Hello from FL!

[shan2321 0]

Hi all! noob here :-)

Looking at getting banded. I'm 29, 5'6" 228 lbs (37 bmi) with diabetes (type 2), high cholesterol, gallbladder removed due to gallstones, loads of fun stuff.... I briefly looked into bypass in 2006, but then chickened out. At that point I wasn't diabetic, I still wanted to have a child and i was only about 33ish BMI then.

After my daughter was born, gestational diabetes turned into type 2 and the weight went up :-P I've done diets before including 6 week body makeover, taking phentermine, Atkins, the whole 9..... Since I'm to the point where I'm not looking to have any more kids and my health is deteriorating like crazy (not to mention my mom who is diabetic is fighting with kidney failure, congestive heart failure, gall stones, etc etc.. she's got a laundry list) I figure it's time to start fighting again. I miss being athletic, but with my health as it is, my stamina is shot and it's quite frankly embarrassing. :-(

Anyways. Just wanted to say a quick hello. Planning on going to a seminar next Thursday to get this whole thing going again. Hoping that insurance will cover it, haven't talked to them or my primary yet, so I'm REALLY at the start!

[Snoopyloverny 3]

Good good good for you . Follow through this time it needs to happen for you to get better. No more putting it off there friend!!!!!! We are all here to encourage you again !

"get er done" - Smile!

[Cindy C 150]

With the co-morbidities that you have I don't see why your insurance wouldn't approve you as long as it's something they cover. Good luck.

[kll724 3,055]

HI, I am, also, in Florida. I live in central Florida, Lakeland. Where do you live in Florida? I go to Dr. Grossbard out of Zephryhills.

He, also, has done my daughter and son's surgery. Yes, we have a tendency toward overweight. I am at goal, my daughter has lost about 50lbs so far, and my son just had surgery on August 5. Good luck to your journey! Keep us up to date on it. Karen

[bellarn09 1]

I'm from florida too. Dr. Grossbard did my band as well!

[shan2321 0]

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm in Tallahassee I will definitely be updating on my status. Thanks!

[Mary Jo F 2]

Hi all! noob here :-)

Looking at getting banded. I'm 29, 5'6" 228 lbs (37 bmi) with diabetes (type 2), high cholesterol, gallbladder removed due to gallstones, loads of fun stuff.... I briefly looked into bypass in 2006, but then chickened out. At that point I wasn't diabetic, I still wanted to have a child and i was only about 33ish BMI then.

After my daughter was born, gestational diabetes turned into type 2 and the weight went up :-P I've done diets before including 6 week body makeover, taking phentermine, Atkins, the whole 9..... Since I'm to the point where I'm not looking to have any more kids and my health is deteriorating like crazy (not to mention my mom who is diabetic is fighting with kidney failure, congestive heart failure, gall stones, etc etc.. she's got a laundry list) I figure it's time to start fighting again. I miss being athletic, but with my health as it is, my stamina is shot and it's quite frankly embarrassing. :-(

Anyways. Just wanted to say a quick hello. Planning on going to a seminar next Thursday to get this whole thing going again. Hoping that insurance will cover it, haven't talked to them or my primary yet, so I'm REALLY at the start!

[Mary Jo F 2]

HI I just joined this site. I am in Lakeland also. Dr. Stephen Butler did my surgery on Tuesday. I was his "first".....He is a renowned surgeon in his own right here in the area but he just ventured into Lapband. I am glad he did. And he is so close. Unfortunately the hospital in town (For which I work) Lakeland Regional does not yet have a bariatric program so I had to go to Plant City where Dr. Butler also does his surgeries. Luckily the insurance made that an "in network" site due to the circumstances so my out of pocket was not as bad as we had anticipated. Still HIGH but what is health worth. After the thousands I have spent over the past 30 years it was a drop in the bucket and I am confident it is my last bucket anyway...Good bye diabetes, sleep apnea and all that gross stuff. HELLO seats on an airplane, ability to breathe, wear clothes in most stores...YIPPEE. and to grow older and drive my kids crazy .... lol.

[kll724 3,055]

HI I just joined this site. I am in Lakeland also. Dr. Stephen Butler did my surgery on Tuesday. I was his "first".....He is a renowned surgeon in his own right here in the area but he just ventured into Lapband. I am glad he did. And he is so close. Unfortunately the hospital in town (For which I work) Lakeland Regional does not yet have a bariatric program so I had to go to Plant City where Dr. Butler also does his surgeries. Luckily the insurance made that an "in network" site due to the circumstances so my out of pocket was not as bad as we had anticipated. Still HIGH but what is health worth. After the thousands I have spent over the past 30 years it was a drop in the bucket and I am confident it is my last bucket anyway...Good bye diabetes, sleep apnea and all that gross stuff. HELLO seats on an airplane, ability to breathe, wear clothes in most stores...YIPPEE. and to grow older and drive my kids crazy .... lol.

Hi Maryjo, welcome to the site, too! I am glad to hear that Lakeland is finally getting lapband surgery. Dr Grossbard was trying to work with folks here to get it started. In fact, he gives seminars here at the library. I wish you much success with your lapband, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Karen

[Mary Jo F 2]

Hi Maryjo, welcome to the site, too! I am glad to hear that Lakeland is finally getting lapband surgery. Dr Grossbard was trying to work with folks here to get it started. In fact, he gives seminars here at the library. I wish you much success with your lapband, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Karen

[Mary Jo F 2]

Thank you Karen!!! I am glad that Dr. Butler was finally able to get the program started. He is such a good surgeon and I am glad that there is another alternative here in our fine city. Like I said I had to go to Plant City as LRMC doesn't have a program. I am hoping that they do start one in the near future. One of my work mates had her band placed a year ago. She is doing well with a complication (not related) and sort of funny, she had female surgery and her port was tipped upside down!! So she went without a fill for a few months until they could fix it. She did very well during that time but it is nice to have local support. I am not sure where she goes for her forum but I think it is in Bartow. Once a month. When is the one at the library, that is close as I am north 98. If I call the library will they have the info???<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wReMN0E/">

<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wReMN0E/weight.png"></a>

[kll724 3,055]

Thank you Karen!!! I am glad that Dr. Butler was finally able to get the program started. He is such a good surgeon and I am glad that there is another alternative here in our fine city. Like I said I had to go to Plant City as LRMC doesn't have a program. I am hoping that they do start one in the near future. One of my work mates had her band placed a year ago. She is doing well with a complication (not related) and sort of funny, she had female surgery and her port was tipped upside down!! So she went without a fill for a few months until they could fix it. She did very well during that time but it is nice to have local support. I am not sure where she goes for her forum but I think it is in Bartow. Once a month. When is the one at the library, that is close as I am north 98. If I call the library will they have the info???<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wReMN0E/">

<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wReMN0E/weight.png"></a>

Not sure. They might. I would give you my surgeon site, but I can't find his card to give you the information. Sorry! Karen