Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum

[julie.ann 1]

-How does he handle your medical history? Does he do any tests prior to the surgery?

IF you are an obese but otherwise health person he doesn't require any test prior to surgery.

-How does he go about identifying who is or is not a good candidate for surgery? Is it only based on what we tell him? Or does he request information from your physician?

The nutritionist has a phone interview with you and they go by that and your BMI.

-How far out should I try to schedule my surgery? I will be able to have all the money together by March, so when would be a good time to try and get the ball rolling? Is there a long waiting period?

They want the payment 2 weeks prior to surgery.

-If by some chance I had serious complications and would ever need to have the band removed, does he do that or would I be on my own?

I think he will do that, but you should ask him to be sure.

I think it is a great idea to have all those test done. Your PCP can oversee those. He knows your history best.

[minidriver 0]

Oh Dorky one. I'm sorry to hear that the job search is not going well. I know you don't want to ask for help, but if his parents have offered then you need to take them up on it. I know if my kids were in the same situation, I would do whatever I could to help and I would be MORE upset if they needed help and didn't ask.

[minidriver 0]

Here are the week 2 weight loss totals. I've not heard from Bella or Brandy, but I'll update when they report. Good work peeps!!

Adorkable: 20/wk1:-4/wk2:-4:smile:

Bella: 25/wk1: -5

Brandy: 10/wk1: -1

Deboregon: 15/wk1:-0/wk2:-2.2:smile:

Denvergirl: 12/wk1: -0/wk2:-2:smile:

Jmegirl: 20/wk1: -0/wk2:-0:smile:

Kayleighsmommy: 15/wk1:-5/wk2:-0:smile:

Lotza: 10/wk1: -3/wk2:-1:smile:

Magaines: 10/wk1: -.3/wk2:+.4:smile:

Mini: 10/wk1: -1.9/wk2:+.3:smile:

PrtyAntOvr: 25/wk1: -4/wk2:-4:smile:

Tally: 13/wk1: -4/wk2:-0:smile:

[butterfly723 2]

Thanks for the response, Julie. I'm sure I will have all my concerns addressed once I started communicating with them. But I just wanted a heads-up. It sounds easy enough! :cursing:

[jmegirl 2]

I made a thread in the Post-Op forum but wanted to post it here too for any advice you may have....

I am 25 days post-op. So, last night we got together with some friends and one of them wanted to feel my port. So I told her where to "push" and she did, though she pushed a little harder for my liking. Anyways, she felt it, and that was the end of that.

So I was getting ready for bed last night, and I started to push on my port site to feel it - and I felt a pop. :cursing: It didn't hurt at all, but I felt a slight pop beneath my finger, and I definitely think I heard it pop too. It's been about 14hrs now and I've still not felt any pain at my port site.

Could I have popped a stitch last night? I'm freaking out man! I plan to call my doctor first thing tomorrow, but I'd really like some thoughts now!

[julie.ann 1]

Jamie,

If your stitches popped from your muscle I think you would definately feel it. I can understand you stress. I won't be satisfied that my port is ok until my first fill. Remeber you will see Dr. K on Friday. It isn't too far away and I bet there isn't anything you can do until then anyway.

I think that you don't have any pain is a great sign!

:cursing:

[minidriver 0]

I made a thread in the Post-Op forum but wanted to post it here too for any advice you may have....

I am 25 days post-op. So, last night we got together with some friends and one of them wanted to feel my port. So I told her where to "push" and she did, though she pushed a little harder for my liking. Anyways, she felt it, and that was the end of that.

So I was getting ready for bed last night, and I started to push on my port site to feel it - and I felt a pop. :cursing: It didn't hurt at all, but I felt a slight pop beneath my finger, and I definitely think I heard it pop too. It's been about 14hrs now and I've still not felt any pain at my port site.

Could I have popped a stitch last night? I'm freaking out man! I plan to call my doctor first thing tomorrow, but I'd really like some thoughts now!

