn't happen often (for me at least). For me, it has less to do with chewing than it has to do with consistencies of food. I wouldn't be able to drink and eat. I know you're not supposed to, and don't get me wrong, I don't drink and eat. It is when I have a watery type of food with a more solid type that I've gotten a bubble trapped. I can't do applesauce with anything else. It really sounds more awful than it is, unless you happen to be the keynote speaker at a conference or something very public when it happens. Then mostly I just make up some lame excuse and then laugh about it later with my bandy friends.:thumbup:

I am so happy, I just have to share. I took some advice from another gal on the site and went to see Joan Richardson in Lewiston, Id. It is a bit of a drive (from Spokane), but it's not bad. I really liked her. I am so excited to find someone who can do my fills for a reasonable price and someone so knowledgeable! Can you believe she only charges $100. a fill??? A-mazing.

Well, since you asked.... I was referred to Vivian Moise for another issue a few years ago. I really felt like she dismissed my concerns and refused to finish the testing for which I was referred. She stated that she didn't think it was necessary. I felt that I was being sent away in pain and experiencing some terrifying symptoms. Well, it was a Friday afternoon, but the pain doesn't take weekends off. In fact, it has progressed for several years and is the principle reason I got the band. I never did get that test done, and now the Rheumatologist is requesting that the very same test be done years later, though she said I didn't need the test. I just hope there is no permanent nerve damage... This may have been an isolated incident, and perhaps many are happy with her care. I just believe for that kind of pay, one doesn't get a second chance with me. Matter of fact, my health insurance premiums for my family equal 1/3 of my gross salary, so I consider them earned compensation. I sincerely hope others are happy with her care. I am just not inclined to go back to her. Sorry to be negative, but you asked why not...besides, the drive to Lewiston is lovely, Joan is fabulous, and it doesn't require me to take a day off to drive an hour and a half. Take care, mae.

Yes, of course. That totally makes sense, but I thought Katylady just went to a new clinic for a fill. They'd not really have known any of that, right? Katy, did you have these symptoms or was there some other reasons they stated? I am just trying to learn as much as I can about the different experiences people have with the band. Restless, I do appreciate your perspective on this matter, too. This kind of dialogue is very informative of the different situations that can occur with the band! :bored:

Thanks. It just sounds so strange. I understand what you're saying, but I can't imagine that working, I guess. How would they know she'd stretched her pouch unless they'd done some imagining, though?

I am shocked at how rude some people can be simply when they don't agree with someone. Thank God for the Ignore feature!

If your pouch was stretched, why would they take more out? I don't get that part. How could they tell that you'd gotten stretched? I think your first doc should advise.

I am concerned that so many people are thinking that this is a normal occurrence with lettuce, and they're ready to swear off of it. I think it is a rather unusual situation! I eat greens of all types. Just tonight I ate Dhomas wrapped in steamed grape leaves. I think if you chew you are not likely to have this sort of thing happen. OP, I do hope you're feeling better now.

Ghannouge, I don't mean that they control your life, but yes, the doctor decides whether or not a surgery is appropriate for a person based on his health profile. The medical literature about the different surgical options describes which treatments are most appropriate for specific conditions. The weight ranges and behavioral patterns that meet the indications of the sleeve are not the same as those for the band. Just as an example, I would not have been considered a candidate for any of the other surgeries. Some people are, but again, it is the surgeon's choice whether or not to do the surgery. I wouldn't have it any other way, either. I don't know about you, but I don't have over a decade of formal education in the area of human wellness. Besides, I am paying quite a bit for their expertise! I expect them to not allow me to do something to my body that I will regret later!:smile2:

John, Your response was not friendly. We were not all advised to avoid bread. Bread product provide nutrients that can't be found elsewhere, and not all doctors/nutritionists believe that the low carb approach is healthy. Eating breads is not a reflection of whether or not we are committed to the process. Moreover, when you first start out, it is difficult to even figure out which foods you can get down. You have no idea whether or not she was referring to whole grain or white products. Besides, if she were referring to white products, would it kill you to be kind in making a suggestion that might actually HELP a person? You know, I just have to say, I hate that people feel free to get on LBT and act aggressively. I guess it's much easier to be self-righteous when you can hide behind an avatar. How are people supposed to come here for education or help with issues related to the band if this is the sort of thing that we do? Jeesh. Sorry... I am just really fired up... Santa Maria.

Anything can stretch your pouch, but you will feel it if you are not passing it through. It will hurt pretty bad. You should practice not gulping. It is a skill that will come in handy after you are filled some.:smile2:

Go to the doctor if you have not gone yet. You might even consider going to the hospital. This is not normal, and you could be very ill. Don't just think about going. Go. Now.

Just something to think about...The band and the sleeve aren't always indicated for the same health profile. We have a lot of freedom in the US to make health care decisions, but it's not necessarily the case that you can just go and choose one or the other. For some of us, the sleeve would not be indicated. Just a thought...

Hi Cheryl from Burbank, Forty pounds is great! Can you tell about the port experience? I kind of wondered how much of a situation this would be to get a repair. What was involved, how much did it cost, what kind of recovery was involved? That would be great. I also wonder about having the tubing replaced. It would be great to hear from anyone who might have had that done, too.

OMG-Starting a lecture on verbs in my fourth period class. I just took one bite wrong before the bell rang! Excuse me, Darlings. I have to go puke... Wally, it's not terrible. You learn how to do it right pretty quickly. I know it sounds horrific before you're banded, but it really isn't half as bad as it sounds.

Good to hear from the 12-steppers....

Oh, I didn't mean that to sound negative. Now that I read back over it, I sound like a total ass. I'm sorry for that. I meant to encourage instead. I should have been more careful about the way I phrased that. I don't agree that you should give up on it. Have you lost any weight whatsoever? Perhaps there is another component to your health that is making it more difficult to lose or to control cravings. Maybe the band plus some other intervention might be what it takes in your particular situation. I think you are feeling really discouraged. It might be that you need something more to do the losing, and the band will be what helps you keep it off. Listen, we're ALL flawed to some extent. If we weren't, we would have lost the weight without the bands, right? None of us is right to get on these message boards and get all self-righteous. I'm sorry if I came across that way. I hope you find success here pretty soon. Hang in there, K? and keep us posted.