shrinkingV

I attended the info seminar on 8/3 and decided then that getting banded was for me. I went home and filled out the 9 pages of patient info, got my primary care dr the copy of the release (needed 5 yrs worth of history) to mail the surgeon a copy, and I've waited for what seems like forever. I know the calendar says that it's only been 18 days but it's been killing me. I finally got the call from the surgeon's office to sechedule my consultation. I figured it would be about 3 or more weeks from the time they finally called. Well I got the call today... my appointment is on Tuesday! Yes... that's three days from today! Not only that but the nurse told me that b/c of my insurance I do not have to come up with their office "program fee" of $500! So that's two great things in one day! I'm just so happy to finally start this journey and progress past the "thinking about it" phase. Just had to share! V

Thanks for all of the support. I really do enjoy reading the boards. They help so much. I don't think I would have come up with as many questions for the surgeon as I did without you guys! Juliansmom- Good luck with the pulmo tomorrow! My surgeon just moved here from the Philly area. Small world.

The appointment yesterday was really good. The office staff is so nice and it's a very supportive feeling they all give off. The surgeon was honest with the possible complications (he also added the chances as well as the "fix" for each if it were to happen) so that made me feel really comfortable with the decision. I got my questions answered and was really happy after I left. I found out that as long as I maintain my current weight I won't have to do any preop diet... just the nothing after midnight the night before kind of thing. So they sent me on my way with the information that I needed to set up a time to see the nutritionist (i have to wait a few days to call though) and that the psychologist would be calling me to make an appt. I was exhausted from the worry I put myself through so I went home and took a nap only to get a call from the phych office asking me if I could see the dr this Sat! This is all really falling into place. Hopeful surg date the first week of Nov. Sorry so long all.

I've seen the term "On-Q" mentioned around here but I have no idea what this is. Help please?

Thanks RM! I can always count on you to help me bumble my way through all of this knowledge! Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in all of this info. lol

The meeting last night was good. Very informative. The surgeon answered all of my questions in his presentation except one that when I asked he was very thoroughin answering. However, they dropped a surprise of a $500 non-refundable program fee due at the first visit to cover misc office paperwork and counseling sessions. Their justification is valid and I have no issue with it. I just wish that they had said something about it on their site so I wouldn’t have been taken by surprise with it. Their site is very informative so it would seem appropriate that they would mention it there. Oh well.

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that this happens to. My DH doesn't understand but he's there for me all the same. The friend I had that was going to attend with me (she had a gastric bypass several years ago at the same center) bailed on me so I'm all alone on this one. Oh well. Should be interesting all the same. Hope I remember all of my questions... they're written down but can't help to wonder if the ADD version of me will even remember them. lol

I've heard from several friends who are banded and who also know other banded ppl that relationships with their spouses get hard. Something about now that one spouse has higher self confidence and there are more people hitting on them their marriage seems to crumble. I'm so worried about this. I haven't been banded yet, info session mon, but I'm 100 lbs over goal and my husband has already said that he has loved me no matter what I look like (I actually believe he's telling the truth too). He's supportive from the "if this is really what you want" point of view but doesn't seem to be all that excited. This is my second marriage and I just can't bear to think we could split over something like that. Anyone have issues like this?

Add me to the November anniversaries! Three years come Nov 8. It was our dating anniversary and seemed natural to keep it. Plus it was a Wednesday and the local judge only married people on Wednesdays. Lucky for us!

Thanks ladies! I guess I didn't think about how their marriages were before the surg. No longer worried. We have a very strong super-sharing kind of relationship. I think maybe he's just worried that this is the best way for me to be happier with myself.

The "wait" period is definately on my list of questions to bring with me to the info session. Slowly this list of questions is growing. Strange how the longer it gets the more nervous I seem to get. However most of my family and friends that I have told about my plan is very supportive. Just a few aren't sure about it but aren't voicing anything to me.

I've been lurking around here for a few weeks now. Finally decided to join. I'm 28, married for 3 years with no kids. We've been trying for 2 years with nothing to show for it yet. I've been slowly gaining since high school. My first seminar is on Monday and I'm completely nervous and excited about starting this process.

I'll be going to my info session on Monday and these are the questions I have written down. -Does the port need to be replaced down the road? -Does the surgery complicate future pregnancy? -How long after banding should we wait till TTC again? -Does banding alter medication absorption?

Monkey- This really is a great message. Almost brought me to tears. :biggrin: