Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum - Part Two Dr. Kirshenbaum

[Totallytater 1]

Hi I'm scheduled with Dr. K for December 11th. Yeah!!!

Hey Tarheel,

You are going to have to tell me how it goes since my surgery week is right after yours. I have got nothing but good vibes so far so I am excited. I am debating whether I should rent a car or take a Taxi ewverywhere but I just dont know since I am on my own. Will I even be able to drive myself home after the surgery? I doubt it.

I will let you know how it goes. I read somewhere that the Doubletree Southeast will pick you up at the airport and provide local transportation. They offer a good medical discount. Check with them and see if they will give you airport transportation as well as to the doctor's appointment and surgery center. I am renting a car at Alamo at the airport and it was really cheap, like $13 per day. I decided it was worth it to have someone there so I am buying my sister an airline ticket too. We are going a few days early to view the sights. I get someone there and it only cost me 1 airline ticket (since I will have to pay for parking, hotel, rental car anyway). And she gets a free vacation. Can you not get anyone to go with you if you buy them a ticket?

[want2bmeagain 0]

Tarheelluv, livingthe dream, missmonaaz, Brandymom, and all the rest!

CONGRATULATIONS!! all our new bandsters to be!!! Awesome!!!

This will be one of the most exciting journeys you have ever taken!

Dr. K has something special about him...I think he became a doc to help people and the financial awards are a bonus~ He also has a way of making each one of us feel important, and not just an assembly line number.

Since I have had two fills, I will say that he is incredibly skillful. He has gotten both of mine on the first try, and I was in his office with a friend, and he got hers on the first try also. Not all docs can get that done with such ease. I feel so confident in him.

YOU ALL MADE A WISE CHOICE!

And...we are so glad you're here!

If you have questions about our experiences, please ask. There's something about other's experiences that even rival a textbook!

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving! I had a wonderful time cooking (yum!)...but the eating part, well.... a tad difficult. I saw Dr. K a week and a half ago for my 2nd fill. I was already reasonably restricted, but since he is a 6 hour drive, I wanted a fraction of a cc. It was pretty good at first, but somewhere along the way, it has tightened even more, and I have been struggling. I need to go to mushies and liquids and see how I do. I hope that I will get losing more weight, and the glorious fat pad around my stomach will shrink a hair, and thus loosen the band some. I have read of people not even being able to swallow liquids. I am totally fine there, so I am not in any kind of an emergency situation...I have to adjust my behaviours now...!

Drews, I so loved reading your story..I cracked up about what you said about beating the crap out of eachother and then drinking a beer! what a riot! Do you mind if I ask how Dr. K financially handled the second surgery? The self pay stuff is always scary for me. That is one of the reasons I have to get my sh*t together and start respecting my band more....can't even begin to afford fixing my own mistake (your's wasnt your fault, but I think of the money stuff). Oh, and NOT sorry I asked about your story. I LOVE reading what brought people to get banded. It is a HUGE decision.

Brandymom

I looked at the pic of your daughter. She is precious. It is amazing that it was never picked up on ultrasound, but I believe challenges can happen for a reason, and she has her mommy who loves her and takes wonderful care of her. Now, her other dx disorders, how do they affect her? She looks so sweet.

Shelbi

thanks for explaining the fill situation...It is so weirdly differently for everyone. Please let us know how the 2nd fill goes... How have you been going? I can't believe we are more than 2 months post op...weird.

Hope to hear soon from Rosey and the rest of the gang!

((((hugs))))

Kelly

[ShelbiCallie 0]

Just a quick "hi" to everyone and a shout out to my fellow Tarheel! Welcome to all the new folks! Looks like December is going to be busy for Dr. K and staff.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did an about face in my choices and ate sweet and/or soft processed carbs instead of healthy proteins/veggies/fruit. I was consumed my the fear was having a PB in front of the extended family and then having to explain, so I didn't even try any turkey or ham. Consequently, I had an upset stomach (TMI -- sorry) all day yesterday from the drastic diet change.:sick :bolt:I am back on track today, but avoiding those scales for a day or two!

