WannaBMe

Neenco, Thanks for the reply. I'd love to have the diet so I can prepare myself -- or course there is no guarantee that the surgeon up here will have the same protocol. I'm just not sure how to get my e-mail address to you -- not that it's a big deal to post it here, I get tons of spam!! Sounds like a good plan they have - prep'ing for post-op during pre-op. It sounds like your dinner was an adequate amount of food -- I know I can do it, I just hope I can do it well! :grouphug: I'm really excited -- I look at my calendar a lot during the day, just wishing time away! I don't believe there are any support groups -- if there are I'm sure they are small- if you aren't familiar with this area, it is a whole different culture up here. I work at a different hospital and we sponsor about 6 different support groups and the attendance is generally pretty poor. I guess the distance/drive thing is a big factor as we are very rural. The other issue is being the Saranac Lake is the only place to be banded north of Albany/Syracuse, etc., without going to Vermont, people travel quite a distance for service there. So, support groups would have to be on weekends - or, overnighters!!! The hospital at which I work might be willing to start a group for peole in our area -- who knows! Well, I'd better get going - if you can let me know how to get my e-mail to you I'd appreciate it! Thanks, and I'm so happy you've had such great success!

Hi Neenco, Welcome to our little thread!! Blondie and I have been referring to Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, NY, when we speak of AMC -- I guess that's the trouble with acronyms! Any how, it sounds like you are doing great - congrats! Soooo, now that we have an already banded person amongst us, can you give us some insight??? Just curious what diet your MD had you do???? I've pretty much heard of the liquid pre-diets, but now I am reading more and more about South Beach?? I've also read a lot of options for the diet which follows directly after surgery -- some of the drinks are highly recommende, others sound disgusting!! What is your recommendation??? Are you still pleased with your decision???? I'm sorry, I won't drive you crazy with all my questions at one time!!:thumbup: It'll be nice to talk to someone with experience -- I just signed up a couple of nights ago! When I'm at work I can hardly wait to get home to read more -- I'm real psyched! My goal is to get on my horse this summer - without help! I hope things go quickly enough so that can become a reality - (fingers crossed!). Well, for now - welcome!

Blondie, I went to the seminar in October or November of 2007 - I postponed the next step d/t insurance. I was utilizing a COBRA plan at that time that was due to expire in December 2007 -- I guess I just didn't realize the time line, so I now have great insurance that will cover it and it's time. I believe that some of the people who were at the seminar I attended have already been banded, etc. I guess that's my fault for putting it off - but I really only put it off for 2 months after I first talked to someone who had experienced banding - she was a patient of mine in Burlington who had it done in Massachusetts - she really boosted my confidence in the procedure, so I did some research and then contacted AMC. I do believe that there are some docs that do it in Syracuse, but I am even more certain there are some in Alburn - a friend of mine had bypass there, so I'm sure they most likely do banding. Perhaps your PCP has heard good things about AMC and/or their MDs???? My hubby is just a worry wart . He is totally supportive, just concerned - which I don't mind, he's a sweetie! He knows the weight is a "big" deal for my health and wants me to get the surgery - so he can keep my longer (what a sap, huh!!!):thumbup: I certainly couldn't do it without him. I'm not sure what to expect -- especially since it has been so long since the information session I attended! My insurance requirements don't seem to be too awful stringent - from what I can make of the insurance jargon!! I have not gotten approval yet - I think they need bloodwork and dates with weights before they even consider approval. I don't think I'll have trouble tho -- I had open-heart surgery in 1992, so hopefully that'll give me shoe in!! I had originally wanted the whole bypass, but we've heard too many horror stories -- seems as tho that's one that is black or white, no gray areas for good vs. bad recovery experience -- my hubby was really "scared" about that prospect :thumbup: Oh, well, I guess I've talked your ear off enough!! Til later!!

Blondie, I too wish there were more people from the area that posted on this site. Like I said, those I have talked to or heard about who have experienced AMC surgeries have been happy. I guess that's what we get for enjoying the country life! I am really excited about the 26th! It seems like it is taking forever to get here. I'm not really sure what will take place at this appointment -- hopefully they can use the records my PCP has - bloodwork, weight records, etc., and make the process go along a bit quicker.:tongue2: I was thinking, is there anyone in Watertown that does the surgery???? Perhaps that might be a little closer for you ... ?? I'm only about 45 minutes from Saranac Lake so it's an easy trip for me. I looked into Burlington at one point - I was working over there - but decided SLNY would work out better, and why not keep the money in NY!!! Hope to talk to you soon! BTW, the hubby is getting nervous again ... oops!

Blondie, Last year I went to an information session held at AMC - Drs. Hill and Hixon spoke. It seems like a really good program - since my initial meeting last year I have met a couple of people who have been banded there, and some that had the bypass procedure. Regardless of the surgery, they all seem to be doing well and have nothing but good things to say about the MDs and all staff involved. Actually, I have my first real appointment set up in a couple of weeks ... I'm really excited! :tongue2: If you think about it realistically - Heuvelton isn't really that far from Saranac Lake, especially if you can feel confident in the MDs and pending results! All involved in the information session were very positive and friendly. There was a woman at the session who had been banded about 4 months earlier and she looked great - she said she feels so much better and hasn't been as happy in years! Hearing those kind of stories is really inspiring. My hubby went with me -- he was really skeptical before the session, but was thoroughly convinced afterward that it is a great option! Good luck!