khath0620

So I met w/ the psychologist today and got my surgery date! It will be on May 18th! I am very excited, and nervous, but am very optimistic. I can't believe it is FINALLY happening! Yay!

I have told only the people I trust which includes certain friends and family. I haven't told my brother, though. He is extremely judgmental and critical. I can already imagine the conversation (or rather the lecture) that he would have with me. I feel that I owe this journey to myself and don't have to justify it to anyone else. I don't need his approval or disapproval. I may tell him or I may not. I haven't decided. All I know is that the closest people to me in my life love me and support me unconditionally. This process is hard enough without feeling that!

Hi Priscilla, So I had my sleep study last Thursday. It was fine but, of course, I hardly got any sleep. I had too many wires all over me to get comfortable. They told me that it would take 3-4 weeks for the doctor to complete the data analysis and get a report to my PCP. I saw Arthur Glasgow yesterday and he interviewed me, did a brief physical (like 5 minutes), and tole me that I could probably book my surgery after I saw Dr. Newman. I see the nutritionist today and then Dr. Newman next Thursday. If all goes well (and smoothly with insurance), I could book it for the end of May! I am very excited and, appropriately, nervous. This is a huge commitment. Dr. Glasgow told me, which I already knew, that the Lapband is only a tool and there are no miracles. It will be a lot of work but with continuous follow up and support, I can succeed! let me know how your appointments go! Good Luck! :cool: Katie

Thanks, Priscilla! I am so ready to have this surgery and wanted to get the ball rolling. With any luck, everything will go well (I can't see why it wouldn't) and will be able to schedule my surgery sooner rather than later. My insurance deductible goes up to $1000 in August so you can see my push to get this done. Jayne completely understood and was fine with my scheduling all the appointments. I am having the sleep study done in my home town to make it easier on myself. When was your last sleep study? If it was recent enough, maybe they would accept that one versus you having to go for another. I talked to Jayne in the office and she was very supportive and was willing to try and schedule things on the same day if she could. Given your commute, I am sure she will try to make such accommodations. I'll keep in touch! :thumbdown: Katie

Well, I am on a roll now.... I have my sleep study scheduled for this Thursday 4/8. I see Dr. Glasgow next Monday 4/12, the nutritionist on Wednesday 4/14 and then meet w/ Dr. Newman on the 22nd. Does anyone know how long after these required appointments it takes to get a surgery date scheduled? Thanks, Katie

I have been in OA for 9 months now and have finally found a place where I really belong and don't feel total anxiety about going like I did when I was in WW or other formal organizations. I have to say that I have done a lot of emotional work but not as much of the physical work as I know I need to do. No excuses, I just chose food over "the next right thing" over the last 9 months at certain times. It is not something I am proud of but my addiction, my "high" medicated me. The down side is that the scale doesn't reflect the amount of mental work I have done these past several months but the upside is that I am now using my tools more and more each day to make better choices. It is a process and for every set back, I have a success too. Right now I am having a problem where I can't lose any weight otherwise I won't meet the BMI criteria for insurance to pay for this surgery. I have to maintain where I am for at least a month or two which, for me, is a real challenge. I plan on keep going to my meetings, talk to my sponsor, write down my foods, and pray for peace. Has anyone else been in this situation? Thanks, Katie

Hi all, I have done my introductory meeting and am now waiting for my surgical consult on 4/12. I have a sleep study, a nutritionist appointment, and a psych eval to go through before I can be approved for my surgery. It will be at least a month before all this can be done. I have spent my life "dieting" and trying to lose weight and now I find I don't wand to (and maybe even shouldn't) lose weight, otherwise I won't meet the BMI criteria. I am very excited about moving ahead with this surgery but don't want to gain a bunch of weight in the next month. I attend OA and recognize I am a compulsive overeater. I guess I am just looking for support and encouragement that this is all just "part of the process". You all inspire me everyday. Thanks, Katie

I know this is a terrible question to ask but seeing my health/life is my main focus, the question needs to be asked.... is one surgeon better than the other? From what I understand, they both do surgeries, right? Arthur has several years of experience but Adam seemed really impressive and knowledgeable when he spoke at the meeting. My gut tells me that I am in good hands with either but just wanted to get your opinion....

I had gotten an appointment last week via phone. I am seeing Arthur on 4/12. I didn't care who I saw, I just wanted 1st available appointment I had so I could get the ball rolling. The sooner the better if you ask me. I think ultimately I want to have Adam do the surgery but we will see how it goes. I didn't get the feeling that Arthur was any less competent. The whole family is just so nice!

Hi Priscilla, Sorry I couldn't hang around to chat last night. I had to get home...kids were with a babysitter for the 1st time. Did you set up a consult date? What did you think of the group? I really felt like they were sincere and really concerned about the welfare of their patients. I have a consult date of 4/12. I can't wait!!! Talk to you later, Katie

Yay! You got in to this weeks meeting! I heard that the process could take 2-3 months between all the pre-op appointments and scheduling. That appears much faster than other programs. We'll see what they have to say Thursday. I guess I didn't set my profile up very well. I am not a male but rather a 34 yr old mom of 2 little ones. Ha ha! I will have to go into my profile and fix that! I will look for you at the meeting. I am about 5'7", blond and I will be with my husband who has a gottee (?spelling) and glasses. See you Thursday! Katie

Hi Pricilla, It is so great to hear from another person who is in the exact same shoes as I am in....research and planning. I originally was going to look into UMass Worcester but I decided to go with a smaller practice. I have done a ton of research and I want a more personalized experience. This practice does ONLY gastric banding surgery and I have not read even 1 negative comment so far on this or the other websites I have been on. While I have read positive things on the UMass Worcester program an all the surgeons, there were quite a few people who said they felt like patients not people. This process is hard enough both physically and emotionally, I want to be nurtured on all levels. I am SO excited to be going to this meeting and getting the ball rolling and move forward on this journey. :laugh: Katie

I am so excited to be going to the seminar next Thursday 3/25/10. I have read so many good things about this group and especially love that they are so caring and respectful, something you don't always experience in the "outside world" as a person of size. I feel that all my experiences, both successes and failures, have led me to this point. It is my turn to start to finally live the life I deserve! You all have been such an inspiration to me! Thank you! Katie

Thanks, Larry! Do you know if you had to wait longer for Dr. Kelly or is it that the program makes you wait that long? I was hoping to take "1st available" pre-surgical appointments with the specialists you listed to expedite the process. I am really looking forward to this meeting and getting the process underway! :wub: Katie

So do you know if I have already done a lot of the prep work outside of the Weight Loss Center, is the wait still that long??? I have been seeing a nutritionist for 6 months, a therapist for 2 1/2 yrs, have had a gym membership (and attending regularly) for almost a year, etc.... Thanks, Katie

Hi there...I saw this UMass Medical Center Bandsters thread and wanted to ask a few questions. I have my introductory meeting next week and am really looking forward to it. I have been in Overeaters Anonymous for 1 year now, been seeing a therapist for 2 1/2 yrs, and have been working with a nutritionist for 6 months. I just saw my PCP and she has approved me to go ahead with the process. I have a BMI of 41 and have been struggling w/ high BP. I feel like I have made a great start and am ready to take this journey. My question is how long does this process usually take to get to get a surgery date? I have already called my insurance (BC/BS of MA) and they said that all I have to do is submit a medical authorization form. What steps do I have to do with the Weight loss center in order to get my consult w/ a surgeon? any suggestions for a surgeon? I know there are a lot of questions but I don't want to go into this blindly. Thanks, :smile2:Katie