Hi! It's great to hear positive comments about the seminars. You are right about Dr. Chua. He is not the doctor to "treat 'em and street 'em". He has a genuine desire to help people. If only other doctors would have that same drive and desire.

Like you, I didn't know which surgery would be best for me. instead of racking my brain about it, I ventured on and focused on completing the packet and my appointments. It wasn't until I had my first appointment with Dr. Chua that I asked him which one he thought I would do best with (I figured I would leave it up to the expert). He ran through all the types again with me, explained what he thought were my best fits with each type, and ultimately, we dicided on the VBG. As you heard me say, I have no regrets. No matter which one you choose, keep in mind that every surgery works only as well as ther person working it. It is only a tool. If weightloss could come in a pill, it would still be up to the person to remember to take the pill for successful loss.

As far as recovery, with laparoscopic procedures, normally the hospital stay is overnight. I took 2 weeks off after that which was plenty. Some who have very physical jobs take up to 4. It depends on you and how your feeling. Dr. Chua is also mindful of this when you have your visits with aftercare a week later.

It was nice to hear from you. Please let me know if you have any more questions or even want to get together. I'm very open with my experience and wish more people could enjoy the life I am now. Take care!  Lois

Hi Lois,

I met you at Dr. Chua's last seminar, I was the guy who was also from Sheboygan...  It has been a while since I have been on the website and was happy to see a familar face here. 

As far as the seminar, thanks for speaking about your experience, I thought the speakers were the most informative part.  I was also very impressed by Dr. Chua's demeanor and I could sense the compasion in him. 

As it stands, I still do not know what type of surgery I think I may opt for.  I am kind of hoping that this unfolds as the journey does...  I do not think my insurance will not be an issue, the requirements are not that stringent. 

I guess I am curious about other peoples recovery.  Would anyone care to share how much work they missed after having a procedure?

Thanks,

AlwaysHungry

Well, the team sent me to Dr. Chua, Dr. Chua and I and staff discussed the lap band, and now we're working on the tests I need so that insurance approval goes through quickly.  This included the H. pylori test (I passed!) and seeing the cardiologist for cardiac clearance, even though I feel ridiculously young in the cardio's office (yes, I know heart problems can happen at any age, particularly at my weight, but still).  Had the EKG today, echocardiogram tomorrow, dobutamine stress echo on Monday (I have a bone chip floating in my knee and I can walk on level surfaces, but not inclines/steps, so I can't do the treadmill test), and cardio appt next Wed. 

I'll tell you, despite having no heart symptoms, and normal EKGs, and knowing how dobutamine works and what's going to happen during the test, this stress test is still freaking me out.  I don't know if I'm more anxious about knowing my heart's going to be racing or the fact that there's the chance of 'finding something'.  They just about won't need to use the dobutamine on Monday if the anxiety stays like this. :)

It looks like the cardiac clearance is the last thing needed to work on insurance approval, however, and I sure hope it comes soon because my hubby's active duty orders may change on October 1, and having insurance change would seriously suck.