AshleeSuzanne

Hi!! My name is Ashlee and I am so happy! I just got word yesterday from my insurance company (Anthem) that my lap-band was approved!! I should know more about a date within the week. I am so psyched and ready for that challege that is ahead of me!!! I am 5'10'' and I weighed in at 322 pounds, which is more than I have ever weighed in my life (and I have NEVER been thin). I am so ready for this, does anyone have any advice for me?? Thanks, Ashlee

Hi everyone! I was banded on 1/30/08 by Dr Matthew Brengman in Richmond, Va. I am doing very well, I find out next week when my 1st band fill is! I am down 40 pounds and I feel great. Has anyone here had any experience with infertility like myself? My surgeon has told me that once I really get down to where I want to be (this won't be for awhile, I want to lost 130 more pounds-I weigh 290 now) that I may surprise myself and get pregnant very quickly. Has anyone had this happen? Just curious! Ashlee

Hi!! I was banded on Jan. 30, 2008 and am down 40 pounds. I find out Monday when I have my first fill and I am thrilled!! I suffer from PCOS as well, and I just had a NORMAL period all on my own. I am hoping that this will help my chances of my husband and I having a baby sometime late next year, so keep your fingers crossed!!!!! Ashlee :huh2:

:thumbup:YAY! A ray of hope! Thanks, ladies!! I appreciate it!!! :huh2: Ashlee

I feel for you. My first week was rough. My poor husband, I know he is glad things evened out!!

Hey! I got banded on 1/30/08. Trust me, this will pass. Keep pluggin' along, you will get there! I have lost over 40 pounds is under 2 months. Ashlee

HI! I was banded in RIchmond on 1/30/08 (down 41 pounds, whoo hoo). I am originally from CHarlottesville but moved to RIC a year ago. Just got on at UVa hospital and we are MOVING BACK, so I'd like to find a support group in the area, too..... When were you banded?

OK, so I am all banded and I feel amazing!! Surgery was a breeze for me!! The nurses were AWESOME and so were the dieticians. Since I went on the pre-op diet(3 weeks) I have lost 34 pounds. I am quite sick of Carnation Instant Breakfast though... Can anyone who has had or is having surgery at St. Mary's reccomend one of the support groups? I would love to meet some of you gals......

Thank you so much Dolphin!! I am so ready to do this. I know I have a tough journey ahead, but I am ready and willing to tackle this and beat this weight once and for all. I have been on the liver shrinking diet, of course and I have lost 16 pounds, so I have a start. Thanks for the support, I will keep you posted!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Ash

Hey y'all! This is Ashlee in Virginia! I am so excited! I am being banded by Dr. Matthew Brengman on Wednesday, Jan 30!! I have been on my liver shrinking diet for 1 week and I have lost 14 pounds! YAHOO! I am so excited!! Has anyone else been banded at St. Marys? I am interested in hearing your experiences there... Or, if you were banded elsewhere, I would love to hear about your experience as well. I am so psyched and ready to be healthy and thin for the rest of my life!! :wink2: Ash

Hey there! It is a diet that helps the liver shrink so the surgeon can access your stomach better. I work in the OR, and when my boss found out I was having the band she let me sit in on some cases and it is amazing because they have to really jostle your liver to get the band in. If the liver is smaller (can be acheived by cutting fat/carbs etc) it is much easier to maneuver and there is much less chance of your liver getting damaged with all the movement. I have a specific diet from my surgeon to follow, which consists of 2 slimfast (lunch and breakfast) and a small sandwich and salad in the evening. It is very low sugar/carb and I have to do it for 2 weeks. It has been a change in my lifestyle already, let me tell you. :wink2: Anyway, I hope all is well with you!! When are you getting banded? Ash

YAHOO!! MY surgery is in 1 week, on 1/30!! I have already lost 15 pounds on the liver shrinking diet!! I am psyched! How is everyone!!???!!?? Ash

I GOT MY DATE!! YAY! January 25 at St Mary's in RIchmond. I am so psyched!!! Ash

Josie, I have Anthem as well and my approval was quick and easy as well...I am having my surgery with Dr Matt Brengman at St. Mary's in Feb. Who was your surgeon?? Ashlee

Planning4thin: My surgeon and I had a long discussion about the things I have tried to lose weight (there was a LOOOOONNNNNGGG list, let me tell you). I didn't give proof, but he and I had a nice talk.

It took Anthem 2 weeks to approve me. My surgery is tentatively on Valentines Day 2008. Anthem is AWESOME and I was shocked at how painless it was.

So I have a my nutrition class on Monday. I am excited. What do you guys find to be the hardest foods to tolerate with your bands??

Thanks for all the support. My tentative date is Valentine's Day. YAY!

Hi sosobizi! I have anthem and it was approved in less than 3 weeks. It was flawless. I am thrilled. My doc is amazing, I am having the band at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, VA, my surgeon is Matt Brengman, he is awesome. I am so ready to do this.

LOL, Jenny. I live in Caroline County about 15 min. from Kings Dominion! That is so funny! I am having my surgery at St. Mary's in Richmond with Dr. Matthew Brengman. He is awesome, and I have talked to many of his past patients and they all are having great success. So I am excited!