HunterCol

The good thing about fresh start at Riverside is you do not have to decide lap band or bypass right away. You can start the process and decide later which would be best for you. I am going lap band, but my wife has started and is going between band and by pass.

Yeah I'm paying a program fee too, but I think it's worth it. It covers post-banding exercise program (including a 3 month gym membership) fulls and so on. But I also had to pay 500 bucks for the psychologist. And she was not in network so I'm paying that out of pocket. Really I think that part is a scam, 500 bucks for about 60 minutes and to clear me for surgery.

You'll have to let us know how it goes! Do you know what type of band Dr Myers will be using?

I'm in the process of getting banded at Riverside, the seminar is great they give you lots of information (I've been twice). It can run long and they cover both bypass and lap-band, but Dr Myers will answer all your questions. Also you can start the process at the meeting, you have the option of filling out paper work and giving them your insurance information. They will check with your insurance and let you know what is cover and all that stuff. There is also a support group meeting next Tuesday for Riverside, it's for banded and pre-banded folks might be good to go to that and meet people and ask some questions. Both my wife and I are looking at getting banded at Riverside.

Hey there! Good luck on getting your acceptance sounds like you will not have a problem. I'm working on getting banded at Riverside, hope to see it happen in the next month or two!

Just dropping in to say hi! I'm hoping to get banded in the next month or two and I'm really looking forward to being smaller for next years riding season!! If there is a banded riders meet at deals gap count me in!!

I went through the Harley's riders edge program a few years back. Loved it wish I would have done it sooner! I didn't wear my jacket during the training, just a long sleeve shirt. Also I wear a full face helmet which was a pain to take on and off all weekend. Since we were just riding on the course a half helmet would have be easier. As far as bikes go you can pick up a smaller used metric pretty cheap (as opposed to a Harley which is going to cost!). A Honda rebel or Shadow VLX seem to be good starter bikes..

I got a psych eval today. Had to answer a ton of questions on a few tests, which I guess were graded to see how nuts I was. Talked to the shrink for about an hour, paid 500 bucks (she was not covered by insurance!) and was done. I think it's kind of a joke (or a scam).

Sounds like things are going good! Much pain after the surgery? I'm going in Tuesday for my all day appointment, so I'm progressing!

How did the surgery with Dr Myers go?

I asked the Doc about the no straw rule. Guess using a straw, chewing gum or drinking carbonated drinks 'causes gas build up and pain. So they say no to all of them, but I figure it can vary from person to person.

Just thought I would drop in and say Hi. Just getting started on getting banded. Found a doc I like and now I'm just going through the process of prepping. Going in tomorrow to get some paper work started, then next Tuesday I'm have tests down and the whole psych evaluation. Hoping my insurance pays some, but if not I'm going self pay. Decided I want to do this, so I'm doing it!!

So is the big day tomorrow or Wednesday? I go in tomorrow to start paper work, at least I'm making some progress! Good luck on the surgery!!

Is the no straw rule forever or just at the start? How am I going to drink a milk shake?? I've read of people still drinking soda after banding, that's going to be hard for me. I drink diet pop, but I drink a lot of it..

How is the liqiud diet going?

How soon are you being banded?

Yeah I'm hoping to get mine before the new year as well!

Yeah I'm sure the shakes are good, it's just only drinking them and nothing else that's the problem!:eek: Are you getting any insurance help or all self-pay, and do you know what the total cost at Riverside is? They gave me a ballpark number, but wondering what the real total will be..

Got the ball rolling with Riverside, they still need to check some stuff out with my insurance, but I'm hoping it will work out. If not guess I'm paying!! I have a 16 month old at home, so my desk job might be easier than staying at home. :eek:

Not sure, have not really planned that out yet!! I might start talking my lunch more, and try to go to places where I can get less to eat. I guess I should just tell people, I just really don't want too, I'm funny that way. Just going to the seminars was stressful for me, and don't want to discuss getting the surgery with my co-workers.

Hey Juli, how long did you take off work after being banded? I hoping to only take a few days. I'm not telling anyone at work what I am doing (which might be hard seeing as I go to lunch with the same group everyday!) so the less time off the better. I have a desk job, so I'm hoping that helps. Of course having a desk job and going to lunch most days is one of the things that got me here in the first place!! Oh well.. Also did you have to be on any pain meds after? And if so for how long and how bad was the recovery? Topdownbug, good luck starting the liquid diet!

Have not heard anything yet, think I will try to call tomorrow and see if I can get something set up for the first appointment.

Works for me! Now do we meet up at a restaurant? Is that wrong? Really I'd like to see what it's like to eat out with a band, as I eat out a bit. Maybe that's one of my problems!

I'd love to join in some sort of support group. Right now, I'm looking mostly for more info and personal experiences from lap-banders. HeatherA, you heard anything from Riverside yet?

Where are you getting banded at?