Hello Everyone,

I am Brian from Los Angeles, CA. I just turned 41 yesterday - yikes ! and I am currently in the process of getting the LAP-BAND® hopefully. I have had a general physical from my primary care doctor and had a lot of the necessary blood work done, I had the psych eval - passed ( it was pretty super easy - I seriously wonder who can fail - Jeffrey Dahlmer ??? ), have the chest X-rays 2 days ago, go to my GI Doctor today to hopefully be scoped next week and HOPEFULLY be banded on Sept. 8.

I only started this process about 2 weeks ago. UNFORTUNATELY although I have extremely great medical insurance they don't cover Bariatric surgery yet. So I will be self - Pay and as you can see self pay means I can have the surgery pretty fast.

I am about 5'7" and about 250 lbs. I am 39 BMI but I do have type 2 Diabetes and I am sick and tired of being overweight. It has had a dramatic effect on my life and self confidence and I am in desperate need of great change. I have accomplished many of my life goals in the last few years but I have yet to defeat my weight. And I know weight has had a bad and major effect on my self confidence and self image. I know I can do better and will do better.

Well this is just my short intro - hope it didn't make you run for the hills. : ) :biggrin:

-Brian

Welcome Brian and congrats on choosing to get banded! It's awesome that you're pushing to beat another obstacle in life. You'll do great. :biggrin:

Hi Brian and Welcome.... there is a thread just for September Bandster... there are two but the one that I belong is called Looking for September Bandster 2010 is the one with the most replies... We give each tips on protein drinks and help each other out.... But take a look and see if your interested... Good Luck :biggrin:

Welcome & congrats on your upcoming Lap-Band. This is a great place for info and support. Wish you the best & please keep us posted on your journey. :biggrin:

Wow some very fast and nice replies. Thanks Reverie, Mom and Isa Bella for the warm welcome.

I just came back from my surgeon's office... man the wait can be long ( he was late / at Cedar Senai ) !!! Anyway I feel much better and much more assured about the surgery. I am self pay and I only started on August 11 after going to a small seminar and now I am only 2 weeks away from surgery hopefully ( I still have to go my my GI Doctor this afternoon and get an appointment to get scoped before surgery ). Hopefully everything passes muster and I can get on with it.

Anyway I was feeling like I was caught in a whirlwind from a seminar to basically being almost operated on in a little over 2 weeks. After meeting with my surgeon I am very assured. He has done well over 1000 Lap Bands and does 10-15 a week. His Beverly Hills Office was nice too and the staff very helpful and answered many of my unanswered questions.

Well I am off to the GI Doctor now. I will be here often to see and write to many of you.

THANKS

-Brian :biggrin: