Re: First Time Post-er

February 13, 2006

Hi Vivian,Welcome to the wonderful world of taking your

futureintoyour ownhands!!! I was banded by Dr Aceves on 12/12/05

andamproud tosay that I've lost 25 pounds already (nothing for

thepastmonthbecause I need my first fill). I can't wait to get

goingagain.But,-here's the biggy - I haven't gained the weight back

afterthisinitialloss!!! I have struggled with my weight my whole life (at my smallest 128 lbs) You're so lucky to even remember 128. I don't. I really don't think I ever was that little.justifying the expense to myself (I have two young children and frankly my family could do a lot with $8200 - Think

of it this way - If you spend the $8200 on yourself now, you will be

around to take your kids to Disney AND your grand-kids!!! Your family

will have a much better quality of life with you in it. And, you will

have more fun at Disney with your family after you lose your

weight. Excess weight shortens your life. losing weight and keeping it off is something many people do on their own, right? Why can't I? Thisis

a major MYTH. Most of us can't keep the weight off, even if wecan

lose it. You're just in the same boat as the rest of us.After40

years of losing and gaining, and losing and gaining, andgaining, I

needed help and that's just what the band is - HELP!!! So, you

still have to lose the weight and keep it off, theband is not magic,

but it is the help that many of us needed.complications or difficulties with the lap band procedure by Dr. A? Dr

A is one of the most competant and caring Docs that I've EVER met.He's

been doing these surgeries for quite a number of years. If I'm

correct, the Docs in the US just got FDA approval for the band in the

past year or so. So, Dr A is much more experienced than the

US Docs in doing the Lap-Band. 'Complications or Difficulties'?

Dr A's statistics are better than the average statistics. If

there were going to be problems, I would have been the one that

had them. He and his staff lovingly made sure that I

wouldn't be a statistic.What about removal? Is this pretty much a lifetime "implant?" This

is considered a 'lifetime adjustable implant'. I don't

think any body should go into this surgery with the idea of

removing the band after they lose the weight (any more than a

person should get married with divorce as an option). After all,

if we could lose it and KEEP it off, we wouldn't be getting the

band anyway. Are there any hidden costs once you arrive? Are there out-of-pocket expenses? There

are no hidden costs or expenses. (Unless you want to go down early

and take a vacation before your surgery.) I came home with

the same $5.00 that I went with.Has anyone taken their kids with them? (My husband would be there too of course.) I

had to go by myself. One of Dr A's other patients that had her band

the same week that I did had her husband and kids there. The

hospital is kid-friendly and the rooms are big enough for 2 kids

and a hubby to take a nap when they get bored (not a big TV

selection).Where is the incision? How big is the incision? There

are several incisions. Most of them are no bigger than your pinky

finger.The largest incision is where your port is and it's only a

little over an inch long. It's located about 4 inches below my

sternum. So, they are all pretty small. Are you put under general or local anesthesia? The

band is placed under general anesthesia. Mine took almost 45 minutes -

not long. (And, Dr A repaired a hiatal hernia for me, too.)Can anyone help? I

hope this helps a little. You will probably get a dozen answers to

your questions, and most of them will be very similar. Just

remember, each person is different, but I've never heard anyone

say anything negative about Dr A or any of his staff or the

hospital.Take Care - and keep in touch. Looks like you're in Georgia, I'm in Florida.almost2tired2DoriSmilz

February 13, 2006

Remember that the cost is tax deductible...............it really helps!mkellybate <mkellybate@...> wrote: Hello everyone. My name is Vivian (5'5", 240). I have been reading the posts for thelast few days. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and amcurrently at my heaviest. I'm sure you all have been on therollercoaster (at my smallest 128 lbs). I have tons of questionsabout the surgery, the trip, the entire process. But I guess mybiggest concern right now is justifying the expense to myself (I havetwo young children and frankly my family could do a lot with $8200 -my kids want to go to Disney World, but we can't do both). I mean,losing weight and keeping it off is something many people do on theirown, right? Why can't I? If I can

get passed that...Has anyone ever had or heard of any complications or difficulties withthe lap band procedure by Dr. A?What about removal? Is this pretty much a lifetime "implant?"Are there any hidden costs once you arrive? Are there out-of-pocketexpenses? Has anyone taken their kids with them? (My husband would be there tooof course.)Where is the incision? How big is the incision? Are you put under general or local anesthesia? I have more questions, but will save those for later. These are someof the big ones. Can anyone help? Thanks and God bless.Vivian Virginia

February 13, 2006

Hi Vivian

You sound like me! Lots and lots of questions! My name is and I'm trying

to get

together the dinero for this surgery because I would like to have it in March.

Anyway, with

all the questions you have, please email Nina or call her. She will answer all

of your

questions. Everytime I have questions, I write them down and email her. She

gets back to

me pretty quick too.

