babs0101

I too am scheduled for Oct. 5th, 2007. I can't wait!! 3 weeks to go!

You've only got a few weeks to go! Best of luck. I get my first band the day after, on the 5th! I'm nervous but so very excited!!

Mike, I too have the same issues, except I'm alittle older than you...hmm. Anyway, my Doc also recommended lap-band. So I looked into it. Now here I am just 3 weeks away from being banded and I can't wait to start my life. I too want to live long, enjoy retirement with my husband and actually see my children have children and so on. I think you are making the right choice.

I'm having mine done Oct 5th in Springfield, MA by Dr. Fiallo.

I would go for it. Do it now. When I first started this process, I was told it would be at least 6 months. Seemed like forever and it would put me right at the middle of November. Then I was told a year. But much to my surprise, I'm already approved by my insurance and my date is Oct. 5. I can't wait. I'm doing this for me, just as you are doing this for you. Do it!

I'm Barbara and to be banded on Oct. 5th. Can't wait!!!

I don't even know if I have to do a pre-op diet yet. I go back to the surgeon for my pre-op visit on Sept. 19. I guess he will tell me then if I do or not. Hopefully not, because the week before surgery I'm going away with my husband for a very much needed long weekend. But the Surgeon knows this, so maybe if I do have to do a pre-op diet, I only have to do it for a week. I hope so. I've already lost some weight in preparation for this, so maybe he's counting that towards everything. I just can't wait to get started in band land!

Berry, have you tried going to a support group of bansters? I'm sure they would be able to help you. Don't be discouraged. Motivation and will power don't always come easy. I would suggest a support group and you would meet others with the same issues you have, and they can get you through this hump! Good luck!

I've had a few people tell me they did not want me to get the surgery too. They all say you can do it without the surgery. Just lose it and keep doing what you are doing to keep it off. Oh sounds so simple. But I know and you know that is eaiser said than done. I too can lose the weight, but keeping it off is another story. So I too understand and sympathize with your situation. But tell your daughter if you don't do this, you won't have the healthy long life you are entitled too. By the way.......I just went to Amazon.com and ordered the book too! Good luck and stay strong! Remember, you are doing this for YOU.

Was...great advise. I was wondering the same thing about the protein. Where do I get these protein powders I keep reading about? I've been drinking the carnation instant breakfast no sugar added, but it only has 5g of protein. I'll need a lot more than that!

I have been drinking the carnation instant Breakfast no sugar added. It taste good but only has 5g of Protein. Where can I get a Protein powder to add to foods with a higher protein count? I really don't want to order on line. I'm scheduled for surgery on Oct. 5. I don't know yet if my surgeon requires a pre-op diet, I hope not. I'm going away for the weekend with my hubby and some friends the week before. Anyway, I'm excited to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a long and grueling road to get insurance approval. But I got it!

Hi Stephen. I too am from Mass. Take your wife to the seminar with you. I took my husband and he is 100% in support of my surgery.

Erenne, good luck. I too am having my band done in October! Can't wait.

Hi Heather, I contacted Dr. Fiallo's office. They told me I had to attend a seminar in West Springfield first. So I signed up and followed each step until I got my date. I attended my first seminar in May. Pioneer Valley Surgical has two surgeons that do the lap-band. Dr. Fiallo and Dr. Haag. I've heard excellent reviews about both. I chose Dr. Fiallo because my primary doctor recomended me to have lap band and recomended Dr. Fiallo. And since Baystate is just a stones throw away, I'm in Westfield, it's easy for me to get to appointments. I just scoot out of work for an hour or so and then come back. No problem. I can't wait for my surgery, I'm nervous and I sure don't want to fail (like all other diets) but I'm excited too! Best of luck to you.

I am having the banding done in Western MA. Dr. Fiallo of Pioneer Valley Surgeons, at Baystate Hospital in Springfield. I had Dr. Fiallo checked out and everything came back with flying colors. I am so looking forward to my date of Oct. 5th. And I have no hospital fee to pay and my insurance is covering it.

I too am scheduled to be banded in October. The 5th! Just a few more weeks to go. I too am reading thread with great interest as I am also scared and nervous. But excited as well. I don't want to fail or have issues. My DH is very supportive and I'm grateful for that.

I can't believe it! Someone pinch me! Since I started this journey in May my insurance has been telling me I need to do a year of supervised dieting. Yesterday in the mail is my approval letter from my insurance! They said I've met the requirements! My primary sent in my records where he has been tracking my weight issues for some time. I talked to my surgeons office and surgery is scheduled for October 5th! Just 4 weeks away! I'm so excited, scared, nervous, you name it! But happy is definitely in there too!

I'm from Western Mass. Westfield. I'm scheduled for banding on Oct. 5 with Dr. Fiallo and Baystate. Yeah!!

Savery, you are only partially correct. I can't answer for everyone, but I can lose weight without the band. Losing it has never been my problem....maintaining and keeping it off is another story all together. I've tried for 40 years! But the band will help me with that part. It will help me keep control and even if I do lose it, it will give me a chance to catch myself before I do irreversable damage to myself. As for the "empty" part of the stomach, the "full sensors" are located near the top of the stomach so they are in the pouch area. You won't feel hungry until the pouch empties. One thing you have to remember, the band is not the be all and end all of weight loss. It is just another tool to help. YOU have to make it work.

Oh yeah. I spoke with Cheryl who scheduled the surgery. She was gonna put me in for Sept! But I told her I had just (yesterday!) booked and confirmed reservations for the last weekend in Sept. for a small trip for myself and my hubby. A much needed get away at that. I didn't want to be sore or anything since this will be my last chance to get away this year. So she scheduled it for the week after! Yahoo!!

Hi to everyone. I too am in Westfield. I am going to Baystate and using Dr. Fiallo. I've just gotten my approval from the insurance company, Health New England, and my surgery date was set this morning for October 5th! I am so excited! :bounce:

I have not had any problems with PVS's staff. I'm working with Dr. Fiallo as he was recommended by my Primary Doc. I even went so far as to have him checked out (boss sits on the board of another local hospital). I got the thumbs up with PVS. Also, I stated about HNE insurance wanted me to do a year of supervised dieting, I don't have to. I just got my approval letter in the mail yesterday, surgery was scheduled today. October 5th I will be joining bandland!!

Hi, I'm Barbara. I just got my surgery date this morning! OCTOBER 5TH! I am very excited as I was told I would have to go through "program" for a year as required by my insurance.....but I got the approval letter yesterday! I've already done all of the requirements! I can't wait! I'm looking forward to this journey and will be keeping in touch with all of you for support and suggestions as we travel together! Here's to a healthier us!

<p>Hi, I'm Barbara. I just got my surgery date this morning! OCTOBER 5TH! I am very excited as I was told I would have to go through "program" for a year as required by my insurance.....but I got the approval letter yesterday! I've already done all of the requirements! I can't wait! I'm looking forward to this journey and will be keeping in touch with all of you for support and suggestions as we travel together! Here's to a healthier us!:whoo:

I too would like to know if everyone is happy with the after care. I am also currently going through the "program" with Dr. Fiallo. My insurance requires a year of supervised dieting...crock of crap if you ask me. Been there and done that.