Peps

Good morning HW, Thanks for the info on the protein powder. I'll definitely give it a try. Is there a certain website where you order the help hearts? Thanks again! Peps

Hi Healthy Woman, Thanks so much for the info. on the protein powder. I'll definitely try some. You know, so many of those protein powders taste so nasty, so I'm glad to hear you love it. I'll get some in Wal-Mart this weekend. So you get banded a week from today! Wow! I'm so excited for you. I've had such a long journey. My ins. requires that I work with a life coach for a year. Lucky thing I started that last summer. It's been long, and I was mad at first, but I've also spent this year doing a lot of research which has helped tremendously. I go to see the surgeon next Wednesday, the 17th and hopefully get at least a tentative surgery date set. I'm hoping for sometime in September. Question, what is the 'hemp hearts'? Never heard of them. What do they do? I look forward to staying in touch. Take care.......7 days!!!! Good luck! Peg

Healthywoman, You said you get your protein powder at Wal-Mart? What is the brand? I need to find something that is convenient to get to. I have been using Unjury Chocolate Splendor, but have to order it online. Thanks for the info, and good luck to you with your band! Hope to join you in September!

I am seeing my surgeon on Wed., August 17th and hopefully set a date for surgery. It's been a year since my first appt., but I had to jump through some hoops for insurance for a year before they would approve me. It would be nice to have someone to talk to through the good, bad, and ugly of this journey. I look forward to hearing from another Virginian. (I live in Victoria and will have my surgery in Richmond at St. Mary's by Dr. Matthew Brengman.) Thanks!

Good luck! Hope to join you soon!

Hi! I am a lifetime member of WW. I've been a member for the past 35 years. I was always good at losing weight--the problem--keeping it off. I've been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life which isn't good, so I'm going to get the LAP-BAND surgery and begin anew. My WW leader in my hometown is also a member of my church, and she is not too happy that I am having the surgery. But, we all have to do what is best for us! WW is always going to find fault of us, but just push it aside and do what's right for you. Note to 'BethfromVA'--Where in Virginia do you live? I live in Victoria, work at Longwood University, and am being banded in Richmond hopefully in September. Would love to talk with you. Peg

Hi Rebecca, I, too, am a Christian and am praying for you as you have to go through this ordeal. It sounds like your pastor had some very good advice and things to think about. I am very fortunate that I have been married for 39 yrs. to a Godly man, so I can't imagine how it must be. I will continue to pray for you and that God's will will be done here. Only He knows what's best for you, and in His time, you will know, too. Take care. Peg

Hi, I'm 59 and waiting to be banded (hopefully in September). Eighty is the "new" old in my book! You have to do this for yourself and your health--not anyone else. Good luck. Keep us posted! Peg

Hello! I'm Peg from Victoria. I'm so glad to see someone else who has Dr. Brengman. I've been working towards this for over a year now (had to jump through hurdles for ins.) I have my next appt. with Dr. B. on Aug. 17th and hope that we can set at least a tentative date for surgery. Good luck to you on Thursday! Please let me know how it went. Tell me more about the pre-op diet if you don't mind. I hear that Dr. B. and all of the staff are just wonderful. Take care!

Hello there. I drink the unjury Protein Shakes. It's really not bad. I have the Special chocolate one (can't remember the exact name), but I would definitely recommend it.

Hi Sandra, I'm 59 and hoping to be banded in September. It's been a long wait. I, too, live in Virginia. Yeah for Virginia!! I live in Victoria (50 miles southwest of Richmond) and will having my surgery with Dr. Matthew Brengman with Dominion Surgical at St. Mary's Hospital. I can't wait. Your loss of 44 lbs. so far is remarkable. I hope I'll be able to do as well. Take care! Peg

Congrats to you! It will be here before you know it. I'm hoping for a September date myself. Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing! All the best.

