John337

OK - It's official........We're now called the "Mayo BANDitos" :smile2:.... I have always been a fast eater. My biggest fear is " getting stuck" and having to bring it up....So I tried this weekend to really chew at least 30 times and eat slowly ( 30 seconds between bites). I got to sat - THAT WAS TOUGH, REALLY TOUGH ! to do. Has anyone else tried to chew well and eat slow? Anyone else find it difficult??

Mayo Banditos works for me......(It's hard for a guy to call himself " A Mini May") May is around the corner......5/11 can't come fast enough...

It seems as though you really need to hit rock bottom before you can make life changing decisions. This is obviously one of them. I started out in January weighing 337 and feeling lousy both physically and mentally. I made the decision to get help and beat the beast within that allows me to overeat. Currently weigh 310 with a BMI of about 41.5 What's really upsetting is the fact that my wife is so supportive and is a weight watcher graduate ( lost 65 lbs 4 yrs ago), cooks well balanced meals and I STILL over eat at home and at work. I have been fustrated for years but January 2009 really, really got to me. I am ready for a heart attack and would really like to see future grand children graduate college. Keep this up and there's no way that will happen. So the journey begins .................:thumbdown: I went to NYU and attended a seminar with Dr. Fielding as the speaker. What really impressed me about him was the fact that he is not only the surgeon but a patient as well. He wa banded 9 years ago and looks great. Aetna makes you jump through hoops to get approved but that's ok. I realize that this is a life changing event and must be taken seriously. I'm on the 3 month pre-surgical regime. I see the psychologist, nutritionist, personal trainer and primary every month for 3 months. The last appts are coming up in two weeks. I have my surgery date of 5/11/09 and due to gallstones, my gallbladder will be removed as well. If all goes well, I start my liquid diet ( two weeks) on 4/27/09 and go for pre-op testing 4/30/09. To me, the hardest part is going to be to take small bits and eat slowly..........

It seems as though you really need to hit rock bottom before you can make life changing decisions. This is obviously one of them. I started out in January weighing 337 and feeling lousy both physically and mentally. I made the decision to get help and beat the beast within that allows me to overeat. Currently weigh 310 with a BMI of about 41.5 What's really upsetting is the fact that my wife is so supportive and is a weight watcher graduate ( lost 65 lbs 4 yrs ago), cooks well balanced meals and I STILL over eat at home and at work. I have been fustrated for years but January 2009 really, really got to me. I am ready for a heart attack and would really like to see future grand children graduate college. Keep this up and there's no way that will happen. So the journey begins .................:thumbdown: I went to NYU and attended a seminar with Dr. Fielding as the speaker. What really impressed me about him was the fact that he is not only the surgeon but a patient as well. He wa banded 9 years ago and looks great. Aetna makes you jump through hoops to get approved but that's ok. I realize that this is a life changing event and must be taken seriously. I'm on the 3 month pre-surgical regime. I see the psychologist, nutritionist, personal trainer and primary every month for 3 months. The last appts are coming up in two weeks. I have my surgery date of 5/11/09 and due to gallstones, my gallbladder will be removed as well. If all goes well, I start my liquid diet ( two weeks) on 4/27/09 and go for pre-op testing 4/30/09. To me, the hardest part is going to be to take small bits and eat slowly..........

How about " Los Banditos de Mayo " ( The BANDits of May).......

Just figured out this ticker ......very excited.( the little things).... Open up your "CP" tab to view your personal settings. Open up "your signature". Leave this open for a minute. Now open up another internet connection for tickerfactory.com and create your ticker. Once finished and you are viewing your final product, you'll see "bb codes". Highlight the entire box of bb codes and right click your mouse and hit copy. Now - go back to your signature box that's open and paste the entire bb code into the box abd hit save......that should do it.

testing my ticker

Good Luck Shaun........

I'm glad all went well. I met Dr. Fielding Wednesday with my wife. We had a nice conversation about Lap Banding and what my wife could expect. That seemed to help her. My surgery is scheduled for 5/11/09.:crying: I have to see my primary one more time then they'll submit all the papers to Aetna for approval. I start the liquid diet on 4/27 and pre-op testing on 4/30/09. What have you been eating? and how does it feel "going down"?

