Louisiana Sleevers?

[TL4264 8]

Hi Dana

Dr Lavin did my sleeve in Slidell 4 weeks ago.....glad to help any way I can!

[DanaInNewOrleans 513]

Hi Dana

Dr Lavin did my sleeve in Slidell 4 weeks ago.....glad to help any way I can!

Hi,

Thanks so much for getting back to me! Hope you don't mind some rapid fire questions!

1) How was Dr. Lavin? I was thinking I may want a female surgeon because I'm so self conscious. And Dr. Lavin is relatively young AND cute! LOL which just makes it worse!

2) How are you doing? Any regrets? What are you eating at this point? Do you miss eating a normal meal? One of my main worries (it is actually probably my primary concern other than surgery complications) is never being able to eat a normal meal with my husband/friends/family. No crawfish boils, no Thanksgiving Dinners, no friends over for a BBQ.

3) I'm not a big fan of "drinking" a meal. I'd rather skip it, which of course I know is not an option with WLS. I just cannot imagine doing only liquids and mushy food. It sounds gross to me. I mean, I could do mushy red Beans or white Beans (New Orleans style of course) or creamy Soups but I just cannot fathom the thought of pureeing food and trying to get it down my throat. Any thoughts on this?

4) How long were you in the hospital? Did you have to have a catheter? Did you have any complications?

I have a ton more questions but don't want to wear you out!

Thanks again!

Dana

[tonya9969 38]

I'm from Shreveport !! I used Dr. Merriman

[Avillias 25]

I'm from Lafayette Louisiana and I'm having my surgery done by Dr. Chu August 23rd :-)

[Wolfgirl1978 256]

Hi Everyone!

I'm Dana from New Orleans (Mandeville). I've been lurking around trying to get a handle on whether I have the courage to do this WLS. It just seems sooo drastic. I lost 160lbs 10 years ago by doing low carb and kept it off (although I was still overweight but relatively happy at a size 16 compared to a 32). I kept most of the 160lbs off until about 4 years ago when I slowly started gaining. Then freaking out and losing' date=' then gaining ....it became a horrible struggle. I have now gained 60lbs back and I am devastated. Nothing I try now works. I've tried doing what I did when I was successful and that did not work anymore. I tried Weight Watchers thinking maybe the low carb success had run it's course and my body needed a change. I GAINED on Weight Watchers. Then tried LC again, then WW again. With each defeat I became more and more depressed and devastated and my self esteem was completely destroyed. About 2 weeks ago I had sort of an epiphany --- I decided that WLS might be my only option and hope. I started doing research online of course. The Lap Band just doesn't seem like a good choice other than it is reversible if there are complications. That is a big plus though. Gastric Bypass to me is just asking for trouble...lol.... I basically came to the conclusion that the sleeve looked like my best option. Surgical Specialists/Dr. Lavin is one of my clients (I'm a sales rep) so I called to start the investigative process. I have two insurances - Aetna and Federal Blue Cross and they verified my coverage -- I would have zero out of pocket. I have to do the nutritionist/diet thing for 4 months ( we disappointed me). I was excited to see a Louisiana thread but surprised there wasn't more people from Southeast La or New Orleans. My first visit with Dr. Lavin is next week to discuss options and what would be best for my situation (I have Multiple Sclerosis ). I have so many questions, some seem so trivial and some seem very important! But they are the kind of questions that I need from actual sleeve people -- not the docs. Would you guys mind answering some questions? Stupid questions included?

This seems like an awesome invaluable support site!

Dana[/quote']

I'm from sw Louisiana, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I was sleeved 06/12/2012

[Wolfgirl1978 256]

I'm from Lafayette Louisiana and I'm having my surgery done by Dr. Chu August 23rd :-)

I'm from Sulphur, relatively close to you. Good luck!

[GeauxForIt 659]

Baton Rouge here! I hoping to have my surgery in October.

[MK1986 78]

My surgeons office said that I should visit a registered dietician to increase the chances of insurance approval. Does anyone know of a nutrionist/dietician in or around the New Orleans area that is open on Saturdays or has evening appts after 5?

[Michelle66 5]

I am in the process of getting all my presurgery visits done (psych eval, nutrition, etc.)..but hope to have surgery very soon. Apparently my insurance is very good and has very few hoops to jump through. Dr. Hargroder will be doing the surgery. My insurance requires a surgeon of excellence and bariatric hospital of excellence (St. Elizabeth's in Gonzales).

To those who are using Dr. Taylor, I worked in surgery with him for several years and he is a great surgeon and an awesome guy. I love him!

Michelle

[Michelle66 5]

Oh, and I live in Central!

[sweeteelme 37]

Dr. Norwood in Shreveport did my surgery.

[LA_dreamer 54]

West Monroe here. Surgery scheduled for Aug 27th with Dr. Zizzi at Ouachita Surgical. Thinking I'm gonna be a nervous wreck!

[GeauxForIt 659]

Confession Time: I've been "window shopping" online looking at cute clothes and wondering what size I'll end up being post-surgery. I haven't actually bought anything but I really want to!

[Wolfgirl1978 256]

Confession Time: I've been "window shopping" online looking at cute clothes and wondering what size I'll end up being post-surgery. I haven't actually bought anything but I really want to!

I do stuff like that too.

[GeauxForIt 659]

_{I have all of my appointments set up and will be DONE with them on August 29th!!! Then the really tough part comes...the waiting for approval! I won't be able to schedule surgery until October 8th or later due to a trip DH already has planned, but I still want that approval in hand...}