Lap-Band in Upstate NY

[barbie1978 22]

Congrats on doing so well...even with the PB'ing! We all will learn and make our mistakes....i'm hoping to NEVER do that...no thanks.

So at the meeting again this past wednesday some of the girls were talking at the end, and they said the same thing....Dr D doesn't make you go to all 6 months...he can get approval way before that, basically as long as you have lost what is required and have shown that you have made the effort to attend group sessions and really change eating habits. I'm down 7....13 to go and I dont' see Dr D until August 27th...i can TOTALLY do it by then. And all of my testing/appointments will be done as well...WOOHOO!! :rolleyes2: I can't wait to talk about my banding experience and I can't believe it's going to be so much sooner!!! :rolleyes2: :tongue2: :thumbup: :sneaky: :smile2:

[barbie1978 22]

so how is everyone else doing?

Anyone banded--> how has it been so far? Any bumps? Anything easier/harder than you thought?

Those of us not banded YET--> how far along are you? What do you have left to do?

My psych eval is this week (thursday)....july is my sleep study and results from that (and second night of sleep study), bloodwork whenever I get over to the lab, then i just need my letter sent to Dr D from my PCP and my second appointment is in august..i'm hoping to send in the paperwork then! :ohmy:

[hnladue 7]

TV-Great to hear from you!! I can't believe you've PB'd already!! I've had one fill. I have a 14cc band and there's 3cc's (I think) in it. I can still eat and eat!! The band does slow me and I do eat less. I'm not gaining any. Still the same after surgery! But not losing either. I don't think Dr D. will mind, at least I haven't gained. I go in for my next fill Jul 2... of course it's right before my vacation!

As far as overall, I'm glad I did it! I'm not in pain anymore, I feel great. It's nice to be able to move better with almost 40 pounds gone!! I still have port pain, shows up more when wearing jeans or anything with a button/zipper. Of course, leaning on the counters in the kitchen... lines right up with the port!! Murphys Law I guess...

Keep in touch everyone!

[barbie1978 22]

where is your port? Someone my mom works with had lap band right around the same time as you did and her port is higher and to the right of her belly button...like 2 inches above and 2 inches over...

[hnladue 7]

My port is to the right of my belly button, right were my kitchen countertop touches my belly!! of course... murphy's law. It's also right were your jeans go across too!!! oye. about 3-4 inches over from belly button and 2 inches up. Like if a drew a line down from my right nipple it lines up.

I go for a 2nd fill wed..... and of course I go on vacation for 2 weeks starting Jul 12th....someone is out for me!

[gilta 0]

Hi All,

It sounds like everyone is moving along:

TJ - great job on 33lbs down! I am glad for all the advice. I have heard to slow way down when eating

Barbie - how did the psych eval go, easy?

HN - wow - that is a bad spot for the port. I will have to mention it to my MD so he can be careful

Well, as of today I am 30 days away from surgery. I am extremely excited! I have been busy with work and my son's medical issues which takes up most of my time. I think organizing my lap bad is easier than getting a child help with mental issues.

I hope all is well.

Gilta

[KelCan 0]

I am considering Lap Band. I am located in an area where I would prefer to go to Rochester if I have it done but would go elsewhere within reason if I thought it was worth the traveling. Depends on the doctors too, of course. I want the best. I have not committed to the decision yet. I go in next Wednesday to speak with my medical doctor about it. When I was in last February for my physical she asked me if I had considered gastric surgery. I assumed then she met bypass. I said "no way, not for me" but now thinking differently since hearing about the Lap Band. I have had many family members who had gastric bypass done and most have put back on a considerable amount of weight. I just turned 40, battled with weight my entire adult life, did lose about 80 pounds with Weight Watchers over 2 years but put 50 of it back on in 3 years. I never thought I would be back at the place I started. I swore those habits would never come back. I have probably 110 to 120 pounds to lose. I have read GREAT things about Dr. DiBenedetto at RHG on these postings. Anyone have any other surgeons that you would highly recommend? If I am going to do it, I am going to do it with the best and do it right! Since you are all so open, could you share with me who you highly recommend or who I should stay clear of? I see Highland got a serious deficiency on this site. Good to know and I am smart enough to be objective at the same time. I am going to browse the various forums for more information on how patients are doing. Thanks for taking the time to post and especially to someone just looking into this, it has been a major source of information for me, aside from the formal literature - the "real" people story. ONE MORE QUESTION - What about psychological counseling before and after? I loved the WW program but the one thing they did not address is the psychology behind why we eat like we do. Even my doctor agrees and offers little help as she just does not know where to send me. The one person in our area who does "behavioral counseling" is a skinny little gal who, I am told, has never been overweight in her entire life. I want the whole package; the weight loss, the psychological support (from a place that has the appropriate knowledge) and a healthy lifestyle. I realize all of the surgery or weight loss programs in the world will not fix what is ingrained in my brain. I am ready to fix what is wrong with me but I need to find out what that is first! LOL!!!! Thanks for your help!

[gilta 0]

Hi Kel,

Welcome!

We are all in different stages of our journey. I wanted to let you know that I am going through Highland. I have so far had a very good experience except for my surgeon went out on disability! I guess no control over that. The team has been very responsive and helpful. I have 3 friends who have gone to highland and 2 to RGH. The 3 that went to highland recommended them highly and the 2 that were at RGH, one loved it and one was so/so. It sounded like an RN had a really bad day and took it out on my friend. Of the 5, only 2 have had the band. The other 3 are struggling with gaining back some of the weight, one has gained back almost all.

You need to feel comfortable with wherever you go. Some here absolutely love RGH and will be able to give you more information on their program.

