HELLO EVERYONE!

MY NAME IS ASHLEY AND I AM FROM THE SOUTH SUBURBS OF CHICAGO. I AM NEW TO THE LAP BAND JOURNEY AND AM SO EXCITED. I AM 27YRS OLD AND ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGHT. I AM HOPING THIS IS GOING TO HELP ME GET WHERE I WANT TO BE. THE JOURNEY IS JUST STARTING FOR ME AND AM SOAKING IT ALL IN RIGHT NOW. MY FIRST DOCTOR VISIT TO GET STARTED IS ON JULY 9TH. SINCE I HAVE A BCBSIL BLUE ADVANTAGE *** MY INSURANCE IS REQUIRING THE 6 MONTH DIET BEFORE HAND. EVEN THOUGH IT WILL SET BACK MY SURGERY I AM EXCITED ABOUT MEETING WITH A DIETICIAN AND LEARNING ALL ABOUT MY FOODS. THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR SEEMS VERY CONFIDENT THE INSURANCE WILL APPROVE ME AFTER THIS PROGRAM. HOPEFULLY SURGERY WILL BE AROUND JANUARY! I AM 5'1 AND ABOUT 230 LBS RIGHT NOW. 150LBS WOULD BE AMAZING TO ME. EVEN THOUGHT IT SOUNDS A LITTLE MUCH FOR MY 5'1 FRAME I DON'T THINK IVE SEEN THAT SINCE JUNIOR HIGH MAYBE HIGH SCHOOL. I AM LOOKING FOR ALL SUPPORT AND ANYONE IN MY AREA WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS OR HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS! PLEASE CONTACT ME! WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND BE ABLE TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER! I WILL KEEP UPDATES COMING AS THE JOURNEY PROCEEDS! THANKS FOR LISTENING AND ANYTHING U MAY ADD FOR ME!!!

ASHLEY

Welcome, Dr Shayani is my surgeon as well. Can not stop prasing him and his team, everyone met and exceded my expectations. I was just banded June 5th, so I'm only a weeks post-op. I'm in Park Forest, so not far from you at all. Hopefully we will get a chance to meet at the monthly meetings Tina host. I wish you the best of Luck on your new Jurney. Keep in touch.

Thanks! I have heard nothing but good things..I am getting started July 9th with the 6 month program. I will hopefully find out about the monthly meetings and start attending. How are you feeling? How are you doing with food post-op? Thanks so much for the kind words, I wish you all the best too! I will def. keep in touch and look forward to possibly meeting you! Keep me updated on your journey!!

Welcome! I live about an hour south of Chicago, in a small town called Bourbonnais. I moved here just this year for a work. So making new friends is very important to me and once close by going through this journey too, is even better! Nice to meet all of you! I'm Maria

Hi Maria!! Nice to meet you too, I am about 30 or so mins north of you, not too far! I see you are getting ready for your surgery soon, how exciting. How has the process been so far for you? Keep in touch and keep us all updated on what's going on. I am looking forward to following your journey!

Ashley

Welcome! Congrats on your journey. I'm from Chicago and I was banded 5/15/12 at UIC Hospital by Dr Elli. Good luck with everything. This is a great place for support.

Hi Maria!! Nice to meet you too, I am about 30 or so mins north of you, not too far! I see you are getting ready for your surgery soon, how exciting. How has the process been so far for you? Keep in touch and keep us all updated on what's going on. I am looking forward to following your journey!

Ashley

Nice to meet you Ashley, I was actually referred by my current Dr. to you're Dr. if I wanted to travel North instead of South. But I have family in Champaign & go there so much that I figured this was a better choice for me. I am trying to prepare for my surgery but not easy since my pre-op apt isn't til July 5th less tan 2 weeks before my surgery date. Thankfully they gave me some info about the diet so I'm more prepared. Just gotta find the money to start buying what's necessary. Still researching liquid Vitamins, need a multi-Vitamin, Calcium, Iron and melatonin. I work nights & sleep days. Any advice or suggestions welcomed! Thanks!

Still researching liquid Vitamins, need a multi-Vitamin, calcium, Iron and melatonin. Any advice or suggestions welcomed! Thanks!

You might want to consider Centrum chewables for a multi-vitamin. Of course, check with your surgeon and dietitian. I have been using the chewables since before surgery. I buy them at Wal-mart.