Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum

[MissMom24 2]

Your welcome Sidann!! Anytime...

I agree with the support issue as well...I love it here! My absolute favorite place to be!

I have really short hair, spiky and will have 2 little girls with me. An adorable brown haired one and one who is blonde curly top!

[deboregon 0]

There are soooo many of you to congratulate for a multitude of reasons!!Great weight loss....positive attitudes....wonderful support.

This thread is a necessary tool in this journey.

My surgery is scheduled for Aug. 20, and I fortunately have someone coming with me. My question is how far is the taxi ride from the airport to the clinic and then from the motel (Holiday Inn) to surgery center? Need to figure out how much taxi money I need to bring).

Mini: what color is your Mini? I recently bought a new VW bug convertible, sapphire blue w/ gray top and interior....LOVE IT:tt1:

Lots of animal lovers here! Great!

I have a 12-year-old choc. lab named Tucker; two Jack Russells, Dollie (16 yrs. old) and Scout (15 yrs. old). I know it sounds like a canine nursing home, but other than a little sight problem and incontinence issue for Dollie (she is cute in doggie diapers), you would never know they were all senior citizens! Ah, to die and come back as a dog in my house would be a blessing!

[minidriver 0]

Good afternoon ladies! What a bunch of losers you are this week. YAY!

Widow - I am planning to stay an extra day after my surgery. I did lots of reading about that very topic on this board, and I came to the conclusion that it would be MUCH better to take that extra day.

Deb - it looked to me like it would be pretty pricey to go from the airport to the office or hospital in a cab. I think taking super-shuttle back and forth to the airport would be less expensive (35ish each way), then maybe cabs between dr. k's office, hotel, and surgical center. We ended up deciding to rent a car . . . but it would have been less expensive to use super shuttle, etc.

Your doggies sound precious. I think doggies in diapers are really cute. BTW- my mini is pepper white with a black top. I custom designed a peace sign for the sunroof. It's pretty cute (IMHO).

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

Hi Everyone!

Amieru! Wow! 5 lbs! That's great! You're really working that band of yours! Congrats! You're going to meet your goal before you know it!

Brandy! When you reach your goal, can you start working on mine? Please? I am going to hit it hard starting tomorrow! I am going to really watch my sodium intake to make sure that I can get my swelling down! My friend started on the Zone diet on Wednesday and she's lost 3lbs already! I might look into that!

Bookholder! Don't worry about being stuck! Maybe up your working out. That might help. It will start moving for you soon! Are you going to make it to Red Robin's?

Fatwidow! I remember when I had my surgery, you had to sign a form stating who would be picking you up afterwards AND you had to give them the phone number of the person. I remembered this when I saw that Munchkin was going to have her surgery. I wrote her and gave you my number. When the surgery was over Dr. K called my cell phone and let me know she was in recovery! I waited in the waiting room and watched TV until she was up to going back to the hotel. It was the best meeting her! Even after surgery, she was just adorable! I have no problem picking you up after surgery and taking you back to your hotel. The scripts for surgery are an Antibiotic (liquid form), a stool softener (OTC) for the night before surgery, a liquid pain med and a oral antiemetic (to keep you from throwing up) -- he's using something different now, it's a tab to put under your tongue. They will also put a patch behind your ear to help you from throwing up. Throwing up is an absolute NO NO after surgery -- you can cause the band to slip by vomiting. He will also want you to get something to wash your tummy with for a couple of days prior to surgery. My insurance paid for these. But if the insurance hadn't paid, it would have cost me $105.00.

Deb! The airport is pretty far from the hotel. But the hotel is very close to the surgicenter. I'm not sure of my schedule in August. If I'm not working that day, I would be happy to give you a ride back to the hotel after your surgery. Ask Natalie, she might have an idea of how much a taxi from the airport would be. The Super-shuttle might be a good price, but there might be some people on here who used the shuttle and they can give you more advise. Are you going to come in early the day before yours surgery for your pre-op appt?

Mini! WE are a bunch of losers, aren't we?

Be good all of you!

love,

dee~

[BellaPerdente 0]

tied2bfit: thank you so much. I will accept your offer to pick me up from the hospital. I see how much you are there for the people on this site and can't believe what an angel you are. When my date comes closer, we can make some final arrangements.

One more question (I think). When I try to book my hotel and flight together on line, I don't get the option to chose Parker for hotel searches???? They only give me the option for Aurora. Is this close to the Crown Center Surgery center? I wonder if I should just book them separately and use the list Natalie gave me??? Any advice!

