Anyone Else Banded By Dr. Balder

Hi everyone from SC, I live outside of Charleston, and had my surgery in Dalton GA, Dr. Ponce of the LAP-BAND^® institute which is in Chatanooga TN- only 30 min. from Dalton. The cost out of pocket was $13,800 for everything and he has done over1200 surgeries. I almost had the surgery here in Charleston and found out that the doctor here was taught by Dr. Ponce. The doctor here kept trying to push me to have the gastric bypass, and it wasn't for me. I had my surgery on the 14th of March and am doing great. Good Luck to you all- Gretchen

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Hi All,
I want this procedure done and it will be self pay so I was wondering how much is the cost for Dr Balder at the Rivertown Surgical Center?
I am looking to get prices in SC, NC and GA any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Judy

I have a surgery date with Dr. Balder on July 30th. I live near the Conway Hospital. Do you want to keep in touch. If so, send me your phone number on komishe@sccoast.net and I will call you.

Thanks,
Sheila

Do you live in SC - where? Would like to keep in touch.
You can reply to komishe@sccoast.net

How long did it take for Dr. Balder's office to call you to set up an appointment after all your paper work was sent in/ faxed?

I am located in Longs SC and I would love to be in a support group. I was banded in Mexico May 19th,06. I have lost 83 lbs. I want to lose at least 50 more. I walk and ride my bike everyday, but still can't seem to get any more lbs off. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Dr. Balder has hired an RN to run his Bariatric Support Group (among other things). I attended a Support Group Meeting on Tuesday. It was the best one ever. They are now scheduled every third Tuesday at the Fitness Center classroom on the Conway Hospital Complex Grounds.

You may email me at komishe@sccoast.net for more information.

Just curious, were you one of his patients????

Sheila

Hi everyone, I am new to the site. I was banded on 1/30/08 by Dr. Givens at the SC Obesity Surgery Center.

I have gone to their support group but they have a good many bypass patients there. They are starting to get more LAP-BAND^® patients there though. It is informative. They meet at Lexington Medical Center Auditorium on first Wed of each month from 6p-8p. If you are out this way, come by.

I have to say I love this LAP-BAND^®. It is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I had no problems whatsoever and I definitely feel restricted. I have not had a fill yet. Scheduled for one toward end of March. I have to admit that I haven't completely stuck with the diet that I'm supposed to do. Yes, I eat the right foods but I had to move forward a tiny bit and each some little more solid foods, like soft stuff. Haven't really had meat in a while. I'm hardly ever hungry and find myself having to make sure to eat. I personally like having the empty feeling in my stomach instead of that bloated feeling of too much food.

It is so amazing how much better I feel after losing almost 30 pounds! I wasn't able to breathe well and I couldn't do ANYTHING physical. I had to sit down just to scoop my cats' litter boxes. Found myself having to sit in a rolling chair to cook. Couldn't walk far at all. Hated just going anywhere that I was going to have to do any walking. My husband was very patient with me and never complained. I was terrified of anesthesia. I have bipolar disorder and the anesthesia very often messes that up. So it really took alot to make me finally make up my mind to get home help with my health. I feel great! I am able to do things I haven't been able to do in years. Just with 30 pounds off!

People who aren't morbidly obese don't understand the pain, both mental and physical, that we suffer. I had always been a very active, outgoing, happy, BUSY person. After all the weight, I became so restricted because any bit of exertion caused me to not be able to breathe. Just bending over to tie by shoes was almost impossible. I stopped wearing sneakers. At one point I couldn't paint my own toes and my loving husband would do it for me. I just got so sick of being so dependent on other people when I had always, my whole life, been so independent and a real go-getter. I longed to have that back so bad. I wanted to have some sense of quality of life. Just this first little bit of lost weight has given me back so much of that independence that I thank God every day I did this surgery.

May everyone have much success on their journey. I would love to talk to anyone who would like to. Please e-mail me anytime.
Lisa

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Hey everyone! I will be banded by Dr. Balder very soon. I am self pay and everything has been done just waiting for blood work to come back. Anyone would like to chat let me know!

Sure - I was banded 7/30 last year. Do you go to the support group? We had a great meeting last night.

Please reply to komishe@yahoo.com

Hey I also live in Florence and Dr Balder will be doing my LAP-BAND^® AUG 28th YEAAAAAAAA

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Surgery Date: 08/21/2008 8:30 am

Hey BIG CITY GIRL lolol I live in Florence, Dr Balder is doing my Band on Aug 28th at 7 am, I do not get up early for anything but for this I probaly will not sleep the night before,

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Surgery Date: 08/21/2008 8:30 am

LOL I know it feels like a big city some times alllll these PEOPLE!!! Congrad on your surgery. I got my surgery date and its next Thursday July 31st. I am sooo excited yet alittle nervous. BUT cant wait to have my surgery! How much are you looking to lose? I think I am planning on loseing around 180

well when I when I went to see him last month I weighed 224 now I weigh 229 but I want to lose at least 80 or 90 lbs. good luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers. keep in touch

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Surgery Date: 08/21/2008 8:30 am

Hey I had my surgery I am doing great!!! I've have very little pain its accually pretty much more or less being sore where my port is. I would do it again in a minute.

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Banded- July 31,2008