Peps

Jessica, Your videos are so helpful. I especially liked to see the actual surgery. I'll probably be having LAP-BAND surgery sometime in September, and I'm so excited. I've been through a year long stint with a life coach (required by ins.) and that's up Aug. 16th. Have an appt. with the surgeon on the 17th. You have done a great thing making these videos--I'm sure they will help a lot of people trying to make a decision as to whether or not to have the surgery. Good luck to you and your husband!

Thanks for the diet, Niterun. I'm slowly cutting back on portions now so it won't be so hard. I've always loved to cook and eat! This will be so new to me when the time comes, but I'm ready for the challenge! Hope you have a safe 4th too! Talk to you soon!

Hi Niterun, Thanks for the info. I've met the staff in the office and liked them as well. Everyone I know who has used them likes everyone just fine. Hope I don't ask too many questions of you. What kind of diet did he put you on the 2 weeks before surgery? My main vice was Diet Cokes. I've weaned myself off of them in June. I was sometimes drinking 6 a day. I loved them. Now, I drink water with True Lemon, True Lime, True Orange, or True Raspberry Lemonade. They're really good. I also like Diet Citrus Green Tea. Hope you have a wonderful 4th!:patriot:

Hi Niterun, Tell me how you liked Dr. Brengman. Does he have good bedside manner? Once you got ins. approval, what did you have to do before surgery? Several of my friends who had been banded love Dr. Brengman and his staff. Hope to hear from you soon. Peps

This is too weird. I'm Peg, too! I live in South Central Virginia (about 50 miles from Richmond) and drive to work at Farmville (Longwood University) which is about a 30 minute drive. I'm so excited to be on this journey. Just hope that after my visit with the surgeon on Aug. 17th it won't be much longer. I know I'll have to take a 2-hr. class at the dr's office to go over everything you need to now, get approval from ins. (which should be within 2 wks), and do all the pre-op testing. I really hope I can be banded in September. I have really enjoyed this site. Looking forward to sharing with you throughout!!! Peg

Hi, I"m a newbie from Virginia, too. My insurance required me to go through a year with a life coach. That year will be up on Aug. 16th, and I have an appt. with my surgeon on the 17th. I'm hoping I can have the LAP-BAND surgery in September. It's been a long year; and I've been very patient, but now I'm ready to get the ball rolling. Let's go through this thing together. I love this site--so much helpful advice and understanding. Take care. Keep me posted on your journey!

Hi Tropicana! Congrats to you! Please keep us posted on your surgery and what comes after. I'll be praying for you! Peps

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I enjoyed talking with my dietitian. Like I said, my psych eval was a breeze. I kow you'll do fine. I have been jumping through hoops for my ins. for a whole year. That year will be up Aug. 16th, and I see my surgeon on the 17th. Hopefully, at that time it won't take more than a week or two for ins. to approve it. I've had so many emotions going through everything, but I know it will all be worth it and that God has put me through all of this for a reason. My day is coming....I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck to you! Please keep me posted on your progress. It's nice to have someone to talk to who is going through the sme things. Take care. Peps

Congrats to all of you! I wish my day was soon. I've got to wait another 2 months. Please help me get through it! Tell me all your stories and give suggestions for those of us waiting. Thanks, and good luck!

Hi! My psych visit was a breeze. He just took my history, asked me why I wanted to have the surgery and what my expectations were, and I passed. There was no written test! Good luck! When is your surgery? I haven't had mine yet--hoping for the end of August or sometime in September. Take care. And, keep me posted on your journey!

Hi Mama Lisa, I just found this site last week, too. How was the surgery? I haven't had mine yet--should be sometime late August or September. My ins. has required me to have a year with a life coach before they will approve it. That year is up on Aug. 16th and I have an appt. with my surgeon on the 17th. It's been a long year, but I've learned a lot, too. Can't wait to hear how you're doing. Peps in Virginia

Hello, researching your ins. would be the best thing to do. I can hardly wait for a surgery date, but my ins. required a year with a life coach. My year will be up Aug. 16th. It's been hard, but I've been pretty patient. In the beginning I was just mad, but the time has gone by so fast. I've learned a lot of good things with my life coach and gained a new friend as well. $8,500 is a lot of money--especially using your IRA money. If you decide to go with the ins., please let me know. I'll be there for you through the wait!

Hello, Newbie! I'm a newbie, too. Just found this site last Friday. I'm waiting for surgery--have been since last July, but ins. made me work with a life coach for a year. That will be up on Aug. 16th and I have an appt. with my surgeon on the 17th. Hope it won't be long after that. Take care, and keep me informed of your progress.

Hello All, I am 59 yrs. old and have fought weight problems for all of my adult life. I have done all of the fad diets and am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. I have always lost weight--60-70 lbs. each time, but always end up gaining it back. I'm tired of this, plus I have quite a few health issues (high blood pressure, osteoarthritis in my knees). I'm waiting now for knee replacement surgery, but it cannot be done until I lose weight. I am a little over 100 lbs. overweight. I have now been on this journey for the past year and still don't have my LAP-BAND. I've been pretty patient, but now I can't wait. I don't have a surgery date as yet because my insurance requires that I spend a year with a life coach which has been a big help. She enourages me, listens to me during my highs and lows, and is there for me every step of the way. She is a registered nurse and we talk every other week. I have also been required to be a part of two telephone conference groups discussing ways to make this work, why we want to do this, and many good tips for pre- and post-surgery. My year will be up on August 16th, and I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 17th. Hoping that the wait won't be too long for the insurance to go ahead and approve it at that time because I'm so ready for this surgery and to begin my journey! I know it won't be easy, but it will be a very helpful tool and a reminder if I ever think about overeating again. I welcome any good tips from those of you who already have had the surgery and wish everyone the very best.

Hi! So your Mom had LAP-BAND in February? How much has she lost? Is she happy that she did it? I've been waiting a year (because of my insurance), but my wait will be over in mid-August. I'm hoping we can schedule the surgery soon thereafter. Two ladies in my church have had the surgery and both have lost well over 100 lbs. without any problems. I wish for you the best in your journey!

Hi! Just here to tell you what I'm going through. I saw a surgeon last July. Because of my insurance, I have to wait a year and work with a life coach who guides me along, gives good tips, encourages me, teaches me healthy habits. I wasn't sure I would like that, but I have enjoyed this year with her. My year will be up August 16th. I have an appt. with my surgeon again on the 17th. Hoping that I won't have to wait long after for my LAP-BAND. Good luck with your surgery.