Smiletracy, that sounds exactly like what I went through, and I'm sure everyone else here! I got so addicted to this site.

Smiletracy - We've all been there. I know it was hell trying to make this decision, plus it was complicated with fear. Try to research as much as you can so you know what to expect. Also, try to meet as many folks as you can in person who've had it. That helped me a lot. Good Luck!

you guys, i'm doing horrible. i know that this is bandster hell, and it will get better. well i say that i know this, but i don't. i'm not hungry, now that i'm eating mushy foods, but this head hunger is kicking my A##. uuuuuuuggggghhh, i still eat less than i did before, but this is just so much harder than i imagined. i never thought i had so much head hunger.

lindata, how are you doing?

Hi Bandster. I'm not doing so good either. I AM hungry, very, very, very hungry, and I'm only allowed 2 tablespoons/meal with a protein shake in between. I cannot wait to get a fill and I hope that will help. I don't even have head hunger - it's real!! Sigh. I was reading another thread where people who have been banded for quite a while still struggle with head hunger. I wonder if anyone has been 'cured' of this.
Linda

Where's all the Arkie's?

I'm here! What's up?

Hi!! I'm new to this whole thing. I'm just now to the point of getting approval from the insurance co. (They said it would be no problem:heh:.)
Has anyone had this procedure through Baker? Good, bad, indifferent? Hopefully good.:D

Hey punkrpamela!! I am in the process of getting my insurance approved with BAKER. He is good and has done over 2500 surgeries! He operates at Baptist and is on the board there as well. He is also over the Baptist weight loss program! I like him. Right now, I am waiting to hear back form Dr. Baker with my insurance. The cool thing is is that all you have to do is go to his website Obesity-Surgery.net - Dr. John W. Baker, Bariatric Surgeon and fill out all the paper work electronically and they process it and send it to the pre-determination dept! He doesn't even charge you for taking care handling your insurance company and I believe some do.
I went to my general physician and asked him for a referral and he told me Baker, so if I get the surgery it will be with him.


SGACX

I've been talking with him but thank you!! I'm just waiting for the insurane now . My pcp put me on a 800 calorie diet until then. Thank God for sugar free jello :heh:. I'm goin to the seminar on the 11th.

Hi everyone. I went to see my lung doctor today, Got a GREAT report... 1st, its been 6 months since I last saw him and he said I had lost 23 pounds... That is another 3 pounds I didn't know I had lost.
2nd, he is trying me with no Spriva for 4 months.
This is what we had hoped for is for my lungs to get stronger due to weight loss. You know being over weight is hard on anyone but when you have lung problems its extra hard.
I am just amazed to have lost weight and not gain it back. I go for fill # 2 on 12-31-2007.
I live in Prescott

I was banded by Dr. Clay Wellborn on Sept 25, 2007 and have lost 26 lbs. He also found a hiatal hernia during the surgery and fixed it. I am very happy with him and his staff. He expressed that he believes it is not all our fault for being overweight. That is a first for me from a doctor. He seems to care. I went to Dr. Wellborn because a friend did. I do not know anything about the other doc here in Little Rock. I am sure you will be fine with either one.

dr. wellborn and his staff are great!! but they do have a lot of patients. he has performed over 1000 bands as of this year. i have heard good things about dr. baker also. dr. wellborn specializes in the band, he has only done 2 gastric bypasses in the last year. he prefers the band over bypass (although he used to be the opposite). the staff in his office (with the exception of the rn) have all been banded, and their experience has been the best help for me.

i gained the weight back that i lost pre-fill, but i am on my way back down!!!

CONGRATS ARKIE!!! AND SUESUE ON YOUR LOSS!!

-ARKIE-i feel you on the lung thing, last year, i had pneumonia twice within a 6 month period (never got rid of it the first time). i still have nightmares about getting it again, and if i get a chest cold, i FREAK. it was hell, not being able to breathe has such a huge impact on the way you feel. congrats on getting stronger. do you have copd?

Yes, I do have COPD. I was told I have the severe form almost 2 years go.
I smoked for about 20 years. Been quit for 4 years. I have been on oxygen for a year but have since been taken off and doing well on by-pap which I hope to get off after some extra pounds are gone.
Thanks for asking

well, i think it is absolutely wonderful that you are seeing improvement with the weight loss.

my grandmother died from breast cancer and emphysema as the early age of 45. She was oxygen the entire time that i remember her from my childhood. she gained a lot of weight when her lungs got down. i'm not sure if it was fluid, or what, but it sure did hinder her ability to do a lot of things. she never stopped smoking though, she would light up while the oxygen tubes were in her nose.

i know she didn't have copd, but i believe some of the effects that it has on your lifestyle are the same.

Here I sit in the hotel room waiting for 5:30 am tomorrow morning! I am so full of any and every emotion imaginable. LOL I am so ready for my band day!! Hope everyone is doing great and I will post more after surgery.