Anyone Had WLS in Stevens Point at Saint Michaels
Happiness
on 11/9/08 8:53 am - Rothschild, WI
on 11/9/08 8:53 am - Rothschild, WI
What kind of surgery are you having? Lap-Band or gastric bypass?
I had Dr. Selwyn for Lap-Band surgery. He seems like a very nice surgeon, but I would document everything you both agree on and clarify everything with him. Heck, if I ever went back to him, I would write down in front of him what we agreed to and have him initial it. He seems to forget things.
If you type his name in your web browser and hit 'enter', I think you would be impressed with all you find about him.
Call his office at St. Mikes and ask for his nurse Pat or whoever works for him, and ask about attending a meeting with other WLS patients and find out what they all think of him. I only attended one meeting and saw the results of gastric bypass patients and was very impressed. There was only one other Lap-Band patient, and unfortunately, I didn't get to speak to her.
I had my band in January of 07 (first Lap-Band patient there), and removed in May of this year. No ill effects, just no weight loss to speak of (20 pounds). I also could not keep up with the almost a thousand dollars a month for health insurance. Once I would turn 65 and be on Medicare, (4 weeks from now), one of his nurses at that time informed me that being they were not a 'Center for Excellence', Medicare would not cover treatment there. I decided to get rid of the plastic inside of me that was doing no good anyhow. I decided I had wasted enough time and money making trips to be denied getting band any tighter (had 7 cc's in 10 cc band). I was very frustrated to say the least. Now I no longer have to go through any of that - over & done and no more plastic inside me. I am glad I am done with all of that, but sorry I did not succeed. I have gained 10 pounds since getting band removed. Big deal. I weighed
259 prior to surgery in January of 2007,
241 in March of 2007, and
243 in April of 2008 - prior to removal.
Hardly worth TWO surgeries, was it?!
If you decide to have surgery there, do NOT let any family member or friend leave you alone there without making sure they have the call light within your reach, plugged in, and working! I was left alone after surgery with the call light not plugged in. Cord was hidden under the head of the mattress! I had to get myself into a sitting position (not easy after stomach surgery), get my legs out of the electric stockings, get out of bed, bend over to unplug the IV from wall outlet, and drag the IV stand with me in order to go to the bathroom, and then get myself back into bed. Much later, someone asked me why I didn't use the phone. Being drugged up and not thinking clearly, all I can remember is I wanted to call home to have someone call the nursing station for me for help, but being it was long distance to call home, I dismissed that - (still don't know if I could have, but wish I would have tried to get anybody). I really didn't have a lot of pain after surgery - to get the band put in.
Thank God I was able to go home the same day of surgery to get band out (which was by far more painful), so therefore, my husband stayed with me. I could never have gotten out of bed alone then, and in fact, took several days before I could get up alone (horribly painful!).
I think the doctor is good. Please be aware that surgery is on your STOMACH, and not your head. You will still crave foods you shouldn't eat. If you can't diet, exercise, and be able to not drink with your meals, then do not have the surgery (Lap-Band that is). I decided (after surgery) that if I had to do all that, then what good was the band? Heck, if I were to diet (and not cheat), exercise, and suffer the torture (to me that is) of not taking sips of liquid while eating, I could lose weight - and band had nothing to do with it.
I advise anyone who wants to get the band to understand IT is not going to make you lose weight. YOU are the only one that can get you to lose weight - by eating less and exercising. If you can't do that, then forget the band. Also, I highly suggest you try eating without taking sips of water or any other liquid with meals - before surgery to see if you can do that. When I try to do that, I become obsessed with wanting to drink fluids. Maybe the band for you, will serve as a REMINDER that you can not eat as much. Remember, it takes 20 minutes for the brain to get the message how full the stomach is - therefore, it is very important to eat SLOWLY. - Sorry this was so long,
- Mary
p.s. You have to want the band with a passion and be willing to exercise. I did not have the passion.
I had Dr. Selwyn for Lap-Band surgery. He seems like a very nice surgeon, but I would document everything you both agree on and clarify everything with him. Heck, if I ever went back to him, I would write down in front of him what we agreed to and have him initial it. He seems to forget things.
If you type his name in your web browser and hit 'enter', I think you would be impressed with all you find about him.
Call his office at St. Mikes and ask for his nurse Pat or whoever works for him, and ask about attending a meeting with other WLS patients and find out what they all think of him. I only attended one meeting and saw the results of gastric bypass patients and was very impressed. There was only one other Lap-Band patient, and unfortunately, I didn't get to speak to her.
I had my band in January of 07 (first Lap-Band patient there), and removed in May of this year. No ill effects, just no weight loss to speak of (20 pounds). I also could not keep up with the almost a thousand dollars a month for health insurance. Once I would turn 65 and be on Medicare, (4 weeks from now), one of his nurses at that time informed me that being they were not a 'Center for Excellence', Medicare would not cover treatment there. I decided to get rid of the plastic inside of me that was doing no good anyhow. I decided I had wasted enough time and money making trips to be denied getting band any tighter (had 7 cc's in 10 cc band). I was very frustrated to say the least. Now I no longer have to go through any of that - over & done and no more plastic inside me. I am glad I am done with all of that, but sorry I did not succeed. I have gained 10 pounds since getting band removed. Big deal. I weighed
259 prior to surgery in January of 2007,
241 in March of 2007, and
243 in April of 2008 - prior to removal.
Hardly worth TWO surgeries, was it?!
If you decide to have surgery there, do NOT let any family member or friend leave you alone there without making sure they have the call light within your reach, plugged in, and working! I was left alone after surgery with the call light not plugged in. Cord was hidden under the head of the mattress! I had to get myself into a sitting position (not easy after stomach surgery), get my legs out of the electric stockings, get out of bed, bend over to unplug the IV from wall outlet, and drag the IV stand with me in order to go to the bathroom, and then get myself back into bed. Much later, someone asked me why I didn't use the phone. Being drugged up and not thinking clearly, all I can remember is I wanted to call home to have someone call the nursing station for me for help, but being it was long distance to call home, I dismissed that - (still don't know if I could have, but wish I would have tried to get anybody). I really didn't have a lot of pain after surgery - to get the band put in.
Thank God I was able to go home the same day of surgery to get band out (which was by far more painful), so therefore, my husband stayed with me. I could never have gotten out of bed alone then, and in fact, took several days before I could get up alone (horribly painful!).
I think the doctor is good. Please be aware that surgery is on your STOMACH, and not your head. You will still crave foods you shouldn't eat. If you can't diet, exercise, and be able to not drink with your meals, then do not have the surgery (Lap-Band that is). I decided (after surgery) that if I had to do all that, then what good was the band? Heck, if I were to diet (and not cheat), exercise, and suffer the torture (to me that is) of not taking sips of liquid while eating, I could lose weight - and band had nothing to do with it.
I advise anyone who wants to get the band to understand IT is not going to make you lose weight. YOU are the only one that can get you to lose weight - by eating less and exercising. If you can't do that, then forget the band. Also, I highly suggest you try eating without taking sips of water or any other liquid with meals - before surgery to see if you can do that. When I try to do that, I become obsessed with wanting to drink fluids. Maybe the band for you, will serve as a REMINDER that you can not eat as much. Remember, it takes 20 minutes for the brain to get the message how full the stomach is - therefore, it is very important to eat SLOWLY. - Sorry this was so long,
- Mary
p.s. You have to want the band with a passion and be willing to exercise. I did not have the passion.
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