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Hi Amy88, I just want to thank you for posting this info. It will help so many of us bandsters that went out of Florida and now don't know where to turn for our fill. This is just wonderful information. Whoever did this research---thank you, thank you. It is definitely appreciated. Sandy

Diane, don't let your sons get to you. Your post hit a nerve with me because I just went through the same thing. I have 2 sons also that are very against lapband surgery. Needless to say, I am 1 week post-op and doing fine. Actually my older son is the one who came with me to Colorado from Florida for the surgery. They do not have the amount of knowledge that we have on this subject, as we have all done tons of research. They have also not gone through all the trials and tribulations that a morbidly obese person goes through on a daily basis. I got comments from them similar to you like I'll be too weak to walk, my hair will be falling out in clumps, I'll be vomitting constantly, won't be able to eat a thing etc etc. I just ignored their comments and did what I needed to do for my own wellbeing. Eventual my older son came around and agreed to accompany me to surgery and he was very supportive once we talked to the surgeon together and he realized my mind was made up. Stick to your guns and let them know how you feel and that you are going to go through with this with or without their support. Of course it will be better with and I am sure they will come around for you. Let me know how it goes. I will be thinking of you. Good luck!!!!

Michelle, I'm glad to hear that you will have support with you in Denver. You really won't feel like driving right away. You can look into the SuperShuttle to take you to the airport. Might be cheaper than renting a car. I wish you luck.

Hi mdargen, I had my surgery last Thursday and I flew to Colorado from Florida. You are required to have someone with you on your surgery day. You probably won't want to drive for a couple of days because you will be on liquid Vicodin (which really helps). I am one week post-op and the pain is just starting to subside where I don't need the pain meds during the day. I save it for at night because it makes you sleepy. I hope you are not going alone. You really will want someone driving you around for the first couple of days. In Dr. K's packet of info it states that if you don't have someone who can stay with you overnight, he won't do the surgery. I would check on the driving thing though. Maybe you will be different and feel wonderful immediately after. Good luck and let me know how things go.

Hi Shonda, good luck tomorrow. I am also getting banded in Colorado. Met with my surgeon today and everything is a go. Keep in touch and we can compare notes. Tomorrow will be a new beginning for us. Take care and best wishes.

Thanks Orea, this truly will be a new beginning for us. I just met with my surgeon for my pre-0p and everything is a go for tomorrow. Hope you are doing well. Keep me posted.

Thanks Sue, Just met with the surgeon for my pre-op and surgery is at 1:00 tomorrow 7/31 with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado. I traveled here from Florida, where I live now, but I am a native Long Islander. I wish you much luck also. Keep in touch and we can compare notes.

Good luck from me too, Orea. I am getting banded on the 31st. Please keep me in your thoughts and I will do the same for you. Take care and let us know how it goes for you.

Hi MiamiChick, I also have GreatWest health insurance and I don't want to discourage you or anything, but they are horrible and my policy did not cover any weight lose surgeries. I am a hospital employee living in the Tampa Bay area and I am having my surgery on July 31st---self-paying. I found a really reasonable surgeon there and am just going to borrow the money because I have to have this done. I hope you have a different policy and that they will cover yours. Read your employee benefits book and it will tell you if it is a covered expense. Good luck!!!

Hi there, how are you feeling? My thoughts are with you. I will be leaving on the 30th of July and am starting to get nervous. Please let me know how it went for you and how you are feeling. Sandy

That's funny because we think alike. I also thought the same thing about the dogsledding. Oh, Poooor dogs. I'm an animal lover and couldn't bring myself to inflict such pain on thos poor dogs. We ended up doing the train ride instead. Yeah, next cruise will be much different I guess. Sandy

That is why I was thinking it was only a half hour away. I remember once my brother took me from his house to the airport in Denver and it was a very short ride. I have never been to Parker. Glad to hear the weather is nice. I hear you about wondering what a cruise will be like post band. You are right though. When you put your bathing suit, it will all be worth it. It's too bad that so much of the cruise is centered around eating. That will be a hard one for me. The last ship I was on had the most beautiful hot tubs both inside and out and I was dying to go in, but refused to walk the deck of the ship in a bathing suit, so I missed out on something I really love, so yes this will be well worth not eating everything in sight. I also wanted to take a helicopter ride that lands you on the glaciers and couldn't do that because if you are over 250 lbs. you have to pay double--too humiliating and I would not subject myself to that, but again--missed out on something fun. I know this is the right thing and am very excited about it. I'll keep you posted. Sandy

Hi Long2bThin, We didn't discuss when the first fill would be on the phone, but it seems like 6 weeks would be around the right time. How is the weather right now in CO? I can't wait to see it again. Very different from Florida that's for sure. I thought Boulder would be more like a half hour ride from Denver. I guess an hour is more realistic. I have a nice rental car waiting for me and my son will be driving so I don't care. How did you enjoy your Alaska cruise? Ours was wonderful. When I think of all the food I consumed, I wonder if I will ever enjoy a cruise the same way. I know I shouldn't think like that, but I can't help it. Old habits die hard. Well, keep us posted on how you are doing and good luck to you.

It truly is a small world. If you're ever down this way visiting, give me a shout and we can swap stories. I will be in Colorado only for 2 more days after surgery. I have a brother in Boulder, CO which is really close to Parker, but I probably won't get to visit with him on this trip and probably won't feel like either. Maybe when I go back for my first fill I will stay longer and try to see him. I just love Colorado, but couldn't stay very long this time because my son is coming with me and he has to be back to work on Monday. My hubby couldn't get any more time off from work because we just came back from a 2 week cruise to Alaska. I'll keep ya posted. Sandy

Tally, I really enjoyed talking with him. He is very easy to talk to and answers any questions you might have very thoroughly. He is also very funny. He put me at ease right away and I really feel good about having him for my surgeon. I live in Spring Hill which is about 1 hour north of Tampa and quite a ride from Tallahassee. My surgery is July 31st and I am very excited. I will let you know how things go. Good luck to you. Sandy

Hi Patty, I have talked to Natalie already and she was very helpful. Also had my consult with Paula. On this coming Wednesday I have a phone consult with Dr. K. I am looking forward to talking with him. I will let you know what I think. I am very excited about going to Colorado. I haven't been there in about 5 years. I think it will be well worth it. You are right about the investment. Fills here in Florida are around $250 and I sure can get a plane ticket for that price. Thanks for your encouragement and good word on Dr. K. It's always comforting to talk to someone who can give a good recommendation of the Dr. who is going to be doing your surgery. All I have heard from others are good things and that really puts me at ease. I'll keep in touch. Sandy

Hi there, I am traveling from Florida on July 31st to be banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum. I have gone to other info sessions here in Florida so I did have my questions answered before calling his office. After talking with many people on this site, I have heard nothing but good things about him. I even talked with a previous patient of his that works at the Parker Surgery Center where the procedures are done and she assures me that it is all brand new and really nice and that Dr. K. is very caring about his patients. I have a phone consult with him on this coming Wednesday 7/9 and I will let you know what I think. Sandy

Patty, I know the doctor you are referring too because I had looked into Journeylite, but they want $15,800 for the surgery. I needed to look for a cheaper alternative and Dr. Kirshenbaum was the answer. I know that there are those Fill Centers in Tampa and St. Pete, but someone posted that they have not heard good things about them. That is where I was planning to go for my fills, but maybe I will just save up and make the trip back to CO. for the fills. If anyone else out there has any other info about fills in the Florida area please feel free to share. Patty, thanks for the info. Will keep ya posted!

Patty, was it hard to find a doctor for aftercare and fills in Florida? I live on the West Coast of Florida near Tampa.

You have done marvelous on your journey. Congratulations!!! I don't mind traveling from Florida to Colorado because the price was right and I have Family in Colorado and now to hear that Dr. K is so good is icing on the cake.

Thanks for the encouraging info Dee. I appreciate your opinion since you work there you must know the place pretty well.

Hi there, I felt the same way as you when I found Dr. K. I was all set to go to Mexico because here in Florida the cost is $15,800 and that was pretty steep for me so I had to look for an alternative. Dr. K's office staff has been so very nice and I have had my consult with the nutritionist already. She is also very nice so I am very nervous and excited at the same time. Let's keep in touch and share stories.

Hi Dee, I am traveling from Florida to have Dr. Kirshenbaum perform my lapband surgery on July 31st. Glad to hear that you liked him. I haven't met him yet, but have a phone appoinment for consult on this coming Wednesday. What else can you tell me about him and his office and about Parker Hospital. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am very excited about surgery, but don't know too much about Dr. Kirshenbaum. Look forward to hearing from you. Sandy

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