Tuscaloosa Bandsters....

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I am from Tuscaloosa and considering the lap band. I was diagnosed with PCOS by my OB/GYN. Are there any bandsters that has used Dr. Bilton as their surgeon? If so, what where is requirements for the surgery? What was his bedside manners like? What was your overall experience pre and post-op?

Thanks in advance for sharing your story and giving much needed advice!!

[gardengrl 0]

I don't know about your surgeon, but I'm from Atlanta, have PCOS and know Tuscaloosa pretty well. My mom's from there so I know how attached my granddaddy was to Druid City Hospital. LOL!

Good luck with everything. My surgeon told me he didn't expect me to have a more difficult time losing weight once I had the surgery due to the PCOS. I am praying he is right!!

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Thanks for replying, Gardengrl....yeah it's a pretty decent hospital...we have four branches under our belt now...lol...

I don't believe I will have a hard time loosing after banding either...so far, I haven't gained anymore weight but I haven't lost much either...After reading some other postings about PCOS, I finally realized that PCOS is why my hair had become so brittle and easy to break off...This board has really been a blessing....It's like the bible of lap banding....

I wish you much success for your big day on June 9th....I will keep you in my prayers....Please stop by the forum and chronicle your story....Hopefully your mom will get to spend time with you during recovery.....ROLL TIDE!!!!

[bandofhope 1]

Question... what is PCOS? Thanks!

[gardengrl 0]

Thanks for asking. I like when people try to inform themselves! PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a major pain in the butt thing to have. Your body doesn't make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar so you gain a lot of weight (and unless diagnosed, can't figure out why!). There are a lot of symptoms: infertility, increased body/facial hair, brittle hair, acne, depression, etc. Most women don't find out they have it until they are trying to conceive or wonder why their periods are so irregular. If not controlled, can develop Type II Diabetes and other worse health problems. It makes is EXTREMELY hard to lose weight even with a proper diet so the Lap Band is a wonderful tool to help. I was so relieved when I was diagnosed since so many problems I had which I thought were totally unrelated all of a sudden made sense. There isn't a "cure" for it and they are still trying to find out the cause, but there are many things you can do to "control" it, mainly weight loss.

[PeachesPJ 0]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I am from Tuscaloosa and considering the lap band. I was diagnosed with PCOS by my OB/GYN. Are there any bandsters that has used Dr. Bilton as their surgeon? If so, what where is requirements for the surgery? What was his bedside manners like? What was your overall experience pre and post-op?

Thanks in advance for sharing your story and giving much needed advice!!

Perfct, I am from TTown and my wife and I used Dr Bilton. She had the RNY and I have the Lapband. Requirements of course depend on your insurance. I suggest you call his office and schedule a seminar. That is the first thing and they only do 1 a month. Beverly is his nurse and will be the one that you converse with the most. Also, they have a support group that meets every 3rd thursday at DCH in Willard Hall. Starts at 6pm. LOTS OF INFO at these. We have people that have had both surgeries and people just checking it out. Wife and I have had NO problems. She is 6 months out and lost 70lbs I am 5 months a lost 40 lbs. Hope to see you at the Jun 19th group meeting. Its called Genesis.

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Perfct, I am from TTown and my wife and I used Dr Bilton. She had the RNY and I have the Lapband. Requirements of course depend on your insurance. I suggest you call his office and schedule a seminar. That is the first thing and they only do 1 a month. Beverly is his nurse and will be the one that you converse with the most. Also, they have a support group that meets every 3rd thursday at DCH in Willard Hall. Starts at 6pm. LOTS OF INFO at these. We have people that have had both surgeries and people just checking it out. Wife and I have had NO problems. She is 6 months out and lost 70lbs I am 5 months a lost 40 lbs. Hope to see you at the Jun 19th group meeting. Its called Genesis.

Hi PeachesPJ,

Thanks for replying...I am scheduled for my initial consultation on June 10th in conference room B at the hospital. Did Dr. Bilton place you and your wife on a supervised liquid diet BEFORE the surgery? What did his recommended post-op diet consist of? If he placed you guys on the Optifast liquid diet, did your insurance cover the supplies? I have BCAL.

Congratulations to you both on successfully loosing the weight. I can't wait to join you guys in those high weight loss numbers...I have heard of the Genesis support group; however, when I wanted to attend, I have had to work. I am so glad to know that you guys have had no complications. I have never had surgery before so I don't know what to expect and I am very apprehensive about going under anesthesia. How long did the Lap Band precedure take? Did you go home the same day or does Dr. Bilton require all his patients to stay over nite for observation?