Happy weekend eveyone -- we're starting to decorate today!

[Taynuh 1]

ShelbiCallie and all...

I was scared to get on the scale post-Thanksgiving, but I did this morning. I dropped another 2 pounds... but I was looking for more... seems since my second fill on 11/1/07, things are slower... but then again, I've been a bad bandster. this month.. eating poorly (chocolate, chips, dip, popcorn!)... and I had turkey and all the trimmings Thursday.... ALL of them including pumpkin pie and pecan pie... so the weight loss was surprising... Somehow, I think the occasional bad few days or week, tricks the body... which has responded to the lower caloric intake by slowing metabolism down to compensate... into thinking its back in feast (as opposed to famine) mode, so the metabolism speeds back up... maybe thats what happened?! I dunno... I made bad choices, but of course, thanks to my band, they weren't my pre-band day sized portions of bad choices. :cry

Anyhow, since the last fill on 11/1/07, I have only lost 7 pounds... a slow down for me, but it is actually to be expected... I think it's time I add some exercise/walking to my new lifestyle, to keep from stalling and staying flat... plus its good for me.

I am off to pick my new son up in Guatemala next week, so I'll be on family leave for a month (or so), so mybe some big stroller walks... and baby lifting...lol

Tina :hungry:

[ShelbiCallie 0]

Tina -- 7 pounds is wonderful!! You are doing so well. I'm hoping that I'll see the scale moving in a steady fashion after my second fill tomorrow; we'll see...

I'm wishing you smooth, safe travels this week -- I can't wait to hear all about Tanner!! Wow -- family leave at Christmas -- you're a lucky mom!

Happy sunday , everyone!

[divaofsongs 42]

I missed 2 calls from Paula Pierce at Dr. K's office. She gave me a different number than the office number. Does anyone know who she is? I hope she is not calling to cancel my surgery date

[ShelbiCallie 0]

Hi MissMona -- Paula is Dr. K's nutritionist. She does a pre-op nutrition consultation to go over the pre-op and post-op diet. I had a telephone appointment that was scheduled. Perhaps she trying to schedule with you? Her information is great and I found the session very helpful. I hope you two will connect soon. Have a great week, Karen.

[divaofsongs 42]

Hi MissMona -- Paula is Dr. K's nutritionist. She does a pre-op nutrition consultation to go over the pre-op and post-op diet. I had a telephone appointment that was scheduled. Perhaps she trying to schedule with you? Her information is great and I found the session very helpful. I hope you two will connect soon. Have a great week, Karen.

Thanks Karen, I will call her tomorrow. Can anyone tell me what Dr. K requires for the pre-op diet?

[ShelbiCallie 0]

He requires low carb; Paula will give you lots of details. Dr. K's words to me were "no rice, Pasta, bread or potatoes -- not so much as a cracker". Have a great day, Karen

[threedogpeople 0]

My hubby`s surgery is scheduled for Dec. 19th but he`ll do pre-op on Dec. 18th. We may run into you. We`re coming all the way from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Judy

Hello Friends,

My surgery with Dr. K is scheduled for Dec 18th and I can hardly wait. I have a BMI of 35 and I am 6'3 285. I am also flying into Denver by myself and getting this done on my own so that is also a little nerve recking. I have slowly gathered all my things for the trip from heating pads to gasX and now I am just waiting. I am curious to see how the remote fills go and how many trips I have to take but I have confidence that DR. K will take care of me. I fly into Denver on the 17th of Dec and back out on the 19th so here I go....

[TRINA1122 0]

Hello everyone,

My name is Katrina. I am trying to get the process started. I wish to get the lap band. I live in PA near the MD border.

My BMI is 44. I have decided on Dr. K. But I don't know where to start.

I have to be self pay because my work have decided on an insurance plan that does not cover bariatric surgery. I have made initial contact with the office but not definite appts.

What should I do?

Do I need more research? Every one here speaks highly of Dr. K.

I am also a OB/Gyn so I am comfortable with surgery and it's complications. Although, I haven't had major surgery!

Should I get financing first or schedule consulting appts first?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

What did you guys do pre-op?

What about fills, anyone know any fill DRs in Md or PA?:help:

[threedogpeople 0]

We called and left a message. His coordinator called us back and set up the initial appointments with us (phone consult), pre-op test date, AND gave us a surgery date at our request. The coordinator asked health questions, etc.

Judy

Hello everyone,

My name is Katrina. I am trying to get the process started. I wish to get the lap band. I live in PA near the MD border.

My BMI is 44. I have decided on Dr. K. But I don't know where to start.

I have to be self pay because my work have decided on an insurance plan that does not cover bariatric surgery. I have made initial contact with the office but not definite appts.

What should I do?

Do I need more research? Every one here speaks highly of Dr. K.

I am also a OB/Gyn so I am comfortable with surgery and it's complications. Although, I haven't had major surgery!

Should I get financing first or schedule consulting appts first?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

What did you guys do pre-op?

What about fills, anyone know any fill DRs in Md or PA?:help:

[Rosey80231 0]

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I have been missing in action for a bit but that is becasue of the holiday traveling. I see that our little group is growing.

I was supposed to get my 1st filled yesterday but the office was packed. He is a popular a loved dr our Dr K so I rescheduled for Friday.

Trina1122,

I hope you feel comfortable with Dr K. As you can see we are all very comfortable with him and he is an incredible Dr. His bedside manner is fantastic besides the fact that he is very knowledgeable. He is very complete in his explanations and is not afraid to answer the hard question.

I asked him point blank how long he had been doing this, I asked him about his experience, his staffs and the people at the hospital. I even asked him if he had had any problems or whether he had had any legal action against him due to his practice. He was honest and I even confirmed his information later on. If you are self pay all of your expenses in the surgery will be included so as 3 fills and as many calls you need to make to his office or visits to make sure you are taken care of in his fee. They have some suggestions as to where you can go for financing and of course they accept credit card payment except AMEX. It is always nice to explore your financing options as you could get a different interest rate by different sources. They will work with you in regards to whether you have your financing done now or later. Their request is that you have payment for them 10 days prior to surgery.

This is a major surgery so make sure you do your research. The more informed your are the more comfortable you will be. Who knows you may be one of Dr K's groupies too!!

I read the postings since last week and while we are all either losing a lot or not, and learning how to deal with our fills what is inspiring to me is that we are persevering. :clap2:To me it has become more about my relationship with food and how I have to learn to respect it and my band helps reminds me of it. Losing weight is a secondary very nice effect of it.

It is nice to be back. Please be safe

[Amieru 0]

I've been hanging around for months...reading up, doing my research and saving $$$$. Well...I'm happy to say I called yesterday and got my date scheduled!!!!! WoooHOOOO!!! I can not wait to join the "lapband club"!!!!

My date is February 19th!! I wanted to wait until after my daughter's b-day party. I do have a few questions for everyone.

1. I was unable to open the file the Dr. office sent about the list of hotels in the area. Anyone recommend a good one?? I'll be having my surgery at the Aurora Surgical Center.

2. Aurora Surgical Center....what's it like??

3. How long is the actual surgery??

That's it for now!!! I just can't wait to jump on the Lapband TRAIN!!!!!!

:whoo:

[Rosey80231 0]

In regards to the list of hotels I do not know, but I have to tell you the surgical center is fantastic. I was so impressed. Their care was excellent and their staff very professional and knowleageable. I was called by Dr performing the anethetic the night before to answer any questions. The surgery is a couple of hours but I would suggest to count on 5 or 6. they need to prep you and you need to be somewhat coherent after so they can release you.

Welcome to the Bandwagon