As for my own opinion, you are justification enough to have the surgery. You

will be a

more active mom in time and you will be a happier mom due to a new improved self

image. Of course you are worth the money! Not everyone can lose the weight and

keep it

off. I don't know why, but we should try not to compare ourselves to others.

The last time

I went to an amusement park with my kids, I couldn't fit on the ride. That was

so

embarrassing. They tried and tried to get me in it, but I couldn't fit. But I

will someday

soon, I just know it. So maybe if you have the mindset that you are going to

get thinner

and then you can really enjoy an amusement park with your children by going on

the

rides, keeping up with all the walking, etc.

Go to Dr Aceves website and it will explain all about the surgery. I understand

they are

very small incisions, about 4 I think, and they go in laprascopically (sp). Its

definately a

general anesthesia....it is major surgery. The band is removal, I do know that.

From my

research, the $8200 includes everything.....even picking you up from the

airport, hospital,

pre op tests, surgery fees, etc. I hope there aren't any hidden fees, and I

really don't think

there are.

Keep researching! You are doing the right thing. I can't wait to have mine

done. I am

ready to start a new life!

>

> Hello everyone.

> My name is Vivian (5'5 " , 240). I have been reading the posts for the

> last few days. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and am

> currently at my heaviest. I'm sure you all have been on the

> rollercoaster (at my smallest 128 lbs). I have tons of questions

> about the surgery, the trip, the entire process. But I guess my

> biggest concern right now is justifying the expense to myself (I have

> two young children and frankly my family could do a lot with $8200 -

> my kids want to go to Disney World, but we can't do both). I mean,

> losing weight and keeping it off is something many people do on their

> own, right? Why can't I?

> If I can get passed that...

> Has anyone ever had or heard of any complications or difficulties with

> the lap band procedure by Dr. A?

> What about removal? Is this pretty much a lifetime " implant? "

> Are there any hidden costs once you arrive? Are there out-of-pocket

> expenses?

> Has anyone taken their kids with them? (My husband would be there too

> of course.)

> Where is the incision? How big is the incision?

> Are you put under general or local anesthesia?

> I have more questions, but will save those for later. These are some

> of the big ones.

> Can anyone help?

> Thanks and God bless.

> Vivian

>

February 13, 2006

Hello Vivian, I am Tammy (5'4", 243lbs now). I understand where you are coming from. I have two kids as well and there is definately alot of fun that can be had with $8200. My question to you is how much fun are you and your kids going to have with you slowing them down at Disney World with all the breaks you are going to need? Are you going to fit in the rides? I know I don't. How many diets have you tried, was successful at for a while then gained it all back plus more? Some of us need extra help with keeping it off. I wondered why I couldn't do in myself too but finally stopped beating myself up about my failures and decided to do something real about it that will help me be a success. There have been a few complications with the band but they are just that, FEW. If you follow the rules of the band the chances of you having a problem are extremly slim. The

band is intended to be a lifetime implant thus lifetime control but can be removed if a problem does occur. Before removal there are other things that can be done to try fix the problem first though. I leave on Wednesday to go have my surgery so the following is not firsthand knowledge: There are no hidden costs, there will be 5 small incisions on your abdomen, and it is done under general anestesia. I wish you luck in your search, make sure this is what you want. Tammy A. to be banded 2/16/06

February 13, 2006

Tammy,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and information. I wish I were going

with you! Please keep in touch and let me know how things go with

you. Know that I am pulling for you!

Thanks again!

Vivian

>

> Hello Vivian,

> I am Tammy (5'4 " , 243lbs now). I understand where you are coming

from. I have two kids as well and there is definately alot of fun

that can be had with $8200. My question to you is how much fun are

you and your kids going to have with you slowing them down at Disney

World with all the breaks you are going to need? Are you going to fit

in the rides? I know I don't. How many diets have you tried, was

successful at for a while then gained it all back plus more? Some of

us need extra help with keeping it off. I wondered why I couldn't do

in myself too but finally stopped beating myself up about my failures

and decided to do something real about it that will help me be a

success.

> There have been a few complications with the band but they are

just that, FEW. If you follow the rules of the band the chances of

you having a problem are extremly slim. The band is intended to be a

lifetime implant thus lifetime control but can be removed if a problem

does occur. Before removal there are other things that can be done to

try fix the problem first though.

> I leave on Wednesday to go have my surgery so the following is not

firsthand knowledge: There are no hidden costs, there will be 5 small

incisions on your abdomen, and it is done under general anestesia.

> I wish you luck in your search, make sure this is what you want.

> Tammy A.

> to be banded 2/16/06

>

February 13, 2006

Virginia,

Thanks for the tip! Yes that does help!

Vivian

Hello everyone.