You are more than welcome to contact me directly for my experience and any questions.

My surgery is slated for 8/1!

Gilta

[KelCan 0]

Thank you, Gilta!

Thanks for sharing that. Like anything else it takes 1 bad experience to wipe out 100 good experiences. I'll be objective in my research.

Obviously, you did your research and congratulations - 1 month to go! How exciting it must be for you to think about what your health and life will be like this time next year?

Do you have any personal opinions, since you have friends that have had both, why with gastric bypass there seems to be a high rate of gaining the weight back? I was wondering if it was because the stomach can be stretched again whereas with Lap Band you have the fills to keep you "tight." I have many family members who have had gastric bypass and it seems to me, based on what I see, is they are again eating portions like they were before. Of course, there are psychological reasons behind it all I am sure, as with me and my eating.

In your research, have you found statistics that show how Lap Band patients are doing with weight loss and keeping it off? I am trying to find that.

I am still all hung up on the psychological part of weight loss, Lap Band or not. I want to get down to what is eating me to get to why I am eating. In the area where I live we have very limited resources.

And my research continues. Thanks for sharing. Will check back later.

[gilta 0]

Kel,

I don't have any statistics about band vs the bypass except that after 3 years the weighloss is the same.

Things I was told when considering the two was that bypass is typically for those with higher amounts of weight loss.

I decided with the band because I needed the continuing evaluation, such as the fills. I know when I lost weight with WW, when I would get close to goal I would fool myself. With the band, the restriction is there. With bypass, your pouch can stretch. My one friend who gained back some, did do a recheck and was able to lose again. My other friend is back to the same size of meals.

Look around at a bunch of forums. More people may have the statistics than I do.

Gilta

[KelCan 0]

Thanks Gilta! I will do that. Just watched the video on the procedure itself and it was very interesting and answered some anatomical questions I had. Also referred me to a couple of other web sites, which will be helpful. Also going to investigate and see who is listed are Centers of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery with the American Association for Bariatric Surgeon. "Talk" to you later. Thanks again for being so open and sharing so much information.

[barbie1978 22]

Hey everyone!

My Psych eval was EASY....i was so nervous and for no reason! IT was really quick!

Kel...welcome! Congrats on making a decision to look into lap-band!

I didn't want gastric bypass either, as I thought it was too severe and i didn't even look into lap band until about a year ago. I got serious about it in the past 8 months and decided it was absolutely for me. I highly recomment Dr Dibenedetto!!! You will LOVE him! He's great and he only wants to help! Some other surgeons in the area have very high opinions of themselves and my family has had bad experiences with it. My mom had bypass 3 years ago and OMalley was a jerk to her. She ended up going to RGH where Galvin (who left and dibenedetto took over) was amazing to her and she is doing well!

Sorry for my post being all over the place. I have limited computer access at the moment and i'm on a timed computer (library) and I only have 7 minutes left...lol I'll be back online soon to either finish my ADD comments or to answer any other questions....

oh! I DO have to meet with the nutritionist and she was nice enough to get me in EARLY on the day of my follow up appointmetn with Dr D!!! (if she didnt' get me in I would have been screwed...i alraedy really like her and thanked her profucely!!!) ...and i know i totally just spelled that wrong! lol

[gilta 0]

Hi All,

I hope you had a great 4th. I really need to get into the swing of the new me. I have not been watching what I am eating and I am eating way too fast.

I am only 25 days until surgery and am getting a bit nervous. I am going to start putting together a list of "supplies" to have on hand after the surgery.

Gasx strips

liquid tylenol

broth

Jello

Protein Shakes

lactose free milk

Any other suggestions?

thanks!

Gilta

[KelCan 0]

Barbie1978 - Thank you for your comments about Dr. DiBenedetto. So far I have seen very positive feedback regarding him. I go Wednesday to meet with my primary care physician to see what she thinks on the whole thing (though she suggested it to me in February and I said "NO WAY"! - Had not hit rock bottom yet.) Since last post I did time on YouTube watching people's video; diaries pre- and post Lap Band. This was something that was recommended to me on the "Chat" portion of this web site. It was well, well worth my time. I have also researched the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery to find physicians that are members in our area. I have also researced Centers of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Buffalo would be the closest to find facilities that earned this recognition. No Rochester physicians that I found are affiliated with this status. I am glad you shared that about the other doctors. Most of my family that has had the gastric bypass done had Dr. O'Malley, I believe. He was the only one I had "heard" of. All good info to stuff into my pocket.

Congratulations on having your psych eval done. I am sure one step closer to the real deal feels fantastic! I still am struggling to find information regarding the psychology behind my eating. I won't give up.

Thanks again!

KelCan

[barbie1978 22]

that's the other thing i wanted to mention....RGH has monthly group sessions to discuss everything. Support groups. It definately helps to talk with people who are either in the same place as you, or who have been there before, instead of just talkign to someone who has never had a weight problem and/or someone who has lost like 20 pounds in their entire life. To me, it almost doesn't count.

There is also a program called Beyond Diets here. It was required for me to go (insurance company) but it has made such a difference. You discuss portions, exercise, etc, but in the weekly sessions you get to talk about your feelings and why you do the things you do...and believe me when other people actually understand you and can give you advice based on their experience, it helps....and it calls you out, meaning you become responsible for your food actions...it makes you realize why you do what you do, and once you know that, you can start to get control. I don't know how close you are to Rochester but if it's too far away just start asking in your area about nutrition programs that have group meetings. Ask your PCP as well...

GOODLUCK with everythign! Keep us posted...and yes, every item that I can check off gets me one step closer to surgery! And changing my life forever....