Nancy33

I haven't been banded yet but I can sure answer your beginning question! You have a ways to go. At least from my experience. First you have to get the support of your GP usually they are supportive if you have been trying to lose through them for a while. Next they will refere you to a Dr. in your area and then the fun starts. I had to have a psychological eval, meet with the respiratory therapist,and the physical therapist. I met with the dietician about 4 times (one visit each month). I also had to have a gallblader ultrasound, an echocardiogram, a manometry, a gastroscopy and because I'm almost 50 a colonoscopy. Many of these were combined or done on the same day so it wasn't that bad. I pushed things along and scheduled my own appointments when I could such as seeing a dietitcan at a hospital closer to where I live and setting up my own psy eval. This cut down on a lot of waiting time!!! Check with the hospital doing your surgery to see if this is OK. The surgeon and his staff I m using were very complete and I got approved by my insurance right away, even though I was told on the phone that they had a 12 month waiting period, I got approved in 4-5 months from my first appointment with my GP til my surgery date of Oct 3. The time went fast! I'm sure everyone's experience is different but this is how it went for me. Good Luck and I hope the decision you make is the right one for you.

i need some encoragement from you guys! I just looked at the group which has not lost much or any weigh since banding. I haven't been banded yet but my past experiences in weigh lost have not been good. I would love any secrets on how to be in your close to goal group instead of the not losing group. i am banding on Oct. 3,07 P.S. Did anyone else go on a nesting (like before babies) spree? I am giving away diet books and "fat" summer clothes, praying that I won't need them again next summer!

Hi Hope, Can you add me to the roll call? I'll be banded on October 3. On a low carb diet for pre-op and doing well. Thanks

Just found out today that I qualified and my surgery will be Oct.3,07!! I barely have time to do my pre diet. It seems like my mind has drawn a total blank about what comes next. I thought i was going to have to wait 12 months for approval (so they said when I first called insurance) but I was approved in 4 months! Is anyone else having surgery at Deer River in MN?:whoo: