Betty mom of 4
I am a married mom of 4 who so hopes this is a tool to a lifetime of failed attempts.
01/11/05 - Attending a seminar tonight with the Bariatric Center of KC, I can't wait!! I am very nervous, also excited!! This is finally a good decision for myself, not for anyone else!! I have my questions ready and am looking for answers!!!
01/12/05 - Went to the seminar with KC Bariatrics, Dr Hoehn, what a hottie!! He appears very nice and a great sense of humor and extremely knowledgeable, and did I say he was cute??? :)
Here were my questions and their answers:
1.) How many lap bands have you done?
10 only started doing them in late 2004, has done more than 230 lap RNY's
2.) His complication % is below national average.
Slippage - 2.2%
Erosion - 1%
Death - NONE
Wound Infection - few
Rejection of appliance - NONE
3.) Any suggestins on decreasing your chance of complications:
No heavy lifting (20 lbs or more)
4.) Do you stitch stoamch to band?
Yes, sews part of stomach over band edges to for a good scar to hold in place and prevent slippage.
5.) Average length of stay in hospital?
24 hours
6.) What size bands do you use? How do you decide?
10 and 11 cm bands, decided interoperably, based on size of pt and stomach.
7.) How often for fills? when do you get 1st fill?
1st fill at 45 days, then every 30-45 days, about 5-6 in a year?
8.) What type of diet after surgery?
VERY STRICT, 1-4 weeks very soft and liquids only, 4-6 weeks thicker, gradually increase to more solid foods.
9.) How long to wait on exercise?
1 month or so
10.) Any abolute restrictions?
Only no heavy lifting for 1 month
11.) Where will port be located?
Below rib cage, 5" lateral to belly button
12.) Are nutritional supplements necessary?
Vitamins and mineral supplements are recommended
13.) Not a question but - He says he will put you on blood thinners before surgery to alleviate blood clots, will have you have an EKG and chest film along with a psych eval.
I am SOOOOOOO excited to be working on this. I have written my letter to send with my paperwork, and have asked my PCP and OBGYN for all records to be mailed. Hoepfully they do that soon and my new life can begin this year sometime!!
01/13/05 - My packet has been sent to the surgeons office!! The ball is rolling, hope it keeps its momentum!!! I have requested info from my PCP, there isn't much I am not a normally "ill" person but she is the one who put me on BP meds and Lexapro so we will see. If you look at me you know it is medically necessary...DUH!!! keep your fingers crossed for me!!!
Well, it is now July 25th and I am no farther along than I was last July. I went about it gung ho and was pretty much made to feel like there was no hope.
Dr Hoehns office told me Aetna was not a good insurer to try this with so i lost hope. Although a co worker just told me she is APPROVED with Aetna so i am trying again, wish me luck!
08/18/05 - Aetna has had my information for 2 weeks today, I call them every day to see if a decision has been made. They are starting to sound annoyed, oh well. Just give me what i need and I will move on!!
09/23/05 Wel well well......so much has happened in the last 6 weeks, Aetna denied my request but the reviewer called me and she was sooooo sweet. She told me they didnt get very much infor only about 20 pages and that was just not enough. We talked and I sent her everything i could think of and she called me at HOME on 09/22/05 at 0745 to tell me they OVERTURNED MY DENIAL!!!!
Now iam in a holding pattern as i have to find anew surgeon and I have, i am now going to Dr Malley as Nola and I didnt see eye to eye and i didnt trust her and she didnt have faith in me so we fired each other. Oh well...I am a SURVIVOR!!!! Will update more later
10/05/05 I HAVE A DATE!! 10/25/05
11/15/05 Well alot has happened since I was here last. I had my surgery on 10/25 and it all went great. I feel great am down about 14 lbs and think Dr Malley is a GOD!!!
04/10/06 - Well alot of time has passed I am officially at 305 lbs by my scale, Dr. M's always weighs me about 7 lbs higher. I am down 40 lbs since October 25th, not so shabby. I have really good restrictino right now with the fill I got last week, I hope it lasts!!
04/16/06 - My fill is working wonderfully!! down to 297.5
06/13/06 - Still working on same fill....doing great, down to 285
08/27/06 - Still hanging in there, had another fill last month, can tell no diffrence, can eat way too much good stuff, have another appt on the 12th. The day after my babys 5th birthday!!!
Down now to 278, not so bad, I will take it!!
09/02/06 - Nothing absolutely freaking nothing, I am not losing anything and not eating much either. I know i am eating the wrong things, and am trying to not do it, but I am so depressed.
My Dear Sweet Friedn and Hero has gone....Tudy went to Heaven on September 29th at 1032 am. My world became a little dimmer on that day and I am not sure it will ever be the same. Have you ever met someone that made you feel loved the very second you talk to her? Tudy was like that. She loved everyone and never said a bad thing about anyone...ever. She devoted her life to taking care of others and then she got sick. She fought so hard, had a 6 months prognosis and made it 32 months. God Bless You Tudes...I love you so much and have learned so much from you.