AIT - Did you have your surgery on 3/9/09 ?? How are you feeling? What's it like to be a bandster??

Thanks Rebecca.... Can you or someone tell me how to add the "ticker factory" to my signature.

HI ALL, Got my surgery date - 5/11/09. Will start a liquid diet on 4/27/09. THe liquid diet is to reduce the fat in and arond the liver which will make the operation go easier. Dr. Fielding will also remove the gall bladder. Pre-op testing scheduled for 4/30/09. The Aetna approval will be requested after my last ( next) visit with my primary on 4/13/09.

That's great. I see the Doctor tomorrow so hopefully I'll get a surgery date.

Siouxhockeyfan - Congrats...on your approval. Let me ask you how long did it take for your insurance company to give you an approval?

Rebecca - I'm glad you got your date....Congrats:thumbup: Does your Doctor require you to start a liquid diet ? and when would you need to start it? Beza - The Doctors at NYU stated you can lose approx 60-70% of your excess body weight. I would think that if your adjustments are on the money, I dont see why we couldn't lose more towards the 70% mark. My appt is next Wednesday with my surgeon so hopefully I'll have a surgery date. My Doctor requires a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery to help shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. Also, for me, my gallbladder will be removed.

Ait - Don't be nervous.......You'll do fine.....Since your surgery is Monday,try and have just liquids for the weekend. That will probably help alot....... You're in good hands with Dr. Fielding.

Ait - Just wanted to say - GOOD LUCK ON MONDAY !!!!! Start of your new life...........

Hi Everyone - My name is John and I'm 51 yrs old. Have struggled with my weight for years.....Have been over 300 lbs for the last 10 yrs. Reached my highest weight this past January of 337 lbs. HAVE HAD ENOUGH..........Currently I'm 312 lbs with a BMI of 42. I'm tired of the yo-yo diets........ A resent untrasound shows I have alot of Gallstones so I will probably will have my Gallbladder removed at the same time. Currently seeing all of the Doctors/Nutritionist required by Aetna as I'm involed in their 3 month pre-surgical program. It requires monthly visits to my Primary Doctor, Nutritionist, a Personal Trainer and the Psychologist. I am seeing Dr. Fielding @ NYU . I see Dr. Fielding on 3/25/09 and hopefully will get a surgery date which should be early May. Can't wait to get past the surgery...............

Hi Everyone - I'm also using Dr. Fielding. Already saw the Psychologist & Nutritionist. Will see Dr Fielding on 3/25 and hopefully will get a lapband surgery date. I have Aetna Insurance so I hope there will be no surprises. There shouldn't be as my BMI is 42. Since I have Gallstones, he will also take out my Gallbladder. John

Hi Michael........... Good luck to you. :thumbup: I too am using Dr Fielding. I have an appt for 3/25/09 with him and hopefully will get my lap band surgery date. Which Protein drink was recommended? How's the taste? Let's stay in touch... John

Hi Guys, I'm in the middle of getting approval from Aetna. Found out that I need to have my gallbladder removed when the lapband surgery takes place. Can anyone comment on the recovery time? I heard that the recovery time for a LP is usually one week. Does the gallbladder removal add time? Any additional; restrictions on the type of food that you can eat post surgery?

Hi - My name is John. I'm 51 and I'm new to this website. Can use the assisatnace of a male mentor. I'm in NYC and am seeing Dr. Fielding @ NYU Medical Center. Currently, having issues with the family ( My wife and 2 adult sons) accepting what I am doing. They are just "scared" for me having " elective surgery" and the effects of same. My wife is very supportive person but is having dificulty accepting this course of action.

I found a good Doctor in NY....Dr Fielding @ NYU Medical Center. Their office # 212-263-3166. Their group has done over 7,000 bands.

Congrats.....You can do it. I think the hardest part is making the decision to go for it and actually do it. I'm in the same boat. I'm 6'2, 337 down to 317. I'm on a monitiored low carb, low cal- high protein diet trying to get Aetna to approve the lapband surgery. Good Luck on Thursday......

Anyone banded at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY with Dr. Artuso?? What are your opinions on this facility and doctor??