This is my first time doing this. I have not been banded yet. I have been to a seminar and will be going to orientation on March 7, 2007. My 1'st visit to the bariatric surgeon will be March 15, 2007. I am very excited and a little nervous. I guess I will have a long wait though because I have to do a 6 month supervised diet with my doctor before insurance will approve the surgery. The surgeon I chose was Ernest Rehnke in St. Petersburg, FL. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on. I've been obese for so long I can't even imagine what I will be able to do when I'm not. Well, I could go on and on but since this is my first message I guess I need to end this now.