i live in chicago and i found a place that accepts the public aid and just so happens my best friend works at the hospital. well i got the number from her and made an appointment for the informational and have a date set for may 19. after making the appointment i found someone on lapband talk that went to the same informational on march 19th and she told me that if all goes well she will have the procedure done by august. she will have a one on one consultation in april and several other appointments with nutritionist and other dr's so i am so hoprful that my situation will be the same.