singingintherain

Hi All! I am excited to say that I am getting banded 2 weeks from today, and also that next month I will turn 60 ! I will be having my procedure at the Brigham & Women's in Boston, Dr Malcolm K. Robinson, surgeon. I look forward to reading and sharing posts as I near my Banding date and after.

May 28th for me!!!! I can't believe it is just round the corner after beginning the journey in January withIntro meetings. Banding is almost here!

I had my psych and nutritionist visits plus a follow-up dr's visit when I got my date for Banding about a month ago. I was under the assumption that we went in for a final visit BEFORE the procedure when we were officially weighed, put on the pre-op program for 2 weeks and then BOOM-the Banding Day. I did hear from the office yeterday and the message was..'wait'. It seems like I was scheduled for an ekg and anesthesiologist visit this week, but the Faulkner people never got back to the secretary to confirm it. She sent another 'nudge' and is still waiting to hear from them. Still in the waiting game. As for "official' to-the-letter pre op diet, I am beginning that tomorrow which will be exactly 2 weeks before . It's Chinese tonight!!!! I guess I have to revise my ticker below since I had pizza last night also. One final fling! But while I was on that mini- weight loss since my last visit, what a difference I notice in my sleeping. I feel well rested in the a.m. because of not having to digest all that food.(I am tired today LOL) ~That's all she wrote.~

Specious Promises. OK so I know I post frequently, and promise I won't take up so much board space with my posts....AFTER i ask this one last question from those who have gone through the process. I realize the office is busy. But.... My Banding is scheduled in 2 weeks and I have not received any appointment dates for consults with the hospital or the dr for final 2 week pre-op diet, EKG etc. My $550 fee was taken over the phone by the secretary, but has not even been processed yet. My insurance was approved weeks ago! I really am concerned. Did you who had dr Robinson at Faulkner have to wait until the last minute for prep? Did you not have a pre-op diet? I feel like I am. getting a subtle hint to look for another facility , and that if I need help post op I won';t be avble to reach the source of help. Any regrets of going through Faulkner/Brig..not because of the expertise, but because of the run-around and lack of punctuality in scheduling appointments, etc. Twice I was "I'll call you back before I leave the office today"..I am still waiting. Ok...I promise to rest from posting for a while. Not much in the mood for a support meeting tonight...feel I need support from the OFFICE! Specious promises.

Congrats! Now...the next time you get down-in-the-dumps..just remember this day and how much progress you have made and how much weight you have lost in the past year and a half. You have LOTS to be proud about. KUDOS, l2t ! You have inspired me tremendously with your posts of weight loss and now the ability to do the 5K.

l2t...how was the 5k ? Were you able to run with no band discomfort? How are you feeling?(other than proud that you participated...and rightly so!!)

You are home! Glad to see that you stayed a bit longer until all was ok to be on your own. If the dr requested you stay and the insurance approved your banding procedure, then most likely the extended stay is covered. It is so necessary to maintain a sense of humor...ROFLOL about the dog and the gas! You are so fortunate to have someone at home who supports you in your new eating plan. Some of us face opposition in that area at home. Not easy. Great to hear that you are back and doing well and that the journey is well on the way now...something I am gearing up for....Faulkner also.

Just thought I'd bump the schedule to the top when meeting times draw near as a little reminder.

" !!!!!!!!!!! "

That can be upsetting when so close and a feeling of insecurity for the future. Have you looked into the cost of a fill out of pocket? Anyone on the board know?

Vivid...how are you doing?

msdollarz: where did you get your Unjury other than online? Jay...not comical at all...I think it is 'romantic banding' ! l2t: it is very difficult to get through to the office and find live help these days. I never leave a message because I have Never had one returned yet. My plan of action is to call and leave my request, then call again 3-4 days later and then the ball STARTS rolling. It is not easy scheduling appointments. I think the good dr could use another secretary part time these busy days. Jen IS busy. I am going to the Faulkner meeting this month. I will be there sporting my little Canon digital to beg some brave soul to snap a few BEFORE photos for me. I get banded at Faulk on the 28th. Hopefully will get an appt next week to see the good doc R and the anesthetist(or is it the anesthesiologist)? ANyway...running thru hoops to get these appts scheduled over the phone. But I am used to that. My concern is..what if I have a serious 'stuck' problem or pain problem after banding(I don't do well with pain)?! Will I ever be able to reach the 'source of help' or will I end up dealing with a Resident in the ER who knows nothing about Banding? THAT thought troubles me..big time.