[Sidann 0]

When I had my preop appt with Dr. K the afternoon before my surgery Natalie gave me the prescriptions and had me use the pharmacy in the same building as Dr. K's office. I had an insurance card but the pharmacist said it was cheaper to buy them from her than pay my insurance co-pay. The bill for all the meds that Dee mentioned was $50.00. It was really a bargain. It was cheaper than Walgreens or anywhere else.

I agree with Brandymom on the "out of it" time. I wasn't in very much pain but I was just goofy the afternoon after my surgery and the next day. I spent some time outside because it was such a beautiful day the day after my surgery and I wanted to walk a little. I got a sunburn! That evening I didn't even remember going outside earlier that day. My daughter reminded me about it but I still didn't really remember. For a while we thought my sunburn was a reaction to meds until she told everyone what I did that day. I had my surgery on Wednesday morning and flew home on Friday. By Friday I was doing really well but I needed help with my bag when I got on the plane and when I got off at home. Those are just my thoughts on the subject.

[deboregon 0]

Well, I booked my flight to arrive in Denver about 11am. My preop appt. is 3:30. We got a room in a place somewhere near Parker:confused2: On line doesn't list any hotels for Parker, plus the ones that were suggested by Natalie were already booked or out of my price range. I think we are going to rent a car. No worries that way.

I am having surgery at Parker Hospital. How far away is that from the Bariatric Center? And are Parker Hospital and Crown Point Surgery Center at the same location? I am a tad confused:embaressed_smile:

I really appreciate the info and offers y'all have put forth. Hopefully, I will get this figured out! Good thing I didn't schedule this any sooner!

Saw Lily Tomlin last night at performance in downtown. My god, for being close to 70 (this year), she is still flexible, athletic, and young-looking. She was soooooo funny!

[minidriver 0]

Well, I booked my flight to arrive in Denver about 11am. My preop appt. is 3:30. We got a room in a place somewhere near Parker:confused2: On line doesn't list any hotels for Parker, plus the ones that were suggested by Natalie were already booked or out of my price range. I think we are going to rent a car. No worries that way.

I am having surgery at Parker Hospital. How far away is that from the Bariatric Center? And are Parker Hospital and Crown Point Surgery Center at the same location? I am a tad confused:embaressed_smile:

I really appreciate the info and offers y'all have put forth. Hopefully, I will get this figured out! Good thing I didn't schedule this any sooner!

Saw Lily Tomlin last night at performance in downtown. My god, for being close to 70 (this year), she is still flexible, athletic, and young-looking. She was soooooo funny!

I'm pretty sure that the Surgery Center is at the hospital.

I LOVE Lily Tomlin. How fun for you!!!

[PrtyAntOvrYt 6]

The Crown Point Surgicenter is on the first floor of the hospital. It is a separate facility but it's in the same building. I work on the third floor of the hospital. The surgicenter is off of Parker in the city of Parker. Dr. K's office is in Aurora, I'm not sure how far it is, but it's not that close. It's not difficult to go from Aurora to the hospital. Maybe 10 miles or so. Are you having your surgery in the Main Hospital or the Surgicenter? Most likely it in the Surgicenter, but mine was in the Main OR in the Hospital due to my Malignant Hyperthermia family history.

Fatwidow! I look forward to meeting you! I live in Littleton but because I work at the hospital, I'm pretty familiar with that area. My home is about 13 miles from the hospital. Let me know if you need anything else. We are going to Cheyenne early on the 19th.

I don't mind helping if I am able. My schedule is not always open, but sometimes, I'm fortunate. During the week of your surgery, I'm actually on vacation. Let's keep in touch!

dee~

[marcyinak 0]

Hey everyone, a little more advice. Do you think I should be ok to leave the evening of the 18th? I am scheduled for surgery on the 17th; or should I wait one more day? Munchkin, did Dr. K say it was ok to be alone all night or you didn't tell him. I thinking I could have one of you bandsters pick me up from the surgery center and get me settled in and I agree with Munchin that I should be ok to stay alone. I will have a telephone close by to call someone if something serious happens.

Someone please let me know if I should stay that extra day. Also did I remember someone saying that I will have to have prescriptions filled and ready for the night? How much money are we talking about. I just trying to figure how much I am going to need.

Thanks everyone!!!!

I HIGHLY recommend forkin' out the cash to pay for an extra night at the hotel. There are SEVERAL reasons for this: if you have issues, you have the doc right there - you can just HEAL as opposed to dealing with home issues with kids or even just well wishers (the time is for YOU) - you'll feel better about it in the long run!

