ugagirl

I'm sorry to hear that hopeful girl. I had a similar experience in September, but another door has been opened for me and I hope the same will happen for you.

Aww, poor guy. Hope you don't mind but I got a chuckle out of your story. I went to UGA and had friends from Augusta, who lovingly referred to it as "Disgusta" but I always find it quite lovely when I visit. My parents and I went for a bike ride at Calloway Gardens last spring, and made a wrong turn and took an extremely long route, not the short one we had planned on. I thought they would end up finding us dead in the woods from dehydration...it wasn't funny at the time but we love telling that story now.

Hey Jodie, I am planning on doing the same thing (surgery Thursday-back to work Monday). What was it like for you going back so soon? I am worried about it, but I do not have much choice as I don't want to be off a week without pay. I don't have much time off right now (used a lot during the holidays) and I don't want to wait a few months to build up time, so I'm hoping I'll be alright going back so soon. :welldoneclap:

Hey there *Waves* I'm down in Decatur, not too far from Alpharetta. I looked into Dr. Johnson but I am self pay and the doctors in our area are pretty expensive if you are paying for it out of pocket! I am having my surgery done by Dr. Freeman in Anniston, Al. The seminar I went to was daunting. I mean it's so much information, and to think I'd done a lot of reading up on the procedure beforehand! I think actually seeing and touching a lap-band did it for me. Thinking of it being inside me...but I am very excited and anxious...cannot wait to get the lbs off my body! Best of luck!

Hey everyone- The doctor I am going to for my surgery is also a Christian, and prayed with us at our consultation. I cannot tell you how great it is to know that not only am I and my family and friends praying about the surgery, but the surgeon himself is as well. I found out in September my insurance would not cover the procedure and I was crushed/devistated/felt defeated. My mom kept telling me that God's timing was different than ours and if it was meant for me to have this done, God would provide the way, and He has...what a blessing!

Thanks for sharing everyone. I too have wondered what it will be like post surgery. Those in the know about my surgery keep asking if I'm going to indulge "one last time" in some bad foods but I'm not really that concerned. I don't want it to seem like I'm going to prison or something and having one last hoorah. I feel like I've had enough of the bad stuff to last me a lifetime!

Thank you! Hope things are going well for you.

Ha Ha. Yeah it was still West Georgia College when I graduated in 94. I think it's a great school, but after you live in C-town for 18 years you are ready to get out! Watch out for my brother, he's a cop in Carrollton. :eek:

Hello there! I live down in Decatur but wanted to wish you luck on your journey. :eek:

Congrats! I am getting banded on January 31st and cannot wait.

Thank you. My surgery got moved to the 31st...same week though. Oh the drama with getting time off work.

Just thought I would formally introduce myself now that I have a tentative date scheduled for my surgery! I will hopefully be banded on January 28th and I am very excited yet anxious. I am going to Dr. Freeman in Anniston, Alabama. Hello! *waves*

Dr. Freeman charges $14,400 which includes six adjustments. If you want more details feel free to email me, I'd be happy to answer them. gagirl75@gmail.com

Hey there! I too am from Georgia and self-pay. I am going to Dr. Freeman in Anniston, Alabama. It's about 2 hours west of Atlanta but significantly cheaper than any of the doctors I researched in Atlanta. I just went to the seminar today, great staff and doctor. Best of luck!

Sometimes I think my friends are more excited than I am about the surgery! I am blessed with amazing friends...I can't imagine anyone in my life not being supportive. I have to say if there was such a person, I'd have to seriously think about continuing to allow that person to be in my life. There's no use worrying about what may happen, just try and focus on all of the good that is going to come from the surgery.

I went to a seminar with Dr. Freeman in Anniston, AL today and have actually scheduled my surgery! :biggrin1: Tentatively set for January 28th...as long as I can get clearance for the time off from work. :ranger: Oh and holla to all the UWG folks. I did not go to that school but I grew up in Carrollton. In high school we called West Georgia '13th grade.'

I don't have a band yet, but I wanted to say I've been dieting for the past 7 months and my friends are great when we go out to dinner. They are impressed with the portions I eat and the foods I choose and never put any bad food in front of me to tempt me.

Thanks for replying Candy. I figured it might be something like that.

Hello! *waves* I actually looked into that doctor in Colorado but he wants me to use someone within driving distance should something go wrong. I've got two consultations lined up with doctors in Alabama. My first is on Tuesday. :biggrin1: They are doing an ultrasound of my liver and gallblader, a breathing test to see if I have some sort of bacteria (and if so-I will have to take meds to get that cleared up before they can do surgery), and a psych exam. Would anyone be willing to share what their psych exams was like? Speaking of sharing...I emailed a few friends today to give them an update on my Tuesday appointment and I accidently included my immediate boss on the email. Needless to say I was mortified, especially as my wording appeared rather vague I'm sure b/c she had no idea I was looking into this and the update was literally "So, I have to have a psych exam on Tuesday." Oops. :embarassed:

Hello all-I'm not from Alabama but I'm going to the seminar at Medical Center East on January 19th and I am very excited! I'm self-pay and most of the doctors in Atlanta, where I live, are a bit more pricey so I'm hoping to save some money by traveling a little west.

Thanks for the responses. Your experience in Mexico does sound quite nice. My father is paying for my surgery and has banned any out of the country options, but in the next breath says he doesn't want to pay too much for it...I'm stressing over trying to find a doctor. My primary doctor is in my hometown, which is in west Georgia, and there are no doctors around there that do the surgery. I'm looking at doctors around Atlanta and some in Alabama (B'ham/Anniston area).

Hello all- Another fellow Georgian here. I live in Decatur, and will have to be self pay b/c my insurance won't cover :cry and I am looking for some referrals from those who have done self-pay. I've been reading up online about doctors in the area and the only doctor I've read that offers discounts to self pay patients is Dr. Michael Williams in Alpharetta. I'm willing to travel to a surrounding state if it would save on costs. :help: Just reading your posts in this thread is inspiring. I hope to find a doctor soon!