Well, I started the program at Beaumont Hospital yesterday and met with the physician. They did lots of blood work, like 6 vials, and an EKG. My BMI IS 44 and I weighed in at a whopping 263. :thumbup: I have appointments scheduled next month with the dietition, the exercise physiologist, a psycologist for my psyc evaluation, and again with the doc for appointment #2. My insurance requires 6 months of documentation in a medically supervised WL program. Unless I get my PCP to sign off. Anyway, the ball is rolling so that is the good part. I made the leap so to speak. That evening I went to the hospital's Club Bariatrix support group meeting where one of the 2 surgeons in the program were speaking. He is an accomplished RnY surgeon but has not started doing the Lap Band in his practice yet. He has assisted the other surgeon with the procedure. He is getting started and needs to set up 3 people in one day to get his certification. Anyway, all the people in this meeting were RnY patients and not one Lab Bander. (just my luck) Everyone there looked like they had lost a lot of weight and I really can't say anyone looked "healthy". Everyone had a drawn out saggy, thinning hair look about them.:thumbdown: It was really disheartening. I really need to get intouch with some other Lap Banders. As far as the surgeon goes. . . I am signed up with the other surgeon in the practice who has done about 150 LapBands. But I may end up going with the other surgeon because he happens to be my long lost second cousin, and I figure I can call him up and drive him nuts with any problems or questions I have. :thumbup:

Hi! I read your story so far. I weigh 280 w/ a BMI of 45. I've had the 6 mths of diets and doctor visits. I cant believe Ive gotten back up to this weight. :thumbdown: Ive been on everything including behavior, & spiritual methods. They worked for a while. Anyway I'm on the presurgery diet. My surgery is set for may 4th. :thumbup: I'm hopeful, but a little nervous about my furture eating. It was good to read your story but I'm going to keep reading to see if i can find someone who's at my stage now. Keep in touch.