Good thoughts go with you!

May 5 countdown! BestWishes.

I would rather play is safe and be sure. I know you are disappointed, though.

I requested the Faulkner, even if I had to wait longer. I am on for May 28th. Thnx for offering to snap my photo, l2t, but I am going to the Faulkner this time for the Support and then plan on the Brigh in June with the plastics doc. Oh...please note the change in room for May at the Brigh! Your race will be a milestone for you...good luck!

Wow! That's hard do take..the amount of activity and little loss of weight..even with the absence of calories, l2t! Were you always an active person> I am sedentary, so I suspect my hopping on the treadmill(several years old and still sparkling new) will help me in that area somewhat. But...look at the before photos. You look TOTALLY different. That should be a great boost to your moral when plateaus are reached. At the next meeting right before my surgery I am toting my digital along to ask someone to snap a few 'Before" photos of me. I know they will come in handy in the future. Are you doing any of the 'Walks" or "Runs" scheduled? I kow how much you are into those.

I am gearing up mentally to do the pre-op diet. For those who have been banded: Most undoubtedly weight came off during the pre-op stage and the after Banding Liquid 14 day diet. Did you find that that interval after Banding while waiting for the opportune time to get 'fills' that you put all of that weight back on once normal solids were allowed?

Bump to the top

Just thought I'd post this info for anyone who had to miss April's meeting. The meeting scheduled for MAY 19th will be in another room for that night only: Duncan Reid Conference Room directions: * enter through 75 Francis St *take escalator to 2nd fl *turn rt, past gift shop onto the hallway called THE PIKE *take exit 3 off the pike, on your right , and proceed past elevators *take 1st rt, the Duncun Reid Conf Room is at the end of the hallway directly ahead The June meeting with the guest speaker re: plastic surgery and weight loss will be held on JUNE 2. (Carrie Hall as usual) If anyone attending the meeting last p.m. can think of any other info to add to this, please, please do so.

I had no idea FF was still in business! The one in Brighton closed, and I thought that was the end . Several years ago there was a company that rented out an empty building near Meadow Glenn Medford for a few days every year. The sale on name brand plus sizes was fantastic..only thing..cash only, no returns! The dressing room(singular) consisted of a curtained off area with the curtain made from a huge piece of cloth hung on a string! The sights were horrific! (I include myself) and it seemed that some made no attempt at being discreet either. Great Springtime buys on suits and coordinates, though. So my second consult went very well. I was given the option of being Banded next week as someone canceled. However, I opted to wait for a Faulkner appointment... to happen in about 4 weeks. The Good Doc seemed pleased with my meager attempt at losing weight in preparation for the day. That way I can shop for the appropriate liquid and protein needed. I usually do yard work for the summer during that weekend, so that will give me time to get that all settled and out of the way. (can ya tell I'm type A ?!) So, looking forward to attending the Support meeting tonight. ttyl singingintherain

How awful! I know that you will recover from this as all the accounts I read of this 'backing up' go away with time. But the waiting for things to subside must be horrible. Sending good thoughts your way and hope this gets corrected soon so you can relax the rest of the night.(sans goldfish..no doubt you will despise the cute little things from now on.) I plan on going tomorrow. Have my second consult in the morning. Hopefully everything will be good for me to go to the meeting...the past 2 months I had illness, appointments, a wake, a funeral...you name it. The board has been quiet these days. Perhaps it will pick up soon. I am eager to hear of the guest presenter re: plastics, and will get info and post if no one else does. Enjoy the nice weather... some of us who are not yet banded, myself included, dread the hot weather for various reasons..taking off the coat and being seen in all our plus sized glory is not a pretty sight or comfy feeling. I know that the Band will help me with many things..hypertension and also self esteem. Hope you feel better soon,l2t.

Considering where you gals were at the start, I would say you have made progress. I am so sorry to hear that you both are not feeling well..PB-ing, talk of vomiting. It scares me, actually. I hate that kind of stuff in my own body and if anything the ONLY thing, actually...would change my mind about LB would be regurgitating and puking. I HATE it and could count on 2 hands the times that has happened to me in my entire life. ANyways..I do hope you 2 are doing well today. As for my appt, I had to push it up to next week as I had a funeral to attend at the same time..stuff happens!

No bother! See here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f42/brigham-faulkner-lb-support-calendar-2009-a-90766/

From what I see, Faulkner is tonight, Mon the 13th and Brigham is next Tuesday