2008er

I'm in Upsate, and I'll be banded in Albany. Dr. Clarke is the one so far, unless they refer me to someone else.

BEST of luck to all of you recent bandees and soon-to-be-bandits!!!! I'll be keeping up with you as I get closer to my date (whenever that may be - sooner rather than later I do SO hope and pray!!). It's all very exciting, and I'm glad to hear such positivity. You're each bound (no pun intended...well, ok, maybe it WAS intended!) to succeed! ~NYTrink

Oh, good luck to you!!! Very exciting. I'll be thinking of you, and I'll be interested in how you're feeling as it gets closer (REALLLL close!!) and your recovery time. I'll be at Ellis in Albany. I'm so looking forward to it. I just finished reading the book "Is Weight Loss Surgery for You?" and took notes of the comorbidities that I have or think I have. I'll be at my PCP next week for evaluation, and I'm hoping they can connect the dots for me. Some of my aches, pains, and complaints have been with me so long I didn't even attribute them to obesity (I still waffle on thinking of myself as obese, but the numbers continue to insist! Some days I feel lithe and lovely, then I'll see a pic of myself and plunge into body disgust. Can't wait to be done w/the rollercoaster). I've been travelling today, and my knees are killing me. Normally, this would bother me, but today I'm pleased because it reminds me why I started this journey... BESDT of luck to you!! I'll be out of the country that day, but I'll look for your updates when I return. ~NY Trink

Greetings to all! I'm soooo at the beginning of this journey (although I feel like I've been on it forever!). I have my orientation at the surgical center on Sept 11. Already have my PCP referral and checked w/insurance. Problem (possible problem) is that my BMI is 36, so I'm not automatic. I'm very concerned about not making the grade. I have been on diets and exercise programs and beating myself up for about 17 years now, and I've had about enough. It's clear to ME this is the right path, now let's just hope my ins feels the same way. I did a little weight diary of the various methods I've tried. Made me VERY sad. SUCH a huge amount of energy I've put into it, and I'm as big as I've ever, ever been. My knees and hip are painful. I'm winded just walking at 2.8 mph on the treadmill. I wake up constantly at night (I'm thinking sleep apnea - almost hoping for it - I have a Dr appt next Mon about it, and if I'm diagnosed w/it I'll be a better candidate for the band....how insane is it that I'm hoping to be as sick as possible? nuts.). I want to be active but I jsut struggle so much. I took dance lessons, learned to ice skate, bought roller blades, go biking - but I'm too big to maintain any kind of momentum and feel huge, unwieldy, and worry about major injury. Anyway, enough whining. I'm happy to be here and see so many others on the same path. I look forward to getting to know you!