Texas Cutie

Why not take into school with you those little packs of tuna steaks. The albacore ones come in 3oz packs and they are perfect for eating with the band. I am sure you can find a packet of mayonaise or something if you need it but those are flavored and you really don't need it. it would probably cost about the same as a cafeteria lunch as well.

Every surgery I have ever had I have had at least one visit with the surgeon afterward because they know what pain is normal and what level of pain and where the pain should be ect. I think that comfort of knowing ok I am supposed ot be feeling this at this time comes from seeing your surgeon and having them lay those fears to rest. I have had several surgeries and I have never gone back to a primary care after having them. I followed up with the doctor who did them. When it was a specialty surgery I went to a specialist in that area. Knee surgery sports medicine doctor and I saw him after cause he knows knees and knows what should be going on with a knee following surgery. My GP would not know that. Most suregeries are not about a lifelong addition to your body and I think that makes a difference as well. This is a permanent fixture in your body put in by someone who specializes in treating those who have this done. That is who I expect to provide my care that I have paid them for. Why would I not expect to see the doctor that performed the surgery? That is an insane idea. I am not trying to be rude or confrontational I really am not but seriously think about that. Does it not make sense that when you pay a specialist you should have at least one follow up with that sepcialist. The area should be touched by them at least once afterwards? Call me crazy if you will it just makes sense to me. I guess you have a point about this surgery being done more and more and maybe that is part of the problem that it is done so much it is taken too lightly and we are not as educated as we should be. But this is a major thing and it is a lifetime commitment to get this done. I think we should be watched to ensure it is going well. That is my position and I do not think I can be talked out of subscribing to the idea that a lifetime commitment means follow up through the time it is in place or at least until a person is familiar enough with whatever it is to safely utilze it and know when to seek assistance from a doctor. Not to mention that I think it says in the band paperwork that you should be seen by your doctor at least every 2 months whether you need a fill or not. So if we do not do that and something goes wrong (not saying anything is wrong with my band just a blanket statement) who is responsible. Us as a patient or the docotor who did not see a need to follow his/her own criteria for follow-up? If he were a heart specialist and installed a shunt or a pacemaker would you be ok with not having a follow-up knowing there was a foriegn body in your body? Would it be ok not to ever be seen by him again?

So I am not nuts you did work there. I was thinking I had read that somewhere.

Thanks guys for sticking up for me you said exactly what I was thinking.

I guess what it comes down to is the fact that there is no aftercare and regardless of the number of patients he has banded he should at be following up with them. If he can't care for and do follow-ups with the patients he has then maybe he has done too many surgeries and this is a good place to stop and start caring for the patients he has banded. That is my opinion. I did not even see this man before I went out in the operating room and I have never seen him since. My follow up was walking into a room standing across from a nurse having her say lift your shirt. Asking was I in any pain (of course I was), then she asked is it normal pain well I have no idea. I don't do these surgeries. That is why I should be seeing a DOCTOR! Then she said call back at 4 weeks for a fill. Most other patients who have other doctors have follow ups and I think that makes sense this makes no sense to me! I was not told I would not see a doctor and I even asked about it and they said oh yes the aftercare is great. Yeah Right! I got a packet printed on paper of what to eat and that is all I got besides the brochure from the band company. I would like to see if Spivak or someone else will see me I do not know what else to do. (sz8beauty, you work for him don't you? do you think that makes a difference in your level of care?) As for Spiegal I could care a less how many surgeries he has done. It does me no good that he has done more than 5,000 surgeries. He has done one on me and I am unhappy with the care I have recieved. Is he so skilled he can tell I am ok without ever have checked for himself?

I wish I had paid more attention to this post prior to having my surgery. I read it and thought one bad expierience is just an opinion. I wish I had not had spiegal do my surgery although seeing as I went to sleep and he was not even in the room I can not be sure that he is the one who did my surgery. I saw him for 2 seconds the day of my surgery and I saw him for 30 on my pre-op date. I am not at all happy with that. I think we should be followed up with BY A DOCTOR. I am like 2 months out and I have no clue where I should be what I should should not be doing. I feel as if me and my insurance company were ripped off severely. Poor Poor after care. Poor care in general!

I think it varies a lot from person to person and depends on what you are expecting. I was expecting not to be hungry and one month out of surgery I often find myslef at 6 or 8 pm going oh no I have not eaten all day. I found Protein drinks with 50 grams and only 4 carbs so I do one of those and try to get in a 3oz pack of tuna in a day. Most of the time though I eat because I know I should and not because I am hungry. Even when I am hungry if I do not eat right then and there and do something else or wait to get home I will not be hungry once I get there.

Yikes I feel for you because I just had mine a month ago (so that may be part of why) but if I wear even low rise jeans that are too tight I am in misery after a couple of hours and my port is like 5 inches above my belly button. Was there a reason he placed it so high. I mean were they not thinking of pants hitting that and the discomfort? Hopefully you will be more comfortable as it heals. Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking I am fine this way. I really do not see myself overeating. food is just not mentally enjoyable anymore. I eat if I am starving and I have to. So I think I will be fine. Once I get back I will probably need one but I think everyone here is right waiting is probably best!

Thanks I tried to find a thread that was an appropriate place to put this. I knew there had to be one but I could not find it anywhere. Thanks anyway. If someone would like they can delete this one!

Not all doctors require a pre-op weight loss plan. Most who do require the diet and have done multiple surgeries do not require it in patients who do not have fatty liver. I think that is why a lot of people have to have it done. I mean most of us get the surgery for health reasons but some people have more risk and more problems and are required to loose weight to make the surgery more safe. I think almost all doctors require a 24 hour liquid fast just to make things easier on you. Mine required 12 hours of Clear liquids I did a full day hoping it would be easier on me!

You know I tried a whole new ticker thing it will not work. I must be doing something wrong. <br /> <br /> I am going to be away until after Jan 3rd; leaving state for the holidays but I will try to keep up with what I am supposed to be doing anyway!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> current weight 219