Dr. Robert Korn

I was just wondering if anyone here in Idaho has had Dr. Korn for their surgeon for a lap band procedure.  I think he is very qualified, but just wanted to hear from any of his patients.  How long did it take from initial visit to actual surgery date?  Since I am awaiting for all test results and insurance approval to take place, am I supposed to be "dieting" now before I see the nutritionist, and see the Dr. for the 2nd visit.  Of course I have been pigging it out, but I know I am just sabotoging myself, so I have to get a grip.  I feel like this is going to be the last time I will be able to enjoy a hamburger, fires and coke - so you probably can relate huh?

While I used Dr. Korn for RNY and not Lap Band, I had a great experience with their office.  While they are new to the lap band procedure, their track record and complication rate with the RNY procedure is very good.  Teresa is wonderful when it comes to navigating the insurance requirements.  I think the time from initial visit to surgery will vary greatly depending on the requirements of your insurance.  In my case, my initial visit was at the end of February and my surgery was at the end of June.  The surgery date was actually scheduled during my first visit based on their experience with my insurance.  When it was submitted for insurance approval, they took care to make sure all of the documentation was there and I was approved within a couple of days of submission.  All of the followups have been great.  I also really like JoLynn, the nutritionist that they use.  They work in tandem, so she also received a copy of my post surgery blood tests to help her identify any deficiencies so that she can adjust my supplements.  Good luck with your surgery.  And know that this won't be the last time that you'll be able to enjoy those things---just in smaller quantities.  Do the best you can to diet before the surgery.  While Dr. Korn doesn't expect you to be perfect, he would really like to see you lose some weight as it will shrink your liver and make the surgery easier and safer. Kirsten

Thankyou so much Kirsten for the fine testimony for Dr. Korn and his associates.  That makes me feel good.  I know he is new to the lap band procedure, but he probably does just fine - maybe even taking more precaution. My insurance is Medicare/Blue Cross,  My initial visit was Jan 14th - I hope I don't have to wait 4 months until surgery.  I know I have to start "dieting" because I have been hogging it up.  I think the foods RNA patients can eat after all is said and done, are different than what the lap banders can eat.  I know a bander can never have carbonated drinks - there goes my Pepsi Max.  Thanks goodness I am not addicted to that, but it sure goes good with a cheeseburger - ha ha  I think bread is a problem too, along with rice, popcorn, pasta, but the good thing is that sweets are tolerated I think, whereas the RNY people don't do good with that.  Not that I am thinking about diving into a chocalate cake or cherry pie, but I think I could have a bite or two.  Since I am going on a river cruise in France in August, I hope my band will be able to tolerate a bite or two of that French food. Another thing banders can't do is drink anything with their meals.  And they are going to service wine with every dinner - boo hoo!  Thanks for writing.  McKenna

Hi McKenna - I got my lapband in Nov, my surgeon was Dr. Anderson. Just want to give you a quick reply about the foods you may be able to eat after surgery. I have had two fills so far and will have a third in Feb. So far, I haven't had any problems with bread, rice or pasta. I've only had pop once since surgery and didn't have any problems with it either. I choose not to drink pop at this time so I haven't tested it throughly yet! I have had some issues eating too fast and not chewing my foods enough - still love to gulp and run! and a slow learner at that. You're right about sweets - I have had the occassional cookie here and therebut I'm trying really hard not to do it too often. From what I've read here and on other sites everyone is different on the foods they can tolerate after the band surgery. Hope you have fun in France, I'm going to England and Venice in March and can't wait to try all the different foods in Italy

Thanks for the input.  It sounds like you have had no problems with your band.  I hope I don't either.  How much weight have you lost so far?  And, what were you to begin with?  It may give me a clue on what to expect.  Dr. said 2-3 lbs a week.   

I started at 260 and lost about 28 on the presurgery diet. I've only lost another 28 since the surgery in mid-Nov. I've cut way down on calories and have joined curves but I'm not losing 2-3# a wk. I think I need to exercise more - I'm only going 3 times a week right now. I travel a lot for my job and don't exercise at the motels - need to work on that. I'm not nearly as hungry as I was and feel a lot better since I've dropped the 56#. I will say that you have to work at losing the weight and have to watch what you eat. I paid for my surgery and would do it again if I had too. I go for my 3rd fill in a couple of weeks and hope that I get more restrictions - not to much though to cause trouble on my vacation. Rae Jean

Rae Jean - I love your name.  It's funny, I travel on my job too.  But, actually I am retired and I only do my job once in awhile - maybe 3-4 times a year.  My last trip was to Orange Co. Calif.  Thank goodness, Medicare is going to pay for my surgery (I hope).  It hasn't beeen approved as yet, but I think it will be.  Which town to you live in.  I am in Caldwell.  Been here for going on 2 years now.  I like it here.  I orginally came from San Clemente Calif, and before that Northern Calif.  I will give you my e-mail address:  [email protected]   We could be band friends okay?  McKenna 

I tried to send this message to your email address and it didn't go through so I thought I would go a head and post it here. Lap buddies sounds like a good idea to me. I live in Boise and have been here almost 3 years now. We moved here from Washington state to be close to the grandbabies. Of course after we did that they moved to England! They will be moving home next year but meanwhile I have to fly over occasionally to visit. Once I'm there and sleep at least a day we will head off to Venice for a week. I'm really excited about that - it will also be the first time I've seen my son, daughter-in-law and grandbabies since I've had the surgery. I wish I could loose 15 more pounds by the time I leave but I don't think that is going to happen. Even with the band dieting is darn hard work! Has Dr. Korn talked about a pre-op diet? When do you go on your trip to France?

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No wonder your email didn't go through to me . . .I gave you the wrong address.  mckennabeach was an old address.  My new address is: [email protected]  That should work.  Where abouts in WA did you live?  That is a bummer that you moved here and they move to England.  But, at least you've got to go to England.  My trip to France is in the middle of August.  I know I won't be where I want to be by then (145), but at least I will be down a couple of sizes (hopefully).  I don't see Dr. Korn until the 1st part of March, after my Nut. and psych. appts are completed.  The Nut. will probably put me on some kind of diet.  Yea, I know, by what I have read, it is going to be tough losing that weight.  But, one thing you're not hungry.  I went on a supervised diet a few years back and they had me eating almost like what is sounds like post-op diet, and I lost 90 lbs.  But, of course I didn't keep it off.  That little adventure cost me $4,000.  This one won't cost me hardly anything at all.  So, you have no problem eating anything?  Just little baby bites?   bye for now.  Mckenna