I had surgery on Tues. and flew home to Alaska on Thurs afternoon. I was feeling quite good and only needed one dose of pain meds for the trip...and it was a long trip (we had to over-nite in Anchorage).

As for a vehicle...there's a few folks (deboregan among them) that are looking at renting a vehicle. I rented one and got an economy thing for about $12/day! I used Priceline. It's a GREAT service is you know for sure that you'll be needing a vehicle. I don't know if you'll be able to drive right after the surgery (depends on your pain level and how you tolerate meds, and I don't recommend poppin' pills and drivin' if you know what I mean), but if you have someone to drive then I'd totally go with Priceline!

Good luck!

[lifesaver 0]

Good grief you guys are doing so great with your weight loss!!!

I'm the NOT Loser this week. I think I did what Dee said might happen - during week 3 I gained because I started eating regular food. But regardless I am up 1.5 lbs this week :tongue2:{ BUMMER. But I'm not gonna give up. I'll be in Denver on Thursday for my first fill. I'm a little nervous because I have to fly right back out after the fill but I think I need one.

I have an encouraging story. I met with a group of women for a quarterly meeting today. I wore a knit top and wondered what was wrong with the thing. It was hanging WAY down in front so I pulled it up and it would hardly stay on my shoulders. I asked a friend if the top looked as weird as it felt. She laughed and said that it is about 2 sizes too big. I haven't lost much weight but I guess I have lost enough for my top to be too big. She has lost a lot of weight (about 50 lbs)and said it's just one of those fun things about the weight loss. She hasn't had the band surgery and probably will never need it but she is really supportive of me and my journey. I have 3 friends who are trying to be supportive and helpful along the way. Between those 3 and all of you I feel like a million bucks even if I have gained weight this week. Sidney

I was one of those that gained weight (6lbs) between my surgery and first fill. Everthing gets better after that.....don't worry too much right now.

[lifesaver 0]

Miss Widow~

I know for me that if I had to travel, it would have been a nightmare 1 day out. I went to Princess' on Ice, and don't remember a thing. Nothing, nada and if my best friend had not been there, my daughter would have been left!

I would say wait at least 2 days before going home...that is me though!

I wouldn't have been able to travel the day after surgery either. I was not a happy camper and couldn't have done the whole travel thing. From what I hear I was in a lot of pain longer than most but I wouldn't schedule a flight for the day after just to be safe....that's just me.

[lifesaver 0]

Mal.....congrats on 2.8. That is freakin' amazing!!! I am looking for some used rollerblades now and hopefully will secure a pair by next weekend. Which means I need to learn how to skate. Maybe you can teach me...or we can just watch each other crash into stuff and fall on our a$%es and laugh hysterically. I have to learn so that I can do the skating portion of the Oyster Adventure Race on August 16th. What the heck am I thinking??

Woofay, sorry about your brother. I miss mine too...wish he was still around to torment me endlessly.

Minni....Your car story was hysterical. I was really laughing out loud.

Brandy.....really, what are you doing that is getting you such great losses the last couple weeks? It usually slows down as we get closer to our goals...somehow you have figured out the miracle of speeding up your weight losss. I'm inspired by you. Keep it up.

I wish I would have known about this message board when I was pre-surgery. What a supportive place for newbies to hang out!

Have a kick butt week everyone!

[munchkin392 1]

Good evening everyone! (Well, good morning I guess, I am at work and didn't realize what time it was!)

Fatwidow-Honestly, if I could do it over again, I would have stayed another day at the hotel before flying home. Although, if I recall, the third day was also the worst for me as far as pain also, so maybe it was a good thing I went home when I did. The only problem I really had when I flew home was walking through the airport-my flight was at what seemed like the furthest possible gate, and all the walking killed my stomach as it was very sore. And I was completely wiped out by the time I finally made it home. Yes, Dr.K knew I would be staying at the hotel by myself, but he does not usually want people to do that. I don't know if he was ok with it because I am an ICU nurse (nurse heal thyself?) or because he knew I was in touch with Dee. Talk to him about it when you have your phone call with him.

Dee-my coworker is sitting here laughing about you saying I was adorable when you picked me up after surgery- she said I must have still been under the effects of the anesthesia when you picked me up because she swears I am not usually adorable!:tongue2:

[munchkin392 1]

BTW, I can't remember the pin to edit my ticker. Can anyone give me tips on how to start over with it? I can't remember for the life of me how I did it! Thanks in advance!