Chicago Bandsters......

[GOODBODY 0]

HEY KINS,

I HAD MY SURGERY 8/13/08 AT Alexian Brothers/Suburban SURGICAL CARE CENTER. THEY ARE A BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD BLUE DISTINCTION CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE FOR ALL BARTIATIC SURGERY AND HAVE THE LOWEST FATALITY RATE AND HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE IN THE ILLINOIS AREA. THAT SOLD ME. I USED DR. PETER RANTIS. MY SURGERY DATE WAS 8/13/08 AND SO FAR NO PROBLEMS, IT BEEN A BREEZE. I GET MY FIST FILL 9/11/08. OTHER THAN THE UNUSAL WAIT (IN THE WAITING ROOM) I AM PLEASED. HOPE THIS HELPS.

GOODBODY OUT

[MMDLynn 0]

I had my lapband surgery on Sept 2nd at St James in Olympia Fields, IL by Dr. Shayani and it was so simple. I stayed overnight for observations no complications before, during or post surgery. The staff was great and Dr. Shayani is by far the best surgeon I've ever encountered. He has the bed side manner of doctors you've seen in the movies. He calls you, emails you - his follow up is just unbelievable! He's simply the BEST!

I feel a little discomfort, but no real pain. The most discomfort is coming from the excess gas in my stomach due to the air they had to pump in during surgery. The scars are small and I can't wait for the pounds to start melting away. I'm not hungry so it's difficult to get in all the Protein and Water I need to consume daily because you get full so fast. It's easy to feel the feelin of satiaty. :tt2:

[sara7venus 0]

Hi there. Is there anyone in the Lake County general area? I'm in Grayslake, and have run into a couple of Lake County bandsters, but it'd be nice to meet some more people, just to have a network of people who are in the same boat as I am in. It'd be great to get together for lunch sometime!

[Kathy5 0]

ANYONE OUT THERE FROM THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS I.E., MT. PROSPECT, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ETC.? BANDED ON JAN 28, 2008 AND LOST 32 LBS UP TILL 10/16/08. COULD USE SOME SUPPORT.

[MMDLynn 0]

Hi Kathy,

I'm in the SW Suburbs-Brookfield, but work in the Rolling Meadows. Were you banded locally? Has your surgeon/Dr. explained why your loss is so slow? Are you working with a Bariatric Nutritionist?

My weight loss is slow as well, I've been banded 5 weeks and go for my first fill next week. I lost 7lbs during the pre-op diet but I've only lost 10lbs since surgery so I'm a little disappointed.

My surgeon told me that he was not concerned if I lost any weight at all prior to my first fill. He said the weight would start to drop after the fill and that I would know when it was time to get another fill if I had 2-3 consecutive weeks with no weight loss. He also warned me that the average loss with the band is only 1-2lbs per week.

Are you exercising? What are you eating daily, do you keep a food journal/log?

If you want to talk or need someone to walk share the journey I'm here!

[Tomasa 0]

Lynn...Im glad to see you are doing so well....and from your comments about Dr Shayani; I can tell you are satisfied with your choice to go with him.

Tammy

[redrum602 2]

Lynn - I once was a patient of Dr Shayani's - he was my first Band doc after moving to Chicago from Phoenix. I loved Dr Shayani!! I wish he was still excepted on my insurance plan - I hated having to leave him!

[MMDLynn 0]

Yes he is great - did you lose weight before your first fill or did you lose and then stop? I'm so concerned the scale is causing major drama for me. I've only lost 15lbs over the las 8 weeks - I had surgery 6 weeks ago, so this weight loss includes the pre-op lbs. lost. I thought for sure that by now 8 weeks into this project I would have lost twice this much. I'm eatin the way I was advised ...the only thing I am not doing is hard core exercise.

Anyone out there able to share their weight loss results between surgery and first fill. Also weight loss after the first fill and how long between the first and second fill?

I'm dying to hear.

Thanks

Mitri

[redrum602 2]

Hey All - my Dr has an out-going support group that meets weekly. It is open to any bariatric patients - not just his patients. I was given the okay from his office to publish this information on the site. If anyone is interested in attending - feel free to come out! Tonight will be the first meeting I will be attending. Addresses for each location is at the bottom.

NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM

Bariatric Surgery Support Group

7–9 pm – Patient facilitated and/or discussion guided by specialist

October 2008

Oct 6 Vernon Hills Colleen Diamond, Physical Therapy Student

Oct 16 Glenview Colleen Diamond

Oct 22 Glenview Robin Ross, Ph.D.

Lap Band Group

Oct 27 Highland Park Colleen Diamond

November 2008

Nov 3 Vernon Hills Group Run

Nov 19 Highland Park Woody Denham, M.D.

Lap Band Group

Nov 20 Glenview Dr. Karol Gutowski, Plastic Surgeon

Nov 24 Highland Park Dr. Karol Gutowski, Plastic Surgeon

December 2008

Dec 1 Vernon Hills Group Run

Dec 18 Glenview

Dec 22 Highland Park

LOCATIONS

Vernon Hills 225 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills (Near Kohl’s and Sam’s)

Glenview 2100 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, Conference Room A on 2nd floor

Highland Park 777 Park Avenue West, Highland Park, Meeting Room 1B

Evanston 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Meeting Room G954

Contact Information

Dr. Woody Denham – Bariatric Program Director

(847) 570-4120 (office)

[AKAYLA98 0]

Hey all. My name is Mz. Y. I live in the far western suburbs. I was just banded on 10/16 so this is all very new for me. I started the process at a whooping 277lbs. Since then I am down to about 240 thanks to my horrible pre op diets. I am looking forward to reaching my goal of 130 lbs!

[cowcow 0]

i had read on a thread somewhere the a group gets together at the panera in oak brook. is that still happening? i also had dr. shayani, thought he was a difficult person to deal with, but it ended up to be dayone health that was the problem. i need to find another dr., any suggestions from anyone? i live in dyer, in and work in oak brook so i was hoping for a place i could go to on my lunch hr. or right after work.

[Deborah01 0]

Hi! Im in Lincoln Park, Chicago. I was banded in March 2007 and have lost 50 pounds so far. I have another 15 to go. My surgery was done at Day One Health by Dr. Meyers. I am still trying to figure it all out, as well as figure out how to use this site.

I'm glad I stumbled on this site, as I have been doing this alone since my surgery.

[cowcow 0]

deborah, i know what you mean! the site is overwhelming! i started reading through months ago and just gave up, way too much to read! i was banded 8/13/07 and have lost 55lbs. and just like you i'm still trying to figure it out! my cousin also had it done a year before me and i'm CONSTANTLY asking... does this happen to you? are you feeling this? i really was hoping to find that group that would meet so i could ask the questions one after another. my biggest confusion is the fact that i of course cannot eat the the morning, then by lunch i will eat very slowly, but if i'm really that hungry, after a little time i can eat very freely and until i'm miserably full (haven't completely broken myself of that habit yet). what's your worst problem?

[realme 0]

I moved from Dallas to Chicago downtown.

I was wondering if someone can guide me regarding two issues:

1. Any info regarding support groups near Chicago downtown area.

2. Where is the best and economic place to get the fills in Chicago.

[shampoo 0]

HI! Mount Propect here. Banded on Feb 26, 08 - lost 44 lbs. Email me at shampoosh@gmail.com. You are doing fine. :-)

ANYONE OUT THERE FROM THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS I.E., MT. PROSPECT, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ETC.? BANDED ON JAN 28, 2008 AND LOST 32 LBS UP TILL 10/16/08. COULD USE SOME SUPPORT. :thumbup: