INTRODUCTIONS-please introduce yourself here before going to another thread

[reneem 0]

Hi, I was banded on October 3rd and just had my first fill today. I've been doing great. I was banded in West Chester, OH by Dr. Mobley. Have a great day and God Bless......

[SpecialK 22]

Hi. I'm new to the site. I have submitted an application to the Mid Ohio Surgical Associates for Mt. Carmel Bariatric Program in Columbus, Ohio. I'm hoping to get the process of evaluations underway and the 6 months of required nutrition documentation with a doctor completed by May of 2008.

I'm single, never married female, 51 years old and 345 lbs for 5' 5" tall. Yes, an atrocious BMI. I have been heavy all my life. I've done Weight Watchers so many times I can't count anymore but I still think they have a good program but I tried working diligently in the past year and barely made a dent in the weight I need to lose. I'm struggling with knee, hip pain from my weight. I have a CPAP machine for sleep apnea which is mild at this point but was considered important that I get treatment. I am fortunate that I don't have any diabetes or high blood pressure at this point. Thank the good Lord! I am a Christian and active in my church. I have multiple brothers and sisters and my oldest sister is approaching my same size in weight. I've got three 'skinny' siblings. They have always been very loving and accepting of me in my fat state of health but they let me know they worry about me all the time. They don't want me leaving this earth any earlier in life than necessary.

I do fight some depression but its under control with medicine and that is a very long story but the hard life I had kind of made the eating feed off depression and depression feed off getting more and more overweight. You know the vicious cycle I'm talking about.

I went to the Bariatric Center in Groveport Ohio a couple years ago to consider weight loss surgery, the Gastric Bypass, and the more I studied about that, the less convinced I was I wanted to be 'replumbed'. My primary care doctor I've seen for a long time was absolutely appalled and opposed to me considering that surgery. My best friends were also very strong in discouraging me. So I walked away from that idea.

I kept investigating options and found the lap band procedure, that it can be done laprascopically and that it is reversible, has far less complications, etc. I've been studying on it for about a year and finally went to the Mt Carmel orientation session in October 2007. I sent in my paperwork to officially say, Yes, I'm ready to seriously be evaluated to do this. Mt. Carmel's surgeons are Dr. Patricia Choban, Dr. Mark Miller, and Dr. Price. I don't know which surgeon I will choose yet. I've seen Dr. Choban's name mentioned on this site but don't know much about the other two doctors yet.

My favorite hobbies are quilting and lately scrapbooking, I love gardening but get tired easier than I wish, I love playing golf - have to ride a cart can't walk the 9 or 18 holes, and I love traveling. Of course, I'm a big Ohio State fan but I didn't graduate from there. I have a MBA from Univ of Dayton and work as a project manager on computer systems projects for a big company in downtown Columbus. I have no children but 2 sweet cats named Patches and Pearl.

Okay, that's a bunch of stuff but I figure I'm going to be actively corresponding and posting on this site for awhile so I'd like to know about others too. Thanks for the other intro's of yours.

[sweethazel 1]

My name is Hazel. I didnt know about the band until my niece Liz called me needing help in her re-banding a few months ago. I started checking into the band then, and im looking to see if I can get it. I initially started my account to help support her since she posts regularly here for support. Im currently visiting her and I will bring her back with me down south for the duration of the winter. She lives in Maine and I live in South Texas.

[Topdownbug 0]

Hi Special K!

My name is Judy and I'm 58 - live in the Mansfield area. I got banded on October 16th and I'm doing fine. If you want to keep in touch - seems we have some things in common. Good luck to you as you go through your pre-op qualification process for starters. I hope you get approval soon so you can get going on your lap journey.

take care

Judy

[SpecialK 22]

Yes, I would love to hear how your progress goes.

Go Buckeyes!!

[honeygirl 0]

Dayton area

WPAFB hospital

lap band surgery Nov.13th 2007

[kimmycrs 0]

Well I'm new to all of this, the band, the forum, where to post.

All of it. So if I mess anything up someone tell me.

I have had everything done to prepare except the pre-op and the actual surgery. I'm getting excited to get it done but with the holidays coming up I'm not sure if I want it before or after. I guess it's all up in the air and I'll take it one day at a time.

I'm having my surgery at Miami Valley in Dayton and I really like the doctor so far, Dr. Teel. Seems a little young but I'm okay with that.

Oh by the way I started putting on my now 258lbs. when I started having my children and over the past 10 years it's just progressed to the point that I am just not the outgoing person I once was.

I'm looking forward to a new start.

[SpecialK 22]

Nice to have you join the thread here. I'm just learning bits and pieces too. I just figured out how to use smiley faces yesterday! Haven't got my signature working with a BMI ticker showing progress but I'll get there.

Did you have to pay a $300 or so administrative fee to your doctor's office? a fee to the nutritionist?

I am scheduling my clearance appt now for December mostly and start the 6 months of nutritionist appts my insurance Aetna requires in January probably.

That means I can't probably even think I'll get banded until June or so. We'll see.

[OH Juli 15]

Hi everyone.

Glad to see new names. I post a lot, and I'm 8 months out. If I can help with questions or encouragement let me know.

Juli

[kimmycrs 0]

<p>No fortunately that's the only good thing about my Insurance, I didn't have to pay for anything but Nutritional Assesment ($65). Everything else is paid for. I have to be honest I went to the informational class Oct. 26th and it seems my paperwork will be submitted today for approval. I hope to be banded by the end of Dec. or beginning of Jan. I know one thing, I feel very fortunate to have that kind of policy because I see how long others have to wait. My mom has Aetna too and it's the same for her. <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Frown" smilieid="2" class="inlineimg" /></p>

[kimmycrs 0]

Wow Juli! I noticed your ticker, you're doing good. How are you feeling 8 months out? Do you have discouraging days?

[OH Juli 15]

I'm feeling really good 8 months out. There are days where I want to eat like I used to for all the wrong reasons and the band pretty much saves me. There are plateaus where I can get discouraged, but they are par for the course. Usually when the scale stops moving I can find other victories like a smaller size or more stamina.

Really, this is the best thing I've ever done for myself and I'd encourage anyone interested to do it too. It took me 14 months to get through the insurance difficulties and I'd do it again.

Good Luck!

[JoyE 0]

<p>Hi,</p> <p>Thank you for such detail in your introduction---we have so much in common. </p> <p> Weight 340</p> <p> Considered gastric bypass too but was encouraged and declined</p> <p> I have just started the application process for lap band</p> <p> </p> <p>I am looking forward to your story updates!</p>

[SpecialK 22]

Nice to hear from you. Is your city of McArthur outside Cincy or Columbus? Good luck.

[SpecialK 22]

Nice to see you on the postings too. Do you live central Ohio or Cincy? Cleveland?

The Central Ohio group of bandsters is going to get together in January to meet each other at Polaris mall. More details to come.