Pizzaman

I've gotta laugh. At 18 years old, I was 6'1" 168 lbs and was kind of on the scrawny side. If I dropped to 140 lbs, I'd look like I had just come out of a POW camp and was never fed.

John, I wish you well. You're doing it for all the right reasons. Steve, I get banded tomorrow. I'll let all you guys know how it went.

Thanks for posting that. It looks as though your doctor knew exactly what he was doing.

I'd like to thank all you guys for sharing your stories. I have surgery tomorrow and even though I've had surgery before (injury related), I'm still a bit apprehensive. It's more about waking up with a foreign body in me (the band) than a fear of the surgery itself. Best of luck to all of you in your Quest for a thinner you!

Forgve, who does your fills, the doctor or a physician assistant? Because if it's the latter, I'd appeal under OPM regs. I don't think PA's can do "surgical procedures."

Alan Geiss in Syosset, 516-496-2752. Many of us on L.I. are using him.

I'm not a big fish fan either - Orange Roughy is the way to go. A little expensive but delicious.

I am so glad that I found this post. I'm a law enforcement officer about to get banded but was having second thoughts because of the potential risks involved about being struck in the band area. The doctor told me it wouldn't be a problem but some confirmation is nice.

Hi Val. Did Dr. Geiss tell you how this new band is different from the "old" one?

I'm also 6'1" and while I am tentatively shooting to get down to 190 lbs, I think I'd be happy at 200-210. I think that chart (140 lbs???) is ridiculous.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If your clothes are looser but you're not losing much weight, your theory is probably right on the money.

Dave, this is a pretty safe procedure especially in that it is minimally invasive. I too am nervous, but more nervous about how the band will affect my body and my life in general. Obviously, I think it'll be for the best or I wouldn't go through it.

Yes, there are some hurdles, but your answer is above. From the time of my initial consult to date my surgery was approved it was a little less than 2 months and cost me about $700 in co-pays. I think it's well worth it. Hang in there.

Here ya go! :bounce:

Hi Dave. Haven't had it yet. It's scheduled for 1/10/01.

Good luck with your banding on Wednesday, Sunrise. I get banded the next day. Were on the liver cleanse for one week or two? I'm on it for a week.

I have been on the pre-op liquid (but not the clear liquid diet) phase for about 4 days now and to my amazement, I am generally not hungry. Has this been the case for most of you? I'm hoping that my post-op liquid phase will also leave me not feeling hungry, but I see that other posters have not been so lucky.

I have a titanium steel rod in my leg that has never set off any metal detectors. There is no way that a port triggered it. Operator error. :confused:

I'm getting banded Thursday courtesy of BC BS FEP, so I'll have an answer for you in a couple of months. But I find it hard to believe that a fill at a doctor's office usually done by a PA could be categorized as "surgery."

Well, tonight the Pizzaman had his last slice of Neapolitan heaven for a long time because tomorrow he starts his one week pre-op diet for the banding. pizza is not on the menu. Oh mama mia! :faint:

Candle, I've only seen him once - at the initial consultation. What I did like is there was no "hard sell." It seems like he has a very good staff.

Candle, you and I have the same doctor!

Is that something I really need to get into here? It's a long story and it involves a serious injury - which has healed. What I was just trying to find out if a completely open is restrictive, and from what I am reading it is not. Thank you for your replies.

My insurance company (Empire BC/BS) approved the procedure as an out-patient, but my doctor says IT WILL be medically necessary for me to spend the nght.

Please don't misunderstand what I am trying to say. I'm not going to get banded, lose 100 pounds and then bury myself in a tub of Ben & Jerry's. I used to live a life of sensible eating (mainly healthy with an occasional splurge) accompanied by frequent exercise. I want to see a light at the end of the tunnel and know that once I reach my goal, I can have an occasional slize of pizza.