Looking into Lap Band at Saints

Hi, My name is Candice and I am 31 years old. I am almost 5 foot 8 and I am around 300 pounds. I have 2 children ages 1 and 2. I am starting the process of getting Lap Band surgery at Saints Memorial in Lowell. They were reccomended by my orthopedic doctor after visiting him regarding a chronic ankle problem I have which is not going to go away unless I lose some weight. Doc says it is going to be hard for me to exercise to lose weight with my ankle the way it is. After we talked about the foods that I generally eat (people don;t believe when you are fat you are not a junk food eater, but I am not) he wanted me to look into the lap band surgery at saints. I have been on the internet for hours at a time gaining info on the procedure, the complications, who is a good candidate, who is not, and I have already spoken to my insurence company who covers it if there is medical reasoning. I am looking to talk to people who have had it done, and their experiences. Has anyone been turned down by the docs? I have pretty good blood pressure, borderline cholesterol and some joing pain. My BMI is over 46. I would love to get some insight. I am not looking tobe skinny, I am looking to be healthy for myself and for my family.

I have no knowledge or opinion about Saints Memorial (I was banded at Brigham & Women's) but I do encourage you to check out the lap band board for more information and answers to your questions: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/posts.html LOVIN' my band, Caeli 348/323/258/198 5'10"

Hi Candace, Saints Memorial is a WONDERFUL place. I was originally in Dr. David Drinkwater's program in Nashua, NH and 2 days before they were to schedule my surgery, Dr. Drinkwater resigned and moved to another hospital and was not going to do bariatric surgery again. One of his recommended bariatric surgeons was the Weight Management Team at SMMC. I have been so pleased with their group- they are the kindest, most concerned group of medical specialists you will ever encounter. They have done many lap band and bypass surgeries and they treat you like you are the first person they have ever seen. The group is all located in one place - in the building across from the hospital - and everything flows so smoothly. Just give them an initial call and they will fill you with all kinds of information. I don't think you will be disappointed. My surgery is scheduled for the 13th and I am so excited! Good luck to you on your weight loss journey.... Barbara

Barbara, you are in our thoughts and prays. good luck with your surgery today! When you are back on your feet let us all know how you are doing. I am also going to Saints Memorial Hosp. with Dr Jiser (no date yet) I would love to know how your experience is at the Hosp and How you are doing Post-op Take care Joann

Hi Candice, I am a patient of Dr. Shen's and I can't say enough good about him. The program is very strong and the support around this group is great. I did have a bypass, but know plenty of people that have had the band. I had my surgery on 9/27 there was very little pain or discomfort. While in the hospital I saw the Dr. and his staff many times. The informational meeting is on the first tuesday of the month right inside the front door of Saints in an conference room on the right. They answer a lot of up front questions and you can meet the surgeons. After that there are pre-op support meetings the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. With post ops meeting monthly. If you have any question let me know. PS I am also 5'8" and was almost 300- now 5.5 months out I am 191 and so happy. donna

Hi Candice I also had Surgury at Saints on 1/9/06 . I did have the bypass surgury with Dr. Jiser. They are all very nice there and they are very forth coming with what things will be like after surgury. They will answer all of your questrions and help to put your mind at ease. The whole process from start to surgury took me 4 months. Good Luck.