Question about Cleveland Clinic

I am going in for my first appointments with the Cleveland Clinic on January 14th and 15th.  I'll be going for an EGD, Psych consult, and Nutritionist consult the first day and an Upper GI and surgeon consult the second day.

I didn't go the "normal" route by going to an informational meeting first because I had a lapband that was removed two years ago in January....however, most everything else will be the same.

Can anyone tell me after these first appointments what the timeframe is for getting the surgery?  How many other meetings do we have to go to?  I know I need the 6-month diet (or I think I do but since I'm a revision who knows) but I was just curious if I'm looking at late summer, early spring???

I'm anxious to get the ball rolling, and since I waited 3 weeks for them to "review" my paperwork even after they had my insurance confirmation and now 2 MONTHS for my initial tests, well, I'm impatient.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Are you getting the lapband again or RNY?

I just had lapband Surgery at the Clinic. Had my first normal orientation appt - my egd, Psych, Nutriotionist appt, xrays, lots of blood work, upper GI... The pysch is very strict and usually people have seen her for 4 appointments and same with the nutritionist. After you pass all those evaulations then they will forward your info to the insurance company.  I suggest not missing an appointment and stay on top of everything. 

Why the band removal?

Thanks for the info...that's interesting about the psych consult.  I'm hoping that since I'm a revision she will be easier on me.

I am having the RNY.  I had my band removed in January 2007 after two years.  The band works great for some people, but I had a really bad experience with it.  For two years, I threw up no less than 5 times (but usually around 10 times) per DAY.  I could not keep ANYTHING down.  I chewed like mad, ate mostly soft/liquid foods, etc.  I even had all of the fill taken out so the band was empty.  I did everything I could, but food would not stay down.  I had sever reflux , could not eat or even drink a sip of water for at least 4 hours after I woke every day.  My list of foods I COULDN'T eat was 10 times longer than what I could eat.   I lost down to about 175-185 (depending on the month) but I was so miserable that I could no longer take it.  Food was like something so evil...and I hated my life.

There are many others out there that have no problems, so please don't misunderstand that I think the band is bad.  My surgeon was inexperienced (I was his first "unsupervised" lapband, and he no longer does bariatric surgeries (so I can't possibly be his only problem child).  I gained all the weight I lost back after the lapband removal, so I'm back to square one.

Thanks for the info on Cleveland Clinic...

They are awesome and I wish you luck!! These group of doctors are great !!  They have people come from everywhere for the surgery KY, PA, MI...

Hi Angie,
  I am sorry to hear about your difficult time with the Band. I am new here so please do not take offense to my question. It is strictly for learning purpose. If you've had such a hard time with the band,how do you know you won't experience the same with RNY? Thank you

well i to was a revision surgery and let me tell they go no easier on u than someone else u follow the same rules see the same departments. the psych dept horrible they held my surgery up for months. start to finish mine took 4 months but glad i had it done..

I had RNY on 10/24/08 and it took a total of 7 months from start to finish. I only had to see pshyc. 2 times and nutrition 2 times and again 1month after surgery.  I am just as impatient as you are but the time flew by. Good Luck.

It took me a total of 5 to 6 months to get through the whole process, the psych the nutritionist, a couple of groups and all the blood work and tests they wanted done.    I too was very impatient but time went fast.