[PeachesPJ 0]

Hi PeachesPJ,

Thanks for replying...I am scheduled for my initial consultation on June 10th in conference room B at the hospital. Did Dr. Bilton place you and your wife on a supervised liquid diet BEFORE the surgery? What did his recommended post-op diet consist of? If he placed you guys on the Optifast liquid diet, did your insurance cover the supplies? I have BCAL.

Congratulations to you both on successfully loosing the weight. I can't wait to join you guys in those high weight loss numbers...I have heard of the Genesis support group; however, when I wanted to attend, I have had to work. I am so glad to know that you guys have had no complications. I have never had surgery before so I don't know what to expect and I am very apprehensive about going under anesthesia. How long did the Lap Band precedure take? Did you go home the same day or does Dr. Bilton require all his patients to stay over nite for observation?

No Diet prior, but we weren't that much overweight. My wife has BCAL and they paid most, but she is also secondary with my ins that paid 100%, so no cost, except some of the prior stuff. My band took 40 mins and I stayed overnight. I have sleep Apnea and believe that is why. If you haven't been tested for that, you will. Will be able to find out everything at the consult and don't be afraid to ask questions, no question is a dumb one .

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Thanks, PeachesPJ....I turned my questionaire packet in today so now I'm waiting for June 10th to have my initial consult.....

[lottolose 0]

I was banded on March 14th by Dr. Bilton and everything went very well!

The surgery was so easy! I had very little pain or discomfort, no trouble with recuperation, and have not had any problems with swallowing, etc.

I have had one fill since surgery (he didn't want to give me one when I went at six weeks because I was losing well without it) and have been pleased with the difference it made.

I am able to eat pretty much any food, but just eat less than I used to without being hungry.

Are you going through the 7 months of weigh ins? Good luck with everything!

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Hey Lottolose,

Yes, I have to go through the 7 months of weigh-ins. My first weight recorded was in May (before I went to the consultation to learn I had to do this) and my next doctor's appt. with my PCP is in July; therefore, my 7th month will be in December. Hopefully, I can get scheduled for the band in January.

Right now, I am gathering all of the things I will need pre and post-op. I have purchased a juicer and a smoothie machine along with some smoothie and juicing books. I even purchased a few vegan cookbooks...LOL...don't know how long the vegan phase will last because I am definately a meat-eater!!

I am looking around for a used recliner so I can sleep comfortably while the incisons heal..

Next, I have to purchase lots of fat-free Jello and popsicles and Protein Drinks. Sam's Club has the Slim Fast Optima Protein drinks for $17.

I already have my treadmill so once surgery is done, I don't want to have to leave the house for much of anything other than to have my post-op checkups!!!

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

I finally made it to a support group on July 17th, which is part of my pre-qualification for insurance purposes; I have one more meeting to attend! Sitting there listening to the testimonies from post-op patients was a real treat. One man that had the Gastric Bypass only 2 days prior came down from his room to share his experience with the group. Mind you, he didn't have his IV in nor was he walking with a cane. He said he felt good and that he was glad of his decision to have the bypass. This particular class was extremely full. The speaker for the nite was Dr. Ross Bunch, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

[lottolose 0]

That is great! I'm glad you made it to the support group. I haven't been since before my surgery and I really should go to the next one. When I first started going, no one there had had the lap band surgery (Dr. Bilton had just started doing that surgery) and it was a little frustrating to not hear from any banders. However, at the last meeting that I went to before my surgery, there were several people there who had the lap band.

This board, though, was very helpful leading up to surgery and after surgery!

Good Luck with everything! Keep us posted!

[Kimmiev3 0]

Can anyone go to the support meetings or is it only for patients of this particular Dr.?

That is great! I'm glad you made it to the support group. I haven't been since before my surgery and I really should go to the next one. When I first started going, no one there had had the lap band surgery (Dr. Bilton had just started doing that surgery) and it was a little frustrating to not hear from any banders. However, at the last meeting that I went to before my surgery, there were several people there who had the lap band.

This board, though, was very helpful leading up to surgery and after surgery!

Good Luck with everything! Keep us posted!

[PerfctWgt130lbs 0]

Hi Kimmie...

Yes, anyone interested in learning about the surgery can attend the meetings. You do not have to be a patient of Dr. Bilton.

I had my surgery in February and have not had any complications. I don't regret having it at all. I just wish us Tuscaloosa bandsters could form a walking group so we can all be an encouragement and accountable to one another. If anyone is interested in forming a walking group, please let me know. :blushing: