Goal: lapband

I should be meeting with the surgeon in 3 weeks to pursue lapband surgery.  I did attend a seminar by one physician in Charleston,  I know I am not a candidate for the gastric sleeve and I would prefer not to have RNY.  Just looking for some encouragement and experiences with surgery.

Hi, Whozethere!!  I was banded on 3/30/09.   I had a rather large hernia taken care of at the same time.  Recovery from the lapband was pretty much a breeze.  How can I help you?

Really?  I have a fairly large hiatial hernia, so that was a big worry.  I also got the impression Dr. Shinn prefers to do gastric bypass.  How did it go with his office staff?  Any time I have called they have been extremely hateful and rude over the phone.  Working in healthcare myself, I am not used to an office being ran in that manner.

My herni was not hiatal - it was at my belly button area.  That's where most of my recovery came from.  I'm so sorry that you got that impression of his staff.  I have always found them to be very knowledgeable and helpful; especially where insurance was concerned.  Hopefully you got them on a bad day.  Dr. Shin did tell me during my initial meeting that bypass would give me quicker results.  But I wanted the lapband or nothing.  We never discussed bypass again.  I think he probably looks at the bmi ... if it's over 50 he, like most other surgeons, believe bypass is the way to go.  I am so very happy with Dr. Shin.  He listens and takes all the time you need.  I truly feel he puts his patients first and I feel so very well cared for by him.  At the last support group meeting he emphasized that fills are so very important.  If we have a problem or need to contact him to be sure and email him.  He says he checks email often and will reply as soon as possible.  And the use of the gym is a biggie for me.  It's located right around the hall from his office so you can get a workout in before or after your appointments.  Keesha is the exercise physiologist at the gym and is so kind and helpful.  She will come up with a workout plan that will accommodate any physical issues you may have.  Anyway, I've got a book going here!  If I can answer any other questions please let me know. 

I am about 1 1/2 month post op. I have lost 17lbs. I am so happy I got my band. I don't regret it one bit. I had to go to Dr Shin since mid November since I had to do my  6 month program for insurance approval.  

I love Dr Shin. He is a God-send. He has such a wonderful bed side manor and compassionate about what he does. I really like his staff too. I think sometimes they get extremely busy.He is a doctor in high demand. They take care of a lot in that office. They made sure they had my chart in order for insurance approval and they get the job done the first time around. I had to travel 2 hours round trip to his office and it was worth every minute.

I would encourage you to visit the lap-band forum as well.  A lot of nice people there. I wish this forum was more active. But the lapband forum is very active.

I go for my first fill on Monday. The time frame from being able to eat solids to getting your first fill is very hard with the band. Since you have no restriction you have to make sure you eat the right foods.

Good luck with your decision
Jana

Thanks for your reply Janna.  (I have no idea where Rockport, WV is . . . and I thought I knew the state pretty well!)  I did walk my papers over to Dr. Shinn's office today.  I inquired at the window re: who was rude to me on the phone and both people knew immediately who I was talking about--and simply said you can hear both of our voices you know it was not either of us.  You need to speak with Dr. Shinn during your appointment.  I changed simply because I have some very good friends in surgery who told me with my hiatal hernia and all to stick with Shinn.  Delay in appointment . . . grrrr, so now August 25th will be the day to start the process.

Did anyone do what I have been doing?  Eating lost of unusal but liked foods prior to that first appointment and sort of let themselves go a bit before they get very serious?  I wondering if I need to reign my behavior in a bit.  It's like, since I will be behaving--why not do this or that?  I know it is sort of self defeating behavior and since I am like on the verge of going up a scrub top size, I hate I am doing this now.    It's like, what am I thinking???

Vickie

Hehe... Rockport is a very small community below Parkersburg. The nutritionist that Dr Shin has , Bev, put me on a 1200 calorie diet and I had to keep a journal. I used sparkpeople.com   Pretty easy to navigate. As long as I lost a few pounds during the 6 months or showed some effort then they never said anything. This is probably wrong but it worked for me , but I gave myself the weekends to cheat. I mean, I didn't go all out but I slacked on the amount of carbs I ate and would drink a little bit of beer. I only lost 5 lbs the 6 months that I was doing my program. I had a hiatel hernia too.

I understand about the sounding of rudeness. There was times when I would get the feelings of rudeness. But I overlooked it since I deal with public as well . Besides I knew they were getting my file together perfectly for me to approved and I had a wonderful doctor.

your six months will go by really fast. I promise.

Jana

How did you all choose Lap Band versus Realize band?

Vickie

Vickie,

I had surgery with Dr. Shin 4/07 Lost 95 total 125. You are in great hands with the best man for the job. He will not tell you which surgery to have. He will tell you that RNY has better weight lost. After two years out both are the same. As far as which band to have,I have the older one.
If you need me I'm here for you.

Shirley

Thanks so much.  I have been having hip pain again and was very fearful that I was going to go for a right hip resurfacing/replacement and have my plan to do a lapband side tracked.  I peeked at my MRI today and I don't think it is time yet for the replacement.  Goofy as it sounds, I have tendonitis and possible bursiitis in that hip.  Any way, it would be great to get the weight off and decrease the pain that will be increasing over the next year as it becomes time for further hip surgery.

Vickie