Mind made up...First visit with Doc @ Ochsner

After, literally, a couple of years of considering the surgery and now finally making up my mind I have my first consult with a surgeon here at Ochsner. (I work in the lung transplant department here.) I am very nervous! My first thoughts are what is going to happen to me after surgery? What if this does not work for me? Am I making the right choice? Has it really come to this? But then, the one and only question I have that I fear the most is -- What if I am not approved? Where do I go from there? I am about 5"4" and 300+ pounds. (I have not been a scale since I knew I reached 300 been to scared to see how high that number is now!) I will be seeing Dr. Kennedy for the first time about Lap-Band surgery here at Ochsner on Friday 8/20. Hopefully this will not be a complicated matter and I will be approved without problems. According to the benefits here at Ochsner through Gilsbar the WLS is paid for 100%. So......I have a week to get through and will know something then. BTW: After lurking around here for over a year and reading posts and seeing pictures I have to say that the people here are a big inspiration! Thanks for being a part of this community and inspiring others. Lisa

Hi Lisa - I'm having my surgery on Wednesday at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. I had the same doubts as you did, but I know in my heart and mind that I need this surgery to live longer. Please go to as many seminars as you can before so you can learn about the procedure, and what protein drinks/foods you need to use right after surgery. Learn as much as you can before and even after. I am SOOOOO ready for this and so grateful that "Charley" the hurricane did not come this way to postpone my surgery. I have Gilsbar, too and it was a little difficult to get approval - actually was denied at first, but all is well now. Good luck in your decision - Nancy

Nancy, Thanks for your kind words..and good luck on your surgery on Wednesday! I have been to a couple of seminars here at Ochsner and actually..i remember when they did the Trial of the Lap-Band here at Tulane a few years ago. Ever since then I have been keeping an eye on stats and such concerning Lap-Band. I think I am pretty knowledgeable about the procedure and the outcomes. (But believe me..I am NOT saying I know it all by any measure!) Howevere, I would like to talk to someone who has had Lap-Band done to find out how they feel about it. Are you having Lap Band as well? Please be sure to let me know you are doing regardless and good luck! Lisa

Lisa, I had my Lap-Band on August 5th, and I would not trade it for the world!!!! My husband works at Lakeview Hospital and knows plenty of nurses who have had the Lap-band and great success. You might want to come visit us at the Lap-Band forum, there are people there who have lost 150 pounds. Last week on the Today show a doctor was on with his patient and said the average weight loss is 100 to 125 pounds. As far as my surgery I had had the same questions. (Will it work for everyone but me or will my insurace pay?) I had no problems after my surgery. I was walking three hours later and discharged that afternoon. Please feel free to email me with any questions, I will be happy to help! Robin