Introduction - new bandster

newlifekp · January 2, 2011

Hi Everyone!

I had LapBand surgery last Monday, December 27th. I was the first patient to have LapBand surgery done at the hospital in Kearney, NE, and I was also the first patient my surgeon, Dr. Merz, had performed. He was wonderful and everything with the surgery went perfectly. I highly recommend Dr. Merz to anyone in central Nebraska that is considering lap band surgery. Does anyone know how to get him added to the 'Nebraska' listing of physicians? One of the great things about having tgeh surgery done close to home (even though it was a little scary being the first all around) is that I know my fill compliance will be much better. Most of the other bandsters I know have to drive to at least 2-3 hours for appointments, and several are non-compliant.

I look forward to learning from everyone!

Thanks

butifulsiren · January 2, 2011

Congratulations on the surgery! I myself have just started to look in the surgery, so I'm still doing my homework. How are you doing after your surgery?

newlifekp · January 2, 2011

I am doing well, thank you! I felt great after surgery - no pain, no issues at all and I was a very, very nervous patient!.

I did get dehydrated New Year's Eve and had to go to the ER for fluids and meds, but that was completely my fault for not drinking enough - I knew I was not taking in enough and it just became bad really fast. But I felt good after a few hours. The hardest part of the surgery for me is staying on track with the liquid diet! I am so tired of broth, Carnation Breakfast, etc. I can't wait to eat something with some texture/flavor. But I know from the posts of others that it will happen soon enough.

I odrered quite a few books from Amazon.com that helped me a lot make the decision to go forward. I also attend a informational meeting. At my suregon's first 'meet-n-greet', he had just decided to start the surgeries and I was almost done with my insurance requirements (6 months of record keeping), so we were a good match.

I looked into this about 6 years ago when a co-worker had surgery, but I was not ready yet. I think you will know in your heart when you are ready, although you will have moments of panic and doubt through the whole process. I think it is mostly fear of the actual surgery and anesthesia. I wasn't really worried about the "after".

I hope I can answer any questions you have....maybe it will help me stay focused and not feel sorry for myself!