singingintherain

kiz..I really like your tag about determination to start! I like that. And I like you steady weight loss. It is at a good pace..one which I would want. As for 5,000.00/I think if I were paying out of pocket, I couldn't afford that bill either. Fortunately I have a good insurance plan. Now the wrinkles and extra skin I will be left with to fix after Banding....that is another story

Jack...you are a strong individual, for sure! I have hypertension and really feel I need to be monitored a bit longer than a few hours because of that condition. I am not a strong person. Big, but not strong!

Good to hear from you, tiny! After the Holidays I went to info seminars at 3 facilities here in Boston. One in particular was very poorly attended(the first one I went to and, I might add, the one which gave me a first impression of this whole process...not a good one at all). I then went to 2 others and after doing a lot of searchng for mor info on each facility and their programs..which are different as to requirements, follow up, support, when compared with that first one....I came to the strong conclusion that the Brig was for me. I have since made an appt with Dr Robinson and plan on attending the support groups before my consult in about 3 weeks. I trust what I heard and saw at the Brig moreso than at the other facilities....especially the first one I attended. But...that is just my opinion as there were Banded gals there who swore by that center. I hope to meet you at an upcoming meeting, tiny!

Went to the info meeting last night and of all the info meetings I went to in Boston , this was the most informative and most well attended. Questions were answered in abundance and the presentation was given by Dr Robinson and support staff. 2 hours of explicit info. Kudos to the Brig! Yay! I got my consult with Dr Robinson for Feb! I would love to attend the next support meeting which would welcome those beginning the process before surgery. Is there one at the Brig coming up??

As I live my life every day and think of how things will change, questions pop up. 1) Question on spirituality for those who partake:....How long did it take you after Banding to be able to take the Communion Altar Bread wafer and consume it? 2) I take 6 pills a day.. Vitamins, supplements and meds for high Blood pressure. Some of them are Horse-pill size! What do you do about that..crush them up and eat them in your mushies? Are they crushed up forever? One of them in particular tastes so like POISON!

music..I usually get an emil notification of replies to threads, but somehow missed this one and just got it today..Sat. I did go to the meeting on thurs...VERY informative , I thought. I was sitting way in the back against the wall.I left early because of the prking rates..I parked in the wrong garage! I was impressed with the 3 'losers' who spoke to the group. Before making up my mind, I am going to the one this tues at Brigh & wom. I was amazed that there is such a LONG waiting list before one has the surgery! I'm sorry I missed your email.

Tomorrow I go to the meeting at Beth Israel Deac and next week I go to my final meeting at Brigh and Wom. For some reason I gravitate towards the Brig. One thing I definitely want is a facility with a good post op support ring to attend and good aftercare as well as a good facility and , above all, experienced specialist. So next week I will be on the forum looking up drs and finding out about the treatment received by the guys and gals here. Do they provide a nutritionist to help you lose the 10 lbs? Even 10 lbs is monumental for some of us! One of the many reasons I chose the Band vs the GP, music, is the weight gain is not scaringly dramatic! I'd rather lose steadily and moderately...if I don't do it that way, my body will look sick and saggy ...especially at my age (a young looking 59 so I am told)

Hmmm..I find it amazing that you gals wanted to go home. the same day. I guess the possibility of pain is the main issue, really. And as long as you have that and some anti nausea meds things should be fine. But I really wonder about the blood pressure issue after anesthesia, though. I can't get over the BMI's of you gals. I am not young...I am 59, 5'5" with a BMI of 39. The weight gave the lovely present of high Bl Pressure, High Chol, and mild Sl Apnea developing.... I envy you gals and look forward to getting Banded ...SOON! I wish all these info meetings were this week so I could make a choice and run to my Pr Care for a referral tomorrow. But, I have 2 more to go and will be able to go after next Tues. singingintherain (the 'freezing' rain today here in Massachsetts)

Great to hear from you gals this a.m. You must be SO excited re: your upcoming day..it is getting really close. I envy you carolina mom. Someday it'll be my turn. BandedCG...I admire your steady weight loss. Your BmI is really coming down. You were kept overnight and I really think I would prefer staying overnight even though there aren't any major incisions. I went wild the other night watching the LB procedure on you tube and it left me feeling so 'invaded'..looking inside there at the tubed going in, under and around..smokin' away! LOL I felt like I needed a week's stay never mind overnight!

Great to hear from you music. Last night I went to my 1st intro meeting and heard pros and cons of both surgeries. One problem was the requirement to lose 10% of the weight BEFORE being banded. LOL...if I could get rid of this hunger that causes me to eat, I COULD lose the 20% on my own and wouldn't need a Band ! Anyway..I am still determined to go to any lengths to get this done. I am going to another meeting tomorrow night in Boston to et more info and visit another fascility. What are you looking into these days to get you going closer to having the Band? singingintherain

Well, I THOUGHT my mind was made up about LB...I hesitate. WHY? Because the main reason for my obesity is volumizing..overeating . I call it a 'voracious' hunger ...all through the day. That commercial with the gal and the lion caught my attention the first time it was aired on tv. I could eat and be full and soon I am hungry again..stomach feeling totally empty and growling and I HAVE to go eat something. Sometimes I take Zantac just to stop the growling if I have to go anywhere quiet..like a church, lecture or concert. Does the Band make you feel less hungry? Or do you still fight the hunger ? Constantly? Eating a little every couple of hours. Would RNY cause me to feel less hungry? What about nutrients getting to the body..like our hair and hair loss? Are we starving ourselves of nutrients to lose the fat in these surgeries. so many questions..honest questions

Great to hear from you ! Tomorrow night I am going to the Tufts Med Cntr for their intro program and I have 2 more scheduled also. I would prefer the Brigham...but I need a referral after all is said and done. Where did you have your procedure done? I am 240 lbs..the most I have ever been in my life. The more weight I try to lose, the more weight I gain. I can overeat on a head of lettuce! The lowest weight I can remember is 156 and I was a pre teen. 2 Years ago I had breast reduction because of the back pain and ..yep...they grew back because of weight gain! Hello back pain. Last evening I watched You Tube Lap Band procedures and was shocked at all the fat inside our bodies!!!!(I don't think I can clean a Perdue roaster out for a long while after those videos LOL.) This morning I woke up asking myself if I am willing to go to any lengths..even the Lap Band surgery...the answer was a resounding 'YES'. You appear to have a positive experience with the LB..and I like that. You are losing and more importantly ,you are feeling well as you reach toward your goal. Congrats on the 200 mark. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.

I am definitely going to the meeting at BID tis Thursday. It is good to meet another person seriously considering this procedure!...and I guess we all have places where we have had a bad experience, but yet that does not mean the place is bad overall. --------------------------

I just re-registered again today after visiting once way over a year ago. I tried 12 step, weight watchers and who knows what else to try an avoid banding..but I am 40lbs heavier after all that dieting!! A year ago April, you replied to an inquiry, Sherry, about Insurance, but I just wasn't ready to take the step. This week I am going to the Info meeting at Beth Israel to find out more. I have read on another board I looked into today that people were not satisfied with their stay there as they were placed in with geriatric patients who kept them up, nurses who were not knowledgeable of care for banding post-op recovery, dirty room,and other complaints. I really am leaning towards Brig & Wom since they have whole floor dedicated to Bariatric procedures.(that's if my hmo will refer). But their introductory seminar is not until the 13th of the month. So I plan to attend both and ....Get Informed! Was your stay at the Beth Israel Hosp. favorable? Any more from Cambridge on the board these days, gang? singingintherain