msdollaz

I have a date! Dr. R's Jennifer called me today and we tentatively booked May 13th!! She just has to process through insurance (Harvard Pilgrim) and I go in to see him again on 4/14 to go over ugi and pych appt. and then I should be on my way! After reading Jay's post and the responses, I have a question, people don't loose wait on the two week pre & post op diet? I feel like that is changing my eating habits so drasitcally I'm bound to lose some weight. And then as far as the fills go, are you on a schedule or how do you know when to get a fill?

Singing - you and I are in the same boat. I just had my upper GI and psych today and I go back to meet with dr. R on April 14th too! Maybe we can be roomates! Re: the psych appt. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME and $8 for parking! They had 3 people scheduled at the same time. Got there for my 1:00 appt and wasn't seen until 2:30!! And the psychologist just acts like no big deal that she has kept people waiting for hours!! I think I might call Jennifer and tell her that they need to look for a new dr. AND she only sees people on Mondays. So you are pretty much at her mercy. But, I made lots of friends :-). Everyone was there for the weight loss surgery consult.

Hi everyone, Had my first appt with Dr. R today and also met with Sari, the nutritionist. He told me I am a good candidate! So yay!! My next steps are to have the upper GI and meet the psych and then I see Dr. R again in 4 weeks. I am a little nervous about the Upper GI - I have had one before so I am not nervous about the procedure. I am more nervous about the results. My acid reflux has really been acting up lately and I am just so scared something will show on the results and I won't be able to have the lap-band. Everything was just like you all said, except for one thing. The PA part. I only talked to the PA for like 5 minutes and then Dr. R came in and talked to me for about 20 minutes and then he checked my heart and that was it. I was only expecting to see him for 5 minutes but I got a lot more of his time. I am SO excited!!

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have been to the informational session and yes, many of the questions were answered. But, I still felt very unclear after leaving. In terms of what the procedure actually entailed, I have a full understanding.

Thanks for the welcome messages! I am a little discouraged knowing I might have to wait until June to have be banded..but I too have a very flexible work schedule. So, maybe it can happen quicker. A few more questions: 1) What pre-procedures are mandatory? I am meeting with the nutrionist on the same day as Dr. R. I know there is a psych meeting - is the upper GI for everyone? I know not everyone has to have the sleep study. The reason I ask about the Upper GI is because I have acid reflux, according to my GI, brought on by my weight. It has just started in the last month. I read on the forums somewhere that you might not be a candidate if you have acid reflux - is this true? I think I am an excellent candidate, but I'm not a dr. However, if Dr. R tells me I'm not a candidate I will fly to Mexico. I am getting banded! I don't have any other health problems. So, I'm hoping all will be fine!

What is the deal with alcohol? I know no beer probably..but was about liquor and wine?

New to this thread..I can't tell you HOW excited I am. I have wanted the lapband for a little over a year - but my dh was very opposed. Then one day in Jan. he was like "if you want it - get it" I ran to the phone and made an appt with Dr. Robinson. I liked him the best from the orientation. So, I have my first appointment with him on March 17th. I am seeing the nutrionist first at 8am and then Dr. R at 9am. I have Harvard Pilgrim and Jennifer said they have a really quick approval time, so I am hoping I can get the surgery in April. Although, I know some people have to lose weight - can someone tell me how often that occurs? Or does it solely depend on your current weight? I'm just nervous that if he makes me loose weight I won't qualify. I am at a 41 B.M.I. I want this so bad..I'm also nervous that I am going to say something wrong and he is going to say I don't qualify. If you have acid reflux does that mean you won't qualify? I read that somewhere on the boards. I do have crohn's (mild case) but my GI doc would do the surgery for me if she could - she is a big supporter of me getting this. ohhhh...I wish I could have the surgery tomorrow..there will be no cold feet for me! P.S. I love this board!!

I haven't yet. But, I plan to. I meet with Dr. Robinson on 3/17!

Hello, Well, I have made my decision. Actually, I made my decision last year, my husband finally made his decision to support me in getting the lapband. We went to the orientation several months ago and got all the info - he didn't like the wait time to have a baby, but financially cannot afford a child right now. I have an appointment with the surgeon I selected, Dr. Malcolm Robinson at Brigham and Women's hospital on March 17th. That same day I also meet with the nutritionist. Can someone tell me what to expect from this meeting? My insurance does not require 6 months of dieting. I'm hoping I can get the surgery soon! Love reading these forums!