Hi Linda, I can certainly identify with your situation. I'm 59 yrs. old and have to be the strong one in the family. Both of my parents are elderly and in poor health and my sister is a basket case. Hopefully, I'll have a September date to be banded. I've been very patient up until now. Had to follow a year long plan required by my ins. Had a life coach that I had to talk with twice a month and to follow Weight Watchers (not much success there), and my year will be up Aug. 16th. I have an appt. with the surgeon on the 17th, so I'm excited about that. I know you'll do well. I think you should go somewhere where you can have a good cry. We all need that at some point in our lives. After a good cry, just keep your chin up and remember that "this too shall pass." Surgery will be over for you soon, and you'll start your new life! Please stay in contact with me. I live in Virginia and will be banded in Richmond. Take care, Linda. I'll keep you in my prayers. Peg

This past experience was a tragedy for both you and your friend. I wonder about the doctor that did your surgeries. It's just strange that both of you would have problems. Is your new surgeon in your state close by? Be sure he is at a Center of Excellence! You have to make up your mind about having the surgery or not. I think your friend would want you to be healthy and happy for yourself and for all of the people who love you. It sounds like your husband is wonderful and is behind you whatever you decide. I'm pre-surgery myself--hoping for a September date. I have an appt. with my surgeon on Aug. 17th to hopefully set a surgery date. I want you to know that I'll keep you and your friend in my prayers. Take care! Peg

Hello! As everyone has stated, the LAP-BAND or REALIZE band are much safer than gastric bypass. I have researched all of the surgeries for the past 15 months, and am going to have LAP-BAND (hopefully in September). I have an aunt and also new a school teacher who had gastric bypass and they both died because with gastric bypass, they don't get all of the nutrients. With the band, nothing is cut or rerouted, so your body will absorb all of the nutrients it needs. I have 3 good friends who have been banded within the past 15 months, and all have lost so much weight and say that they just wish they had done it sooner. Good luck! Peg

Thanks, Larry. Hey congrats on your weight loss! You're doing great! I've been doing a year long thing with a life coach (required by my ins.) and the year is up Aug. 16th. I have an appt. w/ surgeon on the 17th. Hoping he can do the surgery soon after that because I've done everything else. Wish me luck! Peg

Can someone tell me what kind of file a photo must be to add to your profile? I'm not having any luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

My appt. with the psychiatrist was a breeze. Just took my family history, asked why I wanted the surgery--just general things. Nothing hard or scary. You'll do fine!

Thanks, Karen. You lost 100 lbs? How wonderful!!!! That what I need to do. I also have had to wait a year which was required by my ins. I have a life coach that I've worked with on a regular basis. The year will be up Aug. 16th and I have an appt. with the surgeon on the 17th. I had already done all the other things--dietitian and psych eval. I'm just ready to move forward now! Appreciate the support. Peg

CAT, Good for you! We all need to do things for ourselves sometimes. I wish for you the very best, and will be remembering you on the 25th. I'm sure things will go well. Please keep me posted on your journey. I'm hoping to be banded probably sometime in September, so anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Take care!

Hi Cat Lady! I'm 59 yrs. old and am having LAP-BAND surgery probably in September. I have all of the same co-morbities that you mentioned, too. I've been researching this and working with a life coach for the past year, and I'm totally convinced that this is the right thing to do. I want to get healthy and, hopefully, be around for a very long time. So, go for it! Keep us posted on your journey. The 25th will be here soon! Good luck, and God bless.

Hi Tess, I see you were banded by Dr. Schroder at Dominion Surgical Assoc. last year. Do you like the doctors and staff there? Are they concerned about their patients and take time with them? I'm going to be banded by Dr. Brengman--hopefully in September. My ins. required me to do a yr. with a life coach and that time is up Aug. 16th. I have an appt. with Dr. Brengman on the 17th. It's been a long journey, but in the end I'm glad that I had this year to reflect, research everything, and really be sure of what I'm doing. I'd love to hear more of your story. Good luck with your journey!

Hi MiamiGurl, Welcome! Where do you live in Virginia? Who is your surgeon? Please keep us posted with your journey!