Oh wow. I have no idea. I wonder if you might have pushed on the membrane and made it flex a little or something? I can't think that just pushing on it could pop a stitch . . .

[jmegirl 2]

Jamie,

If your stitches popped from your muscle I think you would definately feel it. I can understand you stress. I won't be satisfied that my port is ok until my first fill. Remeber you will see Dr. K on Friday. It isn't too far away and I bet there isn't anything you can do until then anyway.

I think that you don't have any pain is a great sign!

:cursing:

Right! Even if I did mess something up, I'm seeing Dr. K on Friday. No pain is a good sign, you're right! Still, it was freaky hearing/feeling a pop; I had trouble going to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about all the problems I could have just created!!!

Oh wow. I have no idea. I wonder if you might have pushed on the membrane and made it flex a little or something? I can't think that just pushing on it could pop a stitch . . .

I agree, I shouldn't be able to pop a stitch just by pushing on it. Maybe Dr. K will have a few opinions. I still plan to call tomorrow morning!

[lotzasunshine 2]

So I was getting ready for bed last night, and I started to push on my port site to feel it - and I felt a pop. :thumbup: It didn't hurt at all, but I felt a slight pop beneath my finger, and I definitely think I heard it pop too. It's been about 14hrs now and I've still not felt any pain at my port site.

Could I have popped a stitch last night? I'm freaking out man! I plan to call my doctor first thing tomorrow, but I'd really like some thoughts now!

I had a couple of pops. I wasn't too worried because scar tissue can stretch and break, which makes a popping noise. I haven't had any popping since the first couple of months. So, personally I don't think you broke any stitches.

[lotzasunshine 2]

So... I was really afraid that I would gain over the holiday because I ate crap, didn't exercise, and didn't keep up my Protein. BUT, I LOST 1.5!! Wow. It was hard to worry about the rules when we were traveling, lots of fast food, and I ate some cheese puffs too. Those go down WAY too easy! Anyway, I'm going to be good from now on! :thumbup:

[jmegirl 2]

I had a couple of pops. I wasn't too worried because scar tissue can stretch and break, which makes a popping noise. I haven't had any popping since the first couple of months. So, personally I don't think you broke any stitches.

That makes me feel so much better!!!! :wink2:

So... I was really afraid that I would gain over the holiday because I ate crap, didn't exercise, and didn't keep up my Protein. BUT, I LOST 1.5!! Wow. It was hard to worry about the rules when we were traveling, lots of fast food, and I ate some cheese puffs too. Those go down WAY too easy! Anyway, I'm going to be good from now on! :thumbup:

Good job! I have my first fill on Friday and I seriously can't wait. I ate 3 slices of pizza last night, and I've had 5 slices of pizza over the course of the day today. It was thin crust, so it went down just fine. Weekends are the worst!

[minidriver 0]

So... I was really afraid that I would gain over the holiday because I ate crap, didn't exercise, and didn't keep up my Protein. BUT, I LOST 1.5!! Wow. It was hard to worry about the rules when we were traveling, lots of fast food, and I ate some cheese puffs too. Those go down WAY too easy! Anyway, I'm going to be good from now on! :thumbup:

Good job, Marie! That's fantastic! Yummm, cheese puffs.

[minidriver 0]

That makes me feel so much better!!!! :thumbup:

Good job! I have my first fill on Friday and I seriously can't wait. I ate 3 slices of pizza last night, and I've had 5 slices of pizza over the course of the day today. It was thin crust, so it went down just fine. :wink2: Weekends are the worst!

Yep, time for a fill. Damn, pizza sounds good.

[jmegirl 2]

Yep, time for a fill. Damn, pizza sounds good.

Everything sounds good to me right now! It's driving me nuts. 5 days til FILL!

[minidriver 0]

Everything sounds good to me right now! It's driving me nuts. 5 days til FILL!

And that would be why they call it "bandster hell".

It will be over soon. And then you'll be on your losing way!!