Any out there from South Florida!

[Insky67 2]

I'm in South Tampa...anyone else here? Was banded on June 4th.

[ssflbelle 829]

Hi all South Floridians

I saw Dr Bass in Hollywood on July 22nd and he oked me for the lapband but wanted me to have several evaluations and a Nutrition class. I had off 2 weeks from work and was able to get the blood work, Psychological evaluation and the Nutrition class done but have run into a snag with the Cardiac evaluation. Seems the Cardiac Dr didn't like the looks of my EKG and wants me to do a Thallium Stress Test. I am waiting to hear when that will be scheduled but I have the Dr follow up visit for Sept 9th. So I suppose the test will be done soon. The WL Surgeon didn't ask for a sleep apnea test but my pain Dr did. I will be having that done here at home this Friday. I never heard of an at home test but I sure do like that idea. So if any of you have that test coming up check into having it done at home. I hope the Thallium Stress Test will not prevent me from having the WLS. Did any of you have that test and then weren't approved for lapband? I'll keep you all posted when I know more.

Amanda C

[JHarris 0]

Hi I am getting banded by Dr. Wizman on August 14th! Nervous but excited. How are you doing now?

I live in Coconut Creek not far from his office.

[cmmcguire66 0]

Greetings, everyone. I was banded on July 9th at JFK by Dr. Larson. So far, so good. The only person on his staff I am not crazy about is the psychologist. Imagine my disappointment when I walked into the support group and saw her running it! I wish we could start our own support group somewhere. Kind of like an Overeaters Anonymous just for Bandsters!

Anyone else who went to Dr. Larson feel less than enthused about his psychologist?

CM

[ssflbelle 829]

HI Cm

Congratulations on being banded. Dr Larson was the first Dr I had contact with in regard to lapband surgery but JFK at the time was not a Center of Excellence. Do you know have they become one yet? Since they were not at the time I was intereted back in May 2008 I had to go to Dr Bass in Hollywood. I am still waiting for my surgery date. What a shame that the psychologist your not crazy about is running the support group.

At one time I believe there was a group of people from another message board that tried to start up their own support group in Lake Worth but for some reason it broke apart.

As far as starting your own I suppose those of us in the county and near by counties can all get together as a group maybe with meetups.com. I haven't been to a support group yet so I am not sure what they are all about, but I wonder if there is information they give out that we in our own group wouldn't know about? If your interested in starting a meetups WLS group feel free to email me privately, I will be glad to help as I experience with meetsups. I belong to one in NC even though I live in Florida and I am sure the coordinator would be willing to provide help too.

Amanda C

[cmmcguire66 0]

Hi. I know they were applying to be a center of excellence when I went for my pre-op class in June. We were asked to fill out forms, and we will be "tracked" for 2 years. I don't know if that means they need to wait until the 2 year timeframe to become one, or if they are on a sort of probation.

As for the group, I might be interested in starting something up. There is a chance I might be able to get my church to donate some space once a week for this. If not, it might be a nominal fee. The way the support group seems to go at JFK is they come up with a topic, and start discussing it around the room, and the psych. comments on what people are saying. She is just a bit condescending for my taste. At the age of 41, I don't like to have my use of pronouns corrected in a public forum.

[Bernie of Florida 0]

How about Punta Gorda. Had my band put in place Sept 4th Have alot to look forward too. Let me know

[ssflbelle 829]

CM as the organizer of a meetup group I can start 3 more I believe for the price of the one. That ability is only good for 4 more months and it does take some time to get a meetup group established so if you are wanting to do this I would like to suggest that we get into and maybe plan this out. Email me privately if you wish.

Amanda C

As for the group, I might be interested in starting something up. There is a chance I might be able to get my church to donate some space once a week for this. If not, it might be a nominal fee. The way the support group seems to go at JFK is they come up with a topic, and start discussing it around the room, and the psych. comments on what people are saying. She is just a bit condescending for my taste. At the age of 41, I don't like to have my use of pronouns corrected in a public forum.

[Gwen184 0]

HI Diane,

I live in Boynton Beach. I was banded on the 19th, just over a week ago. My doc is Dr. Larson and iI had my surgery at JFK hospital. i'm on the chat usually in the evenings, but happened to come on today. keep in touch. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've learned a lot from this site and especially the chats.

Take care,

Hi...I'm meeting Dr. Larson for the first time next week (11/6/08). I hoping to have Lap Band Surgery done in December. I'm on Medicare and wondered if anyone else has had LBS on Medicare. I also live in Boynton. Please let me know how you are doing at this point after your surgery.

Gwen184

[Florida Pete 1]

Hey Everyone,

I'm here in Jupiter and will be banded on Dec. 5, 2008 in Tijuana, Mexico by Dr. Pedro Kuri. Really excited to get this done. I am looking for someone who will do my fills close to home but so far it sounds like the clinic in Weston is the closest. I checked with Dr. Vaughan's office at Jupiter Medical Center and they will not see Mexico patients. Rather disappointing since JMC is only about 5 minutes from the house.

[smsmithart 4]

I see dr vaughn in jupiter and I was banded in denver with dr.k...

I live in port st lucie

[Gwen184 0]

Diane,

my recovery was very good, i think. I had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia, but that was my only complication. do you go to a face to face support group? if you'd like to sit in, my group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month here in Lake Worth. We even have bypass people in our group, some come from the Tampa area on a monthly basis for our group. Let me know if you want more specifics on the group and I'll get you directions and times, etc. Good luck on your band and keep in touch.

I would be interested in knowing where the Lake Worth group meets and when. I'm going to see Dr. Larson in two days (11/6/08) for my first meeting. I'm hoping to be banded this month or next month -- if all goes well. I live in Boynton Beach also. Thanks for the info.

Gwen184

[AuntGigi 0]

Hi!

I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area and wondering if there are any bandsters in the area? I am having surgery on Jan 29 at Cleveland Clinic, Weston FL. Like to share experiences!

Hi Diane, I had my surgery on Dec. 26 at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. They have a very safe, strict, and successful program. I am doing well, lost 21 lbs from the date I started - 2 weeks of Protein shakes before and 2 weeks after surgery. It's not easy but you can do it! All went well but it took me a while to regain my strength and feel well enough to work, the whole 2 weeks they suggest to recover is what I needed. However, I have a very busy/active job so needed all my strength. I am feeling lighter, optimistic, and ready to conquer the weight problem for good! iwish the best for you, if you have any questions, just ask......................Good luck, Gigi

[tawandabee 0]

Hi! I am from Miramar, don't have a date yet I am still going through the process of getting all my information. :biggrin: wondering did anyone else have to get there own information from their primary doc?:thumbup:

[tawandabee 0]

finally the ball is rolling and it is not with dr. Larsen as he does not do the surgery at a center of excellence. My dr. Will be thomas bass and he will do the surgery at memorial regional in hollywood, an hour south of me. They called me tuesday and i will be attending the informational seminar tonight.

hi i live in miramar and hope to be banded by thomas bass. Have to see him on feb 17th.how did it go