Dr. Eibes lap band patient

Good Morning Iowa,

I am going to have lap band surgery in November. Has anyone had lap band with Dr. Eibes or scheduled to?  I am trying to get ready by practicing the new habits, buying protein, vitamins, etc.  Does anyone have advice on where to buy chewable calcium citrate w/D locally?  Also is crystal lite count as part of your water? 

The reason I am preparing so early is because I am leaving in 2 weeks for Louisiana and am staying six weeks.  My daughter is having her first baby.  I will have the surgery first week in November (I think).  Anyway TIA for answers.

Candi

Hi Candi

I got my Calcium Citrate at Campbells on 100th street, it's between Douglas and Hickman - close to Arby's - in the group of buildings behind that.

Good luck on your surgery.  I believe Crystal Lite would count as water.  If you have ever been on Weigh****chers it is free on that diet so that is why I would count it as water.  Also, ask Janelle at the office.
 
See ya!!!!

Thanks Nellynelly....I will go to Campbells soon.  So how are you feeling now?  I see you just got lap band recently. 

Hi, Candy!  I'm not a Lapband patient, but I am a patient of Dr. Lamasters who is in the same group.  I will be having the Laparoscopic RNY when my insurance finally decides to approve me :) 
Good luck with your procedure!  Wish I could help more with your questions but I've been wondering the same things!

Kari

I am a patient of Dr Eibes. Had my lap band surgery 8/25. Things are going well. It was real nice about the first week after surgery. No appetite! It is slowly coming back, but I still feel more in control than I have ever felt before.  I'm in what they call "bandster hell" which is the time between after surgery and the swelling goes down to your first fill.  Dr Eibes did a great job! No problems with the surgery.  Good for you to start early with getting ready for this cause it is a new way of life. 

Hi Kari & Kim...thanks for the replies.  I just got home from being in Missouri for the weekend.  My husband and I hang out with 4 other couples a lot and we were down at one of their cabins.  Anyway usually ALL of our visits are centered around food so this visit I talked about how this weekend would be my last time at the cabin where my focus was on food.  I asked that they would all be supportive of my change in lifestyle.  I told them I don't want to be babysat or policed....just to take me seriously.  That will be a  big challenge for me next time I go. I looked around and there are lots of wonderful places to walk & explore so I will look forward to doing that next time. 

Kari...how long have you been waiting for approval?
Kim...I'm glad to hear your band is going well.  How much pain do you have  Like is it so bad you need pain pills or does tylenol do the trick?  How long until your first fill?

I got a "sample box" of different vitamins & calcium today from Bariatric Advantage.  I will take it to Janelle on Wednesday to see if those are the things I will need to take.  Lot's of different chewables to try. mmmmm...yummy!!

Do either of you go to the support meetings?  I have gone 3 times but will miss Sept & Oct.  I like going and talking to other patients.

I have been trying to get insurance approval since April.  I work for Iowa Health  Systems and they have ridiculous requirements for approval.  I've been working on my physician supervised diet (they currently require 12 months).  If you read my blog on my profile you can get updates on what has happened in relation to insurance thus far.  I think I'm getting close to finally getting approval!

I went to the June support group meeting and really enjoyed it.  I've wanted to go each month but in July I was out of town and in August and September I was working...so I haven't been able to get back.  I'm going to try to go to the Walk from Obesity this weekend but I have somewhere I have to be that morning so it will depend on if I can get there on time or not.

Why is your surgery not until November?  Is that by choice?

Kari

Hi Kari,

My daughter lives in Louisiana and I am with her now.  I came down here on Sept 17 because she and her husband were expecting their first baby and they had it on September 19.  This trip has been planned for a long time and I won't be back to Des Moines until October 30.  I get to be here with my new grandaughter for 6 weeks!!

Anyway my surgery is scheduled for November 4.  I will start my pre-op diet here on October 20.  I am very excited.

I hope you hear soon from your insurance.

Take care, Candi

Hi Candi,

I am a patient of Dr. Eibes — I had Lap-Band surgery August 5. My surgery went great. I did have to stay overnight at Methodist because I had an esophageal hernia repair we weren't expecting. But my pain was minimal and my recover has gone great. The only real PAIN I experienced was in my shoulder, and that was a result of the gas they use to "blow you up" so they can see inside you when they operate. As for my actual incisions, they were pretty much pain free. A little sore, but nothing I couldn't handle. 

So far I've lost just over 20 pounds. I'm getting to the point where I'm hungry more often and able to eat a little more than I want to. But I get my first fill September 17. Counting down the days! I have trouble now with certain foods — eggs, bread, chicken, rice — they go down a little hard and I have to take TINY bites and chew, chew, chew. But I'm able to tolerate most everything else. I stay most satisfied when I eat protein first, followed by complex carbs. And I've lost my chocolate cravings completely!

Anyway, I'm rambling a little, but if you have any questions about Dr. Eibes, the surgery, pre- or post-op stuff — let me know. I would be happy to answer any questions I can!

Good luck!
Jeni

I am a patient of Dr Eibes' also, although I am looking for a new doctor. (Long Story!)

I had lapband surgery a year ago. Send me a message if you have any questions.

Good Luck!

Brigette