303'sJourney

If you're seeing Dr. Baptista tomorrow... he will be your surgeon... he is the nicest guy. Very blunt though so be prepared! Dr. Cywes did my surgery. I can't really see the main incision b/c of all of the gauze/tape... he said to leave it alone until my post op appt on Tuesday. Don't be discouraged everyones bodies have different needs. I am confident on their program and doing what they recommend you will do GREAT!!!! They have a fantastic team. Just FYI in case I forget to tell you later... April is the person in the office who handles FMLA/Short Term disability questions and paperwork. Please let me know how your appointment goes tomorrow. I'll be anxious to hear what you think! :)

It hurt very badly as gravity pulled on my incisions and port area, so I apologized to my fiance about my snoring and went on to sleep on my back. How are you doing?

He kept me overnight to monitor me and then sent me for an upper gi w/ this liquid that was nastier than barium... if I never have to do that again it will be too soon!!!! It is a little difficult to get in and out of my bed I think because it is lower to the ground but other than that I am up walking around. Nothing too strenuous. I tried laying on my side last night... ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Oh my goodness I won't try that again for a while...

Well my surgery was a success... There were a few snags in the road but I made it out just fine. I had a lot of scar tissue built up from having my daughter which caused my surgeon some trouble in getting everything in and where he wanted it and subsequently caused me to have a lot more abdominal pain than anticipated. I also had not one but two hernias that needed repair But I am alright and surviving. Not the slightest bit hungry thank goodness.

Hey girlie... how are you feeling? I don't even know when you will have computer access again but wanted to see how you're feeling. I hope all is well and you are doing fantastic!!!

Wow... yeah going to mexico would make me pretty nervous! I would also like to be around 140.. but I have to lose about 100 lbs to get there... I know it will take me a LOOOONNNNGGGG time but you know I didn't get heavy over night. I'm feeling pretty good actually. I have been on all protein for about 7 days now. I am down a total of 14 pounds since the 8th and start clear liquid for tomorrow and Sunday then nothing after midnight. I hope you have a great support system going with you to Mexico! At least you'll have beautiful sceanery for recovery!!

Are you still on here? Where are you at with your goal? I am having surgery with Dr. Cwyes on Monday and would love to hear about how you're doing!

That is fantastic. It is so great to hear from someone who is going the same day as I am. What kind of pre-op does your doctor have you on? How are you feeling? How long are you planning to be out of work? Do you have a goal weight?

that is sooo funny! Well I want to go ahead and prepare you in case you didn't know... the barium is the nastiest thing you will EVER taste. No bad protein shake or chewable vitamin will ever come close to the chalk you have to drink without stopping for about 5 minutes. I hope all goes well with your tests and that things move along quickly!!

Thank you so much for the well wishes. I hope all went well with the nutritionist... when do you go see the doctor again? Have the submitted to your insurance?

Well doctors baptista and cwyes do lap band and the realize band. I prefer the lap band but I think it's just because it has been around longer. Like I said I LOVE that they give you the choice. The pre-op diet is basically the same as the adkins diet and you can only have 3 meals a day... zero snacking. Then saturday and sunday before surgery you have to go on a clear liquid diet but you will be on it post op to... so guess it makes sense to accept it before hand. The show you pictures and educate you on what happens if you don't follow the pre-op diet, give you their cell phone numbers and help you through the whole process. As of yesterday I am down 8 lbs since my last visit which was on 4/29... I am so excited to be on my way! So never fail you can have everything you want without the novis center. You can have the realize band with them Let me know if you have any more questions.

He has just done more general surgery and gastric than the band but my friend loves him. Let me know if there is any more information I can offer!

Dr. Cwyes has done over 3000 lap procedures and I really like that he gives you the option of choosing the lap band or the realize band. I called the office and explained that I had already been to a seminar w/another doctor that I did not like and they set me up with an in office consultation with two other people... much more formal and personal. I didn't like that you had to go to the novis center before you could even meet Dr. Webb! I got an appointment with them very quickly and they are so friendly and wonderful. I had my first appointment with them on April 22nd and I will be banded next Monday. Their phone number is 399-4004 another good doctor in the area who my friend went to about 6 months ago is Dr. Craig Morganthal I don't have his number right this second but if you want it I can get it. He is newer @ the lap band but old school with laproscopic surgery.

Beth, Please don't apologize for asking questions... that is the only way to get the information you need and I am MORE than glad to help. Yes after I went to the novis center I called my insurance company to find out who else was covered. I really hated the idea that the novis center was charging $1500 for things I could do on my own. I can make my own psych and nutritionist appts since I know they are required other than that... submitting paperwork, that's what you have billing people in your practice for... I'm not spending $1500 for someone to do what they're supposed to. That is what insurance companies are for... to keep you from being taken advantage of like they do!

Hi and welcome to the journey! I went through the novis center up thru the consult part and when I found out what the charge was and that insurance did not cover it I started exploring other options. My insurance covered Dr. Webb's office and also subsequently the doctor I chose for my surgery. I am now seeing Dr. Cwyes and Baptista who also use Memorial Hosptial and they have a program fee of $200. They are fantastic! I will be banded on Monday May 18th! I really did not like the Novis center and feel they were very unprofessional in their approach but that is just my opinion! Good luck with your choice and this journey!

Happy belated anniversary!! How are you feeling? Do you love it or what!!! You are doing so great! Keep up the wonderful work!

oh my goodness yes the insurance approval was such an exciting day... it is a little frustrating there I sit almost a month later still without a surgery date... but there was a issue w/the ins co not bothering to tell me they referred me to a surgeon not in-network... so I had to get a new surgeon! URG! I have had one appt with him and go back for a second on Wednesday hopefully I will be setting a date any day now... I look forwarding to hearing all about your journey!!!!

Well you did great! I got your message and yes she is my daughter. She is my main reason for having surgery so I can enjoy life with her and my soon to be husband. How is everything going for you this week??