JudyAnticola

He went back so quick, wow. That is great. He was really OK to go back? I do not think they have held many people to the exact 5 percent from what I have heard. Have you lost any at all?

No, still waiting. Maybe August. It feels like forever, I applied in February. I guess it will come soon enough.

Linda, you would do well with any of them I am sure. Good luck, let us know how your 3 hour goes. We have heard so much about Dr. Hoffman, it would be nice to hear about one of the others, LOL.

Brubear, that is so exciting. How is your husband doing? That is good--it did not scare you off seeing him go through it. So maybe it is not so bad after all. Tell me it is worth the wait so I can quit complaining.

Bugs, some insurances do not require a referral, so check first before you beat yourself up over it. My company did not require a referral, but I did not know that and I had a big to do with my primary care office because they would not do one (because I did not need it) but I was afraid to go to the 3 hour without it. Anyway, it worked out because I really did not need it. United Health Care and ChampVA are my companies.

It appears that the average time from application to surgery is about 6 months. I have everything done and insurance approval as well. I am hoping for surgery in August. I should know in a few weeks. I am not very patient and it is driving me crazy!!! Is Posner a gastroenterologist? I did not realize that he did colonscopy. I had it done in an outpatient facility in Orchard Park. Who is going to do your surgery, do you know yet? I am not losing on SB at least as far as I can tell, I may have to go and order nutrasystem. It worked for me in the past. That is great that you lost the weight already. I did not know that you could lose it in advance of the three hour meeting (not that I would have done any better before then I am now). Well, good luck with your 3 hour. It was very informative.

Linda, you need to lose 5% starting from your initial visit, not the seminar. They have to weigh you and then you lose 5% after that. Just not sure if you knew that.

We walk the park twice, it is almost 2 miles each time around. Some quit after 1 time around. There are at least three people and sometimes 5, 6, 7 or so. It changes regularly, but there are usually 3-4 core people that go every week. We have another of Forbes patients that is pretty regular. And by the way she is happy with having had Dr. Forbes, just FYI. Hope to see you, look for Judy, Val, Loraine, Christa, Nicki, sometimes Dr. Hoffman. 8 am, juicery, Delaware Park.

Also, the process is long, you just need to get used to it. It takes 6 months or so, like it or not. Getting everything done in advance does not seem to help. I do not think you will be left out to dry by any of the three doctors. They emphasized at the seminar that you can expect a 3 year relationship if not longer.

I think you are fine with any of the three doctors. If I had not met Dr. Hoffman first I would have been fine with the other two. I have seen Dr. Posner talk with his patients when I have been there and he seems very concerned and interested. I also liked Dr. Forbes when I met her at the seminar. Again, if I had not met Dr. Hoffman, I probably would have went with a woman. Because most patients do not know any of the three they usually assign patients randomly to the surgeons. I think you would do fine with any of them. Val is right though, you should come to walk with the post surgical group. It helps a lot. Next Wednesday June 19 I think is the lap band support group, and I know at least 3 of us walkers are going, so please join us.

Yes, I know. Call me in the morning if you have any concerns. I think I will just come to the Juicery about 9 am. If I wake up early though I will come for 8, but if not I will be at the Juicery at 9. I just got back from Pittsburgh and not sure what my morning status is yet, LOL. I have not looked at the weather channel yet. Lets talk in the morning if it looks questionable. I hope it is not 95 either!!

How is your guy today? In much pain? Hope he is doing well.

Bugs, at the seminar they will discuss the impact of the band on back pain. But think about it, whatever hangs out in front pulls on your back. I have back pain today more than usual. I do exercise a lot and it helps. I go to a class called Jazzercise a few times a week. If you or anyone is interested let me know. You can always go to a first class for free. There are ladies of every size and age. Currently classes are held at Transit and Clinton as well as Ridge and Abbott. How long you have been on diets previously seems to differ by insurance. Even if you have to go on a diet for your insurance, the whole process takes 4-5 months anyway so you have time to try again. Have a good day.

Hey guys, I need some input. I am kind of getting cold feet, probably just nervous but, can you guys tell me how this has changed your life. Not just because you look better and everyone tells you that you look good, that is a real bonus of course, but what else have you gotten from it or what do you expect from it. How will it change your life? I will probably go to the support meeting next week with Nicki and Loraine and will ask the same question. I am bummed out and went for Indian food tonight. My first real carbs in two weeks. I think I will get back on the wagon tomorrow though.

Val, I am registered for the Breast cancer walk on Saturday too. Do you think we can do the 3.5 miles with Hoffman and then another 3.5 miles for the walk? I will plan on meeting you at 8 at the Juicery unless I hear otherwise from you. Depending on who comes perhaps we should Walk over to the Rose Garden and Casino as our 8 am walk, then we would not have to move our cars? I am game for whatever you want to do. Christa will be at the walk (Komen) as well. Anyone else want to join us at the Susan Komen walk?

Loraine, team captain, you are back!!!! I just mixed the ricotta with a sugar free pudding mix of chocolate and put in chopped almonds. Almost like a canoli filling. It is good. I also make the sugarfree jello, dry, with cottage cheese and SoBe approved Cool whip. Great!!! I have a feeling though that at the end of this month I will never eat cottage cheese or ricotta again though!

Bloom, let me know how you do at the weigh in, if you do not do well I will go back on nutrisystem or something like that. I do not feel like anything is coming off. I am only at 1.5 weeks though. I do need more exercise.

I called Team Captain Loraine today and dumped my crabbiness on her, so I feel much better. I am following south beach, but I think I am eating too much. I am worried that I will not be able to cut down when I have the surgery. I will have to ask Dr. Hoffman to pull that band REAL tight!

That is ok Debbie-we are always there on Saturdays. We meet at the restaurant in Delaware Park. It was called the Juicery, not sure if it is the same name now. I will find out for you.

I did not realize that you were both doing it? I also did not realize that you are two weeks away. You must be so excited, but nervous--I can imagine. Did you both have Dr. Hoffman? Let us know how your husband makes out.

Funny, I did the ricotta thing, but I left out the vanilla. I will add it now. I am just in a crabby mood and I should not be as things are going well. Might be the heat, or at least I can blame it on the heat. Hey, just an FYI to everyone, the lapband support group night has been changed. They have split the bandsters and the bypass. Bypass is tomorrow and lap band is next week Wednesday. Nicki-I will be able to go next week to the support group as I will be in town. Take care everyone, Crabby Judy

I want chocolate right now!!! I think I am just craving it because I cant have it. Time to call team manager, Loraine.

I do happen to have a blank copy here (fancy that!) If you want to send me a fax number or an address I will send it to you (and I will not even bill your insurance!, LOL) If you send me that information though send it to my regular email, don't put it on the web site. ja1022@roadrunner.com I will get it to you right away.

I have my second visit (and visit with Hoffman) on July 1. Just wanted to let you all know. Thanks for being so supportive (all of you). It looks like I am well on my way.

Me too! I know it was a little hard with the heat, but we did it!! Thanks for coming. We sure missed seeing Nicki!